Osprey Porter 46 vs. Nordace Henge 45L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Porter 46 | Feature | Nordace Henge 45L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | Y |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 4 |
| top | Passport | N |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | hideable |
| hideable | Hip Belt | optional |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 17in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | 1 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| bluesign®-approved Recycled 500D Nylon Packcloth PFC Free DWR | NYLON (420D) & MICROFIBER LEATHER |
Nordace Henge 45L
| Capacity | 45 L |
| Weight | 1.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×36×21 cm |
| Airline fit | 46% |
| Price | $159 |
Key differences between the Osprey Porter 46 and Nordace Henge 45L
- Compression straps: 2 on the Osprey Porter 46; Yes on the Nordace Henge 45L.
- Opening: Clamshell on the Osprey Porter 46; Top zip on the Nordace Henge 45L.
- Passport pocket: Top on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Nordace Henge 45L.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Optional on the Nordace Henge 45L.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; Removable on the Nordace Henge 45L.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Osprey Porter 46; 17in on the Nordace Henge 45L.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Osprey Porter 46; 3 on the Nordace Henge 45L.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Osprey Porter 46; 1 on the Nordace Henge 45L.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, built-in organizer, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 86 accept both. 30 accept only the Osprey Porter 46, and 0 accept only the Nordace Henge 45L.
Only the Osprey Porter 46 fits
Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, All Nipon Airways, ANA, Austrian, Azerbaijan Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Czech Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, Gol Linhas Aereas, Iberia, Interjet, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Mahan Air, Mesa Airlines, Norwegian, Peach, Porter Airlines, SAS Scandinavian, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, Turkish Airlines.
Let's talk about the Osprey Porter 46 first. It's a meaty beast of a backpack with 46 liters of space to stuff your belongings. The Porter 46 serves you well whether you're packing light or carrying enough for an expedition to Everest. Its nylon construction is durable and is designed to take hits. You don't have to worry about your laptop as there is a dedicated compartment for a 1-inch laptop. However, the Osprey Porter 46 isn't friendly with all airlines since only 47% of them accept this backpack as a carry-on.
Switching gears, let's look at the Nordace Henge 45L. This one is slightly smaller but only by the slightest margin at 45 liters. Despite being more compact, it's heavier than the Porter 46 by 0.1 pounds. Being made of Nylon (420D) and microfiber leather, it gives a more premium feel, although durability may vary. It's compatible with a whopping 97% of airlines— almost twice as much as its competitor. It also has a larger laptop compartment which can fit a 17-inch laptop.
Here's a summary of the differences:
- Size: The Osprey Porter 46 is 23 inches tall, versus the Nordace Henge which stands at 21 inches.
- Weight: The Osprey Porter 46 weighs 1.5 pounds; Nordace Henge 45L is slightly heavier at 1.6 pounds.
- Material: Porter 46 is made of nylon, while Henge 45L is made of Nylon (420D) & Microfiber Leather.
- Laptop Compatibility: The Osprey can accommodate a 1-inch laptop, whereas the Henge can hold a laptop of up to 17 inches.
- Airline Compatibility: The Osprey is accepted by 47% of airlines, whereas the Nordace is accepted by a more extensive 97%.
Poring over reviews, the Osprey Porter 46 is widely appreciated for its suspension system, abundant space, convenient clamshell opening, and compressions strap that prevents the bag from looking sloppy, all at a reasonable weight. In contrast, the Nordace Henge 45L is praised for its USB charging system, 180˚ opening that facilitates packing, ample organization for belongings, and the reassuring addition of an RFID blocking hidden pocket. So, in the end, which one's better? That depends on your needs. Are you a seasoned globetrotter needing a backpack to pass through stringent airline restrictions with ease? The Nordace Henge 45L is for you. Or are you an adventurer looking for a robust and reliable carry-on with plenty of room? You can't go wrong with the Osprey Porter 46.