Osprey Porter 46 vs. Nordace Henge 45L

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

Osprey Porter 46

Front facing view of the Osprey Porter 46
Capacity46 L
Weight1.5 kg
Dimensions56×36×23 cm
Airline fit47%
Price$150

Feature by feature

Osprey Porter 46FeatureNordace Henge 45L
Storage
S Compression S
None Expanded Capacity None
4 Opening 4
N Passport N
N Passthrough Y
Carry
H Backpack H
H Hip Belt O
H Sternum Strap R
Inside
1 Laptop 17
3 Main Compartments 3
N Organizer Y
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
0 Water Bottle Holder 1
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
NylonNYLON (420D) & MICROFIBER LEATHER

Nordace Henge 45L

Front facing view of the Nordace Henge 45L
Capacity45 L
Weight1.6 kg
Dimensions56×36×21 cm
Airline fit97%
Price$159

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:

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.