Osprey Porter 46 vs. Nordace Urban Max
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Porter 46 | Feature | Nordace Urban Max |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | Y |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y |
| hideable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | N |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| bluesign®-approved Recycled 500D Nylon Packcloth PFC Free DWR | Polyester |
Nordace Urban Max
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 1.05 kg |
| Dimensions | 43×30×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $135 |
Key differences between the Osprey Porter 46 and Nordace Urban Max
- Compression straps: 2 on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Nordace Urban Max.
- Passport pocket: Top on the Osprey Porter 46; Yes on the Nordace Urban Max.
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Yes on the Nordace Urban Max.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Nordace Urban Max.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Nordace Urban Max.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Osprey Porter 46; 15in on the Nordace Urban Max.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Osprey Porter 46; 1 on the Nordace Urban Max.
Both have: luggage passthrough, 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. 116 accept both. 0 accept only the Osprey Porter 46, and 64 accept only the Nordace Urban Max.
Only the Nordace Urban Max fits
Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Baltic, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Bulgaria Air, Cayman Airways, China Eastern, Croatia Air, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Gulf Air, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Jet Airways, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM , Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
The Osprey Porter 46 and the Nordace Urban Max are both quality carry-on backpacks, capable of facing the wear and tear of regular travel. Yet they each have their own distinct strengths and drawbacks. The Osprey Porter 46 has proved itself as a 'big pack with big capacity', designed with a roomy interior that can accommodate 46 liters of gear. It's a robust pack made of Nylon, equipped with a laptop compartment to secure a 1-inch laptop, and weighing a moderate 1.5 pounds. The Porter 46 is not just a backpack, it's also a deluxe duffel, showing off versatility and impressive gear-hauling capability.
The Nordace Urban Max, on the other hand, is lightweight and compact, weighing only 1.05 pounds. Unlike the Porter 46, it is made from Polyester, providing an exterior that is sleek and modern. Offering 20 liters of capacity, it may not have the spacious interiors of the Porter 46, but stands out for its nifty features like the built-in USB charging port, numerous internal organization options, and a laptop compartment suitable for a 15-inch laptop.
Summarizing the differences:
- Dimensions: The Osprey Porter 46 measures 23 x 36 x 56 inches while the Nordace Urban Max is 30 x 18 x 43 inches.
- Weight: The latter is lighter, weighing 1.05 pounds compared to the Porter 46's 1.5 pounds.
- Capacity: The Porter 46 boasts a larger capacity of 46 liters compared to the Urban Max's 20 liters.
- Airline Compatibility: The Urban Max has wider compatibility, fitting the regulations of 84% of airlines, whereas the Porter 46 is compatible with 47% of airlines.
- Material: While the Porter 46 is made from Nylon, the Urban Max is made from Polyester.
- Laptop Capacity: The Porter 46 accommodates a 1-inch laptop, while the Urban Max can fit a 15-inch laptop.
While the Osprey Porter 46 is targeted towards those who favour a "mid-sized bag with great organization", the Nordace Urban Max is a commuter's friend. The 'S-Type strap' and memory foam back on the Urban Max promotes reduced back stress and proper posture alignment making it comfortable for regular use. Unique to this bag are USB charging ports and weatherproof design.
In conclusion, both the Osprey Porter 46 and the Nordace Urban Max have their merit, each catering to different travel needs and styles. The Porter 46 is a flexible gear-hauling solution, offering good suspension, ample space, and a convenient packing and unpacking experience. Meanwhile, the Urban Max shines with its comfort, internal organization, weatherproof design and the modern, sleek esthetics. It comes down to your travel needs - are you in need of a bigger pack that can haul more gear, or a sleek, compact bag with smart features and comfort?