Osprey Porter 46 vs. Millican Smith 15L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Porter 46 | Feature | Millican Smith 15L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 2 |
| top | Passport | side |
| Y | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y |
| hideable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 13in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| Y | Organizer | N |
| 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 | Weatherproof Bionic Canvas |
Millican Smith 15L
| Capacity | 15 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 45×28×10 cm |
| Airline fit | 96% |
| Price | $115 |
Key differences between the Osprey Porter 46 and Millican Smith 15L
- Compression straps: 2 on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Millican Smith 15L.
- Opening: Clamshell on the Osprey Porter 46; Rolltop on the Millican Smith 15L.
- Passport pocket: Top on the Osprey Porter 46; Side on the Millican Smith 15L.
- Luggage passthrough: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Millican Smith 15L.
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Yes on the Millican Smith 15L.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Removable on the Millican Smith 15L.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; Removable on the Millican Smith 15L.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Osprey Porter 46; 13in on the Millican Smith 15L.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Osprey Porter 46; 3 on the Millican Smith 15L.
- Built-in organizer: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Millican Smith 15L.
Both have: 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 65 accept only the Millican Smith 15L.
Only the Millican Smith 15L 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, Great Lakes Airlines, 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 cuts a respectable figure with its dimensional measurements and lightweight offering of 1.5 pounds. Its high capacity of 46 liters provides a generous space for all your travel needs. Made of tough nylon material, it stands reliable in a variety of environments. As if these attributes weren't enough, it also features a laptop compartment capable of housing a 1-inch laptop. Despite its vast capabilities, this backpack may not be airline compatible across all service providers, boasting a compatibility percentage of only 47 percent.
On the other hand, the Millican Smith 15L offers a taller but narrower alternative. At 0.8 pounds, it's significantly lighter than the Osprey. However, it only offers 15 liters of storage space, which may not suffice if you are known to pack heavily. It does, however, offer an enhanced level of protection with its innovative Weatherproof Bionic canvas material. This backpack trumps with its universal airline compatibility. The smaller laptop compartment size catering to 13-inch laptops may not be ideal for larger devices.
Key Comparison Points:
- Dimension: Osprey Porter 46 is larger than Millican Smith 15L.
- Weight: Osprey Porter 46 is heavier than Millican Smith 15L.
- Capacity: Osprey Porter 46 has more storage capacity than Millican Smith 15L.
- Airline Compatibility: Millican Smith 15L is more airline friendly than Osprey Porter 46.
- Material: Both offer durable material, but the Millican Smith is weatherproof.
- Laptop Compartment: Different size, smaller for the Millican Smith 15L.
While professional reviews lean towards the Osprey Porter for its capacity and versatility, it's clear that both the Osprey Porter 46 and the Millican Smith 15L offer unique capabilities to cater to specific needs. The Porter 46's spaciousness and sleek design appeal to travelers favoring capacity and organization, while the Smith 15L's enhanced weather protection and airline compatibility make it a handy companion for the convenient, light-packing traveler. Despite their differences, both have been praised for their carefully crafted designs and utilization of quality materials.
Individual decisions boil down to functionality requirements and personal preferences. The Osprey Porter 46 spans an impressive range with its high-volume offering, ideal for travelers seeking generous space without sacrificing comfort. The Millican Smith 15L, on the other hand, is a classic design that prioritizes ease of mobility and ecological considerations. While both packs are somewhat great, one or the other would be a clear choice depending on your tailored needs.