Osprey Porter 46 vs. Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Porter 46 | Feature | Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 0 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | hideable |
| hideable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | N |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| Y | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| bluesign®-approved Recycled 500D Nylon Packcloth PFC Free DWR | |
Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on
| Capacity | 40 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 51×36×21 cm |
| Airline fit | 66% |
| Price | $110 |
Key differences between the Osprey Porter 46 and Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on
- Opening: Clamshell on the Osprey Porter 46; Other on the Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on.
- Luggage passthrough: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Osprey Porter 46; 2 on the Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on.
- Built-in organizer: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on.
Both have: passport pocket, backpack straps, 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 8 accept only the Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on.
Only the Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on fits
Croatia Air, Liat Airlines, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Royal Jordanian, Scoot, Tiger Airways, WestJet.
The Osprey Porter 46 is one beast of a backpack that's often compared to the synonymous workhorse, the Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-On. The Porter 46, true to its name, offers a hefty 46 liters of capacity, making it ideal when you need to pack a little extra, whether for a long vacation or for a kick-off backpacking expedition. It’s noteworthy that it weighs 1.5 lbs, more substantial than its Lowe Alpine counterpart, but offers a laptop compartment that can fit a 1-inch device, a function you won't find in the Lightflite. However, its compatibility with airlines is on the lower side, passable on almost half of them, around 47%.
The Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on, on the other hand, is a lighter option, weighing only a little over half a pound at 0.8 lbs. Its dimensions top at 51 inches tall and while it only has 40 liters of capacity, it is compatible with approximately 98% of airlines. This makes it an appealing option for those seeking maximum airline compatibility. However, the lack of a laptop compartment may be a deal-breaker for those who regularly carry one.
- Dimensions: Osprey Porter 46 is 23” x 36” x 56” | Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on 51” x 36” x 21”
- Weight: Osprey Porter 46 is 1.5 lbs | Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on is 0.8 lbs
- Capacity: Osprey Porter 46 offers 46 liters | Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on offers 40 liters
- Airline Compatibility: Osprey Porter 46 - 47% | Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on - 98%
- Materials: Osprey Porter 46 is made of Nylon | Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on is made of
- Laptop Compartment: Osprey Porter 46 - Yes (fits a 1" device) | Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-on - No
To buy or not to buy - that is the question. According to reviews, the Osprey Porter 46 is deemed an excellent value at its price point of $140. Comments range from it being an ideal mid-sized bag for great organization to a durable product suitable for those who tend to carry more. The Porter is praised for its spaciousness, convenient clamshell opening for packing, and its compression strap to keep the bag looking tidy. These factors make the Osprey Porter 46 a considerable contender in the backpack market. However, the Lowe Alpine AT Lightflite Carry-On shines in its own right promising maximum airline compatibility and a lighter weight. In the end, the choice boils down to personal preferences and travel needs.