Osprey Porter 46 vs. Osprey Transporter® Flap Pack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Porter 46 | Feature | Osprey Transporter® Flap Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 3 |
| top | Passport | N |
| Y | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y |
| hideable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| Y | Organizer | |
| 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 | 400D Nylon TPU Double Coated |
Osprey Transporter® Flap Pack
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 46×33×31 cm |
| Airline fit | 13% |
| Price | $120 |
Key differences between the Osprey Porter 46 and Osprey Transporter® Flap Pack
- Compression straps: 2 on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Osprey Transporter® Flap Pack.
- Opening: Clamshell on the Osprey Porter 46; Top flap on the Osprey Transporter® Flap Pack.
- Passport pocket: Top on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Osprey Transporter® Flap Pack.
- Luggage passthrough: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Osprey Transporter® Flap Pack.
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Yes on the Osprey Transporter® Flap Pack.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Removable on the Osprey Transporter® Flap Pack.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Osprey Porter 46; 15in on the Osprey Transporter® Flap Pack.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Osprey Porter 46; 1 on the Osprey Transporter® Flap Pack.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Osprey Porter 46; 1 on the Osprey Transporter® Flap Pack.
Both have: sternum strap, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 24 accept both. 92 accept only the Osprey Porter 46, and 1 accept only the Osprey Transporter® Flap Pack.
Only the Osprey Porter 46 fits
Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air Macau, Air Nostrum, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, All Nipon Airways, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, ANA, Atlas Global, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EL AL, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Flair Air, Frontier Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Gol Linhas Aereas, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iberia, Interjet, Iran Air, Iran Aseman Air, Island Air, Japan Airlines, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Kulula, Kuwait Air, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Mesa Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Norwegian, Onur Air, Peach, PenAir, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, SAS Scandinavian, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Country, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, Thai Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, WOW Airlines.
Only the Osprey Transporter® Flap Pack fits
Croatia Air.
The battle of Osprey backpacks capture the essence of differing travel needs. First up, the Osprey Porter 46 is a force to be reckoned with substantial stats. With a mammoth capacity of 46 liters and full-bodied dimensions of 23 inches tall, 36 inches wide and 56 inches deep, this Nylon-built behemoth is tailor-made for those who can't afford to leave anything behind. It even has a laptop compartment that can fit a massive 1-inch laptop. On the downside, bigger isn't always better with airlines. The Porter 46's compatibility with airlines stops short at 47%.
Enter the Osprey Transporter® Flap Pack, a bag that features a more compact structure of 31 inches tall, 33 inches wide, and 46 inches deep, along with a weight of a mere 0.9 pounds. This sleek traveller can comfortably fit a 15-inch laptop and efficiently use its 20 liters of capacity. But here's the kicker: 400D Nylon TPU Double Coated gives it an extra layer of durability over its competitor. Now while it may not hold as much, it's welcome on 88% of airlines which makes it perfect for frequent flyers.
A summarized comparison of the two packs:
- Size: Porter 46 is larger with 23x36x56 inches vs Transporter® Flap Pack's 31x33x46 inches.
- Weight: Porter 46 weighs in at 1.5 pounds vs Transporter® Flap Pack's 0.9 pounds.
- Capacity: Porter 46 holds a commanding 46 liters, Transporter® Flap Pack has a modest 20 liters.
- Airline Compatibility: Porter 46 works with 47% of airlines, Transporter® Flap Pack impresses with 88% compatibility.
- Material: Nylon for Porter 46, 400D Nylon TPU Double Coated for Transporter® Flap Pack.
- Laptop Compartment: Porter 46 can hold a 1-inch laptop, Transporter® Flap Pack can fit a 15-inch one.
The Porter 46 has been hailed by reviewers as "the real deal," with "great organization and an old-school backpacker look.” One reviewer even touted it as "a durable option" that can be "bulked up or cinched down." On the other hand, the Transporter® Flap Pack received praise for its "great build quality," "minimalistic yet stylish aesthetic," and "truly functional" internal organizer.
Whether you need the space and durability of the Porter 46 or the airline adaptability and build quality of the Transporter® Flap Pack, both of these Osprey bags offer understated value. They boast good suspension, are roomy, and offer efficient packing with ample compression straps. The final choice boils down to individual preference and essential requirements.