Osprey Porter 46 vs. BURN 38L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Porter 46 | Feature | BURN 38L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 2 |
| top | Passport | N |
| Y | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y |
| hideable | Hip Belt | Y |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | N |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| Y | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| bluesign®-approved Recycled 500D Nylon Packcloth PFC Free DWR | DX 210d Ripstop Fabric |
BURN 38L
| Capacity | 38 L |
| Weight | 0.45 kg |
| Dimensions | 70×25×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 13% |
| Price | $220 |
Key differences between the Osprey Porter 46 and BURN 38L
- Compression straps: 2 on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the BURN 38L.
- Opening: Clamshell on the Osprey Porter 46; Rolltop on the BURN 38L.
- Passport pocket: Top on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the BURN 38L.
- Luggage passthrough: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the BURN 38L.
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Yes on the BURN 38L.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Yes on the BURN 38L.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the BURN 38L.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Osprey Porter 46; 1 on the BURN 38L.
- Built-in organizer: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the BURN 38L.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Osprey Porter 46; 2 on the BURN 38L.
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 BURN 38L.
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 BURN 38L fits
Croatia Air.
The Osprey Porter 46 and the BURN 38L by Mountain Laurel Designs are two heavy hitters in the carry-on backpack industry. Each bag brings its own unique set of features to the table, and they cater to different types of travelers and needs. One's choice between the two essentially boils down to their individual preferences and primary use.
The Osprey Porter 46 boasts a robust form and a significant carrying capacity. It's designed for anyone who appreciates extra room for packing, and those planning for extended trips may find this backpack particularly accommodating. Its hefty form is composed of durable nylon fabric armed with a laptop compartment that can fit a 1-inch laptop. It's the heavier of the two, weighing 1.5 pounds, but surprisingly, despite its size, it's compatible with nearly half of all airlines.
Here's a brief comparison of both packs:
- Dimensions: Osprey Porter 46 is larger at 23x36x56 inches; BURN 38L is 15x25x70 inches
- Weight: Osprey Porter 46 is heavier at 1.5 pounds; BURN 38L is lighter at 0.45 pounds
- Capacity: Osprey Porter 46 holds 46 liters; BURN 38L holds 38 liters
- Material: Osprey Porter 46 is made of nylon; BURN 38L is made of DX 210d Ripstop Fabric
- Airline Compatibility: Osprey Porter 46 is compatible with about 47% of airlines; BURN 38L is compatible with 30% of the airlines
- Laptop Compartment: Porter 46 can fit 1-inch laptop; BURN 38L has no laptop compartment
BURN 38L is the more compact of the two, yet still boasts a robust carrying capacity of 38 liters, suitable for a light traveler. Its striking feature is the DX 210d Ripstop Fabric it's made of which offers excellent durability even under harsh weather conditions. It's significantly lighter, weighing in at 0.45 pounds, and praised for its precise production quality. It doesn't, however, offer a laptop compartment, which might discourage digital nomads or business travelers.
To summarize, both the Osprey Porter 46 and the BURN 38L are impressive carry-on backpacks. The Porter 46 is better suited for those needing a more significant carrying capacity and online compatibility, provided they can handle the extra weight. If lightweight and durability in harsh weather conditions are your primary concerns and you can manage fewer capacity and airline compatibility, the BURN 38L might be your perfect match.