Osprey Porter 46 vs. Incase EO
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Porter 46 | Feature | Incase EO |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y |
| hideable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| 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 | 300D heathered weave Ecoya® eco-dyed poly. |
Key differences between the Osprey Porter 46 and Incase EO
- Compression straps: 2 on the Osprey Porter 46; 4 on the Incase EO.
- Luggage passthrough: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Incase EO.
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Yes on the Incase EO.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Incase EO.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Osprey Porter 46; 15in on the Incase EO.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Osprey Porter 46; 3 on the Incase EO.
Both have: passport pocket, sternum strap, 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. 77 accept both. 39 accept only the Osprey Porter 46, and 33 accept only the Incase EO.
Only the Osprey Porter 46 fits
Air Asia, Air Macau, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Avianca , Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Kulula, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Trans States, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic.
Only the Incase EO fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Croatia Air, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Icelandair, Juneyao Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, Xiamen.
Diving right into it, we're taking a look at the Osprey Porter 46 and the Incase EO, two highly revered carry-on backpacks tailored to meet the demands of modern travelers. Examining the specifics, the Osprey Porter 46 is a 1.5 pound beast made of resilient nylon, boasting a host of features. It's shaped as 23x36x56 inches, with a formidable 46 liters of volume, lending substantial room for any journey necessities you might possess. One could argue that its reputation leans more towards being a substantial gear-hauling backpack, as so aptly put by a reviewer: "Osprey's Porter 46 is large, durable, and designed for those prone to carrying slightly more."
In contrast, the Incase EO, built from eco-dyed 300D heathered weave Ecoya® poly, comprises a lighter, zero-pound build. The backpack dimensions stand at a commanding 55x39x13 inches, albeit offering a minimized 24 liters of storage volume. Despite its lesser size, the EO has been commended for its impressive versatility and well-thought layout. Reviewers constantly gush about its solid build and the thoughtfully designed pocket layouts that greatly enhance organization.
Comparison Summary:
- The Osprey Porter 46, while larger (23x36x56 inches) and heavier (1.5 pounds), also has a massive 46L capacity and features a laptop compartment for a one inch laptop. It is compatible with 47% of airlines and is made of durable Nylon.
- The Incase EO, although significantly taller (55 inches), is surprisingly lightweight (0 pounds) with a more moderate storage capacity (24L). Its laptop compartment can accommodate a 15 inch laptop. The EO has a broader compatibility rate of 92% with airlines and employs eco-friendly 300D Ecoya® poly material.
Moving forward, the Osprey Porter 46 notably excels in the provision of ample storage, courtesy of its robust 46L capacity, and offering good suspension, speedy packing experiences through its clamshell opening, and neat organization via a compression strap. It nimbly carries its weight, being lightweight despite its size, indeed providing solid value for its price of $140, as many reviewers have pointed out.
Finally, the Incase EO doesn't trail far behind, boasting commendable features despite its smaller size. Its pockets and accesses are brilliantly designed, alluding to an organized packing experience. The highlight is its versatility, with the capability to expand from 24L to 33L for those sporadic moments when you need that extra space. Its great internal organization is always a selling point. But one of its strongest appeals lies in its eco-conscious make and lighter build, making it quite the contender. The decision between the two ultimately lies in what you prioritize more: size, weight or adaptability.