Osprey Nebula vs. Tortuga Outbreaker Backpack 45L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Nebula | Feature | Tortuga Outbreaker Backpack 45L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | front |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 17in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| MAIN: 420HD Nylon Packcloth BOTTOM: 420HD Nylon Packcloth | X-Pac VX21 |
Tortuga Outbreaker Backpack 45L
| Capacity | 45 L |
| Weight | 2.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×36×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 45% |
| Price | $350 |
Key differences between the Osprey Nebula and Tortuga Outbreaker Backpack 45L
- Compression straps: 4 on the Osprey Nebula; No on the Tortuga Outbreaker Backpack 45L.
- Passport pocket: Top on the Osprey Nebula; Front on the Tortuga Outbreaker Backpack 45L.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the Osprey Nebula; 17in on the Tortuga Outbreaker Backpack 45L.
- Main compartments: 3 on the Osprey Nebula; 4 on the Tortuga Outbreaker Backpack 45L.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, built-in organizer, water bottle pockets, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 23 accept both. 2 accept only the Osprey Nebula, and 62 accept only the Tortuga Outbreaker Backpack 45L.
Only the Osprey Nebula fits
Caribbean Airlines, Croatia Air.
Only the Tortuga Outbreaker Backpack 45L fits
Aegean Airlines, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Macau, Air Nostrum, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Atlas Global, Avianca , Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, British Airways, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EL AL, EVA Air, Finnair, Frontier Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iran Aseman Air, Island Air, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Kulula, Kuwait Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Onur Air, PenAir, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Country, Thai Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, United Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, WOW Airlines.
Osprey Nebula vs. Tortuga Outbreaker Backpack 45L: which should you pack?
The Tortuga Outbreaker Backpack 45L carries 11L more than the Osprey Nebula (34L vs. 45L), while the Osprey Nebula is the lighter pack at 1kg (vs. 2.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Tortuga Outbreaker Backpack 45L fits 45% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Tortuga Outbreaker Backpack 45L; if you want to travel lighter, the Osprey Nebula is the better call.