The North Face Router vs. Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
The North Face Router
| Capacity | 40 L |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 54×35.6×26.7 cm |
| Airline fit | 3% |
| Price | $149 |
Feature by feature
| The North Face Router | Feature | Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| Y | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2 | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500D Nylon Oxford Slub, 420 D Nylon, 210D Cordura® Nylon Ripstop | 400D Nylon TPU Double Coated |
Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1 kg |
| Dimensions | 52×36×29 cm |
| Airline fit | 2% |
| Price | $130 |
Key differences between the The North Face Router and Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack
- Hip belt: Yes on the The North Face Router; Removable on the Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack.
- Main compartments: 2 on the The North Face Router; 1 on the Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack.
Both have: backpack straps, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, 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. 4 accept both. 2 accept only the The North Face Router, and 0 accept only the Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack.
Only the The North Face Router fits
Island Air, Sun Country.
The North Face Router vs. Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack: which should you pack?
The The North Face Router carries 10L more than the Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack (40L vs. 30L), while the Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack is the lighter pack at 1kg (vs. 1.5kg). For carry-on flexibility, the The North Face Router fits 3% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the The North Face Router; if you want to travel lighter, the Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack is the better call.