Osprey Porter 46 Bag Review
Review by Dan James
- Product:
- Osprey Porter 46 (company site, Amazon
)
- What's Good:
- Simple Design, Solidly Built, Carry-on Size, Accessibility, Carrying Options
- What's Bad:
- Shoulder Strap Not Included
I have been searching for the ultimate carry-on bag for general travel for a while now. I wasn’t looking for something that would carry my laptop and business papers. I was looking for something to take with me on longer more adventurous trips. While backpacks are the traditional bag of this travel genre I’ve always felt that traditional top access backpacks were extremely limiting. It always seemed that what I was looking to get out of a backpack seemed to be at the bottom.
My list of requirements:
- Within the limits of carry on size restrictions
- Built well
- Easy access to most, if not all of the compartments
- Ability to carry as a backpack
- Ability to lock the zippers (for staying in Hostels, etc)
- Ability to reduce the number of straps dangling from it when/if I need to check it
The Osprey Porter met all of my requirements.
Carry On Size
The Porter 46, when stuffed full, just barely squeaks in under carry on regulations. The bag has two compression straps across the top/front that you can tighten to bring the bag, and its contents, into a tighter package, you’ll never feel like you’re bringing a large bulky bag onto a flight.
Built Well
Osprey’s history is in building top-of-the-line expedition style backpacks. This shows in the Porter 46. The zippers are oversized to take a beating and not break. The fabric on the bottom and sides of the pack are 1680D Ballistics Nylon (this can take a lot of punishment). The fabric on the top/sides are 840D Ballistics Nylon (softer and more flexible). Every piece of the bag is built well and the attention to detail is phenomenal.
The Porter opened up from the topEasy Access
The bag has three compartments. There is the large main compartment that is accessed through the main u-shaped zipper. There is a smaller compartment at the top/end of the bag. This is where you can store, keys, wallets, a book, etc. Then there is the compartment that is on the flap of the main compartment. Great for storing lighter items like a coat or sweater. The key difference between the Porter and a traditional backpack is the way you access the main compartment. The porter lies flat on its back and opens up fully giving you access to all of the contents. In this way it behaves like more conventional luggage.
Ability to Lock the Zippers
The zippers on the main compartment come together and have a metal eye loop on each that a small padlock can be locked too. It works exceptionally well to secure the main contents of the bag.
The backpack suspension unpacked and in useReducing the number of Straps
The Osprey can be zipped up so tight that there is not a single loose strap dangling off the bag to be ripped by baggage handling equipment.
Ability to Carry as Backpack
The porter has a backpack suspension that when you are not using hides behind the back panel. Of all hiding backpack suspensions I’ve seen this is the best.
Overall Impression
This is my bag of choice for all trips, business or otherwise. I’ve just finished using it on a month long trip to Central America and I like it more than ever. If you’re looking for a sturdy carry on bag with a simple design you will not regret buying the Porter 46.
Buy this product from Amazon
Comments
Rebecca - December 3, 2009 8:09 pm
I'm planning on attending a six month internship in Ireland. For three moths we will have lodging but for the last thee moths we well be travelling through South Africa. I'm really interested in this particular bag and was wondering if you thought it was big enough for a three month trip.