A champion for adventure travel, the affordable Osprey Porter 46 provides basic gear-hauling ability in a stylish, organized package.
Back panel and straps let down the bag
Gift: No
Pros: Durable, Strong Zippers
Cons: Uncomfortable suspension, Uncomfortable back panel
Best Uses: Airline Travel
I took this pack on a nine-day trip to Rome last fall in conjunction with a small backpack, as part of a “no checked luggage” plan.
As with all Osprey products, the bag is very well made and has some thoughtful touches, including the compression straps, external document pocket, small pocket at the top, good shoulder strap attachment points, and the ability to interface with Osprey accessories (including the small day pack that came with my Osprey camping backpack). The size is just right for either a week-or-so trip or a One Bag, One World manner of traveling.
However, if you fully load the bag with clothes, shoes, computer cables, etc., it gets a bit too heavy to be comfortable for use with a shoulder strap, even the super-comfy straps advocated by the main OBOW sites. So then you turn to the hideaway backpack, and the real problems begin. The straps themselves are very flimsy with little padding, and the “hip belt” is just a piece of nylon webbing–these were clearly not a design priority, as Osprey chose to prioritize a slimmer profile over better straps.
Worse, the design of the hip strap and lower mounting points for the shoulder straps, in conjunction with the back panel design, causes the lower mounting points to pull up on the back panel and create a bulge right at the small of your back. After about 15 minutes, this is pretty uncomfortable. From what I can tell, the lower mounting points for the shoulder straps aren’t secured sufficiently.
I returned the bag and wound up getting an MEI Flying Scotsman I. It’s of similar quality and also meets carry-on requirements, but it has a super-comfortable backpack setup, easier-access interior and a detachable, high-quality daypack. It’s double the price, unfortunately, but it’s worth it if you want a carry-on sized pack for extended traveling. American-made, should last as long as your adventures.
(legalese)