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If you are reading this post you are likely already a backpacker or at least considering converting to backpack-style travel. I 100% support this decision! Backpacks allow for increased mobility and make it easy to step off the plane and go!
Choosing the right bag is critical. Osprey and Tortuga are arguably two of the best travel backpack brands on the market right now. As a seasoned backpack traveler, I wanted to compare these brands’ top-selling carry-on size bags – the Osprey Porter 46 and the Tortuga Outbreaker.
Here is a quick fact comparison of these two bags.
| Osprey Porter 46 | Tortuga Outbreaker | |
| Price | $139.95 *prices vary by color | $299.00 |
| Capacity | 46 Liters | 45 Liters |
| Weight | 3.4lbs | 5.1lbs |
| Dimensions | 22H X 14W X 11D inches | 22H x 14W x 9D inches |
| Laptop Sleeve | Yes | Yes |
| Color Options | 5 | 1 |
Size/Storage
Osprey Porter 46
The Osprey Porter 46 is the absolute maximum US carry-on size and skirts the limits a bit on some airline providers maximum allowance. This bag has a very deep, roomy main compartment, an organization/electronics compartment, and 2 outside zipper pockets.
*Note – new models of this bag have a separate laptop/tablet compartment at the back of the bag vs. the front organizational compartment like the model featured in images.
The bag has straps across the front which allow you to compress the size a bit after packing. It doesn’t make the bag considerably smaller, but sometimes every little bit counts! The Porter 46 has stowable backpack straps, which gives you the option to carry the bag more like a duffel or suitcase.
Tortuga Outbreaker
The Tortuga Outbreaker is right at the standard, max US size carry-on allowance (45L). There are multiple compartments in this bag – a main compartment, an electronics/laptop compartment, an organizational compartment, 2 additional zipper pockets and 2 small pockets on the hip belt.
The laptop storage is placed on the back of the bag near the straps and features 2 padded sleeves – 1 for a laptop and 1 for a tablet. Additionally, the Tortuga Outbreaker has 2 drink carriers, one on each side of the bag.
Overall
One of the most notable differences between Osprey’s Porter 46 and Tortuga’s Outbreaker is bag weight. Despite providing 1 liter less space, the Outbreaker is 1.7lbs heavier than the Porter 46. This is a significant amount of weight to consider if you will be doing any long term travel with your bag or you are on strict bag weight limits.
When comparing the main compartments of the two bags, it’s easy to see where the extra liter in Osprey’s Porter 46 is. The Porter 46 opens as a u-shape to access the main compartment, which is a full 2 inches deeper than the Tortuga Outbreaker (arguably deeper if you count the Porter’s expandability) . The Tortuga Outbreaker’s shallow main compartment opens more like a suitcase and is quite small.
Organization
Osprey Porter 46
What this bag offers in space, you could say it lacks in organization…at least when compared to the Outbreaker. There is a front organizational compartment and 2 zipper side pockets in the main portion of the bag. Beyond that there aren’t many built-in ways to organize or compartmentalize. If you are looking for lots of organization you would likely want to supplement with packing squares or some system to add structure/organization to the main compartment in the bag.
Tortuga Outbreaker
The Outbreaker could be called every organized travel junkie’s dream! This bag provides what Tortuga calls ‘obsessive organization.’ The front flap of the bag is a half-zip compartment for organizing all those quick-access items you need in an airport, along with 2 other deep, flat pockets. At the back of the bag is a compartment for a laptop AND tablet. It opens & lays flat – a neat feature for TSA screenings. There are additional zipper pockets for cords, chargers, etc.
The Outbreaker’s main compartment has a central area for clothing with 4 small zipper bags around the perimeter (almost like built-in packing squares!). The main flap also has built in zipper compartments for added storage and organization. While the built in organization is awesome, this main space for clothing is quite small. Consider supplementing with additional packing squares for added compression if needed. (Tortuga offers a system specifically for this bag.).
Tortuga sneaks in one last place to maximize storage on this bag – the hip belt! The padded hip belt has zipper pockets on each side, perfect for your phone or wallet.
Overall
In my opinion, organization is where the two bags differ the most. The Tortuga Outbreaker backpack is compartmentalized. Everything has its place in this bag. The Osprey Porter 46 is open-pocket and deep, which offers more flexibility.
Straps/Handles
Osprey Porter 46
The Porter 46 offers multiple carrying options, backpack and suitcase. Tuckaway pockets store straps when carrying like a suitcase and there are 3 grab handles, a top and 2 side handles. Additionally, there is an adjustable chest strap with a whistle (so cool!) and a hip belt.
Tortuga Outbreaker
The Outbreaker is really only suitable for backpack-style carry and provides only 1 top grab handle. The straps on this bag are very padded – even the hip belt, which is fully removable. The shoulder straps are height adjustable which is a huge benefit for a comfortable carry.
Overall
Both bags have very similar strap features, although the width of the shoulder straps differ slightly – the Osprey Porter’s shoulder straps are thinner (2.25”) than the Tortuga Outbreakers (3”). The Tortuga straps feel a bit more bulky due to this difference. The additional storage on the Tortuga Outbreaker hip belt also makes for additional bulkiness when compared to the Osprey Porter. Both bags offer a lot of adjustability with straps, which is key when looking for a travel pack.
Shape/Compression
Osprey Porter 46
The Osprey Porter 46 backpack has a lot of room to expand/compress. Compression straps across the top of the bag and padded side panels provide great structure to the bag along with protection for the items inside. This bag can look fairly rounded when it is full.
Tortuga Outbreaker
The Tortuga Outbreaker has the traditional look of a square backpack. When it is full it stands up straight like a suitcase, unlike the Porter 46 which is rounded on the bottom and can not stand up on its own. The Tortuga does not have straps across the front of the bag, so you can’t compress the bag to be smaller.
Comfort
Osprey Porter 46
The Osprey Porter features a soft mesh material on the back of the bag which offers breathability. The compression straps add to the overall comfort by ‘locking’ everything in place. Meaning, you won’t have a lot of items shifting to the bottom of the bag like you would in a standard backpack.
This bag also features additional straps on the shoulders that help pull the weight up on the bag. You can notice a huge difference in how your load carries when you engage these additional straps.
Tortuga Outbreaker
Tortuga’s Outbreaker offers quite a bit more padding on the straps and back than the Osprey – a large selling point for this bag. You do have to make sure to adjust the shoulder straps to the correct height before carrying this bag to its max load. If not, you could end up carrying the majority of the weight too low which causes strain on the neck.
Overall
Both bags offer adjustability, which in my opinion is of the utmost importance when it comes to comfort – especially on a long carry.
Attractiveness/Style
Osprey Porter 46
The Osprey Porter comes in so many color options! The color I have featured in images doesn’t look to be available any longer, but there is another green option. So if you like some color in your life you are in luck with this bag. From a looks perspective, this bag can get a bit rounded/bulky looking on the back.
Tortuga Outbreaker
The Outbreaker only comes in one color – black. You won’t have to worry about the paradox of choice with this one! Overall the look of the bag is sleek and stylish. You could take this bag anywhere and not stand out as a traveler or tourist, which is a big A+.
Standout Features for Each Bag
- Osprey Porter –
- Stowaway straps
- Compression straps
- Large main compartment
- Tortuga Outbreaker-
- Zipper compartments/organization
- Stylish
- Water Bottle holder
Both of these bags are solid options when looking for a carry-on size travel backpack. If you’ve narrowed your search down to these two bags, consider the type of travel you will be doing most.
Both would work fine for city/urban travel, but Osprey’s Porter 46 might be a bit more suitable for any outdoor/hiking adventures than the Tortuga Outbreaker based on the additional space/size of the main compartment. Personally, while I love the organizational features of the Tortuga Outbreaker backpack, I will continue to use the Osprey Porter 46 as my main bag for our carryon travels. I am a classic over-packer so the additional liter and the large main compartment are hard to pass up.
Ultimately my best piece of advice for you is to order the bags you are considering and test them out. Do a packing trial run. Go for a walk with them. Make an informed decision because your bag is an important (if not the most important) piece of gear!
