REI deal: Osprey Porter 46 travel pack (2021.04.22 only)

Wow that is an incredible price for someone who wants that backpack !

Oh! I love my Porter 65, and do not eBags love the carry-on size travel pack I bought years ago.

(The question becomes: do I not use a travel pack because I actually prefer the rollaboard, or because I don't like the bag I've got...?)

I am glad that I am not the only one who posts sales. Enwild.com had some on close out - but, the desirable ones are already gone. The ones left do NOT have backpack straps. Enwild.com’s osprey porter 46 (same as OP’s mentioned bag) goes for $120. So, if someone desires this bag - the $91 price and $70 price is the time to pounce on it.

Scudder - do you really carry a 65 liter bag or was that a typo?

I love my Porter 46.

I love mine, too. Very well thought out design.

The Osprey Porter 46 has gone through a slight redesign. The bags on sale at REI are the old design priced for clearance.

Sun Baked In Florida-

Not a typo I have both the Porter 65 and Orprey's Transporter 90, which was the bag I took on the RS Best of Turkey 13 Day tour. (And an extra week in-country, split pre and post-tour.)

I have philosophies and strategies about luggage:

For philosophy— I believe that everyone has different stressors in packing for a trip. Basically that some people stress about checking luggage, some stress about not packing everything they may need or want. I am the latter. I say that life is short, so I chose the option that is less stressful for me, understanding and accepting all of its ramifications.

For strategy— on trips that are faster pace, like an escorted tour, I want repacking every day or two to be fast and easy. So I generally carry a bag sized larger than I need for the load carried. No need to tightly roll everything to make the 8am bus every morning—just toss, zip, and run. (With packing cubes. I'm not a heathen!)

I was thinking it was the old design but I'm not sure - I just bought the new one in NZ (the laptop compartment is next to the back rather than on the front) - and I looked long and hard before I bought so am pretty familiar.

That's a very good price - I paid the equivalent of US$126 in New Zealand -but thanks to Covid shipping ex the US is not really an option anymore with all the delays

Really looking forward to trying it out for a trip away locally tomorrow - been over 20 years since I bought a new bag - and completely blame the pandemic for this one LOL

Frank wrote: The Osprey Porter 46 has gone through a slight redesign. The bags on sale at REI are the old design priced for clearance.

Maybe. But "new and improved" the days often means "Sure, we moved the computer sleeve but we found shortcuts and ways to reduce costs: fewer stitches per inch, skinnier straps, and thinner material."

For philosophy— I believe that everyone has different stressors in packing for a trip. Basically that some people stress about checking luggage, some stress about not packing everything they may need or want. I am the latter. I say that life is short, so I chose the option that is less stressful for me, understanding and accepting all of its ramifications.

Scudder, I love this !

And I love Scudder throw away line.... I do use packing cubes, I'm not a heathen

That is a good deal! I have an Osprey Trillium 65 that I bought through the REI outlet. It is a backpack that converts to a duffel bag, and is perfect for when a rolling bag won't do. Perfect for heading to the Alaskan bush, or for our upcoming Iceland trip. For Iceland, I wanted something besides a regular suitcase since there will be 5 of us, so putting luggage in the bag of the vehicle is easier.

My day hiking pack is an Osprey and I love it.

Scudder - I believe in liberty. You can pack however you wish! Different solutions for different folks and trips.

I agree about bag redesigns. Can be something minor like new colors; can be made more cheaply; or, sometimes just an entirely different bag to follow current trends. I think sometimes, the “baby gets thrown out with the bath water” though. There are some older styles that I prefer. Some of that is a generational thing. The younger generation does a lot more with electronics and electronics are impacting bag designs.

Scudder wrote : >> For strategy— on trips that are faster pace, like an escorted tour, I want repacking every day or two to be fast and easy. So I generally carry a bag sized larger than I need for the load carried. No need to tightly roll everything to make the 8am bus every morning—just toss, zip, and run. (With packing cubes. I'm not a heathen!)<<

Well said. My previous packing experiences, ultralight backpacking and bicycle touring (not minimalist--because that's just masochistic) taught me how to both make do and do without. Packing theories are, of course, deserving of their own dedicated threads.

Thanks for posting this. I did some research, it seems like a great bag so I bought one.

Thanks for posting this. I did some research, it seems like a great bag so I bought one.< <

Please post your opinions about the Osprey when you get a chance to use it in real world packing/travel.
I'd have bought one, too, but I'm what my dear wife calls "unnecessarily, perhaps stupidly, bag-rich".

Please post your opinions about the Osprey when you get a chance to use it in real world packing/travel.
I'd have bought one, too, but I'm what my dear wife calls "unnecessarily, perhaps stupidly, bag-rich".

I have an Osprey Ariel that I used on a two week jaunt across the UK. I like it, except it is top loading which is can be a problem on short one night stays. I like that the Porter is front loading. I seldom travel with a laptop, so I don't care that the laptop sleeve in on the front rather than the back.

No real life travel plans until December and who knows if that is going to happen because we might be fighting giant lizards then.

I am also "unnecessarily, perhaps stupidly, bag-rich," but I have a one in/one out policy, so one of my bags is being donated to make room for this one.

I just used my Osprey Porter 46 for the first time - a few days in the south island of NZ. I basically bought it because I was bored - but I also wanted something that had a dedicated laptop sleeve (yes I travel with one - its why I can take time off from my business).

Its a bit of a stretch as carry on size - it fits the dimensions for AirNZ but wouldn't actually fit into the overheads in the wind-up toys that they fly Christchurch-Wellington https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/seat-map-aerospatiale-atr72

I like the extra pockets - I need to get in practice of what goes where - i felt the laptop was secure and I didn't even bother locking any compartments. Its slightly odd that the front pocket doesn't have a lockable option as its the one where small expensive very sealable things go- cameras phones, chargers, headphones etc.

The top grab pocket just fits my toilet bag- but I'd probably wouldn't' do that unless actually flying and liquids had to be declared. Better used for first aid kits and cables I think.

The very front pocket I stuffed with water proof and hat/gloves - which made it a bit fat.

I saw so many people raving about packing cubes I was almost tempted - but nope it works like my old one. roll and stack your larger items, put shoes etc in bags. - the side internal pockets take my underwear quite nicely.

I like that I can compress down to the minimum size and it would be a useful sized personal item.

The external loops are designed to connect a smaller pack - but I'm thinking of a carbiner or 2 to attach shopping bag or water bottle.

The external compression straps secure a jacket nicely.

Its a nice bag I'm happy - just wish I had more trips planned!

Please post your opinions about the Osprey when you get a chance to use it in real world packing/travel.
I'd have bought one, too, but I'm what my dear wife calls "unnecessarily, perhaps stupidly, bag-rich".

I've had an Osprey Porter 46 since about 2011, and it's my go-to carry on. Since mine is so much older, it doesn't have the laptop compartment or organizational panel in the front of the bag, but otherwise, it doesn't seem that different than the current versions. I've used it for everything from personal weekend trips to 10-day work trips and it's managed each with aplomb. Not to say it couldn't happen, but unlike my rolling carry-on from another company, I've never had it questioned by airline staff for size or weight, even on European carriers that are a bit stricter. I've even carried it on smaller, regional jets with tiny overhead compartments and either stuffed it under the seat in front of me (I'm short) or in the overhead bin if I pack it accordingly so I can use the cinch straps to cinch it down small enough to fit.

It can hold a lot of clothes, and there always seems to be another nook I can stick another small item in. I like the firm sides that provide protection for the contents of the bag but still have some give if you need to shove the bag in a tight spot. Mine has two interior pockets, one along one side of the bag and another on the front panel of the bag, and those come in handy for smaller items, or in the case of the one on the front panel, tucking in receipts and whatnot for the trip.

The backpack straps are comfortable enough for walking through airports, trips on public transportation to lodging, etc. It's nice to have my hands free in those situations. On the rare occasion I've had to check the bag (such as when bringing back more liquids than allowed through security), the straps have tucked away easily to ensure they don't get caught on a conveyer belt and the bag's been none the worse for it. I tucked the hip belt back into its pockets shortly after getting the bag and haven't used that since.

In short, I love this bag! I'm not sure I'd really use the laptop sleeve and front organizational pockets on the newer versions, as I usually keep my laptop or tablet, wallet, passport, etc. in a separate bag that's easier to take with me to the restroom, etc. but who knows. I might learn to love those, or find different uses for them.

I was finally able to use my Osprey Porter 46 travel pack last week on a trip to Seattle. I love it. It is very comfortable and easy to organize. I feel it will be perfect for a three or four week trip to Europe.