A high-quality duffel with a comfortable and thoughtfully designed backpack harness
This Product | Sea to Summit Duffel | Gregory Alpaca | The North Face Base Camp | REI Co-op Roadtripper | |
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Price | $180.00 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $200 List $149.36 at Amazon | $112.46 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $158.95 at Evo Compare at 3 sellers | $65 List $64.95 at REI |
Overall Score | 75 | 80 | 77 | 75 | 57 |
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Pros | Top-notch backpack carry system, excellent weather-resistance | Rugged build, comfortable removable straps, variety of carry options | Durable and weather resistant, comfortable carry options, convenient storage design | Easy to pack, comfortable shoulder straps, excellent pockets, super durable | Lightweight, affordable, packs into own pocket |
Cons | No traditional carry handles, thinner fabric than top models, extra closure buckles get in the way | Only one small pocket, heavy, pricey | Shoulder straps are somewhat difficult to remove | Heavy, not as comfortable as others, less refined style | Limited durability and weather resistance, no backpack straps |
Bottom Line | A high-quality duffel with a comfortable and thoughtfully designed backpack harness | Our favorite model due to a heavy-duty build and versatile carrying systems | A fully-featured duffel with a sleek and durable design that's ready to tackle your next adventure | The longtime standard for expedition duffels that we have recommended for a decade | A light, packable, high-volume duffel with an affordable price tag |
Rating Categories | Osprey Transporter | Sea to Summit Duffel | Gregory Alpaca | The North Face Base... | REI Co-op Roadtripper |
Ease of Transport (25%) | 8.5 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 |
Storage and Ease of Packing (25%) | 7.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 |
Durability (20%) | 7.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 |
Weight (15%) | 6.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 |
Weather Resistance (15%) | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 |
Specs | Osprey Transporter | Sea to Summit Duffel | Gregory Alpaca | The North Face Base... | REI Co-op Roadtripper |
Measured Weight | 3.3 lb (95L model) | 4.3 lb (90L model) | 3.8 lb (90L model) | 4.1 lb (95 L model) | 1.6 lb (100L model) |
Size Options (volume) | 40, 65, 95, 130 Liters | 45, 65, 90, 130 Liters | 30, 45, 60, 90, 120 Liters | 31, 50, 71, 95, 132, 150 Liters | 40, 60, 100, 140 Liters |
Material (main body) | 840-Denier double-coated TPU nylon | 1000-Denier nylon tarpaulin laminate | 900-Denier TPU diamond ripstop with additional bottom layer of 630-Denier nylon | 1000-Denier phthalate-free TPE laminate body with additonal bottom layer of 840-Denier Jr. ballistics nylon | 610-Denier coated Cordura polyester |
Number of Pockets (excludes main compartment) | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Backpack Straps | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
D or I-Shaped Opening | D | D | D | D | I |
The Osprey Transporter duffel bag uses the company's well-respected backpack technology to create a comfortable and high-quality piece of luggage. The carrying comfort of the stowable backpack harness is unmatched, and an additional four oversized and well-padded grab handles provide additional carrying options. While the 840-denier nylon material is slightly less robust than other high-end contenders, it is coated with a waterproof laminate on both sides for dependable weather protection. A strong overall performer, a couple of nuances hold it back from the very top, such as a handful of buckles that must be released to access the main compartment, and an awkwardly-placed internal storage pocket that is somewhat difficult to access.
Performance Comparison
Ease of Transport
The backpack-style carrying system of the Osprey Transporter is more comfortable and sophisticated than any other option in our lineup. The entire backpack harness mimics the design found on Osprey's highly-regarded backpacking packs. It includes contoured shoulder straps with comfortable mesh padding, an adjustable chest strap with an emergency whistle, and additional load lifter straps that help you optimize the pack's position on your body.
In addition to the backpack harness, the Transporter includes four robust grab handles — one on each side of the bag — for traditional briefcase-style carrying or for lugging out of the trunk or off the baggage claim. While both of these carrying options are well-designed and quite effective, the Transporter leaves out traditional duffel carry handles and an over-the-shoulder sling strap found on some other contenders.
If you don't need such a fancy backpack harness and you'd like the extra versatility of a few additional carrying methods, then another duffel may be a better option. If you regularly haul your high-capacity luggage on your back over longer distances and can live without the extra handles or straps, then the Transporter is very likely worth the compromises. Keep in mind that, although it has a comfortable backpack harness, it still lacks a stiffened back panel and a supportive waist belt that makes proper backpacking backpacks more comfortable and efficient over longer distances.
Storage and Ease of Packing
We tested the 95-liter version, and the same model is also available in 40, 65, and 130-liter volumes.
The Transporter's top lid is secured to the outside of the duffel with two small buckles in addition to the main access zipper. These buckles help the top lid's rain flap stay in place better, to help protect the zipper from the elements. Further, the backpacks straps cross over the main access zipper to connect to their lower attachment buckles. You must first release these four total buckles to access the main storage compartment. The design of these buckles does improve the bag's performance in other areas but adds another slightly inconvenient step between you and your gear.
The inside of the primary storage compartment features two buckled compression straps to keep your contents snuggly packed and includes a zippered mesh storage pocket on one end to keep smaller contents secure and organized. While we always appreciate extra storage pockets, this pocket's location can be a little hard to access when the duffel is fully loaded. The bag's main access zipper doesn't fully extend to the end of the bag, meaning you potentially have to dig through some of your packed contents to access the pocket.
The other end of the bag has a convenient external storage pocket. An overlapping rain flap protects the zippered from the elements, and also includes an ID window to stash a business card or your contact info.
Durability
Constructed from 840-denier nylon, the Osprey Transporter is relatively robust compared to the rest of our overall lineup but falls short of some of the top-ranked expedition duffels with their 900 and 1000-denier builds. Many other highly-ranked models also include a layer of padding or an extra reinforcement layer of bottom material to help resist abrasion, but the Transporter has only a single layer all around.
The Transporter's construction quality and fit and finish are top-notch, as we've become accustomed to with Osprey products. The attention to detail is apparent with things like heavy-duty zippers and zipper pulls, thick, burly grab handles, and high-quality webbing material. The Transporter looks and feels like a high-end product. While other bags with reinforced bottom panels would likely hold up better to careless abuse, dragging, or rough handling, the 840-denier nylon is plenty durable for regular use.
Osprey also stands behind their products with a robust All Mighty Guarantee. They state, "Osprey will repair any damage or defect for any reason free of charge — whether it was purchased in 1974 or yesterday. If we are unable to perform a functional repair on your pack, we will happily replace it." Very impressive.
Weight
We personally weighed the 95-liter Transporter at 3.3 pounds, which is pretty good for a high-quality giant duffel bag. It's one of the lightest full-size expedition-style duffels in our lineup.
When loading up and approaching the airline baggage allowances, you don't want a huge portion of the weight limit to be taken up by the luggage itself. The Transporter weighs slightly less than its other closest competitors, and it achieves that weight without any significant sacrifices in quality or functionality. Its primary body material is slightly thinner than the most robust competitors, and it forgoes an additional bottom reinforcement layer, but it also includes the best backpack harness system that we tested.
Weather Resistance
The Transporter is one of the top scorers in this performance metric thanks to its double-coated 840-denier nylon that has a TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) coating on each side that does an excellent job of repelling water.
While the seams are not fully sealed and the zippers are not fully waterproof, both of these potentially vulnerable areas are fortified with additional protective measures. The seams are all internally reinforced with an extra layer of material to help strengthen them and provide an extra barrier against moisture entry. Both external zippers — the main access zipper and the external storage pocket — have two overlapping protective covers. Both include a smaller, thinner black weather strip as well as a more substantial red rain flap.
Value
It is not cheap but it's not the most expensive model we tested among similar high-end expedition packs. The price range among the top-ranked rugged expedition duffels is surprisingly small, and the Transporter lands right in the middle of the group. In this product category, we typically recommend choosing a bag that has the materials and features that suit you best, since the overall price difference is small, and these bags should all last for years and years. If you're looking for the most comfortable backpack harness on a duffel bag, the Transporter is or top choice and would provide great value.
Conclusion
The Osprey Transporter is a high-quality, weather-resistant duffel bag that is comfortable to carry with its excellent backpack harness. It earns our Top Pick Award for the most comfortable carrying system thanks to its well-padded should straps, adjustable chest strap, and additional load-lifter straps. Other duffels are burlier or have more versatile carrying options, but this award-winner does a great job of balancing durability and carrying comfort in a reasonably lightweight package.
FAQs
Is Osprey worth the money? ›
Osprey is a reliable and trusted brand in the world of backpacks. It's a great option if you're a traveler who loves adventure and being able to comfortably carry all your gear with you. The company cares deeply about the environment and offers a lifetime guarantee on all their products.
How big is the Osprey Transporter carry-on 44? ›22.05h x 14.17w x 12.2d in.
Are Osprey bags durable? ›American brand Osprey has a reputation for building innovative and durable backpacks, duffels, and other types of luggage that, while being durable and incredibly practical, are also made with adventure in mind.
What is the success rate of an Osprey catch? ›Ospreys are excellent anglers. Over several studies, Ospreys caught fish on at least 1 in every 4 dives, with success rates sometimes as high as 70 percent. The average time they spent hunting before making a catch was about 12 minutes—something to think about next time you throw your line in the water.
What are the flaws of the Osprey aircraft? ›A litany of problems—leaking hydraulics, onboard fires, and in certain conditions, aeronautic instability—plagued the aircraft during its 30-year development. This troubled program took a human toll—30 Marines were killed in three crashes during testing.
Is Osprey Transporter 65 carry-on size? ›Perfect size for most airline carry-on. The handles are well positioned for easy carrying. The wide duffle bag opening allows you to easily access all items in your bag.
What is the biggest airline backpack? ›Each airline sets its own guidelines for the maximum allowable size for carry on luggage. Most airlines allow bags up to 45 linear inches (length + width + depth) or 22" long, 14" wide, and 9" deep. To prevent problems at the airport, your bag should be no larger than these dimensions.
What is the biggest backpack on plane? ›Carry-on items stored overhead must be 24 by 16 by 10 inches. Personal items for under the seat – including purses, briefcases, cameras, food containers, laptops and backpacks – cannot be larger than 16 1/4 by 13 1/2 by 8 inches.
Can I bring Osprey on plane? ›Among our daypacks, most of the bags below 40 liters will meet carry-on requirements. Follow the 22” x 14” x 9” or 45 linear inch total for standard carry-on dimensions, or call your airline for specific guidelines.
What is the Osprey transporter used for? ›Perfect for hauling anything anywhere, these rugged and reliable bags are built for adventure in duffel, wheeled duffel, day pack, carry-on or wheeled carry-on form.
What shipping carrier does Osprey use? ›
Most Osprey orders ship free via Fed Ex Ground and are processed in 1-2 business days. For expedited shipping, orders placed after 1:00pm MT may be processed the following business day.
Is Osprey a luxury brand? ›An independently owned luxury leather, lifestyle, and retail company, our story begins in 1980 with a belt.
Does Osprey have a lifetime warranty? ›Since 1974 Osprey has only designed and built high-quality products. Should you find any defect in the way your pack has been built, we will repair or replace it without any charge, within its reasonable lifetime.
What is the lifespan of a backpack? ›Good backpacks should last for several years, at the very least. It heavily depends on the price and quality, but if you're spending good money on a backpack, you should be able to use it for years without any major issues.
How many fish do Ospreys catch each day? ›Male and female Osprey both care for their young. They feed the chicks and protect them from predators and cool, wet weather. The male is the sole provider of all fish for the chicks before they can fly. This means that males have to catch up to 10 fish each day for the female and the chicks.
What is the safest aircraft in the Marine Corps? ›Here's a surprise: the V-22 Osprey has turned into the safest, most survivable rotorcraft the U.S. Marine Corps operates. The Osprey had its first fatal accident in ten years last April during a combat mission in Afghanistan, when an Air Force version hit the ground at high speed.
How many Marines can an Osprey carry? ›With the speed and range of a turboprop, the maneuverability of a helicopter and the ability to carry 24 Marine combat troops twice as fast and five times farther than previous helicopters, the Osprey enhances Marine assault operations. The Osprey's impact was felt immediately upon its arrival in Iraq.
Why does Osprey crash so much? ›The USAF investigation ruled out brownout conditions, enemy fire, and vortex ring state as causes. The investigation found several factors that significantly contributed to the crash: these include low visibility, a poorly-executed approach, loss of situational awareness, and a high descent rate.
Why is the Osprey controversial? ›Critics continued through the years to point out that the Osprey is expensive to maintain, and operational readiness is historically lower than traditional helicopters. For example, the USMC's required Osprey fleet readiness/mission capable rate was set at 82%, but the average was 53% from June 2007 to May 2010.
Why doesn't Army use Osprey? ›New budget documents for the three military branches that fly the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft show that none has plans to buy any additional airframes, a sign that the Pentagon isn't prioritizing growing the fleet.
Is 60L backpack too big for carry-on? ›
Can a 60L backpack be a carry on? Yes, a 60L backpack can be taken as a carry on. But since it is a larger bag, you will most likely have to pay extra depending on the airline.
Is a 60L duffel a carry-on? ›All bags from 30L-45L meet TSA carry-on regulations for all commercial flights. The 60L duffel meets TSA carry-on regulations for most commercial flights.
How much does an Osprey Rolling Transporter 60 weigh? ›Rolling Transporter 40 | Rolling Transporter 60 | |
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Maximum Dimensions (cm) | 60 x 36 x 28 cm | 70 x 41 x 43 cm |
Weight | 2.72 kg | 2.91 kg |
Volume | 40 L | 60 L |
Durable and highly water resistant fabric | ✓ | ✓ |
As a general rule of thumb, anything smaller than the dimensions of a carry-on can be considered a personal item. However, every airline has different restrictions for size. In most cases, your backpack should be no more than 18 x 14 x 8 inches.
Can I carry-on a 55L backpack? ›But sometimes backpack dimensions are hard to measure, so is there a general rule regarding what size backpack counts as a carry on? Not exactly, but generally speaking, on most domestic airlines, 50-55L packs are about as large as you can get away with if they're fully packed.
Is the 70L backpack a carry-on? ›Make sure your carry straps are handy for shoulder carry, or backpack mode. With the 70L half-compressed, it's less than 23cm/9in high, which is the max depth for carry-on, as required by airlines such as Air Canada or Delta Airlines.
Is a 50L backpack too big for carry-on? ›Your backpack will generally be allowed as a carry-on if it's under 50 liters, or about 22 x 14 x 9 inches. Get a 45-liter backpack if you want to carry as much stuff as possible on the plane with you. All Knack Packs are carry-on friendly (under 50 liters).
Can a 65 liter backpack be a carry-on? ›Many airlines allow a backpack as a carry-on with a volume of up to 45 liters. However, make sure to weigh your bag and comply with the airline's weight rules. For instance, budget airlines often restrict carry-on bag weight to even less than the normal 22 lbs (10 kg) limit.
How big can your backpack be TSA? ›Carry-on bags must weigh less than 35 pounds and must not exceed 10 inches deep, 16 inches wide and 24 inches high. Bags must fit in the overhead bins. Checked bags must be no longer than 62 linear inches (length + width + depth) and must weigh under 40 pounds.
Is Osprey 55l carry-on size? ›However, if you don't care about the day pack, you can save some money by getting Osprey Farpoint 40. Farpoint 55 and Farpoint 40 are carry-on sizes, meaning you don't need to check in your luggage; it perfectly suits the cabin.
Does TSA open backpacks? ›
If your bag is unlocked, then our officer will simply open and screen the baggage if any item alarms. However, if you decide to lock your checked baggage and TSA cannot open it through other means, then the locks may have to be cut. For soft-sided baggage, this process will not damage your zippers or zipper pulls.
Can Osprey take off from water? ›Ospreys can dive at 30 miles per hour and have been clocked at 50 miles per hour by the time they hit the water. They are able to take off from the water and can be seen shaking vigorously to remove water after they are airborne. Captured fish are almost always carried with head forward for the best aerodynamics.
What does MV stand for in Osprey? ›According to an Air Force primer on aircraft designators, the C stands for cargo and means the plane is “designed to carry heavy cargo, passengers, and/or medical patients.” The M stands for multimission and “identifies aircraft specially configured to support special operations.” And the V signifies a vertical-takeoff ...
Why do Marines keep using Osprey? ›Not only does an Osprey offer considerable ranges such as a 450 nautical mile combat radius, but it can also transport Marines, weapons, and high-value cargo for great distances over land and maritime environments.
Who are Osprey competitors? ›Osprey's competitors and similar companies include Bizerba, Linde Material Handling Austria and Shenzhen Create Century Machinery.
Is Osprey made in USA? ›Osprey Packs, Inc, commonly known as Osprey, is an American company that manufactures outdoor backpacks.
Who bought out Osprey? ›Osprey Packs, a 47-year-old pack maker in Cortez, has sold to publicly traded consumer company Helen of Troy for $414 million.
How good is Osprey? ›While Osprey backpacks do come with a higher price tag, they're definitely worth it for the quality they bring and the number of options. Whether you want to get a backpack for travel, day trips, hiking, or just to have, they have all kinds of sizes, features, and more.
Where is Osprey made? ›Where are your packs made? “Our packs are built in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Osprey run a design office in the city and employ a multinational team of designers, engineers and material experts to create our packs.
How do I know if my Osprey is real? ›The best way to determine that you have purchased an Osprey original pack would be on the Purchase Order tag. It should be located on the inside of the pack, on users the left side, about 1/3 of the way down sewn into the seam that mates the back panel to the side panel.
Does Osprey offer discounts? ›
If you're an outdoor professional, you can get exclusive savings and Osprey coupon codes when you sign up for the Pro Deal Sales Program. As a member of this program, you'll get special pricing on just about everything they sell. You'll also get sneak peeks at new product releases, as well as lots of other exclusives.
Why is Osprey Unltd so expensive? ›There are two different reasons that are behind the high prices of Osprey UNLTD backpacks: New technologies that are used for the first time in these backpacks. A plethora of unique features.
Is 40 too old to backpack? ›Many people still enjoy backpacking in their 40s and beyond; they tend to be choosier about destinations and more protective of brain cells.
Is it bad to carry a heavy backpack everyday? ›“In the long term, wearing a heavy backpack every day can cause misalignment of the spine and acceleration of the degenerative process of normal aging of the spine,” says board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physician D'Wan Carpenter, DO.
How much should you spend on a good backpack? ›If you can afford it, we recommend spending about $150 on a pack with a frame and other features that will support your specific needs. For that investment, you can get a trustworthy pack that will help you learn about backpacking and the ways you might like to do it in the future.
What is the advantage of Osprey? ›The advantage of the Osprey over an airplane is that it can take off, hover and land like a helicopter.
What is so special about Osprey helicopter? ›The Osprey is unique in that it uses two engines positioned on fixed wing tips housed in nacelles that rotate to allow the MV-22 to land and take off vertically, but achieve much faster flight than a helicopter by tilting the nacelles forward while in flight in a configuration similar to a fixed-wing aircraft.
Why is an osprey called an osprey? ›The common English name is from the Old French "ospreit", which derives from the Latin "avis praedae" meaning "bird of prey." “Avis praedea” is a generic term for any raptor, and apparently became associated with ospreys in Old French based on the similarity of its sound to ossifrage (Latin "bone-breaker”), a very ...
Is the Osprey being phased out? ›While the Department of the Air Force said it is not searching for a replacement, Special Operations Command told Military.com in an emailed statement it is not planning on buying any more variants of the Osprey through 2028, but it's open to bringing on new technology.
Why did the Osprey fail? ›The USAF investigation ruled out brownout conditions, enemy fire, and vortex ring state as causes. The investigation found several factors that significantly contributed to the crash: these include low visibility, a poorly-executed approach, loss of situational awareness, and a high descent rate.
Can the president fly in an Osprey? ›
How safe is the V-22 Osprey? It is safe enough for the first lady (Melania Trump) and the president's dog (Bo - President Obama's dog), but not for the president himself. The president is not allowed to fly in the V-22 because of the aircraft's crash his...
Can Osprey fly with one engine? ›The V-22's two Rolls-Royce AE 1107C engines are connected by drive shafts to a common central gearbox so that one engine can power both proprotors if an engine failure occurs. Either engine can power both proprotors through the wing driveshaft. However, the V-22 is generally not capable of hovering on one engine.
How many troops can an Osprey carry? ›With a crew of four, the Osprey can carry up to 32 troops, which translates to almost an entire Marine rifle platoon or two Navy SEAL platoons. The Air Force's "C" variant has been a staple of the US special-operations community.