Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Osprey Porter 30 Travel Backpack

Top positive review

Works as personal item on flights

Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2017

My husband and I like to travel on a budget and with minimal things. With the airlines charging for bags now we decided to get this backpack as our personal item. We flew basic economy to Florida for 5 days on united. Basic economy now means you are not allowed a carry on or checked bag without a fee. These bags fit perfectly in the measurement station. Granted we didn't have any room for our feet... we were just happy to have all our things with us. When we measured our bags they were actually 2 inches longer and wider than the measurements online. So we were super pleased to get through every check point with no troubles.

207 people found this helpful

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Ardit

Good intentions, poor design

Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2018

I got a cheap $30 goruck looking backpack (Highland Tactical) from Macys that was smaller in size and better laid out than this. Front compartments were easily accessible even when main compartment was full. It also didn't look like it was going to explode from looking like it was strapped up.

To those looking at the Farpoint 40: don't. Tried that too, there's a bulge inside the pack for the back padding that makes the whole area uneven. It also has the same strap issue that manages to go right over the bottle holders.

I'm going to try the Tortuga Setout Divide and Peak Design Travel Bag 45.

Pros:

-Looks nice
-Straps are comfortable
-Good laptop compartment

Cons:

-Front straps block access to the pack
-Pack can't sit straight
-Shoulder/hip straps are difficult to stow away (when full)
-Too much padding everywhere, leaving little room in the pack itself
-If main compartment is full, you can't make use of the front compartment. So there's an inch of wasted space.
-One side of the pack has nothing on it...perfect spot for a water bottle holder.

6 people found this helpful

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From the United States

Elizabeth M.

Works as personal item on flights

Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2017

Color: Mineral TealSize: O/SVerified Purchase

207 people found this helpful

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Jelligeth

Great pack, not for narrow shoulders.

Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2018

Color: BlackSize: O/SVerified Purchase

I'm an extremely frugal person to a fault and the idea of spending more than $25 on anything smaller than a fridge is usually preposterous to me. However after one miserable event wherein my husband and I obliged ourselves to drag our enormous wheeled luggage all through a poorly planned 2 hour walking tour across the cobbled streets of Rome, I've become obsessed with the one pack travel concept and since we intend to do a lot more travelling in the future, we decided it would probably not be a bad Idea to invest in a quality bag that won't give us severe and expensive back problems in the future. But the point is, I'm not a professional hiker or a travel backpack expert, but my dirt cheapness has compelled me to do academical amounts of research and my options basically came down to the Porter 30 or the Farpoint 40.

I got the Porter first, but after a week of trialing it out, in an exciting turn of events, I've decided to give this one to my husband and get myself the unfortunately more expensive Fairview 40. Do I feel like I'm spending too much money on something destined to hold things far less valuable than itself? Definitely. Was it worth it? Probably yes.

This bag will most definitely be joining us on all our future travels, from day or week-long trips to multi-week cross-planetary vacations, and probably will act as my primary city bag when there's not much walking to do, but I'll explain why I decided to give the Fairview a try despite discarding the option at the start.

First of all, the pros compared to the Fairview:
-The internal and external pockets are extremely well placed and more numerous on the Porter.
-The semi-rigid side walls gives it a nice structure, feels more sturdy, and makes it feel really cavernous and easy to pack.
-The black colour is actually black, (not some bizarre shade of green like the Farpoint and Fairview).
-The 30l has a smaller profile but allegedly holds just as much stuff as the 40 due to the rigid walls allowing for more effective packing (we'll have to see about that).
-The strap stowaway system, while slightly fiddly, is actually rather genius in that you can clip the shoulder straps into the waistband without having to pull the waistband entirely out if you don't intend to use them. On the Fairview, all straps are either in or out, so if you don't want to wear the waistband, they'll presumably end up flapping around on either side of you, making you resemble a small aircraft.

Functionally and aesthetically, short of a pair of hydration holsters, the Porter was perfect. The only downside for me was the straps. The shoulder straps are too wide and dig into my neck and the front of my shoulders simultaneously, and the hip straps somehow manages to pinch my hip meats between itselves and the tops of my pants when I speedwalk. These issues do not manifest when my husband wears this bag.

I'm by no means petite at around 1,67m and 80kgs, which is why I'm still skeptical about the Fairview which reads like it's tailored for elves, but the "specially for ladies" tweaks appear to address exactly those issues with narrower shoulder straps that curve inward at the shoulder, and curved hip straps that something or another, so we'll see about that once it's delivered.

Until then the Porter remains my favourite backpack, despite the minor shortfalls for my build.

If you're a guy, you'll be just fine with this pack.

117 people found this helpful

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Jacqui Penera

Quality and Size

Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2018

Color: Mineral TealSize: O/SVerified Purchase

I previously bought the 46L because I am kind of a pack rat, but then I realized it might be a little big considering that I don’t travel for that long, or that often, so I downsized to the Porter 30. I’m not that strong, and am 5ft1, 120 pounds; there’s a limit to what I can lug around on my back. I love this bag design so much, and the quality of the material is awesome. The handles are nice and sturdy and the straps are really comfortable. I know that this won’t be like a backpacking backpack kind of comfy, but it’s still pretty comfortable for just a carry-on and a duffel. It fits my laptop (15”), which was a MUST because I’m always doing schoolwork. I love the straightjacket design for the front; if the bag isn’t completely full you can just tighten them to flatten the bag. This is also good if you like hiding the zippers from view when it’s on your back. I haven’t tested how I’ll pack in this yet, but I’m going to get packing cubes soon, so maybe I’ll update on that to see how much I can stuff into it; from what I can see, the back has a nice luggage/cavern to it where it looks like it will hold more than what I’m thinking it can, especially knowing that there are straps to squeeze down the load. Overall I’m in love with it!

76 people found this helpful

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Arielle M

A Bag Sent From The Travel Gods

Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2017

Only read this if you MUST. But just know this, you'll be wasting your time reading lengthy reviews when you could already be out traveling with this great bag!

The top pocket is great for quick access to small accessories. I usually put my chargers, small headphones, and a luggage scale in here. Maybe even some hand sanitizer also.

The flat pocket on the front is where I usually put my boarding pass and passport. I don't usually travel with anything else that would fit in there, so I won't ever "lose" them in this pocket. If security is a concern with storing a pass/passport in this pocket, those will also fit in the top pocket. The buckles (when fastened) get in the way of the zipper, so I don't think it would be all that easy for someone to get in there without me noticing.

In the next pocket, I keep a few ink pens, a word search puzzle book, my house/car keys, FitBit charger and straps, and whatever other small accessories make their way in there. This is also where I keep my snacks until I'm ready to nibble on something.

In the main compartment, there's room for a LOT of stuff. I would recommend a packing cube or two. On my inaugural trip with this bag, I was able to fit one pair of shoes, a medium packing cube, my toiletry kit, and my Ona Bowery camera bag. Since I also had my wife's MacBook Pro in the laptop compartment, the bag got a little heavy. I believe it weighed in at over 20lbs I won't always travel with such heavy cargo, but now I know that this backpack can handle the weight.

I never knew I needed my straps to tuck away until I got this bag. Now they're always tucked in unless I'm rushing through the terminal! The straps are comfy though! I only use the hip belt when my shoulders are hurting BEFORE putting the bag on my back. With what little padding the hip belt has, it isn't uncomfortable.

I heard this bag fits under airplane seats. I didn't believe it. However, I've seen a few reviews with photo proof of this! I measured the bag and compared it to Southwest's guidelines and it definitely met the requirements. I've also seen the bag stored under Delta and American seats. Looks like it'll stick out a little bit. So hopefully the flight attendants are nice! I wrote this review while on a plane. I decided to put my bag under the seat before getting off the plane, to see if the rumors were true. IT FITS! Photo attached.

I got this bag because I wanted to travel with less bags. If I can fit MORE things in ONE bag, and NOT break my back OR the bank, I'm all for it! There are plenty of other bags for 2x the price of this one, but sometimes you just don't need all the bells and whistles.

For the people rating this 30L bag based on how they wish it was a bigger bag: next time just buy a bigger bag! Buy what you NEED instead of buying what you don't need and complaining later that it doesn't work for you. Happy travels!

160 people found this helpful

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Kathy P

I love this backpack

Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2018

Color: BlackSize: O/SVerified Purchase

I love this backpack. My daughter and I spent three weeks in Europe and were able to use just this backpack ( we each had one) we packed light but it was perfect. It’s lightweight and has plenty of compartments to keep your passport, dirty clothes, clean clothes, maps, tickets and anything else you need an easy reach. This one was a gift for my other daughter who wanted the perfect backpack for travel and weekend use. We walked 51k steps our first day and I was comfortable carrying it most of the way. I did get tired. I would recommend it to anyone.

54 people found this helpful

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Grace Or Anodyne

On the plane with you

Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2018

Color: Mineral TealSize: O/SVerified Purchase

Just took this and a moshi MacBook handbag as only luggage through Western and Northern Europe for 2 weeks. I also have the 40 but it is much easier to overpack and have to check -- this time I went with the 30, a tape measure, and a small digital luggage scale, and it was dead on for the budget EU carriers I flew. I had 2 pairs of dry clean pants, 2 pairs rei technical pants, 4 nice blouses, a dressy cardigan, 3 solumbra shirts, socks, underwear and toiletries/meds in the bag, compressed to the lower (inner) clips, which brings it under the width limit for, say, Norwegian.

Love this pack. May get a Tom Binh someday, but for now this is pretty great. Took a great deal of abuse this trip and appears ready for more.

34 people found this helpful

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Batx

Versatile & Comfortable

Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2017

Color: Castle GreySize: O/SVerified Purchase

This is a very versatile and comfortable pack for traveling light or as a carry-on.

The first trip it was used for, it was the only pack carried and had enough room for a five day trip that included fly fishing and going out. The packable shoulder and kidney straps are a very nice touch and the compression straps are great at reducing bulk.

There are plenty of zippered pockets for your small items, electronic/business accessories, toiletries and tablets/laptop. The top pocket was great for TSA check items cause of the ease of access and the main compartment has the ability to be locked.

I found that with a five day load, the pack had some weight, about 40lbs, and the shoulder straps were comfortable enough for rucking through terminals and getting to trains and what not, but you wouldn’t want to use this as a backcountry pack. It is however, a great pack for its intended use of a carry-on/short distance packing.

15 people found this helpful

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Freestyle Barracuda

Prepare for compliments and questions from other travelers

Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2018

Color: Castle GreySize: O/SVerified Purchase

The newer Porter 30 is a couple notches up from my other Ospreys (Hikelite, Daylite, Daylite Plus, Veer messenger bag). It could be used daily but it best meets my carry-on travel needs. It gives pride in ownership and looks fantastic. The material is a very strong ripstop and the zippers, buckles, waist strap, hip pads, and handles are all a couple notches better than my other Osprey packs. The admin section is a bright green and the zip areas for shades and traveling docs along with a separate zipped area now for a laptop and an iPad are done well. There is no water bottle slot or internal compression straps though. I use a case but that non-scratch material would have been better for the shades pouch, too. Its also comfortable to wear for jaunts through airports and off to hotels and such but I wish Osprey had added some back panel breathable improvements. Its just a flat back now and air can’t escape.

The Castle grey is a dark greenish grey & very classy color. It is smaller looking than I expected (a good thing) and still holds a week or two of my gear when I pack correctly. Another 5 liters or so would have been better for me though.

You can cinch down any day pack, jacket, or anything that you want on the Porter because of the fabulous straight jacket compression. You don't have to use a Daylite or other Osprey "compatible" pack. I included a few pictures with the Osprey Hikelite 26, Camelback mule, Osprey Daylite plus and a Thule 21L and all secure well. This Thule is perfect for traveling with the Porter because it has a great 'crush zone' pouch on top for shades, passport, wallet and cell. It also has a slim profile, a side slot or the stuff pouch for a water bottle, attaches/detaches quickly, & looks sharp cradled in the straight jacket.

It fits under the seat but this takes away a lot of leg room so I recommend using the overhead bin for comfort. I just detach my daypack & store it under the seat in front of me (with valuables and flying gear). The Porter has great handles & stores like a small pack on its side in the bins (like a book on a shelf) so you likely can fit it in a bin that was even closed already. I love that! I included a pic below of my Thule 21L strapped on the Porter from the side profile. I don’t like the shoulder strap option because it’s not how I would carry in an airport and also because Osprey doesn’t include a shoulder strap.

Be prepared for compliments and questions from other travelers on this beauty. It is so close to perfection as a carry-on bag/backpack now. Hey Osprey, add a water bottle slot, internal compression straps, make the hip belt removable, add an air channel up the back for breathing better, add a 'secret' zippered pocket on the back for a passport, and add an expandable 3-5 liter zip out option (like on the Vaude Wizard) and this will be the greatest carry-on ever!

P.S. on packaging: The Porter 30 came very fast and packaged to perfection in its Amazon box. It was in a perfect sized box & had air pillows placed strategically around it. You could tell it was held in high regard by the people who put this packaging together. Much appreciated and thanks for the big wow factor when opening the box!

P.S. #2...I recently picked up an Osprey Tropos 32 and that is much better than the Porter for a lot of tasks including travel/carry-on. I'll do a review on that one soon but its not even close as the Tropos is much more travel friendly, has a superb breathable back, better organization, and a freank'n kickstand! Yeah, a kickstand! No more struggling with a carry-on during those long airport lines for me with the Tropos.

21 people found this helpful

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julie

Great Carry on Backpack! Look no further.

Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2019

Color: Mineral TealSize: O/SVerified Purchase

Incredible, this backpack is amazing. If you’re contemplating a good quality carry on back pack, look no further you have arrived on just what you’re looking for. I spent hours and days looking at backpacks for the perfect carry on bag. This osprey porter 30 is very comfortable, there is so much space-yet still meets most airline requirements for carry on size, I love all the extra zipper pockets. I fit so much stuff in it and it didn’t feel heavy.

After traveling for 3 weeks in Australia with this backpack I will still agree with my original comment. Every flight domestic and international allowed this bag as a carry on. The one thing I will say is that it got pretty heavy walking around the airport and the straps dig into my shoulders a bit, but that’s my own fault for packing it that way.

11 people found this helpful

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Mari

Fantastically thought-out

Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2019

Color: BlackSize: O/SVerified Purchase

This carry-on is fantastically thought out. I conducted a *very* thorough search, both online and in person, and if you think this bag fits your needs well, I don't think you'll find another bag that does so at a better price point. (I thought this was expensive, until I furthered my search....) Plenty of room to accommodate your 'day at work' gear and a whole other bunch of room to accommodate your 'carry-on clothes for the work-week' gear - provided you pack efficiently, I'm sure (I, personally, don't know of any other way to pack - but figured it's worth mentioning - this has a very comfortable 'carry-on' area, but it's not as big as your typical carry-on). My purpose: a couple days of work travel. My criteria: work stuff and packed clothes and such to be separate, so I can walk off my flight, into my client site, and not worry about showing all my clothes to everyone while I take out my laptop, without having to carry two bags. This bag accomplishes this amazingly well with a laptop pocket at the back, and two front pockets that accommodate your 'work bag' stuff, plus an extra top pocket for small extras that you need on hand! Meanwhile the super roomy middle is just like a (smaller than usual) carry-on! I did also try the 46 - I'm a woman - fairly tall at 5'7", but I still thought the 46 looked like I was going backpacking across Europe on me - so I opted for this one, the 30, which has all the same exact design features, and just happens to be smaller, but again - I'm a super efficient packer, and it's just 3-4 days, so it will work wonderfully for me, and looks a bit more put together on me. I also opted for the castle grey in the end, because I felt it was a more flexible, but still very professional looking color. My husband kept the 46, because even though he technically doesn't need it, he fell in love with it and said we should have 'matching' bags ;-) sure.... He kept the black. I'm super excited about this bag -in fact, I'm going to get the teal one for my son, because from now on, we will never worry about bags in the airport, even when we travel for vacation! We are freeeeeee!!!! hah ;-) As another reviewer mentioned, the one drawback is that there's no bottle holder, but I think I'll be able to figure out a way - and if not - hey, it's the *only* thing I have to hold! :-D

2 people found this helpful

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Osprey Porter 30 Travel Backpack

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Osprey Porter 30 Travel Backpack

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