Osprey Sojourn Porter 46 Travel Pack Review

An in-depth review of the Osprey Sojourn Porter 46 Pack for travel and everyday adventures

July 8th, 2025
HomeGear ReviewsTravel

Our verdict

From short weekend getaways to full weeklong trips or longer with access to laundry, the Osprey Sojourn Porter 46 travel pack can do it all. The compression straps can take this from a fully packed luggage piece to a daypack that you can carry around while sightseeing or working from a local cafe. 

This is a well-designed, detail-orientated travel backpack that works as a carry-on or checked piece for air travel and transforms into a backpack for shorter city or outdoor adventures. There are pockets and places for everything, making it a dream for those who crave organization. Two padded backpanel pockets so you can take both your laptop and an iPad or tablet and have them both protected. 

The main pocket has enough space to easily pack seven days of clothing and an extra pair of shoes without having to repeat any outfits, making it a great pack for longer trips (when you have access to laundry). We were even able to pack a small backpacking chair in the front pocket with our toiletry bag and crochet project for the plane ride. There is an organized space for everything including a key clip and spots for writing pens so you don’t have to worry about losing them deep in your pack anymore. 

This bag has the ability to be overstuffed with compression straps inside the main compartment helping to keep everything cinched tight when you buy that extra trinket on your travels. Bulky jackets can be latched to the back with the two exterior compression straps that also have the ability to clip into two different spots, depending on how full your pack is. The main pocket fully opens with a U-shaped access and the structure of the pack makes it livable so you don’t have to unpack your bag at the hotel if you don’t want to–everything is easily accessed and the side panels hold their shape so the bag isn’t floppy. 

If you are looking for one pack to accommodate both short trips and longer adventures and need to carry a laptop or ipad, this is the pack for you. It can cover work trips, urban adventures to museums, and dayhikes to waterfalls.


Osprey Sojourn Porter 46 Travel Pack

Specs

  • Volume: 46 L

  • Weight: 3.45 lbs (1.56 kg)

  • Dimensions: 21.5 x 14 x 9 in

  • Materials:

    • Main: 100% recycled 460D high-tenacity nylon, bluesign-approved, PFAS-free DWR

    • Bottom: 100% recycled 1680D ballistic polyester, PFAS-free DWR

  • Backpanel: AirScape vented ridge foam

  • Compression: StraightJacket + Wingjacket sidewalls

  • Carry system: Stowaway harness and hipbelt

  • Sustainability: bluesign-approved, recycled materials

  • TSID registration: Included

  • Compatibility: Daylite and Farpoint/Fairview packs


Comparison table

TRAVEL PACK CARRY ON? AVAILABLE VOLUMES WEIGHT WATER RESISTANT? SHOULDER STRAPS STOWABLE? HIPBELT STOWABLE? EXTERIOR POCKETS
Osprey Sojourn Porter 46 Travel Pack Yes 30, 46, 65 L 3.44 lb. No Yes Yes 3
Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Pack (men's) Yes 65, 70, 80 L 3.5 lb. Yes Yes Yes 4+
Osprey Fairview 40 Travel Pack (women's) Yes 45, 55, 70 L 3.4 lb. Yes Yes Yes 4+
NEMO Vantage 30 L Pack Yes 20, 26, 30, 40 L 3.06 lb. Yes No No hipbelt 3
Nomatic Navigator Travel Pack Yes 15, 16, 32 L 5.16 lb. Yes No Yes 3
Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45 Yes 45 L 3.6 lb. No No Yes 2
SOURCE: Manufacturers

Who it’s for

Osprey Sojourn Porter 46 Travel Pack Review

This is a do-it-all pack for minimalist travelers who are looking for one bag to go from work mode in a new cafe to an afternoon hike and to a waterfall. The Sojourn Porter 46 can go for a long weekend or a full week with a minimal packing list. If you have your packing dialed in you can fit a laptop, charger, seven days clothes with toiletries and even a pair of shoes into this bag. If you paired it with a checked piece of luggage, this pack makes a great travel companion for longer trips overseas with multiple outfit changes.


How we tested

We had space for a laptop and an ipad in addition to seven days of clothing without having to do laundry. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.

We had space for a laptop and an ipad in addition to seven days of clothing without having to do laundry. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.

We took this pack on several trips. The first was a Plein Air Artist Convention that involved a week of both sit-in classes and outside adventures with tons of art supplies. This pack carried everything we needed for the day–which included lectures in the morning and a hike out in the afternoon to a plein air-painting location– including a camp chair, pack lunch, table sit pad, and art setup. We were able to carry all we needed to take notes and work on our art pieces in the afternoon. It kept everything organized so when we were in a lecture we were able to quickly find our notepad and pen to take notes without digging around and disturbing others in the room. 

We also took this as the only piece of luggage for two people on a long weekend to visit family. We were able to pack clothing for two adults (including a pair of bulky sweats for PJs), toiletries, and a laptop into this bag for the weekend without feeling like we couldn’t bring a spare pair of socks or shorts just in case. There was room left over in the bag so if we wanted to add another day of clothes we could have done that and extended our trip.

We also packed this pack with a week's worth of clothing, toiletries, and laptop gear, and found that for warm weather it is very easy to get quite a few sets of clothing and even a pair of shoes in the pack. For winter climates, you will have to plan a little bit more to get a week’s worth of clothes in the pack, but this could be possible if you pack smart and wear your jacket or bulky layers. 


What we liked

Seven days of clothing packed and compressed into the main compartment with room for more. Photo Courtesy Sara Kruglinski.

Seven days of clothing packed and compressed into the main compartment with room for more. Photo Courtesy Sara Kruglinski.

  • Tons of organizational pockets make it easy to find important items. 

  • Convertible from a backpack to a side-carry bag for different types of travel. 

  • Goes from the city coffee shop to the backcountry trails for dayhikes with ease, making this a do-it-all pack for someone who is looking to hit the trails on a work trip.

  • Super stretchy water bottle pocket held our large insulated water bottle with ease.

  • Stash-able hipbelt and shoulder straps give it a clean look when it


What could be better

  • Only one side pocket for a water bottle.

  • The hip belt does not have any pockets.

  • All the features that make this pack wonderful to use in so many situations also make it heavier than packs designed to be used for one specific situation, like a hiking-specific pack that is not designed to be an airline travel pack. The heavier pack is a tradeoff we were willing to take in order to have to have fewer pieces of travel gear, this may be a downside for those who aren’t using it for multiple situations.


Features

We were able to store a laptop in the main back padded zippered pocket. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.

We were able to store a laptop in the main back padded zippered pocket. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.

Carry system

The carry system is what makes the Osprey Sojourn Porter really special–at first glance it looks like a regular backpack. Once you get into it you realize it can be a laptop pack, carry-on bag for air travel, or even a checked bag when it is stuffed to its full capacity.

The shoulder straps and waist belt can be zipped and stashed into compartments so they don’t get caught on the conveyor belts or tangled up in an overhead bin on a train. With well-placed handles on the side and top of the bag this can easily be carried by hand when shoulder straps aren’t convenient. 

Compression

The outside straps can be used to hold extra gear that isn’t fitting into the pack like a jacket or sit pad. They also double as compression straps when you are using the pack as a carry-on piece and need it to fit into an overhead compartment. 

Organization

There are two main zippered compartments, one smaller zippered top pocket, Padded Laptop zippered pocket, and a water bottle mesh stretch pocket. There is also a back zipper compartment where you can choose to store the backpack straps. 

  • The front zippered pocket has two interior slip pockets and two pen pockets, in addition to a zippered pocket. 

  • The main zippered pocket has two side panel zippered pockets, one with mesh perfect for storing laundry along with compression straps for easy packing and organization. 

  • The top zippered pocket is perfect for sunglasses or other small items you want to access on a regular basis. 

  • The padded laptop sleeve has another padded zippered compartment inside for an iPad or charging cords.  

Backpanel

The Airscape backpanel is padded and has mesh in the center where you need it most when you are hiking up those hills, or walking miles to the next museum. 

Materials & durability

This pack is made with 460D high-tenacity nylon with ripstop DWR treatment made without PFAS. The bottom of the bag is 1680D ballistic polyester with DWR treatment made without PFAS. The fabric is very durable and should stand up to heavy travel use. 


Sustainability and Ethics

The main portion of this pack is made with bluesign-approved 100% recycled 460D high-tenacity nylon with ripstop DWR treatment made without PFAS. The bottom is made with 100% recycled 1680D ballistic polyester with DWR treatment made without PFAS. Osprey is committed to sustainability and is a bluesign partner, and has eliminated PFAS-based DWR in 100% of their textile products and is working to incorporate more recycled fabrics into its packs.


Should I buy the Osprey Sojourn Porter 46?

We had to really cinch the straps even with a seven day load. There is plenty of room for more. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.

We had to really cinch the straps even with a seven day load. There is plenty of room for more. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.

Buy if your travel plans involve city adventures and nature trails or even the need to carry a laptop and wanting to just take one bag for your work trips this is a great pack for you. This bag is really perfect for those who are seeking one bag to do many different jobs converting from a week long.

Skip if you’re looking for a lighter pack, more pockets and organization, or want a sleeker style. If you’re looking for something that can handle short backpacking trips as well, consider the Six Moon Designs All Day Carry (ADC) Travel Pack.


Where to buy the Osprey Sojourn Porter 46?

The Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L Travel Pack is a popular gear item, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.

REI

Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.

Amazon

Pros: Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership


FAQ

  • Yes, its dimensions meet most U.S. and international carry-on limits.

  • While it has a backpack carry system, it’s optimized for travel. We did take this out on short dayhikes with ease.

  • There’s a padded laptop compartment with an interior zippered compartment for an ipad or other accessory.

  • The Sojourn Porter 46 offers more compression options, more protective sidewalls, and slightly more capacity than the Osprey Farpoint/Fairview 40.

  • No, but the DWR treatment helps resist light rain. Consider using a rain cover in wet conditions.


Similar products

Osprey Farpoint / Fairview 40 

Osprey Farpoint

Pack volume: 40 L
Pack weight:  3 lbs 8 oz (men’s), 3 lbs  7 oz (women’s)
Carry-on compatible: Yes
Stowable shoulder straps: Yes
Stowable hip belt: Yes

The Osprey Farpoint 40 (men’s) and Fairview 40 (women’s) take everything that we like about the Sojourn Porter 46 and put it into a hiking-specific travel pack. If your travel plans involve more time on trail than working in a coffee shop or hitting up urban points of interest this would be a better fit for you. While the Sojourn Porter 46 can go out on the trail but excels as a travel pack first, the Farpoint is a trail pack that can also be a travel pack for working adventures. Both of these are solid picks depending on how you spend most of your travel time. 

The Farpoint still has convertible backpack straps and can be a checked piece of luggage. The Farpoint also has a padded laptop and tablet sleeve for working on the road. The Farpoint is lighter weight and has more hiking-specific features like a mesh pocket on the hipbelt and more mesh on the backpanel when used in backpack mode.

Osprey Farpoint / Fairview 40 


NEMO Vantage Endless Promise Everyday Adventure Daypack

Pack volume: 20L, 26L, 30L, and 40L
Pack weight: 3 lbs, 1 oz (30L)
Carry-on compatible: Yes
Stowable shoulder straps: No
Stowable hip belt: No

The NEMO Vantage 30L Endless Promise Everyday Adventure Daypack is an extremely comfortable, well-organized, and versatile travel pack. Its volume is smaller than the Osprey Sojourn Porter, but we appreciate the pack for its ergonomic and comfortable design for all-day wear. 

With a plethora of pockets and organization options, a padded technology compartment, and enough space for trips up to a week (depending on your needs), this is a great travel pack option to consider. However, if you’re looking for more space for longer travel, especially overseas or on occasions when you need to pack more, the Sojourn Porter 46 L is likely the better option. The NEMO Vantage now comes in 40L, but is over $50 more expensive than the Sojourn Porter 46. Learn more about the NEMO Vantage in our in-depth review.

NEMO Vantage Endless Promise Everyday Adventure Daypack


Nomatic Navigator Travel Backpack

Pack volume: 32 L
Pack weight: 5 lbs 2.6 oz
Carry-on compatible: Yes
Stowable shoulder straps: Not stated
Stowable hip belt: Yes

The Nomatic Navigator Backpack is an excellent choice for travelers who travel with photography gear and electronics. It is a great pack for shorter trips especially when those trips involve travel with your laptop and working on the go. It can hold 2-3 days of clothes and has a nice sleek design.

Nomatic Navigator Travel Backpack


Patagonia Black Hole MLC Pack

Pack volume: 45 L
Pack weight: 3 lbs 9.7 oz
Carry-on compatible: Yes
Stowable shoulder straps: Yes
Stowable hip belt: Yes

Convertible from a backpack to a shoulder bag and duffel bag this is a lightweight versatile travel bag. It has a laptop sleeve and plenty of room for a week's worth of clothing. This has fewer organizational pockets than the Osprey Sojourn Porter 46 and it is designed to excel at travel.

Patagonia Black Hole MLC Pack


Cotopaxi Allpa 42

Pack volume: 28L, 35L, and 42L
Pack weight: 4.2 lbs (42L)
Carry-on compatible: Yes
Stowable shoulder straps: Yes
Stowable hip belt: Yes

This is a great travel pack that can carry a full week's worth of clothing with nice organizational pockets. There is a waterbottle mesh pocket on the side which helps it transition into a city pack once you reach your destination. It also has a really nice laptop sleeve so you can work on the go. Cotopaxi packs always come in fun colorways and this pack is TSA compliant for carry on luggage. Learn more in our in-depth review of the Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack.

Cotopaxi Allpa 42


About the author / Why you should trust us

sara kruglinski tahoe rim trail

Sara is a long time Skier/Snowboarder, Thru Hiker, Trail Runner and avid outdoorswoman. Most of her travel involves some sort of outdoor activity. Sara has a lot of experience with backpacks from her years of thru-hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail and Tahoe Rim Trail.

Although backpacks for thru-hiking are different from those for traveling, the essential packability elements have a lot of similarities.

She always travels with her iPad and laptop and has been seeking a bag that can carry everything to be more streamlined. As someone who always brings extra socks just in case, she was excited to find this bag, and if you run into her on one of her urban adventures she will tell you all about it. You can read more on her author page