We researched bags prior to our latest trip and happened upon the Osprey Porter 46. I haven't seen this bag listed on any One Bag sites and am wondering why not. My wife and I each bought one for $99 (each) and used it on our tour through Morocco. The construction as well as the materials seems to be excellent quality. It is made up a main compartment with a smaller (I used it for shoes) pocket at the top, as well as one outside zipper pocket for quick access and two mesh pockets inside. The main compartment easily accomadated Eagle Creek Folders and Cubes. Filled, it easily fits in the overhead bin and has a great comression system if you're just traveling overnight. This bag was very unobtrusive over the shoulder but also has a real backpack suspension system w/hipbelt and load lifter that stows when not needed. We also purchased the Daylight daypack that marries to the Porter but really never joined them on the trip, we just carried them separate. We were able to carry everything we needed and had room to bring back many souvenirs including a 4x6 rug. We coupled our bags w/Tom Bihn Absolute Shoulder straps and couldn't be happier. Just throwing it out there for anyone in the market for a great little adventure bag.

The Porter 46 is in the middle of conversion packs. It doesn't look as much like a suitcase as the Voyager and not as much like a pack as Eagle Creek. The users, like you, report that they're tough and easy to use.

When my old wheeled conversion bag got too heavy and cumbersome to carry or to wheel over dirt or cobblestones, I searched for a replacement for about 6 months. The Osprey Porter 46 has been perfect for long [>month] and short trips. It's light, but flexibly large or small. The lightly padded sidewalls give it shape and insulation. It's very comfortable to carry with its tough shoulder strap, and very comfortable as well as a backpack [waist and chest belts make a big difference].

We bought a glazed, patterned ceramic sink [Talavera lavabo] in Mexico recently. I packed the sink in my Osprey Porter, with the rest of my items inside and around the sink. It wasn't bad. Carrying it was heavier than usual, but not overly cumbersome. As a carry-on, it fit OK in the overhead bin on a 737. The only glitch was the TSA inspector who couldn't believe that we had a sink in our bag. "Is that the kitchen sink?" "No it's a bathroom sink"

Love my Porter.

Anyone know the cheapest site to buy a porter 46?

It is not a site, but if you live by an REI, you have a darn good chance at getting one for pennies on the dollar. Every quarter, REI (at least the ones in San Diego), have a parking lot sale for the returns and it is huge; people camp out overnight, because there is that much stock. My wife and I restock on our travel needs then.

Before you say, "nobody will return <fill in the blank>"; if you are a member, you can return any item after use. So, as rotten as it sounds, people buy a $400 jacket, use it for their trip, return it, and then REI sells it at their parking lot sale for $75.00.

Also, once a year, Adventure 16 does the same thing and, for my money, is the better sale. I got a B&R wheeled duffel for my mother for $50.00. Also, all the proceeds goes to a local charity for disadvantaged children.

I just did ten days to Hawaii and Southern California with my Porter 46 and the Contrail Messenger. What a difference these bags make! Ultra-light and well designed. I was so impressed, I've ordered the Contrail 22" roller for business ventures. Packed with a combo of clothing by Arcteryx, Ex Officio, and Rail Riders, I was able to dress for all weather, from sea to summit, and also attend a formal birthday dinner. I also used the Eagle Creek packing cubes and a great ultra-light day bag by Kiva called the Stowaway.

For transportation-oriented travel, the way the streamlined Porter 46 falls over whenever you set it down is a distinct annoyance. Trade-off for being able to shove it into almost any crowded luggage compartment.