Osprey Transporter 40 Review: Should You Get It?

Have you been looking for a duffel bag that might just be able to do it all? The Osprey Transporter 40 might just be what you’re looking for!

Let’s face it, a standard duffle bag is nice but it’s not that convenient really is it? Carrying it puts one shoulder under strain, you have to keep switching shoulders as you go, and generally, that kind of duffel bag is one you would choose last to take on a trip with you.

So how is the Osprey Transporter 40 different? That is what we are here to find out! Join me as we go into an in-depth review of the Osprey Transporter 40 so you can decide if it truly is the duffel bag you have been looking for!

Materials & Durability

So, what is the Osprey Transporter 40 made of and how long is it going to last? Two key questions that anyone buying a backpack or a duffel bag needs answers to.

Materials

The Osprey Transporter 40 Duffel Bag is made from a mixture of TPU-coated 900-denier and 600-denier polyester. The polyester used is 100% recycled and bluesign® approved, giving the duffel bag a big Eco tick that a lot of us are looking for these days.

So what does 600D or 900D (denier) mean? Denier, or D, is a rating system for the thickness of a fabric and both 600 and 900 are pretty high up on the scale. This means that this duffel bag is made from some seriously tough materials and will handle abrasion plus wear with ease.

It also features high-quality buckles from top manufacturers and it comes with YKK zippers for every zip (3 in total).

Durability

As you might have guessed from the use of quality materials, the Osprey Transporter 40 Duffel Bag is one durable duffel. The high denier polyester used means it can handle being dropped on rocks, carrying sharp hiking gear, and generally will hold up on every adventure.

The YKK zippers are some of the best on the market, so zipper failure isn’t going to be a problem and the buckles are durable too.

The stitching along the seams is excellent and matches the quality of the fabrics used and the handles are thick, reinforced, and designed to last too!

The TPU coating (thermoplastic polyurethane) also adds a durable element to the duffel bag too. It protects the bag from stains, abrasions, and adds some elasticity so not all the pressure is applied to the seams.

Overall, the Osprey Transporter 40 duffel bag is highly durable and built to last!

Organization & Accessibility

Now that we know the Osprey Transport 40 Duffel Bag is pretty much bomb-proof, how does it do when it comes to packing and organizing your things, and getting to them when you need to?

Organization

The Osprey Transporter 40 comes with one large main compartment, one external pocket, and one internal mesh pocket. Yes, a laptop compartment is missing in the duffel so you would have to leave that inside the main compartment.

Inside the main compartment, you will find a good amount of space that will hold more than enough for 3-7 days away, depending on what you choose to take with you.

There are multiple internal compression straps in the main compartment so you can secure your belongings for a bumpy ride, and the bag is compatible with packing cubes too, so you can leave out the compression straps.

The internal side mesh zippered pocket is handy for storing smaller items you want to keep organized and apart from the main load. The external hidden zippered pocket is ideal for things you might want to access often and quickly like your keys, phone, wallet, and passport.

Accessibility

Access to the main compartment on the Osprey Transporter 40 is excellent. The U-lid opening shows you the entire compartment which makes packing and finding your things as easy as it gets with a duffel bag.

The internal pocket is a bit out of the way and ends up being hidden by all your gear in the main area which makes accessing it quickly a nightmare. Don’t use this pocket for things you’ll need on the go.

The small pocket on the exterior of the bag is great. One quick unzip and you have access to anything you need inside it.

Carrying Comfort

What makes the Osprey Transporter so versatile as a duffel bag is a versatility of carrying options it comes with. Osprey really nailed this side of things, let’s see what it has to offer.

Carrying Options

The Osprey Transporter comes with backpack straps so you can carry the duffle in a backpack style. This makes it a great travel backpack as you can spread the load comfortably across both shoulders instead of one.

The backpack straps are also part of a hideaway harness system, so you can neatly tuck them into the lid when you don’t need them.

You can also whip out the large single shoulder strap and carry it as a messenger bag. The messenger-style strap clips securely to the buckles, is burly, and make carrying it as a messenger bag a breeze.

Finally, we have the grab handles for carrying it like a traditional duffel. There are grab handles on all four sides so when you are loading it into a car or onto a pickup, life couldn’t be easier.

Comfort

The Osprey Transporter is a comfortable backpack to carry around. It doesn’t have a frame, a back panel, a hip belt, or a waist strap like a travel backpack might, but it is still comfy under a heavy load.

The shoulder straps make this possible! Both shoulder straps are wide and well padded ensuring the weight stays close, and there is a sternum strap to spread the load evenly.

The thick material along with the pocket used to stow the shoulder straps create some rigidity to function as a back panel. Overall, it is super comfortable in backpack mode!

The padded shoulder strap used in messenger mode is also thick and ensures that it is comfortable to carry a load of gear on short trips too! You can stow this shoulder strap into the flap too!

Weather Performance

If you venture into the wilderness with this pack, you’re going to want to know what kind of elements it can handle.

Polyester is naturally water resistant and with the TPU coating has some additional weather resistance. The Osprey Transporter pack is, therefore, water-resistant but it is not waterproof. It will handle a light rain shower but not much more.

The zippers each have a flap which also helps prevent any water from seeping in through the zippers, as they are not water-resistant in any way!

Value For Money

The Osprey Transporter 40 retails for around $145 which is exceptional value for money in our eyes.

To find a duffel bag that is this durable, versatile, and comfortable for such a low price is a bit of a sensation and we think it is worth every penny.

Rating

The Osprey Transporter 40 has done impressively well against our rating system with a score of 86/100.

This truly is an all-around excellent bag that can pretty much be taken anywhere. It performed excellently against every category and only lost points for organization.

It would be great if Osprey added a laptop sleeve somewhere, a water bottle pocket, and a more accessible inner pocket too – if it had these, this bag would be hard to beat!

Verdict

Overall, the Osprey Transporter 40 is an epic duffle bag. It is built to be taken on every adventure whether it’s to the gym, camping, or getting some vital gear up to base camp for a trek of a lifetime.

Between the bulletproof materials, versatile carry options, great accessibility, and incredible value, we think it’s a bag everyone should consider owning!