Osprey Transporter 95

Great convertible duffle/backpack. Rain resistant and bomb-proof. TSA friendly. Check it in!

As an active Scouter with a Pack AND Troop, I camp a lot. I've purchased different bags over the years in an effort to find the perfect bag. Is the Transporter the go-to bag? Not exactly, but pretty close.

When my Troop went to Hawaii at Camp Pupukea, I looked around for a duffle bag that the Scouts could use regularly and was TSA friendly (i.e., lockable). After several trips to REI and beyond, I settled on recommending the Osprey Transporter. Simply put, it works.

You can stuff it. You can even overstuff it. Fair warning though, overstuffing it means that the shoulder strap will hurt and the backpack straps will start to dig in.

It's rain resistant and you don't need a rain cover for short downpours (trust me on this). If it is heavy and sustained rain, you better seek shelter!

The shoulder strap is removable and the backpack straps attach to mounting points. The straps are relatively comfortable but not for daily or continuous use. Carrying it from the airport to the car is fine. Carrying it half a day would be disastrous. There is no waist belt so watch for shifting weight when turning rapidly. Also, the weight is on your shoulders vs. waist.

Did it carry all of the Scout equipment and clothing? Yes. Did the Scouts use all of their clothing on the trip? No. Is there a compartment for clean clothing and used clothing? No. Is the bag TSA lockable? YES.

If you have to fly and you need a gear bag, you won't go wrong with this duffle hybrid! Just don't overstuff because the straps aren't designed for carrying the bag long distances.

• Style points: 6/10
• Weight: 7/10 (pretty light for the fabric type)
• Durability 8/10 (great zippers)
• Bomb-proof: 9/10
• Comfort: 5/10

Happy Travels!

*I own a lot of bags (and tents). My wife tells everyone that I have a bag fetish. From multiple leather briefcases (Coach, Kenneth Cole, etc.) to Timbuk2 Command Bag, Timbuk2 backpacks (3x), Kelty external frame backpacks, REI 85L Traverse, 25+ year old bombproof Kelty 85L backpack, multiple Osprey bags (from 25L all the way up to Aether 85L plus the Osprey Transporter 65L, 95L), an insane Kelty 110L Redcloud backpack, Eagle Creek travel bags (most recently Load Hauler Expandable and the Gear Warrior 29 for that camping trip to Hawaii). Did I mention the camera bags (!?!)