Osprey Travel Pack — Meridian 22 Inch Carryon

We travel. A lot. I’ve used everything from grocery bags to expedition packs for baggage, but over the last few years I’ve come to appreciate “real” luggage. The kind that’s versatile, provides easy access once you’re at a hotel or friend’s guest room, and is durable enough for airline abuse. Until recently, the missing ingredient in my luggage system was a good carryon. I’d been using a basic computer backpack, but it wasn’t a roll-around and during long layovers I’d get sick of the thing hanging on my back for hours on end like a torture device. Time to upgrade.

Ospry Meridian carryon with drag handle extended.

The Osprey Meridan 22 inch Carryon is sized so unless overstuffed it’ll be legal with nearly any carryon size regulation. While it’s a hefty 9 lbs., you get an amazing amount of features for the weight (and could probably reduce mass by about a pound by removing partitions or features you never use). Construction quality is of course Osprey, so it’s over the top beautiful. From the padded buckle protectors to the molded composite chassis, this unit screams so much quality I’m even wondering if it could be a target for thieves (especially if they know the MSRP is around $300)? Just joking, after my Meridian endures a few trips I’m sure it’ll be sufficiently camouflaged (I mean, abused).

The roller chassis is beautifully molded composite. Female buckles are to attach shoulder strap system.

With more than 10 individual compartments, you might need Einsteinian brain capabilities to keep track of your junkshow — but you won’t lack for organization. Starting at the top outside, you’ve got a quick access slot and a small pocket with a luggage strap for piggy backing on your larger roll-around. Inside the detachable computer type backpack you’ve got a padded ‘puter compartment, pen and card slots, and a zippered pouch for a power supply or such. Inside the main compartment: zippered mesh pouch on one side, zippered solid fabric pouch on the other, and interior compression straps you can cinch down on the puffy you keep in reserve for winter landings in Fairbanks. Heck, the Meridian even has a tiny pouch on the back with an ID holder that pops out while attached by an elastic strap. If you lost your luggage, I doubt the airline employee could ever find this (or take the time to do so), but it’s a nice touch anyway.

Shoulder straps and waist belt removed from compartment. These could be easily eliminated if you never use them.

I like the full shoulder/waist harness that converts Meridian into a backpack. Dragging wheeled luggage over rough ground can be a joke, being able to shoulder it is the ticket. And these are not just a measly attempt at a harness. It’s full-on comfy, with chest strap, padded waist belt, everything.

So many compartments, you'll need a database on your computer to track what's in all of them. Luckily, one compartment is padded to protect that essential netbook.

Yeah, I think I’ve got a roll-around carryon I can live with for a while.

Quick access top slot, perfect place for the camera.

Meridian computer daypack section is attached by a zipper, and has its own shoulder straps. Remove to use for hiking, or to reduce size of carryon if it's stuffed too bulky and they threaten you with a gate check. The daypack lacks a waistbelt (which I'd like), but you'll even find it is hydration bladder ready.

3 Responses to “Osprey Travel Pack — Meridian 22 Inch Carryon”

1. Mark W October 14th, 2009 9:33 am

   Osprey is, in many ways, second to none. Some of their convertible travel packs use waist and shoulder suspension from older Osprey pack designs, so they are exceptional in design and comfort–not afterthoughts on a travel pack design.

2. Nick October 14th, 2009 9:04 pm

   9 Lbs! It is a good job they don’t usually weigh hand baggage at check in as some airlines have a carry on weight limit as low as 11 lbs!

3. Travel October 16th, 2009 12:09 am

   I couldn’t figure out anything to write that made sense, so I just wrote this.