Backpacks

Osprey Transporter Squffel 44 | Review

Will Renwick gives his verdict following a summer of use. Was it able to bring order to his chaos?

My line of work as an outdoor journalist involves quite a lot of travelling. It also involves travelling with a lot of kit – head torches, maps, endless pairs of hiking socks, baselayers, gas canisters, not to mention loads of camera gear too. And on one of the many gear shoots I go on, I usually spend too much time on a hillside digging around in a duffel bag with exasperation in search of certain items. This is then followed post-trip with having to debundle all the often wet and soggy random stuff I’ve bundled into said duffel.

My approach has always been chaotic – but not anymore. This, the Osprey Transporter Squffel 44, has made an unorganised man organised. Here’s how I’ve got on with it following my tests over the last season.

At a Glance

Pros
✔ Excellent internal organisation
✔ Durable, weather-resistant materials
✔ Sustainable construction (bluesign® fabrics)
✔ Carry-on compatible (if not overstuffed)
✔ Lifetime warranty via Osprey’s All Mighty Guarantee

Cons
✘ Not fully waterproof
✘ Slightly risky for hand luggage if overpacked.

Will demonstrates the ‘clam shell’ opening.

Osprey Squffel 44: The Top Line

A duffel crossed with a travel bag. It offers everything that a standard duffel does, but it’s great for keeping things organised, with numerous different sections. Expect durability, lots of convenience and very useful details.

It technically fits within most airlines’ cabin luggage dimensions, and the fact it’s soft-sided certainly helps there – but it’ll be a bit risky if you overstuff it.

Buy the Osprey Transporter Squffel 44: £160 at Osprey.com

How I Tested It

I’ve used this extensively over the course of my summer in the UK. It’s stored all of my wet gear after a rain hike in the Cambrian Mountains. It’s flown with me on a budget airline to the Antrim coast of Northern Ireland. I used it to carry a bunch of kit we needed to photograph for our fell top Greener Gear Guide shoot in the Lake District. Finally, I’ve just used it for going to the gym with.

Organising Gear

This has lots of different sections that help you to keep your gear super organised, but you can also roll up its internal dividers and use it as one big duffel bag to dump stuff into. There’s one u-shaped opening at the top, which has a two-way zipper, and you can also open the bag up down its middle to use it like a clamshell. Using it this way means you can access certain items without having to, say, unfold and refold all your clothes.

Useful Details

When I’ve used this for my sweaty gym kit or my wet waterproofs after a hike, I’ve really appreciated the fact you can keep your wet and dry kit separated. The zip you can open up to create airflow is a nice touch too.

In use on the coastline of Northern Ireland.

Then there’s the fact you can stash away the shoulder straps securely if you don’t need them or want to minimise the risk of the things getting snagged when the duffel is in transit. Other useful touches include its four sturdy grab handles, sliding sternum strap (with a built-in whistle), its handy valuables pocket and multiple webbing loops for attaching extra gear or lashing the duffel down.

Weatherproofing and Durability

I’ve used a lot of Osprey packs over the years now and the durability has always stood out. All their products, from what I’ve seen, are built to last a long time. I really can’t see any issues occurring with this – the material feels incredibly hardy and scuff-proof, and the stitching looks dependable too.

But you’re also covered with Osprey’s All Mighty Guarantee here. This is their lifetime warranty promise to repair any damage or defect in their packs, free of charge. That means you’re not just covered if you uncover a defect – you’ll also be covered if you accidentally catch your pack on a fence, or a bothy mouse decides to gnaw its way in to get at your trail mix.

In terms of weatherproofing, from my experience this is able to handle a lot of bad weather, but it doesn’t have waterproof zips or taped seams, so you can’t rely on it being fully waterproof. I wouldn’t trust it in a full-on downpour or leave it sitting in a puddle, but for damp train platforms, wet grass, or being lugged across rainy car parks, it’s been totally sound.

Sustainability Credentials

Another big plus is that all of the fabrics used in the Squffel 44 are bluesign approved. That means they’ve been manufactured in a way that’s safe for workers, environmentally responsible, and free from harmful chemicals. It’s a respected certification in the outdoor gear world and a good sign that Osprey is taking the environmental impact of their products seriously.

Verdict

This is one of the most thoughtfully designed duffels I’ve used. It’s tough, smartly organised, and comfortable to carry – ideal for everything from kit-heavy assignments to weekend trips. The added bonus of sustainable materials and Osprey’s legendary lifetime guarantee only strengthens the case. If, like me, you’ve long accepted that travel and chaos go hand in hand, this bag might just change that.

Buy the Osprey Transporter Squffel 44: £160 at Osprey.com

Weight: 1170g
Colours: Green, blue, black