Osprey Sojourn Shuttle Wheeled Duffel 45L Review

1. Introduction

Somewhere between a hiker’s backpack and a roller suitcase, the wheeled duffel is a hybrid form of luggage that offers the sturdiness of a traditional duffel with the mobility of a wheelie bag. For digital nomads who need a reliable carry-on that can handle both the smooth floors of the airport terminal and the rocky terrain of a hillside town, it’s a handy fusion of styles.

One of the brands making wheeled duffel carry-ons is Osprey. An outdoor activity brand that specializes in hardy backpacks, it has a relatively small sideline in luggage. The wheeled duffels that it does offer, however, are extremely high quality.

In this post, we’re going to look at the highlights of the Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 22”, from its interior capacity to its unique compression system.

2. Size, Capacity & First Impressions

We immediately liked the appearance of the Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 22”. It looks the part for action-oriented nomads, with buff oversized wheels and fabric that feels nice and durable. With a capacity of 45l, there was plenty of space for all our essential items.

We went with the Koseret Green color, but it also comes in black.

Even though Osprey claims its Sojourn Shuttle 22” fits international carry-on standards, the bag is slightly too large for almost all airlines at 23.6” H X 16.5” W X 12.2” L (60cm x 42cm x 21cm).

While that might be off-putting for some nomads, it’s important to remember that the Sojourn Shuttle is a fabric duffel, rather than a hardshell suitcase. That means that as long as you don’t fill it to bursting, it is possible to squish it down to fit the maximum measurements.

The bag weighs 6.4lbs (2.9kg) empty, which is very light for a carry-on.

If you want to pair it with a checked bag of the same design, the Sojourn Shuttle also comes in a 100l and 130l size.

Incidentally, Osprey has other wheeled duffel models that come with a shoulder harness, so you can turn the bag into a backpack, but this does eat into your packing capacity.

3. Features & Functionality

The Osprey Sojourn Shuttle comes with several cool features that set it apart from other carry-on options.

Storage & Interior Design:

There are a couple of exterior pockets, one on the top where you could put a passport or anything else you might need easy access too. The other one is on the back where the telescopic handle retracts. Again, there’s not a huge amount of space here, but you can fit in flat-ish items like a book or even a slim bag of toiletries.

The 45l Sojourn Shuttle doesn’t have the boot bin that the larger versions have, but that would be a lot to ask for a carry-on!

Inside the duffel is one large space where you can put most of your items, including clothes, a camera bag, and so on. A pair of compression straps help secure everything in place.

There are also a pair of pockets lining the interior, one mesh and one opaque, where we put things like cables, lip balm, and other bits and bobs we didn’t want to disappear into the bag.

The most unique thing about the Sojourn Shuttle is its Wingjacket compression system, which wraps around the bag, so that you can cinch down your items, ensuring that they take up the minimum possible area.

Wheels & Handling:

The oversized, 90mm roller wheels are great for handling uneven terrain. These are paired with Osprey’s patent-pending buttonless trolley handle, dubbed the ErgoGrip. Basically, you squeeze it to release, which is a cool idea, although it isn’t as smooth to use as a normal handle.

Security:

There is no built-in TSA-approved lock, but it’s possible to buy your own to secure the zippers together.

The Sojourn Shuttle also comes with a Travel Sentry ID (TSID). This tag has a unique code on it, so that if the bag gets misplaced, it can more easily be returned to you.

Tech & Smart Add-ons:

Wheeled duffels tend not to have any cool tech features, and the Sojourn Shuttle is no exception.

Mobility & Ease of Use:

There’s a handle on the top of the bag, the bottom of the bag, and both sides of the bag. It really couldn’t be easier to lift and stow this bad boy!

While we did have some balance issues with the larger Sojourn Shuttle when it was full, we didn’t have the same problems with the carry-on. The bottom bumper and wheels always keep it upright.

4. Durability & Travel Performance

As we’ve already mentioned, the bag fabric is very resilient. Made from Bluesign-approved, 100% recycled nylon, it’s got the sustainability credentials and the hardiness to endure rough usage.

We took it on a couple of hiking weekends, and it held up really well being slung about. Initially, we weren’t sure how well the plastic base would take a beating, but both it and the wheels remained unscathed, bar a couple of superficial scratches.

For more serious issues, Osprey’s All Mighty Guarantee (AMG) protects your bag for a lifetime, providing repairs free of charge for damaged zippers, fabric tears, and so on.

We did find ourselves wondering if the Osprey Sojourn Wheeled Travel Pack would have been a better option, just because it comes with shoulder straps and so probably could have doubled as our carry-on and our hiking bag, but then again, it’s nice to have the extra packing space of the Sojourn Shuttle.

Even though it doesn’t have the carrying straps of a traditional duffel, the numerous handles mean it’s easy to maneuver in and out of overhead cabins and car trunks.

5. Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Robust exterior
• Lightweight body
• Good capacity

Cons:

• Too big for strict airlines
• Sticky telescopic handle
• Pricey investment

6. Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 45l vs. Patagonia Black Hole 40l vs. July Carry-On Pro

One thing that the Sojourn Shuttle has over similar wheeled duffels like the Patagonia Black Hole is its compression system, which makes it very easy to cinch down your clothing. It’s also got a better capacity at 45l vs 40l.

There are also a lot more pockets on the Sojourn Shuttle compared to the Black Hole, which might suit people who like more organizational areas with their carry-ons.

Of course, it’s never going to be as organized as a hardshell suitcase like the July Carry-On Pro, which has two separate interior sections as opposed to just one. The July also comes with a front compartment for a laptop – something that is very handy for people who like to work on planes and that all wheeled duffels lack.

In terms of price, the Sojourn Shuttle costs roughly the same as the Black Hole ($350 vs $359). Both are more expensive than hardshell suitcases like the Carry-On Pro ($325).

In terms of robustness, we found very little to choose between the Sojourn Shuttle and the Black Hole. Both can take more of a battering than a hardshell – although the Osprey has better overall padding, while the Black Hole has a sturdier base.

7. Who It’s For (And Who It’s Not)

Perfect for: digital nomads visiting remote locations, weekenders

Not ideal for: people on budget airlines often, people who like a highly organized bag

You can easily manage a weekend away with the Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 40l. Even with a pair of foldable trekking poles, a spare pair of shoes, and a water bottle, we still had space for clothing to last three days. We reckon you could also manage enough apparel for a longer trip if you went without the hiking equipment.

8. Final Verdict & Rating

What we like most about both the carry-on and checked versions of the Osprey Sojourn Shuttle is that it’s very clearly trying to offer more than the typical outdoorsy bit of luggage.

It ticks all the boxes for a traditional recreational backpack or duffel, such as the hardy fabric and the straps to lash on extra gear. At the same time, it’s also got plenty of pockets, a unique compression system, and an innovative (if not always smooth) telescopic handle design.

There are bags that look more chic with wheels that provide a smoother glide, but we haven’t found many carry-ons that we’re confident will stand up as well to the rigors of life on the road.

Rating: 4.5/5

9. FAQ Section

Does the Osprey Sojourn Shuttle fit under airplane seats?

No, the Sojourn Shuttle is a little too large to fit under an airplane seat – unless maybe you’re travelling with it completely empty!

What’s the warranty policy?

Osprey offers a lifetime warranty for almost all its products. Called the All Mighty Guarantee (AMG), it covers free repairs and (in some circumstances) a complete replacement.

Is the luggage waterproof?

The Sojourn Shuttle isn’t waterproof, but it is weather-resistant. It will cope OK with a light drizzle, but we wouldn’t expect it to hold up to a full submersion in water.