Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 100L Review

We were instantly drawn to the ability of the Sojourn Shuttle's to eat up gear and keep it safe en route to anywhere in the world. It's brimming with unique features that set it apart from other gear-haulers, including its recognizable straitjacket compression system.

Performance Comparison

Capacity

When it comes to gear, the Sojourn Shuttle can eat nearly everything. Primarily designed as adventure luggage, this bag pays homage to Osprey's well-known backpacks and offers a great balance between wide-open main storage and compartmental pockets. This is also the main difference between the Sojourn and its predecessor, the Osprey Shuttle Wheeled 100L — the ability to pack things away better.

Our measurements of the Sojourn Shuttle's main interior compartment resulted in 99 liters of volume. This doesn't include the bag's additional exterior pockets. All combined, the Sojourn Shuttle packs up mixed gear with general, everyday items, and it does it well.

The straitjacket compression system gives this bag a unique edge over many other gear haulers we've studied. We shoved ski gear, ropes, wet suits, tents, and more into our Sojourn Shuttle and were able to perfectly secure it into a tightly protected bundle. Thick 1680-denier ballistic nylon fabric makes the straitjacket system tough enough to keep nearly any gear item firmly in place during travel, and it is also padded, which offers an extra layer of protection. Even better, when payloads are smaller, there's a second set of buckles that allows travelers to reposition the straitjacket and cinch it even tighter.

The compression system is both very simple and incredibly versatile. It even offers two additional offset buckles, which allow the straps to be mixed and matched around oddly shaped gear or cinched firmly around smaller loads, keeping everything safely strapped in. The only negative we found is the straitjacket compression system leaves some loose ends — literally. Once tightly cinched, we often had trouble securing the leftover strap tails. The plastic clips designed to handle the job weren't very effective, especially during the rigors of air travel, so we usually ended up looping the excess strapping around itself.

It isn't a real adventure unless it involves muddy boots or wet gear (right?). The large lower compartment on the Sojourn Shuttle makes easy work of storing dirty items or more rugged gear that needs to be kept separate. The compartment is self-contained and is comprised of a thick nylon pocket, which does an excellent job of separating its contents from clean clothes or more fragile gear located in the main storage area.

Similar to a backpack, we like that the lower pocket sits at the very bottom of the bag and is accessible from the outside. This reduces contact between dirty items and the suitcase's main payload. Even better, if more storage is needed in the main section of the Shuttle, the lower pocket simply collapses, folding into the suitcase's main body.

After assessing the durable fabrics, extensive metal frame, and rugged wheel assembly, we were rather surprised to find that the Sojourn Shuttle tips the scales at just 8.7 pounds, resulting in one of the higher weight-to-storage ratios on our list. This gives travelers the ability to shove nearly 42 pounds of gear, supplies, and clothing into this bag before hitting the 50-pound general airline limit.

Ease of Transport

The Sojourn Shuttle is ready to tackle nearly any terrain. It excelled in all of our transport tests, making it one of the easiest bags on our list to lift, pull, carry, or tie down.

Two massive 4-inch, sealed bearing wheels allow the Sojourn Shuttle to easily break trail on nearly any surface. Even filled with its max weight of 50 pounds, the Shuttle kept up with us on gravel, hiking trails, and grass. The only area it struggled was in soft sand, but sand is a challenge for any wheel-based suitcase.

The three low-profile grab handles are one of our favorite Sojourn Shuttle features. Each sits nearly flush against the bag's exterior, which reduces the potential of getting snagged during the baggage claim process or while being transported through a remote wilderness area. The handles also excel at blending substantial strength with comfort. Each has thick, soft padding, a welcoming feature when lugging it up a steep ravine or hoisting it onto a luggage rack.

Of particular note is the unique bow shape of the Sojourn Shuttle. The back side of the bag is bowed from top to bottom. This exceptional feature gives it a more ergonomic fit when strapped to a pack animal or carried by a porter. We feel this is a simple but thoughtful and effective feature that sets the Shuttle apart from the adventure-bag competition. The only drawback of this design is the lack of protective bumpers that normally run the full length of most bags designed predominantly for airline travel.

When you reach the end of the trail, we really like that the collapsible handle descends well below the top side of the suitcase. Many suitcase handles sit flush with the top of the bag. However, the handle on the Sojourn Shuttle lowers more than an inch below the top edge. This is an excellent feature that protects the handle and keeps it neatly tucked out of the way during more rugged journeys in remote areas.

Construction Quality

A casual glance at the Sojourn Shuttle may leave you assuming it's simply a large backpack or a typical duffel-style suitcase. However, closer inspection reveals many added-value components that set it apart from your average adventure bag.

One of the most impressive features is the aggressive fabrics. The main portion of the bag is comprised of 420HD nylon pack cloth, while the bag's bottom section, body, and key wear points are wrapped in 1680-denier ballistic nylon. This stout exterior is resilient enough to take on the rigors of extensive adventure travel.

Minor cosmetic scratches and scuffs were the only damage we could find after a series of staircase tumble tests and throw tests. However, the Sojourn Shuttle does not have full-length bumper rails, which allow a bag to ski down stairwells or across concrete, so it was more likely to tumble end over end in some of our tests. This is one of the Sojourn Shuttle's more noticeable design drawbacks, as flipping end over end down stairs can cause more damage to packed items.

Additionally, although not completely waterproof, the Sojourn Shuttle's exterior performs as well as a backpack in keeping out rain. During our water tests, we soaked our bag from every side and then closely inspected it for leaks. Although the exterior shell did absorb water, we were pleased to find the Sojourn Shuttle's interior virtually dry.

In keeping with its Osprey backcountry roots, the Sojourn Shuttle is also supported by a sturdy internal metal frame, similar to those found in vintage backpacks. The aluminum frame runs the length of both sides of the bag and ties into both the wheel assembly and the collapsible handle assembly. We feel this is an excellent design feature that adds strength and stability. We also found it effective at allowing the Sojourn Shuttle to stand solidly upright and effectively absorb stresses associated with being tossed, stacked, bumped, and dropped.

Design and Functionality

Travelers who are familiar with Osprey backpacks will instantly recognize the style and function of the Sojourn Shuttle. In many ways, it's similar to a backpack on wheels.

While this bag could be used for any travel application, it leans heavily toward adventure travel, where more gear is packed than clothing. The rounded backpack design is stylish but also lends itself well to being dragged through the brush, lashed to a pack animal, or strapped to the top of an SUV. One of our favorite simple yet very functional features aboard the Sojourn Shuttle is its grab handles — there are four of them. Each is massive and very comfortable. Both side handles are offset, so they ride very close to the body. This is crucial when carrying a load of gear up less-than-ideal terrain because it more effectively balances the weight of the bag against the weight of the body and allows the porter to maintain a normal walking posture.

Should You Buy the Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 100L?

If your destinations have more rock, dirt, and bugs than luxury suites and swimming pools, this bag should be high on the list of your possible options for luggage. The ballistic nylon cocoon and straitjacket compression system will smother loads of heavy gear and keep it protected through a wide variety of transport methods. If your adventure travels need even more space, Osprey also makes a 130-liter version of the Shuttle.

What Other Suitcases Should You Consider?

If you really want a great rolling duffel, the Eagle Creek ORV Trunk 30 is another superb option that's burly and ready to handle all your adventuring. If you like the trendy outdoor look, The North Face Base Camp Voyager Roller Duffel 29" is a great-looking bag that has an adventure look but is more suited to basic travel. Lastly, if your idea of travel does not involve packing away 200 meters of rope, dirty hiking boots, or a tent, we suggest the Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Expandable 28" or the Timbuk2 Copilot.