Osprey Shuttle Wheeled 100L Review

We were instantly drawn to the ability of the Osprey Shuttle to eat up gear and keep it safe en route to anywhere in the world. Whether traveling by foot, yak, truck, or airplane, this bag will keep your gear tightly packed and protected until it arrives at your final destination. The rugged frame and fabrics can handle less-than-friendly contact with concrete, dirt, rocks, tree branches, or whatever it bumps into. The bag employs an exterior straightjacket compression system that wraps all of your stuff in thick, padded, ballistic nylon. Whether thrown into the belly of an airplane or strapped to a luggage rack, the adjustable compression straps have multiple configurations that allow this bag to keep everything from small to oversized loads securely bundled. Thoughtfully designed storage compartments are perfectly placed to allow easy access to dirty boots, wet clothing, maps, electronics, toiletries, travel documents, and more.

Performance Comparison

Storage & Organization

When it comes to gear, the 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.

When it comes to layering broadly mixed gear with general, everyday items, this bag does it well.

The straightjacket compression system gives the Shuttle a unique edge over many other gear haulers we've studied. We shoved ski gear, ropes, wet suits, tents, and more into our Shuttle and were able to perfectly secure it into a tightly protected bundle. Thick 1680 denier ballistic nylon fabric makes the straightjacket 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.

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 straightjacket compression system does not pick up the slack very well. Once tightly cinched, we often had trouble securing the leftover strapping. The plastic clips designed to handle the job weren't very effective, especially during the rigors of air travel, so we usually just looped the excess strapping around itself.

It isn't a real adventure unless it involves muddy boots or wet gear. The large lower compartment on the 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.

A second rear panel pocket offers yet another space for wet clothes or dirty shoes. We really like this additional option, especially after a long adventure trip which generally ends with more dirty clothes than clean ones. The zippered pocket is located on the backside of the suitcase and even boasts a bottom mesh drain, which is a thoughtful, value-adding design feature.

One drawback of the rear panel pocket is that it sits directly against a miscellaneous compartment. The miscellaneous pocket is designed for quick access to travel documents, magazines, or small electronics. Since both pouches share the same nylon wall, we feel this could be problematic when carrying wet items and electronics or important documents at the same time.

Ease of Transport

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

Two massive 4.25-inch, sealed bearing wheels allow the Shuttle to easily break trail on nearly any surface. Even at 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 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 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 competition. The only drawback of this design is the lack of protective bumpers that normally run the full length of most bags.

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 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.

Reliability

A casual glance at the 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 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 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, we did find that the thickness of the Shuttle's exterior did a great job of keeping out moderate rain.

Keeping with its Osprey backcountry roots, the 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 absorbing stresses associated with being tossed, stacked, bumped, and dropped.

When standing upright, the Shuttle sits on a sturdy injection-molded plastic base. This high-clearance base also wraps around the entire wheel assembly before connecting to the bag's aluminum frame. Additionally, a high-tensile aluminum strip is embedded into the entire base, giving it greater strength and rigidity.

Weight

After assessing the durable fabrics, extensive metal frame, and rugged wheel assembly, we were rather surprised to find that the Shuttle tips the scales at just a little more than 8 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.

Any bag can be lightweight, but what makes the Shuttle stand out is its ability to balance and carry heavy loads. In many ways, this bag's sturdy materials and intelligent design allow it to effectively carry more weight than we ever thought it could.

Style

Travelers who are familiar with Osprey backpacks will instantly recognize the style and function of the Shuttle. In many ways, it resembles 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 brush, lashed to a pack animal, or strapped to the top of an SUV.

Should You Buy the Osprey Shuttle Wheeled 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 straightjacket compression system will smother loads of heavy gear and keep it protected through a wide variety of transport methods. If your adventure travels tend to be more extensive in nature, we suggest looking at Osprey's 130-liter version of the Shuttle.

What Other Suitcases Should You Consider?

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. If you prefer all things bougie, then you may want to look at the Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner. Lastly, if you like the trendy 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.