I Actually Measured the Osprey Sojourn 80: Here Are the Real Dimensions

After seeing various queries from you all concerning Osprey’s sizing claims and concern about what will actually fit, I got out a tape measure and decided to check the outside dimensions, inside pockets, and the actual weight myself. I found that the rolling bag/backpack that I measured does indeed vary a bit from Osprey’s claims—though the dimensions are close enough to what is advertised not to matter for most uses. Also, it just depends on what and how you measure.

Actual Measured Outside Dimensions and Weight of the Osprey Sojourn 80

Measuring is complicated because with a flexible materials the bags are going to measure differently depending on how fully they are stuffed and with what shapes. Here are my results.

• Weight: 3.4kg /7.5 lbs without the detachable backpack straps (Osprey claims 4kg / 9 lbs presumably with the straps); I’m currently travelling without the straps but will re-weigh with them when I can.
• Width: 14 in./ 35.5 cm. at the widest point if the bag is not stuffed too full; stuffing to its absolute maximum would add an inch or two (Osprey claims 14 in. / 36 cm.)
• Height when standing up straight: 29 inches / 74 centimeters from floor to the rigid top of the bag (Osprey claims only 28 inches / 71 centimeters but the bag is rigid and does not squish down to this size; perhaps they did not include the wheels, which is bizarre as they are not removable)
• Depth (or height when lying flat horizontally): 12 inches / 30 centimeters when not full, can fill up to about 15 inches / 38 centimeters when absolutely stuffed (Osprey claims 14 inches / 35 centimeters)
• Volume: The logical result given Osprey’s claimed dimensions multiplied together would be 89,460 cubic centimeters or 89.46 liters. But as we noted above, those dimensions are not quite accurate. And in any case, the wheel housing and backpack material also take up some space that should be subtracted from that volume. Osprey’s stated volume of 80 liters / 4882 cubic inches seems reasonable to us; Osprey claims to measure its bags by filling them full of little round balls and then measuring the volume of the balls. I’m not equipped with lots of little round balls to check this so will just have to take their word for it.

In any case, remember that we can maximize the useful volume by using packing organizers for clothes—I tend to prefer the durable and smartly designed packing sleeves and cubes from Eagle Creek.

As noted, Osprey’s dimensions don’t quite match what you would expect, though they’re close. We saw various complaints where this annoyed people, which was my original motivation to measure my own pack.

Osprey Sojourn 80 Pocket Dimensions

The pocket system for the Osprey Sojourn 80 is relatively simple; on the inside there is a side panel on each side and two mesh pockets (for dirty clothes, for example) on the inside flap. On the outside top there is a large top pocket, and if you are not using the straps the panel where they would be serves as a large outside pocket.

• Inside left pocket: 22 inches / 56 centimeters wide and 9 inches / 23 centimeters tall
• Inside right (mesh) pocket: 22 inches / 56 centimeters wide and 9 inches / 23 centimeters tall
• Inside top flap (mesh) top pocket: 7.9 inches / 20 centimeters tall and 34 centimeters wide
• Inside top flap (mesh) bottom pocket: 46 centimeters tall and 13.4 inches / 34 centimeters wide
• Outside top pocket: amorphous and a bit hard to measure but approximately 14.5 x 7.5 x 7.9 inches / 37 x 19 x 20 centimeters
• Outside back pocket (holds removable shoulder and hip straps): 23.6 inches / 60 centimeters tall and 13.4 inches / 34 centimeters wide

Osprey Sojourn 80: Where to Buy

We’ve been using the Sojourn as our go to bag for longer-term travel for years and it has held up perfectly.

If you found this quick article useful you can use our affiliate links to check for availability and pricing at Amazon and Osprey.

Questions are welcome in the comments and we do our best to answer.