The Osprey Nebula and the Osprey Comet are both made by a very popular backpack company. Osprey has been around for a long time, creating hiking backpacks for women and men, as well as your daily commute. It is not surprising that they are also creating hybrid backpacks that do both.
The nebula and the comet are so versatile that they are optimized for hiking and daily commuting. In this Osprey Nebula vs Comet comparison, we will be covering what makes these backpacks so great for these uses. We will also be letting you in on the key differences to be aware of before making a purchase.
Related: Osprey Quasar vs Comet
Osprey Nebula vs Comet
Airplane Usage
These backpacks comply with the standard size requirements to be used as a carry-on. You can take these backpacks on an airplane and fit them into the overhead compartment and under the seat in front of you.
One of the differences between the nebula and the comet is that the nebula is TSA compliant. This means that it will be easier to take the nebula through a checkout point at the airport.
Electronics Compartments
These backpacks have a compartment for your laptop and a compartment for your tablet. You will be able to carry both of these items without needing to worry about hurting your back. This is because of the fact that Osprey has high-end back panels that allow you to carry plenty of electronics with comfort.
But apart from carrying these items, there are special pockets for your cell phone and iPod. There’s plenty of organization for the use and your other items that you will be taking all your daily commutes.
They Are Hybrids
It is not surprising that Osprey would create a hybrid backpack. Many Osprey customers love to commute daily to work or school with their bicycles. Due to the fact that they love hiking and nature, they also love walking to work or taking the bus for environmental purposes.
The Comet and the Nebula are optimized for those people. These backpacks are rugged enough to be taken on a hiking trip. Their volume capacity is large enough to accommodate gear that you will need to use for overnight stays. Keep in mind that these backpacks do not have sleeping pad straps.
Looking for rugged backpacks? Read our review of the Kelty Redwing 50 vs 44 Tactical Backpacks
For hiking purposes, they are optimized for day hiking. This means that they are not bulky like most hiking backpacks. But apart from being great for hiking, they also have plenty of organizational pockets for your books, your pens, your business cards, and Beyond.
Osprey Nebula vs Comet: The Main Differences
The pocket configuration for these backpacks is different. The Osprey Nebula has more options in terms of the items that you can store specifically in a pocket. The pocket configuration on the nebula is Simply Better designed. Osprey is probably aware of this, and it is likely the reason why the Osprey nebula is advertised as being on the slightly more expensive side.
While the Osprey comet is a very good backpack, some people prefer the pocket organization options of the nebula. There are a few more differences between these backpacks. There is the fact of the nebula can hold 34 liters of gear, while the comet can hold 30 liters of gear. Despite this, the comet is the larger backpack. This means that the Osprey nebula offers more space for a smaller profile.
Here are the differences in the main specs:
Osprey Nebula
- Weight: 2.31 lb.
- Dimensions: 19 x 12 x 11 inches
- Volume capacity: 34 liters
Osprey Comet
- Weight: 1.828 lb.
- Dimensions: 17.72 X 12.2 X 11.02 inches
- Volume capacity: 30 liters
The other difference between the nebula and the comet is it the nebula has a front stash pocket. You can use the stash pocket to store your wet or dirty clothing. Instead of a stash pocket, the comet as a carry handle.
Comparing The Prices
If you would like to compare the cheapest possible prices for the comet and the nebula, please see below:
Osprey Nebula vs Comet: The Verdict
It is clear that the Osprey Nebula is the higher-end backpack. It has a better pocket configuration and a higher volume capacity. And despite the fact that it has more volume capacity, it has a Slimmer profile. It does cost a little more than the Osprey Comet, but we feel that the extra few dollars is actually worth it.
Like the Osprey Nebula? Check out our review of the Osprey Nebula vs The North Face Surge
