Pack Intelligently – How to Choose the Right Osprey Backpack or Product For Your Next Outdoor Excursion. 

Going on a backpacking adventure soon and looking for a sturdy companion for all of your gear? Maybe you’ve done super short 1 or 2-day trips and that old book bag just isn’t covering it anymore. If you’re just setting out or have minimal backpacking experience, welcome to my breakdown of why your next investment should be an Osprey backpack. To me, they provide a plethora of options for every need, and hopefully, by the end of this article, you’ll agree!

You see when you’re exploring the great outdoors, the proper backpack can make all the difference in the world. This beautiful planet is so full of wonder and excitement that the last thing you want is a subpar piece of equipment that steals your focus from a deep and meaningful journey.

Besides a great pair of hiking shoes, a proper rucksack is the most important piece of equipment you can invest in. But where to start? How do you know what to pick? When I first started out, I thought any pack would do, but the more I wandered around and the longer my trips got, the more I realized which features I needed and which “extras” were wasted on me.

When it comes to making top-quality, useful bags, Osprey backpacks are at the top of the list. They make some of the best carryall products available and you’re bound to see a wide selection of their gear no matter where you go.

As you can imagine, they’ve been around for a while. Osprey Packs, Inc. began way back in 1974 with founder Mike Pfotenhauer in Santa Cruz, California. The company initially started its business as a small shop where Pfotenhauer made custom-fitted backpacks for local clients. Over time, Osprey gained recognition and expanded its vision to include a wide range of products. 

Today, Osprey is a worldwide premier brand of quality gear, period. They are renowned for their commitment to sustainability and crafting some of the top-notch travel packs known. They even offer free shipping on most offers and will repair any damage guaranteed! Shop Osprey to see more! 

Ok back to the question at hand. Which type of pack do you need? Are you looking for a simple daypack or maybe something that’ll hold enough gear to cross the Andes? Something in between? Either way, this guide should have you covered. If you’re very green and need help getting started with the basics, read up on How to Choose a Hiking Backpack before continuing with this article.

Once you know what you’re looking for, this article should have all your answers. I’ve reviewed the 8 best Osprey packs tailored for the most common types of outings including the advantages, disadvantages, price points, and even some valuable and insightful user reviews that are sure to give you confidence in your purchase.

By the end, you should have enough info to make an informed and intelligent decision on which pack will suit you best on your next outdoor adventure!

Enjoy!

Best Pack for Thru-Hiking

Thru-hiking is pretty intense. Usually, It’s an incredibly long and continuous trek spanning hundreds or even thousands of miles! Think the Appalachian Trail or Pacific Coast Trail. On these crazy long outings, thru-hikers need to lug all their gear and supplies with them. It’s not easy or for the faint of heart. 

To complete such a heavy task (pun kind of intended), the proper tool is needed. It must be ergonomic and distribute weight evenly across the entire body.  It should have enough space inside to hold everything you’ll need for weeks or even months at a time including camping supplies, a wide range of clothing, and lots and lots of food! Talk about living on the road!

Osprey Atmos/Aura AG 65:

Intended Use: The AG 65 is a great choice if you’re going for a lengthy trip, but still want to keep things manageable. This pack won’t let you down and can survive anything you put it through. Ideal for loads upwards of 40 pounds (18 kg).

Pros: The Anti-Gravity suspension system is key to keeping the weight “feel” lighter and allowing you to venture farther. It boasts a very comfortable fit, has an adjustable harness, and enough spacious compartments to live out of for as long as you’d like.

Cons: It’s more expensive than the others on this list but you get what you pay for. It’s quite large as well so if you don’t want to schlep around a 1st grader on your back, aim for something smaller and lighter.

Price: ~ $300 USD

User Review: “Exceptional comfort and ample space make it my go-to for long hikes.”

Best Daypack For Short Hikes

On the opposite end of the spectrum are daypacks. They need to be easily portable without unnecessary bulk, allowing you to move freely and comfortably while bringing everything you’ll need for the day. Efficiency is priority number 1! 

A good daypack should include padded shoulder straps and a padded back panel, a simple layout that provides ample storage for essentials like water bottles, snacks, and extra layers, all while ensuring easy access on the go. Nothing more, nothing less!

Osprey Talon 22/Tempest 20:

Intended Use: This mid-sized daypack is great for any single-day outing or fast-paced trekking you have planned that doesn’t require too much gear. It’s perfect for a pair of gloves, a rain jacket, camera a, some food, and a few other items.

Pros: Extremely lightweight and form fitting. It hugs your body when on the go and is hardly noticeable as you do. Contains a “Stow-on-the-go” trekking pole attachment, lid-lock helmet attachment (for bike helmets) multiple useful smaller pockets and is hydration reservoir compatible.

Cons: Limited capacity for extended trips so only use this for short treks or a single day hike at most. If you need something a bit bigger, look into the Hikelite 26. The opening for the water bladder is on the smaller side as well so you may have to remove a few items before re-inserting it.

Price: ~ $110 – $150 USD

User Review: “Perfect for day hikes, strikes an excellent balance between comfort and functionality.”

Best Ultralight Backpack

Ultralight backpacking is all about, you guessed it, minimal weight. This type of trailblazer wants stability and ease while porting the simplest load possible. When journeys last for days at a time, every ounce will be felt. Since this is of greatest concern for ultralighters, they prefer streamlined designs that counter fatigue and focus on retaining stamina during longer routes in the wild. 

Such a pack still needs to provide plenty of room for all the necessary equipment without compromising accessibility to it. It should be durable enough to withstand the rigors of rugged terrain while simultaneously feeling pleasant on your back and shoulders. 

Ultimately, the perfect pack strikes a delicate balance between weight reduction and functionality. 

Osprey Exos/Eja 58:

Intended Use: Ultralight multi-day expeditions. This pack is perfect for those who are minimalists and only need to bring along the basics, yet will be gone for multiple days at a time. It’s the Goldilocks version of not too big or too small, yet will get the job done. Great for loads between 25 – 35 lbs ( 11 – 16 kg).

Pros: The Exos/Eja 58 are extremely comfortable and lightweight bags. The padding around the lower back and hip joints is easily felt and appreciated, especially for how lightweight they are. The mesh, ventilated design provides ample airflow and breathability on long treks!

Cons: There aren’t many sections to this variant. There’s only one main storage space and a few side pockets so if you like everything to have its place, this pack might not be for you.

Price: ~$250 – $270 USD

User Reviews: “Ideal for those seeking an ultralight option without sacrificing durability.”

Best Heavy Lifter for Outdoor Living

If you are somebody who loves to bring all the extras, you might want a high-capacity design. Something to accommodate heavy gear loads and preparation for anything nature can throw at you. 

Large-capacity backpacks should integrate advanced compression systems that help users streamline their loads and maintain optimal weight distribution. They should be strong enough to hold and transport anything and everything you need. They are usually chosen for winter or cold weather excursions since the added space is required for many layers of various clothing and added provisions. 

Osprey Aether/Arial Plus 85:

Intended Use: This is what you get when you want to drag around everything you own. It even comes fitted with a smaller detachable day pack for when you want to leave its big brother behind. Great for Extended backpacking, mountaineering, and camping out in the woods for days, or even weeks at a time.

** Osprey makes an even larger 100L version, but not many people need that much. The Aether/Arial Plus 85 will hold up to 70 lbs (31-32 kg), more than enough for most **

Pros: The Anti-Gravity suspension system transfers the weight above your center, providing stability and balance over any loose terrain. The internal locking sliders make customizing your load easy. It’s a very durable construction and of course, has a spacious layout.

Cons: Something you can expect but it’s heavier than some other competitors. It’s over 6 lbs (2.7 kg) empty so you’ll start to feel it after a while, no matter what you put inside of it. The price is another deterrent to some since you’ll be hard-pressed to find this under $400 USD anywhere.

Price: ~ $440 USD

User Reviews: “Unmatched comfort on long treks, with ample space for all essentials.”

Most Versatile Osprey Backpack

For those who only want to purchase 1 bag that can be used for a wide range of outdoor pursuits, versatility is going to be the main focus. Something that can withstand any type of weather or unpredictable environment while also incorporating customizable features and lots of extras. 

These bags should offer plenty of room for organization and feature multiple pockets for easy access to whatever is needed. They should be adaptable and reliable for both short and long-term trips. 

Osprey Kestrel/Kyte 48:

Intended Use: Pick this if you don’t know what you’ll be doing from trek to trek. It’s great for any type of multi-day backpacking since you can take what you need for a weekend getaway, or pack it full of any and everything for those long-distance walkabouts where you can replenish your goods at planned intervals.

Pros: This model is great for those who like a nice and custom fit since it includes an adjustable frame and moveable shoulder pads. The entire pack is made of durable nylon fabric and it comes with an integrated rain cover. Contains plenty of gear loops for all of your miscellaneous needs.

Cons: There are almost too many features on this thing so if you’re a minimalist, you might want to check out simpler models. The limited ventilation on the back panel can also be an issue if you are prone to sweating a lot. Not great for trips longer than a week.

Price: ~ $220 USD

User Reviews: “A reliable choice for multi-day hikes, with thoughtful features.”

Best Overnight Bag for Camping

The ideal overnight carryall needs to be just spacious enough for a tent, sleeping bag, clothing, cookware, and food, but small enough to be used as a carry-on for those quick weekend getaways to the mountains or deserts. 

It should outfitted with multiple pockets and compartments, allow convenient access to gear while on the move, and sit nicely on your back and hips. Think of it as a daypack on steroids! 

Osprey Stratos/Sirrus 36:

Intended Use: This pack is great if you like to be gone for 2 or 3 days at a time but need to bring enough with you to enjoy the relaxing nights under the stars. It has enough space to carry a small tent, sleeping mat or pad, food, rain protection, and more. Great for a 20-30 load.

Pros: A smaller pack than most on this list, yet able to carry a fairly decent sized load; camera gear, sporting equipment, camping, you name it, it can carry it. The AirSpeed back panel is great for ventilation, and the adjustable harness is extremely comfortable. Lots of features that you’d expect to find on bigger variations. Great carry-on choice if you travel a lot.

Cons: Since this is more of a working and active piece of equipment, the capacity is limited. Anything longer than a day, maybe two if you stretch out your resources, and it won’t be up to the task. Not great for colder climates since the carrying space won’t accommodate multiple pieces of warm-weather gear.

Price: ~ $190 – $220 USD

User Reviews: “Balances comfort and storage, perfect for overnight getaways.”

Best Shoulder Bag for the City

A good city bag blends style and function. It should look sleek and store the daily must-haves like laptops and water bottles. Big enough to tote small gadgets and snacks, yet compact and convenient. Perfect for urban environments, it’s both fashionable and practical, making it great for city living.

Osprey Daylite Plus:

Intended Use: This is a great pack for those focused on urban exploration. I dare say, “tourists” that need something they can throw just about anything you can think of inside for a stroll through town or a tour of an ancient relic. It’s dainty, yet efficient, and can hold most 14” laptops or tablets while also providing a hydration reservoir.

Pros: Lightweight and versatile for any day out exploring. The design features multiple compartments, dual water bottle side mesh pockets, and a large main “shove everything inside” area. Comes in a wide variety of color options/patterns.

Cons: It’s quite expensive if you just need something to hold a few things while you’re away from your hotel room. The design is straightforward, lacking high-end features you might expect for what you’re paying.

Price: ~ $75 USD

User Reviews: “My go-to for day hikes and city adventures, simple and functional.”

Best Backpack for Technical Climbs

These are the bad boys you get when you want to summit giants. They come loaded with advanced features like adjustable suspension systems and load-bearing hip belts. They are usually made from high-performance materials that offer water and abrasion resistance from sharp cliffs and compacted ice. 

They are known for specialized compartments and attachment points used for hauling climbing ropes, ice axes, and helmets. For mountaineers who need something in demanding alpine conditions or spend long days conquering multi-pitch ascents. This is a bag that’s fine-tuned for vertical ice and steep terrain. 

Osprey Mutant 38:

Intended Use: This is the rucksack you get when you are worried about steep accents and carrying a lot of gear. It’s best suited for mountaineering and summit climbing while maintaining durability and comfortability. The features allow for all types of extra pieces of equipment, from ropes, helmets, ice axes and so much more. Perfect for experienced adventurers!

Pros: The entire pack is made for the rugged landscapes of high-altitude climbing. It features a reinforced design specifically for technical use. The removable top lid allows weight reduction options and the multiple gear loops can handle anything you hang on them.

Cons: This thing is not for the everyday outdoorsman. It’s specialized for specific technical climbs and activities so you won’t need it for a simple jaunt through the woods. If you’re not looking for the features it provides, look for something else.

Price: ~$160 – $200 USD

User Reviews: “A must-have for mountaineers, versatile and built to withstand challenging conditions.”

Final Thoughts

Well, that’s about it. I hope I broke down Osprey’s lineup well enough for you to make an informed decision if you need a pack. They offer such a great selection of products and will undoubtedly fit any need you may have. 

Whether you’re a casual backcountry explorer, a day hiker, or an extended backpacker, Osprey offers a diverse range of options to suit your adventures in the wilderness. They are so committed to quality products that they have provided an All Mighty Guarantee since 1974! 

Always consider the intended use, pros and cons, price, and user reviews of each to find the perfect luggage companion that aligns with your aspirations before you make a purchase.

As always, happy trails and happy hiking!