Kate Williamson

Hey Louie,

I've attached a link to the "How to clean a Hydraulics Reservoir" video. About 1min26sec in, they go through how to replace a hose:

http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/web/cleaning_an_osprey_hydraulics_reservoir

Hope this helps.

Yup, a simple panel loader similar to a school backpack style.

Not unless you had a super slim climbing helmet. Just tried mine with a biking helmet and it was super tight and didn't quite zip up all the way.

This is a pretty small pack for an overnighter, but it depends on how small your sleeping bag, stove, and shelter are. If you are an ultralighter, then this pack may work.

The sweet spot for weight maxes out at 30lbs. However this should still carry decently at 35lbs.

Actually, on the right-hand sidebar, bc.com does list that there are 2 poles and that broken down, the poles are 15.4" long. However, not having a bivy to measure the pole length put together I can't answer that. Though I have no idea why you'd want to know that.

Hey Christina,

Why are you looking to remove the shoulder straps?

And it isn't too difficult--the biggest pain in the butt is undoing the load lifter straps at the top. Undoing the velcro isn't too bad.

I have found this jacket to run a touch big--not a full size bigger, but if you on the cusp between sizes normally, go smaller. OR designs it that way to accommodate layering and maximize comfort. If you've ever skiied in a jacket that is too tight, you never want to do it again...

Hey Pete,

Osprey sizes are based on Torso Length and not height. To size that, go here: http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/web/sizing_and_fitting

As for the difference between the 24L and 26L, the biggest is the access style. Do you prefer a top loader with a lid or do you prefer the panel loading school bag style? Sounds like you prefer the top loader with a lid style. But that is why Osprey offers these two styles--because different people prefer different style packs--and not to exactly get to a certain capacity...

The brim is pretty stiff. If you're looking for this kind of coverage with a foldable brim, look at the Helios--a lot more flexible brim that can be shoved into pockets a lot easier!

1. A full size nalgene works in the side pocket and while it is easy to take out, it is more difficult to put back in without taking the pack off--which is true for just about every pack I've ever used. I suggest getting a hydration reservoir--it upped my water intake about 200% just because I never have to take off my pack to access my water. For example: http://www.backcountry.com/osprey-packs-hydraform-hydration-reservoir
2. When you have a nalgene in the side pocket, you can feed the compression straps underneath/inside the side pocket. That will allow you to use a nalgene AND compress the bag at the same time.
3. This pack is superb on a bike or on a hike. Because of how close it fits and how it moves with you due to the lack of a frame, it really rides well by keeping the center of gravity close to your body--I know a lot of people love this pack for longer mountain bike rides. And this pack is also a great go-to for day hikes.

I'd say there's plenty of space for a day hike--3L reservoir, jacket, extra layer, food, camera, and safety stuff (sunscreen, first aid, compass, etc...). There is an external shove-it pocket you can put the jacket and a small organization pocket up top for your safety stuff. Also, there are two side stretch pockets for the camera or what not.

That info is wrong. While there is a helmet liner balaclava that is zip-in (comes with the jacket), there is not liner jacket that zips into this jacket.

I agree with Jeff!!! I used the Aspire all winter when I needed H2O protection over my puffy and it worked so well. The side-zip that goes all way from the hem to the pit works really well if you're wearing a backpack for venting too.

All Western bags are compatible with all Western bags no matter the length or model.

A note on zipping two different lengths together: It's hard to describe but the shorter bag would end up lower than the bigger bag when zipped together. So zipping a 5'6" bag to a 6" bag, the shorter bag's hood will be 6" lower than the taller bag's hood...

Yes. You can stuff this jacket into one of the handwarmer pockets.

There are three size tabs on the pack--one for the pack, one for the hipbelt and one for harness (because the harness and the hipbelt are interchangeable). The size of the pack will be on a little black tab on the bottom left part of the frame on the backpanel. The size of the hipbelt will be on the left side of the hipbelt and the size of the harness will be on the left shoulder strap.

Also, note that the hipbelt is re-heat moldable. Take it into an Osprey Dealer that has a heat-molding oven (they might charge a small fee for not buying the pack there) and they can heat-mold the hipbelt to the new owners hips...

Enjoy the pack!!!

This pack has basic repellency. It will shed light amounts of water but more than that, it will soak through.

Osprey offers a locking bite valve and a tube for $12. Most competitor products are mouth piece, locking piece, and replacement tubing for $6 each.

Consider the tubing a bonus for when you need to replace the tubing...

Size is not directly correlative with height. Instead, you need to measure your torso length. Please find the instructions to measure that here:

http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/web/sizing_and_fitting

My guess is that you'll fall into the Medium range, but you might have a short or a long torso for your size so definitely measure!

This bag is carry-on size--it's actually super nice for carry-on as the back pack straps tuck away making it more like a brief case (there is a side handle for that purpose).

I'm confused by your 1 or 2 weeks, up to 6 months request. There is no bag in the world that will be great for 1 or 2 weeks AND 6 months. 6 months is a long time. That said, I know plenty of lightweight travelers who can live off of 1-2 weeks worth of stuff for a 6 month period--is that what you mean? You can fit several changes of clothing, an extra pair of shoes, toiletries, a book, a laptop, and a water bottle.

There is no internal frame but the backpanel is slightly rigid so it holds its shape really well.

48 x 25 x 22 cm
19 x 10 x 8.5 inches

Hope this helps!

Hey Rick. Yes there is an adjustable strap with a cordlock at the back of the head. I've attached a picture of the back of the hat (sorry, it's a bit smushed from sitting in my closet all winter!) so you can see what I am talking about.

Western's 6' bags are designed to fit a 6' tall person (no measured at 6' tall so really fits 5'10"). It should fit you perfectly.

Disregard what Guy said--EN ratings are good for comparing different brands of bags but don't give you an accurate temperature that you'll be comfortable in.

Western bags are over filled and conservatively rated. I have slept in a 25degree Western sleeping bag in 25degree weather and I was perfectly warm and I get cold easily. The key is the amount of down put into the bag. Not only does Western use the highest quality European goose down they can get, they then put large amounts of it in the bags.

I'd trust the temperature rating with Western Mountaineering bags. The average person would be warm 5 degree below the rating, but if you are thinking you'll regularly experience below 20 degrees AND you run cold, I'd think about the Versalite for a couple ounces more. You could also get a sleeping bag liner that would boost the temp rating on the trips you think temps would be colder than 20.

Hope this helps...

Oh yes indeed. This parka does have a hood. Not only that, the hood is removeable so if you didn't want to use it, you can just take it off.

It's not waterproof at all really. The fabrics are really high-quality with a DWR finish on them so they are highly water resistant, but in a downpour, you'll still want a raincover for the pack.

It depends on where you are--if you're in the Northwest this pack needs a raincover. If you're in the Rockies where you'll only get the occasional 15 min afternoon shower, this pack will be just fine without...

Hey Jen,

I'd say this jacket is super warm, but for those temperatures, I'd still layer an extra insulation layer under it. I get cold easily so I'd have a base layer, a mid layer, and a fleece vest under this jacket for those temps. If you don't get cold as easily as my scrawny self, you could probably skip the fleece vest.

Water resistant, but not waterproof. The #1 size is small enough to fit in a cargo pocket (if you have normal cargo pockets--and not the small ones typically found on woman's pants--and you don't try to cram the kitchen sink into it).

Also, the dimensions are listed on the right side bar as you scroll down, in the space under the order menu.

Not really. There's a long side pocket on the left side. If you had a tall, narrow bottle like a Klean Kanteen, it fits super well. If you have a normal 32oz Nalgene, it would not work so nicely... It is a zippered pocket--not a stretch pocket--so it is fixed in size.

The Daylite can be attached to this pack, though:

http://www.backcountry.com/osprey-packs-daylite-backpack-attachment-750cu-in

While this pack is made with very water resistant materials, Joshua is correct--it is not waterproof. However, Osprey does make rain covers and the Large raincover will fit this pack just fine:
http://www.backcountry.com/osprey-packs-ul-raincover-osp0131

Yes they can. If you get different lengths (1 long and 1 reg) then one will be lower than the other, but the zippers are 100% compatible.

This jacket has pit-zips so you can quickly vent if you overheat.

The reason for stating that is that every insulated ski jacket--Gore, Pertex, whatever--I've had the pleasure of working with is not the most breathable due to the multitude of layers--liner, insulation, waterproof/breathable laminate, exterior fabric--involved. So I could speak to the breathability of the fabric, or I could tell you the truth--no layered insulated jacket will ever be as breathable as you want unless there are zippered vents like pit zips.

However, Pertex Shield is a very durable waterproof layer. I have never seen a bundle of down come through the exterior fabric. However, the liner fabric is a lighter denier and I have seen the occasional feather leak through, but I stress "occasional."

There are three attachment loops on most OR pants that are compatible with the three hook-and-loop attachment points of the suspenders (as shown above).

There are other brands out there--like Mammut--that also use these attachment types and so these suspenders are compatible is several brands. Worse case scenario, you could do what Mr. Chess suggests, but not what these were designed for.

2 ways to look at it. Are you interested in lighter 65L or a custom ride 65L? The Ariel can be custom fitted to you so it will for sure have a better carry once it is fit to you. However it is a heavier pack than the Aura.

With less weight comes less adjustability--the Aura cannot be custom fit to your body. That said, if you are all one size--Small torso, Small hipbelt, Small shoulder harness--this pack fits like a dream and carrys very nicely (but still not as nice as the Ariel). However, deviate from that "one size" fit and the Aura will not fit as nicely.

I hope this helps!

Hey Sean,

At least as far as the Heli-Pro goes, you'll overheat in that as quickly as you would with the Kode. And from the looks of it, the Outlaw is no better...

What the folks at Osprey probably didn't mention is that there are trade-offs whenever you want to use 1 pack for every season.

Trade-offs of winter pack used in summer:
1. A hotter back 2. Heavier (though ultra bomb-proof).

Trade-offs of a summer pack used in winter:
1. Have to get an insulating tube for you hydration hose 2. No rear-panel entry to keep snow off of the backpanel 3. Not designs for ski/snowboard/snowshoe carry--though most can be rigged to do so.

So the decision is yours--do you want a pack that functions better for winter sports and then works okay for summer? Or do you want a pack that is cool and light for summer sports, get an insulated sleeve for the hose, and works okay for your winter pursuits?

Also, the best insulated sleeve on the market is the Osprey sleeve (http://www.backcountry.com/osprey-packs-insulated-delivery-system) as it doesn't use neoprene (an awful insulator) but instead closed cell foam and Mylar (emergency blanket material) to keep things warm... And it covers the bite-valve so even the bite-valve is protected.

The 2012 version is adjustable (but not on sale...).

And torso length on this pack runs about .5" -1" short. FYI.

That is the compromise when using a winter pack for warmer weather pursuits.

Because you don't want a ventilated pack in snow because snow will build up in the mesh backing, the backpanel in a winter pack tend to be hot for summer use. However, if you use a summer pack in snow, you lose backpanel entry, closed backpanel to resist snow build up, and an exposed hydration hose that is more prone to freezing.

So it depends on what you want the pack to function better for--summer use or winter use.

While the Alti Mitt doesn't have a large series of liners that work with it similar to the Firebrand, the Alti will be warmer. Also, in comparison to the Firebrand Mitt, you'll have a better dexterity--the Firebrand tends to be bulky to accommodate so many different liners that they tend to be less dexterous...

The straps do not stow in a zippered pocket, but they do pack away really nicely when zipped onto the rolling luggage...

There is little storage in the Raptor 6L--just a small pocket where you'd fit your cap/snack. Extra jacket could stuff in the shove-it pocket on the front...

If I were you, I'd go with the 10L. I stash an extra jacket, hat, snack, and gloves and that is pushing it... Plus, as far as water amount, you never have to fill your 3L reservoir up all the way but the days you want a little more than 2L of water will be a rough day on the trail.

The L size is rated for a 60L+ sized pack--but I don't know if it would go all the way up to a 110L. You might want to look into a pack cover that states it is sized for extra large volume packs.

The L size is rated for a 60L+ sized pack--but I don't know if it would go all the way up to a 110L. You might want to look into a pack cover that states it is sized for extra large volume packs.

I use my Croc's in the summer and don't really notice a "heat" issue on my lower calves... I also use these year-round and they are pretty phenomenal, whether it is snow, morning dew, or keeping sand and stickers out of my boots.

Phone:

408.287.9844

Usually, they'd like it if you go through a store, but being backcountry.com, it's a little difficult so you can probably just go through them to get an overfill. Give them a call and ask!

Hope this helps!

It packs down pretty small--it is no ultra-light rain shell to pack down to the size of a 16oz pint glass, but I'd say it packs down to a little bigger than a 32oz nalgene. Which is pretty small considering how bomber the fabric is.

The cover is actually stored in the bill--it folds up and stuffs in a sleeve on the top of the bill. The bill is waterproof.

I have seen both and the photo of the blue is spot on. The photo of the red is a touch lighter than it is in person, but not by much, so when you see it in person, it has more of a rust feel to the red instead of a lava red...

If it fits well, yes. But for sure get it fitted before committing to it. The Aura's are now more customizable in their fit (adjustable torso length and hip belt size) and while the backpanel is still removed from the back for ventilation, it is closer to the back now so the center of gravity isn't as displaced as it has been in the past--meaning your balance will be thrown off less...

However, I do think that the Aura is not quite as good as the Ariel 65 for mountaineering. The Ariel is more customizable in fit. It also doesn't have a removed backpanel at all so the center of gravity is that much closer to your back...

The Aether 70 or the Atmos 65 are also great options with torso adjustability and are more delineated in size.

If you are indeed very long in torso--21"-22"--you should go with a better sized pack. Just because you are 6'3" doesn't mean you have an extra-large torso though. My boss is 5'10" and has a Large torso and our friend is 6'2" with a Medium torso...

So definitely measure your torso: http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/web/sizing_and_fitting

It doesn't tuck away--at best is might roll up with a velcro stay but I'm not certain of that.

The Revel Jacket has a stowable hood, is super lightweight with some stretch and is super packable... Check that jacket out.

The top has a sliding buckle that will allow you to tightly cinch the top around your top calf. Go with the large...

While it in theory would carry all your stuff (depending on how small the stuff you have is), the issue is that it has a removed backpanel and therefore throws off your center of gravity a small bit. I'd suggest the Escapist 30--it is a bag designed for hut-to-hut cycling and would be a better featured pack for overnight cycling trips

Gore put weight restrictions on any piece of clothing made with ActiveShell material--their most breathable waterproof laminante. Therefore, OR was incredibly limited with the features they could build into this piece. It was either hip pockets or pit zips... :)

The aquamarine color is closer to what is on Amazon. Amazon has it a touch dark, but it is no where near as fluorescent blue at it is here on bc.com... Sorry.

The aquamarine color is closer to what is on Amazon. Amazon has it a touch dark, but it is no where near as fluorescent blue at it is here on bc.com... Sorry.

There are 4 buckles on the Daylight that slip through webbing or D-rings that attach it to some packs. The packs that are Daylight compatible are the Argon, Xenon, Aether, Ariel, Exposure, Sojourn and Porter Series.

It would work fine, but it is designed for backcountry ski and not for ice tools... My friend is using the Osprey Mutant 38 and that pack is working perfectly for him. It is a little more streamlined and light weight. Two cool features--the hip belt has ice screw holsters built in and the ice tool holders are the cleanest design on the market.

Also the Osprey Variant 37 has been the staple for alpine climbing for years and is a more fully-featured pack whereas the Mutant 38 is the less featured, lighter-weight option.

Hey Grace,

I am an Osprey XS torso (~15" torso) and the Verve fits me fine.

My friend wears a 36 pant and goes with the L. This pant is OR's regular fit--not super active but not their relaxed fit either... While I'd say it is a slightly more trim fit than a jean, it is not "tight". I'd say the XL would be fine...

Hey Craig,

In my opinion, the best pack will be the one that fits you the best. I know that the Denali and the Argon are both custom-fitting (you can interchange different sized hip-belts and shoulder harnesses to better custom fit your body-type) but I don't know about he BMG...

Also, the Argon comes with a special hipbelt that is heat-moldable so that you can get an even better fit.

But really, when you get here to buy a pack the best solution is to find a store that carries both and try them on. That may be difficult as few retail stores carry these large packs so finding both in a store will be hard. But trying it on will be best for figuring out which will fit you best when loaded up with 30-40kg of weight... But I'm leaning towards the Argon 110 OR the Denali 105.

I'd say get a bigger bag. While you could squeak it out with this bag if you had the ultra-lightest weight gear, but even so, being a bigger guy, your "ultralight gear" would still be the larger sizes and take up more space.. You'll appreciate the added space a 38-45L pack will gain you but more importantly, you'll appreciate a better carry as well.

Plus, you can use the reservoir from your Manta in this new pack just fine--if you get the 3 magnet kit that fix on sternum straps offered by Osprey, you can even use the magnet function on the bite valve...

Sooo, what you're saying is that you need an insulated jacket for 30 degree C days--or 80 degree F...? I would get a wicking t-shirt...

Or are you asking for -30 degree C? Cuz that is flipping cold and you should get a giant puffy down jacket, not an insulated ski jacket. And definitely go with down for the ultra cold conditions. Synthetic (which is what Enduraloft is) does work better in wet cold conditions, but dry cold as well as ultra cold conditions, down out performs.

If you're worried about the elements affecting your down jacket, layer a non-insulated shell over your down coat.

The internal wrist gaiter should have thumb loops.

Actually, every pack Osprey makes that is over 10L in volume will accept a 3L reservoir. So, the Kestrel 58 is made for a 3L reservoir.

Doesn't look like the 2012 version is going to be available anytime soon, but typically, these are good for smaller children all the way up to a small teen (they come in two sizes--XS/S and M/L)...

Problem #1. The size of the pack is not for capacity reasons and is for torso length. If you have a torso length in the small range, then you get a small. Getting a pack with an improper torso length will create an uncomfortably fitting pack. So no, that scenario will not work out unless you are a small torsoed person with a medium hip. (http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/web/sizing_and_fitting)

Problem #2. Backcountry.com does not swap out hipbelts on packs so they couldn't mail you a small pack with a medium hipbelt. You could order a small pack and take it to a local shop for them to order a medium hipbelt and then you could get it heat-molded (typically for a fee of course)...

After you've figured out what size torso you need but are worried about capacity, you could always go with the Aether 60. If you are worried about weight, you could with the Atmos 65 (which is lighter than the comparable Aether) or with the proper fitting Aether 70 and then do what all ounce-counters do--cut off straps and buckles... :-)

Hope this helps!

These packs are designed to fit up to a 30cm wide shovel blade. I carry a smaller shovel blade--about 25cm--and find that there is plenty of room so it would fit a 30cm just fine... I don't know the dimensions of the Voile Mini, but I imagine that since it is described as "mini", it'll work fine!

Actually, pocketing doesn't compartmentalize the interior of this without pack and reduce space--there's really only one main pocket with a tiny pocket for keys/sunglasses. In general, with 6L of space with a full reservoir, it's hard to fit a rain shell in that pocket. I have the 10L and though not as streamlined, it will fit a pair of jeans and a shirt fine and still be stable enough for running.

If you roll over graphic, you'll get the color name. If you look in the drop-down menu as if you were to order it, you can see what pattern goes with what size...

More specifically, on the liner, when you flip the finger cap up to expose your fingers, it is on top the fingers...