I've been using one backpack in the last month almost exclusively, from skiing and snowshoeing trips to going to school and taking it food shopping, and that is the
Osprey Hornet 32 backpack. It is a new fast & light backpack from a major player, so it is always good to have a look and see their take on lightweight backpacks.
Welcome to Hiking in Finland, Osprey!
For those with blazing fast internet connections, watch the underneath video to get a good idea of this new pack in action before I jump into the nitty-gritty details:
Or
view it on Youtube.
The pack is 593 gram on my scale, Size M/L.
These 593 gram get you a 32 liter backpack, with a few extra liters if you count in the two lid pockets, two hipbelt pockets, the big front mesh pocket and the hydration pocket which holds reservoirs up to 3 liters, though it is most comfortable with the
Osprey HydraForm 2l pack (which is awesome, btw!).
In all its glory.
The inside lid pocket, up-side-down.
Lets start on the top. The top lid pocket is covered by mesh, so keep things which need to stay dry inside the pack. But sunglasses, snacks, and waterproof packed stuff can go fine in there, as there's plenty of space. If you open the lid you find another pocket, and while this is also mesh, because it is on the inside I feel comfortable and safe carrying maps, charger or other stuff which needs to stay dry in there. You can take the lid completely off, saving you some weight, though it can't be used as a fanny pack or similar.
The two hipbelt pockets are similar to the lid pockets - one more waterproof with a solid cover, the other pure mesh. They're big enough for s few snacks or a small compact camera, but I didn't find them super easy to open and close - then again, which hipbelt pockets are? The hipbelt itself is fine, the buckle is small but easy to operate (also with woolen mitts) and to tighten the belt you pull inside - which is far superior to pulling outside, in my opinion. It carries well, and despite me having a long back and it riding a bit high when I pull the shoulder straps very tight, it is good. I only use the hipbelt when skiing in the forest, otherwise the sternum strap is sufficient for my needs.
Something which I haven't seen before was the outside reservoir pocket. It is a good idea, as in this way you can access your reservoir quick and easy - no opening your main pack, fishing the reservoir out and stuffing it back in, maybe getting your gear inside wet or dirty. A drawback I found with it is that if it is snowing, snow gets into the pocket, as it is open to the top and can not be closed. Same goes for leafs, small twigs and other stuff which finds its way in when you bushwack through the forest. But because it has a drain grommet in the bottom, at least water and snow are less of a problem.
Backpanel and one of the pockets on the shoulder straps.
The backpanel is soft and has a removable CCF pad in it, and I found it especially comfy when having the 2 l HydraForm reservoir in there as well, as it has a sort of backpanel. However, also without the reservoir it is good, and I found it perfect for skiing, snowshoeing, school and grocery shopping.
The shoulder straps have a die-cut foam in it, between two layers of mesh, with the inside having a softer mesh to add some cushioning. The pockets on the shoulder straps are nice, if you carry a small & narrow GPS or phone, or want to have your snacks close you will like these. An iPhone doesn't fit in, sorry folks!
The front pocket is good, a bit tight maybe and with the two buckles to close it, it can be a bit slow if you need something fast. But it stores a UL tarp fine, as well as snacks, extra gloves and buff with some room to spare.
The main pocket.
The main pocket is big. 32 liters is plenty for a UL summer trip, and I think that's where new lightweight and UL backpackers will take this pack. Now in winter I carry extra puffy insulation, a 1l thermos flask, binoculars, a book, papers, iPad, camera, spare socks, gloves and gaiters in it, and yes, there's still room. It is massive. Sadly it is a cinch closure, and I always find that the cords get in the way and flies around where it shouldn't, but that might just be my inability to use it correctly.
There's a buckle which goes over the cinch cord closure, and that buckle is connected to a strap which has another buckle! The 2nd buckle allows you to close the front mesh pocket and keep it tight. Over that then goes the lid... with another buckle! Lots of buckles, you see. I think here Osprey should simplify, less is sometimes more. Then there's a ice axe loop at the bottom, and plenty of cord tie-off points around the pack to put own cord through to attach gear. Add in a lifting loop and a sternum buckle with a whistle and you have a fine pack with plenty of details.
The side pockets.
The side pockets are OK. They seem a bit loose and are too small for a 1l Platy, and the side compression straps, while a good idea, are meh. The sidepockets on the Hornet 46 are the full length of the site, thus should be better to hold 1l Platys and other water bottles.
Which brings us to the conclusion. I think the major advantage of this backpack is that you can walk into any outdoor shop, load it up with about 5 kg of gear and try it. You can't do that with a cottage backpack, and there's still those people who'd like to try a backpack on before buying it (Return shipping policies in the USA might be great, but in Europe they're backwards and a lot of hassle most people don't want to bother with). You also can get it immediately and don't need to wait 8 weeks or more for it to arrive. And what better way to get into lightweight backpacking than trying something in the shop? Maybe the shops even start to understand that lighter = healthier & better, and carry more gear for our needs. Anyway. There's a lot of details on this pack, or bells & whistles, as I like to call them, maybe a tad too much for
my taste - but you always can take scissors and cut these off, which is easier than taking a needle and thread and sew them on. It is comfy, carries weight up to 8 kg well, looks good and has some smart extras. I like it.
Now you're thinking if you should get this backpack. If you don't have a pack which fills this niche - lightweight rucksack for weekend and day trips - and you have
a retailer near you which carries it, go and try it and decide yourself =)
Or if you know your size buy one online for a lot less:
Osprey Hornet 32 at Amazon
Osprey Hornet 32 at Moosejaw
Osprey Packs Hornet 32 at Backcountry.com
On a recent Snowshoeing trip.
I've been using one backpack in the last month almost exclusively, from skiing and snowshoeing trips to going to school and taking it food shopping, and that is the
Osprey Hornet 32 backpack. It is a new fast & light backpack from a major player, so it is always good to have a look and see their take on lightweight backpacks.
Welcome to Hiking in Finland, Osprey!
For those with blazing fast internet connections, watch the underneath video to get a good idea of this new pack in action before I jump into the nitty-gritty details:
Or
view it on Youtube.
The pack is 593 gram on my scale, Size M/L.
These 593 gram get you a 32 liter backpack, with a few extra liters if you count in the two lid pockets, two hipbelt pockets, the big front mesh pocket and the hydration pocket which holds reservoirs up to 3 liters, though it is most comfortable with the
Osprey HydraForm 2l pack (which is awesome, btw!).
In all its glory.
The inside lid pocket, up-side-down.
Lets start on the top. The top lid pocket is covered by mesh, so keep things which need to stay dry inside the pack. But sunglasses, snacks, and waterproof packed stuff can go fine in there, as there's plenty of space. If you open the lid you find another pocket, and while this is also mesh, because it is on the inside I feel comfortable and safe carrying maps, charger or other stuff which needs to stay dry in there. You can take the lid completely off, saving you some weight, though it can't be used as a fanny pack or similar.
The two hipbelt pockets are similar to the lid pockets - one more waterproof with a solid cover, the other pure mesh. They're big enough for s few snacks or a small compact camera, but I didn't find them super easy to open and close - then again, which hipbelt pockets are? The hipbelt itself is fine, the buckle is small but easy to operate (also with woolen mitts) and to tighten the belt you pull inside - which is far superior to pulling outside, in my opinion. It carries well, and despite me having a long back and it riding a bit high when I pull the shoulder straps very tight, it is good. I only use the hipbelt when skiing in the forest, otherwise the sternum strap is sufficient for my needs.
Something which I haven't seen before was the outside reservoir pocket. It is a good idea, as in this way you can access your reservoir quick and easy - no opening your main pack, fishing the reservoir out and stuffing it back in, maybe getting your gear inside wet or dirty. A drawback I found with it is that if it is snowing, snow gets into the pocket, as it is open to the top and can not be closed. Same goes for leafs, small twigs and other stuff which finds its way in when you bushwack through the forest. But because it has a drain grommet in the bottom, at least water and snow are less of a problem.
Backpanel and one of the pockets on the shoulder straps.
The backpanel is soft and has a removable CCF pad in it, and I found it especially comfy when having the 2 l HydraForm reservoir in there as well, as it has a sort of backpanel. However, also without the reservoir it is good, and I found it perfect for skiing, snowshoeing, school and grocery shopping.
The shoulder straps have a die-cut foam in it, between two layers of mesh, with the inside having a softer mesh to add some cushioning. The pockets on the shoulder straps are nice, if you carry a small & narrow GPS or phone, or want to have your snacks close you will like these. An iPhone doesn't fit in, sorry folks!
The front pocket is good, a bit tight maybe and with the two buckles to close it, it can be a bit slow if you need something fast. But it stores a UL tarp fine, as well as snacks, extra gloves and buff with some room to spare.
The main pocket.
The main pocket is big. 32 liters is plenty for a UL summer trip, and I think that's where new lightweight and UL backpackers will take this pack. Now in winter I carry extra puffy insulation, a 1l thermos flask, binoculars, a book, papers, iPad, camera, spare socks, gloves and gaiters in it, and yes, there's still room. It is massive. Sadly it is a cinch closure, and I always find that the cords get in the way and flies around where it shouldn't, but that might just be my inability to use it correctly.
There's a buckle which goes over the cinch cord closure, and that buckle is connected to a strap which has another buckle! The 2nd buckle allows you to close the front mesh pocket and keep it tight. Over that then goes the lid... with another buckle! Lots of buckles, you see. I think here Osprey should simplify, less is sometimes more. Then there's a ice axe loop at the bottom, and plenty of cord tie-off points around the pack to put own cord through to attach gear. Add in a lifting loop and a sternum buckle with a whistle and you have a fine pack with plenty of details.
The side pockets.
The side pockets are OK. They seem a bit loose and are too small for a 1l Platy, and the side compression straps, while a good idea, are meh. The sidepockets on the Hornet 46 are the full length of the site, thus should be better to hold 1l Platys and other water bottles.
Which brings us to the conclusion. I think the major advantage of this backpack is that you can walk into any outdoor shop, load it up with about 5 kg of gear and try it. You can't do that with a cottage backpack, and there's still those people who'd like to try a backpack on before buying it (Return shipping policies in the USA might be great, but in Europe they're backwards and a lot of hassle most people don't want to bother with). You also can get it immediately and don't need to wait 8 weeks or more for it to arrive. And what better way to get into lightweight backpacking than trying something in the shop? Maybe the shops even start to understand that lighter = healthier & better, and carry more gear for our needs. Anyway. There's a lot of details on this pack, or bells & whistles, as I like to call them, maybe a tad too much for
my taste - but you always can take scissors and cut these off, which is easier than taking a needle and thread and sew them on. It is comfy, carries weight up to 8 kg well, looks good and has some smart extras. I like it.
Now you're thinking if you should get this backpack. If you don't have a pack which fills this niche - lightweight rucksack for weekend and day trips - and you have
a retailer near you which carries it, go and try it and decide yourself =)
Or if you know your size buy one online for a lot less:
Osprey Hornet 32 at Amazon
Osprey Hornet 32 at Moosejaw
Osprey Packs Hornet 32 at Backcountry.com
On a recent Snowshoeing trip.
Osprey Hornet 32 backpack
My first bladder was a Nalgene. LOVED the magnetic system. I don't know of any other companies that do it. Which is kind of shocking. Patent issues, perhaps.
ReplyDeleteYour Sesame Bars have expired 6 month ago!
ReplyDeleteThe magnetic system is genius. Altogether I'm quite impressed with this pack. I did look at the Exos 46 a week ago which I have to say I thought was good though rather over-engineered, especially as I'm used to the basics with an original GoLite Jam. Maybe this series is a good alternative, and half the weight!
ReplyDeleteOsprey do make good packs! The magnet system is very clever. It's odd that they don't have a flap to stop snow/rain getting in the top of the reservoir sleeve.
ReplyDeleteInformative review. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThe pack seems to have quite a lot in common with the Osprey Talon 33 and 44 packs. I have the 33 liter version. It is a good pack but a bit over engineered as IMHO everything from Osprey. Talon's major problem is that the compression straps also compress the side pockets which would be otherwise really good (fits even 1 liter Nalgene).
Osprey packs simply don't fit me. Their size M is too short and their size L is too long...
ReplyDeleteDespite this, I managed to persuade myself to by a size M Variant, since it's otherwise such a good pack. After a weeks trying, and really wanting the pack to be of the right size, I had to return it to the shop.
Great packs, but not for me... :-(
/ Karl
Nice pack.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good alternative.
Exos Compression straps, Talon's look.
Weight smaller than Exos and Talon series.
What do you think about confort ??
You're using haglöfs LIM jacket in the video? How do you think it compares to the rab momentum jacket with event layering? I'm trying to decide between the two jackets.
ReplyDeleteYour right about the big players, interesting to see where they are heading. Always a big tendency to attach various bells&whistles though...
ReplyDeleteLately I've been using Osprey myself, a Exos58 for overnight trips (hoping to find a good tarp so I can reduce the packsize in the future) and a Raptor 10 for running. I gave the Raptor to my father though and got myself an Haglöfs Endurance, better pack imo. I really liked the magvalve on the Nalgene reservoir, handy, I miss it on the Endurance. But, word of caution. I read that alot of people have had problems with leaking reservoirs. And sure, one day this autumn I had everything packed, pack in the trunk of the car when I noticed a pool of water, everything soaked, didn't find the leak either.. :p Got the reservoir fixed on warranty, no problems.
Off this topic. How has the Nahanny down vest worked, long term report? Some competitive prices...
Cheers. Daniel
Ps. used the crux on a overnighter this weekend, worked like a charm.
The magnet is genius! Doesn't the tube get frozen in winter though?
ReplyDeleteIt looks pretty sweet, if a little fussy.
I also use Primus flasks - they are great for hot winter drinks!
Great review, thanx! One Q: can you roll the top down (like e.g. the Jam) after you've cinched it close, or are the buckle attachment points too close to the opening to allow for that?
ReplyDeleteIzzy, patents could indeed be the reason we don't see it on other bladders. Nothing a bit of MYOG can't fix!
ReplyDeleteTrue, Steve, but they're fine still!
Helen, as I said on Twitter, try it out in a local shop if you have a chance, to compare it to the Exos. It is a good pack, but if you compare it to a Jam then this is a pimped out backpack, for sure.
Robin, good point about the flap, that would have solved the snow and sticks issues.
Jaakko, yeah, all the Osprey packs I know are well made and a tad over-engineered, but I still find most details practical and those who aren't can be cut off ;) These side pockets won't hold a 1l Nalgene, that's for sure, though!
Karl, that's too bad - how about trying a Laufbursche huckePACK instead ;) ?!
Odinius, I think it is very comfortable I carried some eight kg in it (3 l water, 1 l tea, binoculars, books, iPad, clothes, food, etc. ) and I had no problems with it pushing or anything.
Anonymous, I prefer the Haglöfs LIM at the moment, as the hood, thumbloops and long back are excellent. Paclite is fine, in the temperatures we have at the moment both eVent and Paclite are performing similarly well.
DJS, good to hear that you got your reservoir fixed under warranty. Re: Nahanny, I sold it last year as it was a bit too big for me. Ask Korpijaakko for his experience, as he also has some gear from them ;)
Mark, depending on how often you drink the valve stays free, even at -20°C. Leave it alone for long enough (30 min)and it is solid. Primus flasks are great, I really like mine. And they now also come in Neon colours :D
Anonymous, you can not roll the top down as the buckles are right next to it.
Thanks for the great video Hendrik.
ReplyDeleteHad my eye on this sack for summer weekend use.
Only problem seems to be that I would get a sweaty back! Or do you think the mesh backing would vent enough to limit that?
Like the looks of the olive insulated smock/top you put on, could you tell me what it is please.
Cheers.
Jeff, that is a BPL Cocoon Hoody. It depends on how much you perspire if you get a wet back in the summer, as it is deep winter here I can not comment on summer use just yet =)
ReplyDeleteNice review Hendrik. I've been meaning to look at this pack too. Do you think the front mesh pocket is large enough to store a climbing helmet?
ReplyDeletePhilip, my CAMP climbing helmet fits in!
ReplyDeleteMmmmm, sesame snaps.....
ReplyDeleteI like the look of this pack a lot, so much better than the dissapointing GoLite Peak.
Informative review. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThe pack seems to have quite a lot in common with the Osprey Talon 33 and 44 packs. I have the 33 liter version. It is a good pack but a bit over engineered as IMHO everything from Osprey. Talon's major problem is that the compression straps also compress the side pockets which would be otherwise really good (fits even 1 liter Nalgene).
Your Sesame Bars have expired 6 month ago!
ReplyDeleteMyself, I own a Talon33 and recently started to use this Hornet 32.But I seem to miss the oint in this pack, because of its rather lousy weigh transfer. Its badly let down by the flappy hipbelt. No stiffener of any sort, it is easy to vertically compress the whole belt along the pocket to about a third of its original height when weraing it. If I had sewn a 50mm starp as replacement, it would give a better load transfer. Up to 6,0 Kg the whole system is quite ok. But the too-stretchy harnesses dig in a bit and the hipbelt only worked acceptable because I added cut-to-fit Hard foam from an old sleeping mat. Whats the intention behind this design? 50 Gr of additional fabrich in the hipbelt would have done nothing but good, but this way its more of an oversized daypack, to be loaded with a max 0f 6 Kg. What are your experiences?
ReplyDeleteI own a Talon 44, an Exos 58 and a Manta 25. The Hornet 33 is a replacement for my Manta that has not performed to expectations. I've had reservoir issues more than once, and it seems to be only with my Manta. Also the Manta requires "creative packing" to be an overnight pack. So the great people at Osprey are replacing it with the Hornet (They offered me my choice of any pack under 35L).
ReplyDeleteI've become a true ultralight-er and hope this will be a great day pack / overnight pack for the future. It's due here middle of next week and can't wait for it to arrive. Thank you for the review it made me feel a lot more confident of my pick.
I carry pretty small loads in the pack, and found it fine to about six to eight kg - it is not designed to carry more, imo. As you, I find the hipbelt a bit flimsy, but as I rarely use it (I just strap it around the pack to be out of the way) it is not a big problem for me. Also packing the Hornet in a good way helps in load transfer and carrying comfort - I found that with the Osprey HydraForm 2l reservoir it carried very nicely, as the HydraForm gave some additional strength to the pack.
ReplyDeleteGlad you found it useful, and I hope that you will like it! I think backpacks are a very personal matter - what suits me might not suit you, and vice versa. Nevertheless, seems you got a good deal from Osprey, which in itself already is great - now I will keep my thumbs up that you will be happy with your Hornet 32!
ReplyDelete