Osprey has been in the backpack business for almost 40 years now, and have since converted loyal followers around the globe. So what could they possibly come up with to improve their product for 2013? Plenty, and it was all on display at the Outdoor Retailer 2012 Summer Market.
The big news is that Osprey is going all-in on women-specific packs. They’ve come up with a new women’s fit series with redesigned shoulder harnesses, a different pack shape, and a new hip belt that are all made to better fit a woman’s unique anatomical frame. Think simple changes like how the sternum strap equalizes pressure across the shoulder harness, or how a pack’s shape can affect a women’s center of gravity and freedom of movement.
Take for instance, the Xena series of packs. These backpacking warriors are loaded with too many features to mention here, but do have a beefed up version of their LightWire peripheral frame suspension, and a new BioForm CM hipbelt and harness for a highly customizable fit. There is a men’s version (called the Xenith) that range in sizes from a massive 105L to 75L for men, and 85L to 70L for women.
Also new in the Osprey backpacking line is the Volt and Viva series. These minimalist treasures have zero extraneous straps and pockets, feature Ospey’s Integrated Custom Fit, and come in only one size : 75L for men and 65L for women.
Among Osprey’s most versatile packs is the Kestrel and Kyte. These guys are made for light backpacking or day hiking, and are supposedly a “one-quiver pack.” This year you can find updated looks along with their usual AirScape back panel, torso-adjustable harness, mesh pockets, zippered hip belts, dual ice-tool loops, trekking pole attachments, integrated rain cover and more.
Also updated is the ever-popular Viper and Verve pack that are a huge hit for mountain bikers. They come with a 3L Hydraulics Reservoir, interior dividers to keep stuff separate, and new for 2013 is a front shove-it pocket to increase the range of use for the pack.
The other big news from Osprey, is that they’ve redesigned their hydration reservoir (as if it wasn’t already awesome enough!) In the past, Osprey contracted out the construction of their reservoirs, but now they’re making their own with a few new changes thrown in. They say the new system is easier to handle when filling with water and loading a pack, a new contoured HydroStatic backer plate keeps your pack comfortable and stable, new MPE film provides taste-free drinking, and of course the ingenious magnetic bite valve attachment is still there.
Look for all of this coming up in spring of 2013. For more, visit www.ospreypacks.com