The G-force loves his outdoors kit and the more specific it is to his needs the better. However, when the item doesn’t suit him or his purpose he’ll also say so. He has moaned and groaned about boots, rucksacks, climbing shoes, walking boots, trainers etc.

But the new Osprey Mutant 38 rucksack, for climbers and fast-moving mountaineers, has gained only praise. When we were out for a mountain hike recently, he oohed and ahhed about all its great features.

And after a climbing trip with the full range of ropes, harness, karabiners and all those bits and pieces he uses to keep himself safe and on the rock face he could not wait to tell me how brilliantly this rucksack performed.

Osprey Mutant 38 rucksack

This is a new and vastly updated Mutant pack by Osprey and comes in 28l and 38l sizes. In many ways, the pack has been taken back to the drawing board and reinvented.

Features include:

• Sternum strap with emergency whistle
• Top lid access
• FlapJacket™ top cover for use without lid
• Integrated ski/climbing helmet storage
• Removable top lid with dual compartments
• Dual ToolLock™ for ice axe attachment
• 15mm side compression straps
• Abrasion resistant PU texture to front panel
• Glove friendly buckles
• Integrated gear loops on hipbelt
• Internal hydration sleeve
• Internal key attachment clip
• Removable HDPE framesheet with T6061 aluminium stay
• Sewn in hipbelt, reverse wrap stowable
• Side ski carry
• Underlid rope carrying system

Weight : 1.19 (M/L) kg

Maximum dimensions : (mm) 630 (l) x 270 (w) x 250 (d)

Review of the Osprey Mutant 38 rucksack

 

What the G-Force thinks of the Mutant 38:

• A really lightweight rucksack but still practical and durable
• Lots of thoughtful spaces and pockets
• Great design, including s helmet holder, detachable hood and removable back panel
• New ice axe clips that are simpler to use than the previous Mutant’s clips
• Less straps than before, which is good because I found that previous Osprey packs have too many straps
• Easy to compress and make smaller if carrying less
• A strap and place for everything – and climbing does involve a lot of kit
• So comfortable to wear and carry thanks to the “ergonomically formed” backplate
• So easy to adjust to fit perfectly on my back
• Great hip strap that can be clipped back to keep the padding out of the way of your harness and rack but still leaving the strap and belt in place.
• Just the perfect size for a day of winter climbing or mountaineering
• So good I may well buy the 28l version for summer.

Osprey Mutant 38 RRPs at £100, Osprey Mutant 28 RRPs at £80. Or buy the Mutant 38 at Tiso for £99.