Osprey make backpacks for almost every occasion and sport. The new female-specific Osprey Tempest 20 packs boasts many great features.
The pack is designed for women and includes an adjustable back so you can move the shoulder straps up and down. The back is fixed in place with strong Velcro inside the back of the back. There is a large height range so this means it’s suitable for women of different heights and could be used by several different people in one family.
Height adjustor.
Other features include:
- AirScape back panel with foam ridges for ventilation
- BioStretch hip belt and harness
- Sternum strap with emergency whistle
- Stretch mesh side pockets with InsideOut compression
- Large two-way top zip
- Stretch front pocket
- LidLock bike helmet attachment
- Seamless lumbar to hip belt body wrap
- Twin zippered hip belt pockets
- Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment
- Stretch pocket on harness
- External hydration access
- Internal key attachment clip
- LED light attachment point
- Single ice axe loop
- Weight : 0.75 kg
- RRP £90
- From Osprey.
On test: New women’s Tempest 20 rucksack
It’s a great size for a daypack for walking, climbing or cycling. You can fit in plenty of spare layers, basic equipment, such as puncture repair kit, food and snacks.
I think it suits walking better than cycling but that’s my simply my preference.
The large zipped top opening is a good size and length and offers great access to items in the pack.
A pocket at the back takes a hydration bladder and there are elasticated loops on the shoulder strap for a drinking tube.
Hydration pocket for a bladder (not supplied).
Extra pockets, such as the stretch mesh front pocket and side pockets allow you to stow more bits and pieces. For example, if you need quick access to gloves or a waterproof jacket you could add that into the larger mesh pocket.
Further pockets are found in the hip belt. I really like zipped pockets on the hip belt because they are easy to access while walking. You don’t need to remove the bag to reach items such as a phone or snacks. I find this very useful.
Another open top mesh pocket is found on the shoulder strap. This could be used for an energy gel, or perhaps a tube of Love Hearts or similar? Or maybe it’s for the end of the drinking tube? I’m not entirely sure. To be honest, this seems like an unnecessary pocket. Sometimes, Osprey add too many features.
However, a couple of clever design additions that I like are the LidLock bike helmet attachment. This keeps a helmet in place when not in use. I have used this many times when cycling to a meeting or catching a train. I keep my helmet safe while not wearing it with the LidLock. It’s not essential but very useful.
The Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment is also very handy. A number of larger Osprey packs already feature this and I’ve used it before so to have it on a smaller pack is a bonus.
See how the Stow on the Go works:
The ice axe attachment seems a little pointless on a pack this small. I guess you might use it if you were climbing or winter walking but I would normally be carrying far more kit for winter activities and therefore I’d need a bigger rucksack. There are other Osprey packs that have ice axe holders that are more suitable.
Comfortable design of the hop belt.
The fit of the pack is excellent. I like that you can adjust the shoulder height to give a really comfortable fit. The waist belt feels amazing. The inclusion of a stretch fabric allows the lower part of the pack to hug the body really comfortably
There is not waterproof cover with this pack. You can buy separately or pack your kit into dry bags inside the pack.
There are three great colours to choose from, as well as black.
At RRP £90, Osprey packs can seem quite costly but they are really durable. I have several packs of varying sizes and they have proven to be very long-lasting. I usually choose Osprey over any other brand these days because I know they will be well designed and robust.