I have been testing the Osprey Tempest 24 hiking pack that is made to fit women. I am a fan of Osprey packs and I like the Tempest 24. Let me tell what I really like and what I would like to change.
The aim of the Osprey Tempest 24 is:
Light and fast: A lightweight pack series designed with optimal stability for dynamic movement of the wearer.
Multi-sport: From top-loaders to lumbar packs and everything in between, the Talon/Tempest Series accommodates the needs of hikers, bikers and more.
Sustainable materials: Constructed with bluesign-approved recycled high-tenacity nylon.
Features of the Osprey Tempest 24:
- Injection-moulded AirScape™ backpanel
- Fabric: Bluesign-approved recycled high-tenacity nylon with a PFC-free DWR coating
- AirScape™ suspension
- Injection-moulded, die-cut foam AirScape™ backpanel creates a breathable, close-to-body fit
- Flexible BioStretch harness and hipbelt, with a continuous lumbar-to-hipbelt wrap, allow for dynamic movement.
- Hydration reservoir sleeve
- Built-in emergency whistle on the buckle of the adjustable sternum strap.
- Recycled Robic nylon fabrics
- Adjustable torso length
- External hydration access
- Internal key attachment clip
- LED attachment point
- Seamless lumbar to hipbelt body wrap
- Single ice axe loop
- Sternum strap with whistle
- Stow-on-the-go trekking pole attachment
- Stretch front pocket
- Stretch mesh side pockets with InsideOut compression
- Twin zippered hipbelt pockets
- Zippered panel access
- Sizes: XS/S and M/L
- Weight: 0.9kg
- Price: £130
- See Osprey and to purchase via Osprey or Amazon. (I gain a small commission for sales through this website.)
- There are plenty of other Tempest pack sizes, starting at 20l.
Review: Osprey Tempest 24 walking pack
Osprey packs always have so many features and most of them are useful and well thought through. I like that this pack is lightweight. I have used it for day walks in the hills and mountains in spring and summer.
The pack is easy to adjust for different torso lengths and the straps on the waistband and shoulder straps are simple to work. The waistbelt adjustor, in particular, is great because you clip it together and then draw the straps inwards to tighten. I like this system.
I find the pack has plenty of space for all that I need, including waterproof jacket and trousers, an insulated jacket, a spare base layer, gloves, hat, food and water. I would have enough space for winter kit, too, I think.
I use a water bladder that fits in the rear of the pack between the pack and the AirScape back panel. I thought it might be annoying to have it there but I didn’t notice once the pack was on. The bladder tube fits over the shoulder strap and is kept in place by two rubber loops.
There is a useful range of pockets. Sometimes Osprey go overboard with the pockets but on this pack it’s a simpler design and I like that.
The outer stretch pocket is useful for stowing items that you want to be able to reach more easily, such as a waterproof jacket or gloves.
The top outer pocket is lined and a good place to put a phone if you don’t plan to use it. There is an inner mesh pocket with a safety hook for car keys.
Two side mesh pockets are useful if you want to take extra water bottles. There are also two zipped pockets on the waist belt. If only one of these was large enough to fit my iPhone Max that would be great. Sadly, they do not.
The pack is really comfortable when on and even when full. It fits me well and I can see that it has been designed to fit the slimmer, neater female physique.
My only other criticism might seem a bit odd. The top zip of the rucksack allows you to unzip the pack so it has wide opening. This means you can easily see what is in the pack and the your kit in and out.
But when you are out in the hills and it is windy, the wide open top leaves items vulnerable to being blown away/ falling out. A few times I lifted up the pack after stopping to find an item was on the ground next to it.
Conclusion: The Osprey Tempest 24 pack is a lovely lightweight rucksack for walking. It is ideal for trails, hills and mountains and a good size for a day pack, especially in spring and summer. The fit is great for women and there are plenty of useful and well designed features. Osprey packs are durable and long-lasting.