- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2018
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The “Ultreya” might be high visibility and with reflective strips.I spent last week up in Dolores, Colorado, staying with my friends, Mike and Diane. Mike and I have now been friends for 50 years (!) since we backpacked together as young teenagers. He owns, and founded, Osprey Backpacks. I used to tease him because he liked to sew. I said that there were two kinds of people who backpacked; those who use the gear to get out into the wilderness and those who go out into the wilderness in order to play with their gear.
Mike has never stopped dreaming up new designs and use of innovative materials. He's handed over much of the management of the company now, but is still heavily involved in design. He has a big workshop/personal playhouse on his property, as well as a state-of-the-art headquarters in Cortez, Colorado. We toured the new building - complete with a ping pong room, a beer tap in the kitchen, full showers and lockers for those riding their bikes to work, and a kennel for the dogs who come to work, too. A show room with practically every Osprey pack that's ever been made right next to the Customer Service department. When people call with questions about their packs, the reps can look at the actual pack while they talk to the customers.
Another, older building in Cortez houses their earlier factory, now devoted to repair and storage of parts (after moving from Santa Cruz, California, Osprey opened their first Colorado operation in Dolores). A few Navajo workers in the older Cortez building have been with the company for over 25 years. Another worker, with dreadlocks, He does repair work in the shop and also collects used backpacks to distribute to disadvantaged folks in SE Asia, Africa and elsewhere in the world who can really use them. Two rooms full of backpacks were ready to be delivered. He led the first African American group up Kilimanjaro.
Most fascinating to me was the large warehouse full of parts; shelves and shelves with box drawers of thousands of different kinds of buckles, straps and other parts, labeled with the name and year of the packs they belonged to. Osprey has a lifetime warranty, so they need to keep all those things in stock. Quite the enterprise!
You may know that Osprey has a very lightweight pack (I saw a lot of them on the Camino) called the Exos for men and the Eja for women. It's a very good balance between durability, comfort and weight-savings. Now they have an even astonishingly superlight pack called the Lumina for women and Levity for men. They're about a pound and a half in weight. Unbelievable.
Osprey also has a well-run operation in Vietnam, with Vietnamese managers and even independent designers. Mike and the family lived in Vietnam for many years and he still spends a lot of time over there. The main reason they moved some of their company to Vietnam was because, while Osprey packs became more and more popular, they could not source the materials they needed in the US or maintain the kind of workforce they needed. Mike and my brother are getting ready for their yearly dirt bike ride around the remote parts of the country next month.
Best of all was sitting on the back patio of their property with a glass of wine, looking out at Sleeping Ute mountain while Mike cooked dinner. And hiking many miles along a river on their vast land. I will post some pictures later. It's a bit of paradise.
Oh, and I recommended a name for a new pack, the Ultreia. I like the idea of an embroidered scallop shell on the pack flap, too. I don't know about the shell advice, but he did really like the name idea, so we will see...
I am so jealous of you being right there in the midst of all the Osprey activity!!I spent last week up in Dolores, Colorado, staying with my friends, Mike and Diane. Mike and I have now been friends for 50 years (!) since we backpacked together as young teenagers. He owns, and founded, Osprey Backpacks. I used to tease him because he liked to sew. I said that there were two kinds of people who backpacked; those who use the gear to get out into the wilderness and those who go out into the wilderness in order to play with their gear.
Mike has never stopped dreaming up new designs and use of innovative materials. He's handed over much of the management of the company now, but is still heavily involved in design. He has a big workshop/personal playhouse on his property, as well as a state-of-the-art headquarters in Cortez, Colorado. We toured the new building - complete with a ping pong room, a beer tap in the kitchen, full showers and lockers for those riding their bikes to work, and a kennel for the dogs who come to work, too. A show room with practically every Osprey pack that's ever been made right next to the Customer Service department. When people call with questions about their packs, the reps can look at the actual pack while they talk to the customers.
Another, older building in Cortez houses their earlier factory, now devoted to repair and storage of parts (after moving from Santa Cruz, California, Osprey opened their first Colorado operation in Dolores). A few Navajo workers in the older Cortez building have been with the company for over 25 years. Another worker, with dreadlocks, He does repair work in the shop and also collects used backpacks to distribute to disadvantaged folks in SE Asia, Africa and elsewhere in the world who can really use them. Two rooms full of backpacks were ready to be delivered. He led the first African American group up Kilimanjaro.
Most fascinating to me was the large warehouse full of parts; shelves and shelves with box drawers of thousands of different kinds of buckles, straps and other parts, labeled with the name and year of the packs they belonged to. Osprey has a lifetime warranty, so they need to keep all those things in stock. Quite the enterprise!
You may know that Osprey has a very lightweight pack (I saw a lot of them on the Camino) called the Exos for men and the Eja for women. It's a very good balance between durability, comfort and weight-savings. Now they have an even astonishingly superlight pack called the Lumina for women and Levity for men. They're about a pound and a half in weight. Unbelievable.
Osprey also has a well-run operation in Vietnam, with Vietnamese managers and even independent designers. Mike and the family lived in Vietnam for many years and he still spends a lot of time over there. The main reason they moved some of their company to Vietnam was because, while Osprey packs became more and more popular, they could not source the materials they needed in the US or maintain the kind of workforce they needed. Mike and my brother are getting ready for their yearly dirt bike ride around the remote parts of the country next month.
Best of all was sitting on the back patio of their property with a glass of wine, looking out at Sleeping Ute mountain while Mike cooked dinner. And hiking many miles along a river on their vast land. I will post some pictures later. It's a bit of paradise.
Oh, and I recommended a name for a new pack, the Ultreia. I like the idea of an embroidered scallop shell on the pack flap, too. I don't know about the shell advice, but he did really like the name idea, so we will see...
Wow! Thanks for that insight.I spent last week up in Dolores, Colorado, staying with my friends, Mike and Diane. Mike and I have now been friends for 50 years (!) since we backpacked together as young teenagers. He owns, and founded, Osprey Backpacks. I used to tease him because he liked to sew. I said that there were two kinds of people who backpacked; those who use the gear to get out into the wilderness and those who go out into the wilderness in order to play with their gear.
Mike has never stopped dreaming up new designs and use of innovative materials. He's handed over much of the management of the company now, but is still heavily involved in design. He has a big workshop/personal playhouse on his property, as well as a state-of-the-art headquarters in Cortez, Colorado. We toured the new building - complete with a ping pong room, a beer tap in the kitchen, full showers and lockers for those riding their bikes to work, and a kennel for the dogs who come to work, too. A show room with practically every Osprey pack that's ever been made right next to the Customer Service department. When people call with questions about their packs, the reps can look at the actual pack while they talk to the customers.
Another, older building in Cortez houses their earlier factory, now devoted to repair and storage of parts (after moving from Santa Cruz, California, Osprey opened their first Colorado operation in Dolores). A few Navajo workers in the older Cortez building have been with the company for over 25 years. Another worker, with dreadlocks, He does repair work in the shop and also collects used backpacks to distribute to disadvantaged folks in SE Asia, Africa and elsewhere in the world who can really use them. Two rooms full of backpacks were ready to be delivered. He led the first African American group up Kilimanjaro.
Most fascinating to me was the large warehouse full of parts; shelves and shelves with box drawers of thousands of different kinds of buckles, straps and other parts, labeled with the name and year of the packs they belonged to. Osprey has a lifetime warranty, so they need to keep all those things in stock. Quite the enterprise!
You may know that Osprey has a very lightweight pack (I saw a lot of them on the Camino) called the Exos for men and the Eja for women. It's a very good balance between durability, comfort and weight-savings. Now they have an even astonishingly superlight pack called the Lumina for women and Levity for men. They're about a pound and a half in weight. Unbelievable.
Osprey also has a well-run operation in Vietnam, with Vietnamese managers and even independent designers. Mike and the family lived in Vietnam for many years and he still spends a lot of time over there. The main reason they moved some of their company to Vietnam was because, while Osprey packs became more and more popular, they could not source the materials they needed in the US or maintain the kind of workforce they needed. Mike and my brother are getting ready for their yearly dirt bike ride around the remote parts of the country next month.
Best of all was sitting on the back patio of their property with a glass of wine, looking out at Sleeping Ute mountain while Mike cooked dinner. And hiking many miles along a river on their vast land. I will post some pictures later. It's a bit of paradise.
Oh, and I recommended a name for a new pack, the Ultreia. I like the idea of an embroidered scallop shell on the pack flap, too. I don't know about the shell advice, but he did really like the name idea, so we will see...
I am so jealous of you being right there in the midst of all the Osprey activity!!
I am an avid Osprey lover and has hike all the major hikes in SA, the Camino, the Choquiquirao Trek up to Macchu Pichu and many other very long arduous Treks with my Osprey. I also use their normal travel luggage and absolutely adore all of it.
I am doing the Camino again next year in May/June and as I am not so young any longer I would like to buy the latest and LIGHTEST bag possible. What would be the best to buy? I live outside of Cape Town in South Africa and would like to get a list of suppliers of where to find the bag you suggest - please help? Many thanks AF
Sounds great, another very happy customer here! I don't suppose you could very gently suggest that this Ultreia pack could be the one model that's missing from their range - a larger Talon/Tempest panel loader, say 30-35 L, with the same pole holder and back system and two top compression straps for sandals ... ?
Maybe suggest we crowd-design it?I don't suppose you could very gently suggest that this Ultreia pack could be the one model that's missing from their range - a larger Talon/Tempest panel loader, say 30-35 L, with the same pole holder and back system and two top compression straps for sandals ... ?
Yep, right there in Dolores, COMaybe suggest we crowd-design it?
Hi Jill: My wife and I are great fans of Osprey packs, but there are some other Ospreys that are cheaper and lighter than those you mention. The Lumina / Levity 45 that you refer to is indeed under 2 pounds, but it is very expensive — retails for $250. The smallest Exos pack (38 liters) weighs 2.5 lbs, and costs $180 retail. However, Osprey offers several other packs in the 30 liter range (which is all you need on the Camino) that are cheaper and lighter. These include the Skarab 30 (1.5 lbs / $130); the Skimmer 28 (women’s only - 1.7 lbs. / $130); Hikelite 32 (1.75 lbs. / $55 - $110); Talon 33 (1.9 lbs. / $140; and the Tempest 30 (for women only — 1.8 lbs. / $130).I spent last week up in Dolores, Colorado, staying with my friends, Mike and Diane. Mike and I have now been friends for 50 years (!) since we hiked and camped together as young teenagers. He owns, and founded, Osprey Backpacks. I used to tease him because he liked to sew. I said that there were two kinds of people who backpacked; those who use the gear to get out into the wilderness and those who go out into the wilderness in order to play with their gear. Mike was the gear-fiddler. I worried back then about him ever holding down a real job, because he was such a dreamer.
He has a workshop on his property (with marmots tunneling under it and bears wandering around outside some nights), and there is a big new headquarters in Cortez, Colorado. He showed me all the new space-age materials he is working with, and how he's experimenting with mesh pads of various densities with a 3D press. I had no idea there was something that could do this. We toured the new building - complete with a ping pong room, a beer tap in the kitchen, full showers and lockers for those riding their bikes to work, and a kennel for the dogs who come to work, too. There's a show room with practically every Osprey pack that's ever been made right next to the Customer Service department. When people call with questions about their packs, the reps can look at the actual pack while they talk to the customers, even if the pack is no longer made.
Another, older building in Cortez houses their earlier factory, now devoted to repair and storage of parts (after moving from Santa Cruz, California, Osprey opened their first Colorado operation in Dolores). A few Navajo workers in the older Cortez building have been with the company for 25 years. One guy there who does repair work in the shop collects used backpacks to distribute to disadvantaged folks in SE Asia, Africa and elsewhere in the world who can really use them. Two rooms full of backpacks were ready to be delivered.
Most fascinating to me was the large warehouse full of parts; shelves and shelves with box drawers of thousands of different kinds of buckles, straps and other parts, labeled with the name and year of the packs they belonged to. Osprey has a lifetime warranty, so they need to keep all those things in stock. I'm telling you; don't hesitate to send your pack back to them for repairs or call them for help.
You may know that Osprey has a very lightweight pack (I saw a lot of them on the Camino) called the Exos for men and the Eja for women. It's a very good balance between durability, comfort and weight-savings. Now they make a superlight pack called the Lumina for women and Levity for men. They're about a pound and a half in weight.
Oh, and I recommended a name for a new pack, the Ultreia. I like the idea of an embroidered scallop shell on the pack flap. I don't know about the shell advice, but he did really like the name idea, so we will see...
Hi! The Osprey Exos (48) is by far my favourite pack (it has everything, imo!) and only weighs 1.1 kg. It is big enough to carry camping gear etc and served me well on many Caminos and all the way to Jerusalem. The smaller version (38) would be more than enough I’m sure for a ‘normal’ Camino...I am doing the Camino again next year in May/June and as I am not so young any longer I would like to buy the latest and LIGHTEST bag possible. What would be the best to buy?
Hi Jill: My wife and I are great fans of Osprey packs, but there are some other Ospreys that are cheaper and lighter than those you mention. The Lumina / Levity 45 that you refer to is indeed under 2 pounds, but it is very expensive — retails for $250. The smallest Exos pack (38 liters) weighs 2.5 lbs, and costs $180 retail. However, Osprey offers several other packs in the 30 liter range (which is all you need on the Camino) that are cheaper and lighter. These include the Skarab 30 (1.5 lbs / $130); the Skimmer 28 (women’s only - 1.7 lbs. / $130); Hikelite 32 (1.75 lbs. / $55 - $110); Talon 33 (1.9 lbs. / $140; and the Tempest 30 (for women only — 1.8 lbs. / $130).
I carry the Talon 33 and my wife carries the Skimmer 28, and we are both happy with these.
I spent last week up in Dolores, Colorado, staying with my friends, Mike and Diane. Mike and I have now been friends for 50 years (!) since we hiked and camped together as young teenagers. He owns, and founded, Osprey Backpacks. I used to tease him because he liked to sew. I said that there were two kinds of people who backpacked; those who use the gear to get out into the wilderness and those who go out into the wilderness in order to play with their gear. Mike was the gear-fiddler. I worried back then about him ever holding down a real job, because he was such a dreamer.
He has a workshop on his property (with marmots tunneling under it and bears wandering around outside some nights), and there is a big new headquarters in Cortez, Colorado. He showed me all the new space-age materials he is working with, and how he's experimenting with mesh pads of various densities with a 3D press. I had no idea there was something that could do this. We toured the new building - complete with a ping pong room, a beer tap in the kitchen, full showers and lockers for those riding their bikes to work, and a kennel for the dogs who come to work, too. There's a show room with practically every Osprey pack that's ever been made right next to the Customer Service department. When people call with questions about their packs, the reps can look at the actual pack while they talk to the customers, even if the pack is no longer made.
Another, older building in Cortez houses their earlier factory, now devoted to repair and storage of parts (after moving from Santa Cruz, California, Osprey opened their first Colorado operation in Dolores). A few Navajo workers in the older Cortez building have been with the company for 25 years. One guy there who does repair work in the shop collects used backpacks to distribute to disadvantaged folks in SE Asia, Africa and elsewhere in the world who can really use them. Two rooms full of backpacks were ready to be delivered.
Most fascinating to me was the large warehouse full of parts; shelves and shelves with box drawers of thousands of different kinds of buckles, straps and other parts, labeled with the name and year of the packs they belonged to. Osprey has a lifetime warranty, so they need to keep all those things in stock. I'm telling you; don't hesitate to send your pack back to them for repairs or call them for help.
You may know that Osprey has a very lightweight pack (I saw a lot of them on the Camino) called the Exos for men and the Eja for women. It's a very good balance between durability, comfort and weight-savings. Now they make a superlight pack called the Lumina for women and Levity for men. They're about a pound and a half in weight.
Oh, and I recommended a name for a new pack, the Ultreia. I like the idea of an embroidered scallop shell on the pack flap. I don't know about the shell advice, but he did really like the name idea, so we will see...
What I liked about the Sirrus (not true with the newest model) is that it was both top loading and had a zippered front panel. The top loading feature is best for cramming stuff in. The zippered panel was good for retrieving stuff from lower down in the pack when you needed it, so you didn't need to layer your kit just according to what you might need to get out of the pack before the end of the day. I am guessing that larger panel loaders would put a lot more stress on zippers, if you have a lot of stuff. You might look at their travel packs and see if there is one like that.
But keep the ideas coming and I'll pitch them to Mike for a real Camino pack! (even though he usually just laughs at me when I give him input, for example about shoulder strap water bottle holders) I like the idea of reflective tape.
Hi Andrienette,I am so jealous of you being right there in the midst of all the Osprey activity!!
I am an avid Osprey lover and has hike all the major hikes in SA, the Camino, the Choquiquirao Trek up to Macchu Pichu and many other very long arduous Treks with my Osprey. I also use their normal travel luggage and absolutely adore all of it.
I am doing the Camino again next year in May/June and as I am not so young any longer I would like to buy the latest and LIGHTEST bag possible. What would be the best to buy? I live outside of Cape Town in South Africa and would like to get a list of suppliers of where to find the bag you suggest - please help? Many thanks AF
Hi there - I am also from Cape Town - phone the agents - they are in Muizenberg - just sent my bag in to have the mesh pockets seen to. Very helpful and will let you know which outdoor shops stock them - buen camino for next year.I am so jealous of you being right there in the midst of all the Osprey activity!!
I am an avid Osprey lover and has hike all the major hikes in SA, the Camino, the Choquiquirao Trek up to Macchu Pichu and many other very long arduous Treks with my Osprey. I also use their normal travel luggage and absolutely adore all of it.
I am doing the Camino again next year in May/June and as I am not so young any longer I would like to buy the latest and LIGHTEST bag possible. What would be the best to buy? I live outside of Cape Town in South Africa and would like to get a list of suppliers of where to find the bag you suggest - please help? Many thanks AF
Could you ask your friend why the top bags always seem to be secured upside down, so when in a hostel with it flat you have to lift it up to get anything out because the zip is on the bottom!!
I have three bags (kyte, aether and fanpoint) so a fan, but all the same, it makes no sense.
Good to hear about the passion.
Cheers
Oh my we are getting really fancy now with our packs!!! Hahaha@t2andreo I never thought I would disagree with you but now I do - on one small thing. Any and all trampoline mesh covered back systems will start creaking at some point, some really badly, and some are not shaped the way people are and start digging into them. I much prefer the ridged foam and mesh, unbreakable, un-digging-in, cool-when-it's-hot-and-not-cold-in-the-cold back system like the Talon/Tempest, Kestrel/Kyte, Escapist etc models. Totally agree with most of the other stuff though, or at least a wider range of Osprey add-ons like umbrella holders, water bottle holders on the straps etc. Plus please top compression straps! Reversible are good. When do we start on the colour ranges?
Yes me too please - I can't work it out!!!I can't picture this. Can you post a pic?
I am also an Osprey fan. I second the vote for shoulder strap water bottle holders!
I chose the Talon over the Tempest because it fit better, but I am thinking of giving the Tempest another try.
I showed Mike my system for shoulder strap water bottles, which works great. He just laughed. I think he likes the reservoir system better, but I don't think that's for everybody. I prefer water bottles that are accessible.
Same here, huge mesh compartment like UL backpacks have plus waterbottle and Smartphone/camera holder on the frontstraps, slightly bigger hip belt pockets and all the great Osprey features they already have (like the airscape mesh back panel) and voila we have the Osprey Ultreia <3. (In love with my Kyte 36 and Tempest 30)A thought about the camino pack design. Large mesh pocket on the back for drying items or sticking a reflective sheet inside. That would face inside when drying things and facing against the mesh for the early morning walkers. Probably similar for a chest unit.
I think I know why at least two members can't picture what you mean.Could you ask your friend why the top bags always seem to be secured upside down, so when in a hostel with it flat you have to lift it up to get anything out because the zip is on the bottom!!
I have three bags (kyte, aether and fanpoint) so a fan, but all the same, it makes no sense.
Good to hear about the passion.
Cheers
I can't picture this. Can you post a pic?
I think I know why at least two members can't picture what you mean.
Your desciption of a zipper of top bag is up/down or top/bottom because that is correct when the backpack is lying with the back side (where the straps are) on the floor.
Well, for me that's not really usual, logical and natural position of a backpack when you describing something like that. The natural is vertical position whether you carry it or you put it down on the floor while resting for example or in an albergue not to use too much space between bunks.
So if the backpack is in vertical position your "bottom" would be (more correctly) "backside". With my backpack properly loaded I can reach for that zipper and opened it even while walking. Also I would never put my backpack on the floor with its backside down except when taking something out of the lower compartment.
Apart from that I have never ever seen the backpack with a top bag zipper or the outside-side (that would be your "front" side). Maybe backpacks for travelling have that but hiking backpacks surely not and I had (still) have a few of them different brands and models
It doesn't matter what you use your top bag for just put the backpack in upright position and problem solvedHey Kinky
I can see what you are saying and I guess it varies on the usage, my bag has a back loading zip which means that it is preferably lying straps down for access to main compartment. I tend to use the top bag as my snacks larder after having all my drugs, first aid and wash kit tumble out several times!
Small issues for good times and a very comfy bag.
Cheers
Huh, I never thought of this. I think the trick is to keep the zippers closed on the top bag so things don't fall outPict of bag. Not full and zipped open for access. Bag at top of rucksack is effectively upside down as the zip in on the floor without disconnecting it (on this model anyway.) Contents fall out. Be better if zip was on top (or front).
Heard others comment too, my Kyte the bag cannot be disconnected. But heyho everything still falls out!
Cheers
View attachment 62391
you know what they about committees...Maybe suggest we crowd-design it?
I have just done my first Camino, and the first time I have ever carried a pack. I can honestly say that I loved my Osprey Tempest which I bought after having done lots of research. The only thing I would have added is a separate zipped compartment at the base - please shake Mike's hand for me - my pack felt like an old friend by the time I had finished!
Thanks for this post, @JillGat. I live in the Denver area and will make a point to stop by there the next time I get down in the 4-corners region.
@t2andreo I never thought I would disagree with you but now I do - on one small thing. Any and all trampoline mesh covered back systems will start creaking at some point, some really badly, and some are not shaped the way people are and start digging into them. I much prefer the ridged foam and mesh, unbreakable, un-digging-in, cool-when-it's-hot-and-not-cold-in-the-cold back system like the Talon/Tempest, Kestrel/Kyte, Escapist etc models. Totally agree with most of the other stuff though, or at least a wider range of Osprey add-ons like umbrella holders, water bottle holders on the straps etc. Plus please top compression straps! Reversible are good. When do we start on the colour ranges?
For me placing the top bag zipper to the front side would be wrong especially when commuting and carrying a backpack. Very easy access for pickpockets because they assume you carry some valuables in top bag.Huh, I never thought of this. I think the trick is to keep the zippers closed on the top bag so things don't fall out. The zippers are on the "back" (near your back when you are carrying the pack) I think to protect the opening from wear and tear, to make it accessible to you when the pack is on your back (for some people). I'll ask about that.
Thanks.I don't know that they generally give tours of the building, but if you call ahead you may be able to arrange that!
@t2andreo I never thought I would disagree with you but now I do - on one small thing. Any and all trampoline mesh covered back systems will start creaking at some point, some really badly, and some are not shaped the way people are and start digging into them. I much prefer the ridged foam and mesh, unbreakable, un-digging-in, cool-when-it's-hot-and-not-cold-in-the-cold back system like the Talon/Tempest, Kestrel/Kyte, Escapist etc models. Totally agree with most of the other stuff though, or at least a wider range of Osprey add-ons like umbrella holders, water bottle holders on the straps etc. Plus please top compression straps! Reversible are good. When do we start on the colour ranges?
Oh and [USER=47729]@JillGat if there is an Ultreia pack, surely the ladies' version should be a Suseia?
Does that mean that we men would still have to walk but you ladies could fly???That is EXACTLY what I just pitched to Mike: Ultreia and Suseia. Onward and upward! I listed the features recommended so far on this thread, so keep the ideas coming. I love the reflective tape/hi-vis color options. And this pack should be fully featured but on the small side: 36-48 L (since most pilgrims don't carry tents, stoves, camping gear).
I briefly described the many pilgrimages around the world that are gaining popularity like crazy. I also mentioned that 2021 will be a Holy Year, which would be an excellent time to introduce such a pack (though that's probably too short a turn-around time)
I had to get the 30 as I could only take on cabin baggage. Still a great packMost of the packs have a bottom compartment for a sleeping bag. You must have the Tempest 30, because the Tempest 40 has one. Many of the other packs in that size range have them. The closest to yours that has one I think is the Sirrus 36.
But....but.... I can’t afford yet another OspreyThat is EXACTLY what I just pitched to Mike: Ultreia and Suseia. Onward and upward! I listed the features recommended so far on this thread, so keep the ideas coming. I love the reflective tape/hi-vis color options. And this pack should be fully featured but on the small side: 36-48 L (since most pilgrims don't carry tents, stoves, camping gear).
I briefly described the many pilgrimages around the world that are gaining popularity like crazy. I also mentioned that 2021 will be a Holy Year, which would be an excellent time to introduce such a pack (though that's probably too short a turn-around time)
I had to get the 30 as I could only take on cabin baggage. Still a great pack
Pict of bag. Not full and zipped open for access. Bag at top of rucksack is effectively upside down as the zip in on the floor without disconnecting it (on this model anyway.) Contents fall out. Be better if zip was on top (or front).
Heard others comment too, my Kyte the bag cannot be disconnected. But heyho everything still falls out!
Cheers
View attachment 62391
okay I see what you mean - not practical at all for me - I can access mine from top and side if needed - really happy with mine - thanks for showing us this.Pict of bag. Not full and zipped open for access. Bag at top of rucksack is effectively upside down as the zip in on the floor without disconnecting it (on this model anyway.) Contents fall out. Be better if zip was on top (or front).
Heard others comment too, my Kyte the bag cannot be disconnected. But heyho everything still falls out!
Cheers
View attachment 62391
I spent last week up in Dolores, Colorado, staying with my friends, Mike and Diane. Mike and I have now been friends for 50 years (!) since we hiked and camped together as young teenagers. He owns, and founded, Osprey Backpacks. I used to tease him because he liked to sew. I said that there were two kinds of people who backpacked; those who use the gear to get out into the wilderness and those who go out into the wilderness in order to play with their gear. Mike was the gear-fiddler. I worried back then about him ever holding down a real job, because he was such a dreamer.
He has a workshop on his property (with marmots tunneling under it and bears wandering around outside some nights), and there is a big new headquarters in Cortez, Colorado. He showed me all the new space-age materials he is working with, and how he's experimenting with mesh pads of various densities with a 3D press. I had no idea there was something that could do this. We toured the new building - complete with a ping pong room, a beer tap in the kitchen, full showers and lockers for those riding their bikes to work, and a kennel for the dogs who come to work, too. There's a show room with practically every Osprey pack that's ever been made right next to the Customer Service department. When people call with questions about their packs, the reps can look at the actual pack while they talk to the customers, even if the pack is no longer made.
Another, older building in Cortez houses their earlier factory, now devoted to repair and storage of parts (after moving from Santa Cruz, California, Osprey opened their first Colorado operation in Dolores). A few Navajo workers in the older Cortez building have been with the company for 25 years. One guy there who does repair work in the shop collects used backpacks to distribute to disadvantaged folks in SE Asia, Africa and elsewhere in the world who can really use them. Two rooms full of backpacks were ready to be delivered.
Most fascinating to me was the large warehouse full of parts; shelves and shelves with box drawers of thousands of different kinds of buckles, straps and other parts, labeled with the name and year of the packs they belonged to. Osprey has a lifetime warranty, so they need to keep all those things in stock. I'm telling you; don't hesitate to send your pack back to them for repairs or call them for help.
You may know that Osprey has a very lightweight pack (I saw a lot of them on the Camino) called the Exos for men and the Eja for women. It's a very good balance between durability, comfort and weight-savings. Now they make a superlight pack called the Lumina for women and Levity for men. They're about a pound and a half in weight.
Oh, and I recommended a name for a new pack, the Ultreia. I like the idea of an embroidered scallop shell on the pack flap. I don't know about the shell advice, but he did really like the name idea, so we will see...
Have you tried to repack you backpack? If the bacpack is loaded correctly it should stand upright as you put it on the ground. If not something is wrong and that could also be harmfull for your spine, back muscles etc.!Yah, well, thanks for the advertisement. My wife and I both took Ospreys on our Camino in October 2018. Based on recommendations from REI. I found that my Osprey was difficult to deal with, especially when loading, as it wanted to tip backwards. Felt like I was wrestling a football, if you know what I mean. Hers had the center of gravity sticking way out from her back. We saw lots of nicer rigs that other people were using, especially those hikers from Italy and Brazil.
We packed and repacked every day during the Camino and on weekend hikes in the Superstitions since then. Trying different ways, loading was always the worst, no flexibility at all. We have been backpacking since the '80s, the Camino we travelled light, and we decided to try the Ospreys. For the relatively light load, there was no freedom of movement, kind of like having a monkey strapped to our backs.Have you tried to repack you backpack? If the bacpack is loaded correctly it should stand upright as you put it on the ground. If not something is wrong and that could also be harmfull for your spine, back muscles etc.!
I don't understand what you mean by "flexibility"... It's just a backpack. You throw things in it and that's it.We packed and repacked every day during the Camino and on weekend hikes in the Superstitions since then. Trying different ways, loading was always the worst, no flexibility at all. We have been backpacking since the '80s, the Camino we travelled light, and we decided to try the Ospreys. For the relatively light load, there was no freedom of movement, kind of like having a monkey strapped to our backs.
I totally love my Aura 50, even though it is a tad too big - so for me the ideal pack wouldn't be much different.But keep the ideas coming and I'll pitch them to Mike for a real Camino pack!
I vote for the 48, with options to access both from the front and the top - but NO sleeping bag compartment.And this pack should be fully featured but on the small side: 36-48
Yah, well, thanks for the advertisement. My wife and I both took Ospreys on our Camino in October 2018. Based on recommendations from REI. I found that my Osprey was difficult to deal with, especially when loading, as it wanted to tip backwards. Felt like I was wrestling a football, if you know what I mean. Hers had the center of gravity sticking way out from her back. We saw lots of nicer rigs that other people were using, especially those hikers from Italy and Brazil.
As I stated I chose the Talon in 2015 because it fit me better than the Tempest, even though I am female. Although packs are designed for women or men, that doesn't mean that only women should use womens packs and men mens packs. You must choose what fits your body best. Definitely going to a good outdoor store and being fitted helps. I did and that is why I ended up with the Talon. I am looking at new backpack models and perhaps the Tempest has changed enough to be reconsidered. Of course, I maybe I should just wait until you have convinced Osprey to produce Ultreia and Suseia!!!The Tempest is the women's version of the Talon. Size isn't the only difference; they are shaped differently for narrower shoulders, hip shape and torso length. Try to find somebody in your local shop that can fit you with the appropriate pack.
As I stated I chose the Talon in 2015 because it fit me better than the Tempest, even though I am female. Although packs are designed for women or men, that doesn't mean that only women should use womens packs and men mens packs. You must choose what fits your body best. Definitely going to a good outdoor store and being fitted helps. I did and that is why I ended up with the Talon. I am looking at new backpack models and perhaps the Tempest has changed enough to be reconsidered. Of course, I maybe I should just wait until you have convinced Osprey to produce Ultreia and Suseia!!!
I'm not so sure about this. My Talon 33 does not balance very well and when I look at the shape, I am not surprised. I just accept that as a minor disadvantage. Otherwise it is great.If the bacpack is loaded correctly it should stand upright as you put it on the ground.
I'm not so sure about this. My Talon 33 does not balance very well and when I look at the shape, I am not surprised. I just accept that as a minor disadvantage. Otherwise it is great.
I think your backpack might be drinking too muchI'm not so sure about this. My Talon 33 does not balance very well and when I look at the shape, I am not surprised. I just accept that as a minor disadvantage. Otherwise it is great.
Now Kestrel fullfill my needs: 48ltrs for the caminos and 28 ltrs for walking for my joball yearound ...
Talon 18 for my wife...
Oh well. That's bad news for you but you could still get a little satisfaction by sneaking rocks into the packs of the guys who may pass you.The dilemma for me is that I prefer to walk alone, so I don't have anybody I can pawn off the heavy stuff to.
Thank you for this advice. Will be in Birmingham and Wales in October this year so will make sure to order it online the day we arrive for it to reach me before we leave again. Please please send me more details of the Exos 48, Exos 38 and Lumina 45 so I could compare. Weight is a big issue as I had a huge neck operation and now have an artificial disk in my neck so I need to be beware of too heavy. Rather pay more and get the right thing. If you say buy online through Osprey itself in UK or which co? Any chance I'll find the Ospreys at the Outdoor shops in Wales perhaps Bets-y-Coed? Thank you for the info so far - it has given me a lot to think about. I am also looking for the Oboz boots - ever seen or heard of them in the UK? Suppliers? Tried a friend's and they are magnificent but she bought them in NZ.Hi! The Osprey Exos (48) is by far my favourite pack (it has everything, imo!) and only weighs 1.1 kg. It is big enough to carry camping gear etc and served me well on many Caminos and all the way to Jerusalem. The smaller version (38) would be more than enough I’m sure for a ‘normal’ Camino...
Still, I bought the Lumina (45) last Spring because I HAD TO go as light as possible....
This Summer was my second camino with it and I can recommend it if ‘lightest’ is your issue, whilst retaining all the comfort features.... It was expensive when I bought it and - in the UK - could only be bought online. Pm me if you need more details
I agree the water bottles are easier to clean out and I am sure must more hygienic. The bladders takes up too much space in my bag when full.I showed Mike my system for shoulder strap water bottles, which works great. He just laughed. I think he likes the reservoir system better, but I don't think that's for everybody. I prefer water bottles that are accessible.
I stow sunglasses and other quick grab stuff so I can reach in while walking (over my head) - perhaps that is why the zipper is on the 'front' of the bag. Works for me....Pict of bag. Not full and zipped open for access. Bag at top of rucksack is effectively upside down as the zip in on the floor without disconnecting it (on this model anyway.) Contents fall out. Be better if zip was on top (or front).
Heard others comment too, my Kyte the bag cannot be disconnected. But heyho everything still falls out!
Cheers
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I spent last week up in Dolores, Colorado, staying with my friends, Mike and Diane. Mike and I have now been friends for 50 years (!) since we hiked and camped together as young teenagers. He owns, and founded, Osprey Backpacks. I used to tease him because he liked to sew. I said that there were two kinds of people who backpacked; those who use the gear to get out into the wilderness and those who go out into the wilderness in order to play with their gear. Mike was the gear-fiddler. I worried back then about him ever holding down a real job, because he was such a dreamer.
He has a workshop on his property (with marmots tunneling under it and bears wandering around outside some nights), and there is a big new headquarters in Cortez, Colorado. He showed me all the new space-age materials he is working with, and how he's experimenting with mesh pads of various densities with a 3D press. I had no idea there was something that could do this. We toured the new building - complete with a ping pong room, a beer tap in the kitchen, full showers and lockers for those riding their bikes to work, and a kennel for the dogs who come to work, too. There's a show room with practically every Osprey pack that's ever been made right next to the Customer Service department. When people call with questions about their packs, the reps can look at the actual pack while they talk to the customers, even if the pack is no longer made.
Another, older building in Cortez houses their earlier factory, now devoted to repair and storage of parts (after moving from Santa Cruz, California, Osprey opened their first Colorado operation in Dolores). A few Navajo workers in the older Cortez building have been with the company for 25 years. One guy there who does repair work in the shop collects used backpacks to distribute to disadvantaged folks in SE Asia, Africa and elsewhere in the world who can really use them. Two rooms full of backpacks were ready to be delivered.
Most fascinating to me was the large warehouse full of parts; shelves and shelves with box drawers of thousands of different kinds of buckles, straps and other parts, labeled with the name and year of the packs they belonged to. Osprey has a lifetime warranty, so they need to keep all those things in stock. I'm telling you; don't hesitate to send your pack back to them for repairs or call them for help.
You may know that Osprey has a very lightweight pack (I saw a lot of them on the Camino) called the Exos for men and the Eja for women. It's a very good balance between durability, comfort and weight-savings. Now they make a superlight pack called the Lumina for women and Levity for men. They're about a pound and a half in weight.
Oh, and I recommended a name for a new pack, the Ultreia. I like the idea of an embroidered scallop shell on the pack flap. I don't know about the shell advice, but he did really like the name idea, so we will see...
I tried the Sirrus 36 but found my older Talon 44 to be lighter and more comfortableI would ask Domigee about the Lumina. I haven't tried it myself. I carry the Sirrus and plan to get an Eja next. It's a much lighter weight pack than mine, but not as light as the Lumina. I'm sure Osprey has a dealer in South Africa. I'd recommend going into a shop and trying them on (and other brands too, of course).
You just made me really glad both my packs are Osprey. Great to see a US company that is so responsible and responsive !I spent last week up in Dolores, Colorado, staying with my friends, Mike and Diane. Mike and I have now been friends for 50 years (!) since we hiked and camped together as young teenagers. He owns, and founded, Osprey Backpacks. I used to tease him because he liked to sew. I said that there were two kinds of people who backpacked; those who use the gear to get out into the wilderness and those who go out into the wilderness in order to play with their gear. Mike was the gear-fiddler. I worried back then about him ever holding down a real job, because he was such a dreamer.
He has a workshop on his property (with marmots tunneling under it and bears wandering around outside some nights), and there is a big new headquarters in Cortez, Colorado. He showed me all the new space-age materials he is working with, and how he's experimenting with mesh pads of various densities with a 3D press. I had no idea there was something that could do this. We toured the new building - complete with a ping pong room, a beer tap in the kitchen, full showers and lockers for those riding their bikes to work, and a kennel for the dogs who come to work, too. There's a show room with practically every Osprey pack that's ever been made right next to the Customer Service department. When people call with questions about their packs, the reps can look at the actual pack while they talk to the customers, even if the pack is no longer made.
Another, older building in Cortez houses their earlier factory, now devoted to repair and storage of parts (after moving from Santa Cruz, California, Osprey opened their first Colorado operation in Dolores). A few Navajo workers in the older Cortez building have been with the company for 25 years. One guy there who does repair work in the shop collects used backpacks to distribute to disadvantaged folks in SE Asia, Africa and elsewhere in the world who can really use them. Two rooms full of backpacks were ready to be delivered.
Most fascinating to me was the large warehouse full of parts; shelves and shelves with box drawers of thousands of different kinds of buckles, straps and other parts, labeled with the name and year of the packs they belonged to. Osprey has a lifetime warranty, so they need to keep all those things in stock. I'm telling you; don't hesitate to send your pack back to them for repairs or call them for help.
You may know that Osprey has a very lightweight pack (I saw a lot of them on the Camino) called the Exos for men and the Eja for women. It's a very good balance between durability, comfort and weight-savings. Now they make a superlight pack called the Lumina for women and Levity for men. They're about a pound and a half in weight.
Oh, and I recommended a name for a new pack, the Ultreia. I like the idea of an embroidered scallop shell on the pack flap. I don't know about the shell advice, but he did really like the name idea, so we will see...
I spent last week up in Dolores, Colorado, staying with my friends, Mike and Diane. Mike and I have now been friends for 50 years (!) since we hiked and camped together as young teenagers. He owns, and founded, Osprey Backpacks....
- click fastener attachment points for a chest pack option on each shoulder strap.I LOVE this thread. I am on my third Osprey rucksack and loved them all. Their customer service is among the best I’ve seen anywhere in any industry.
I also really like the idea of crowd-sourcing the ideal Camino rucksack. We already have a starting point, using the Exos as a foundation or platform. IMHO, I would include:
- A neon safety color option, like lime yellow.
- Reflective patches front, rear and sides, perhaps embroidered Conchas...
- “Stow-and-go” pole management system.
- Large (5” x 7”), gusseted, mesh, waist pockets, with zips.
- Top lid pockets, I preferred two, like on my old Kestrel 48-liter. You could make the top lid removable (like the Exos) for those who desire to save weight.
- Water bladder capable
- Stretch, gusseted, mesh pockets (expandable to 4” x 8”) on the shoulder straps for small items you want quick to hand. Ideally, they should accept .5 liter water bottles or mobile phones, etc.
- optional plastic snap clips to hold an umbrella shaft on the shoulder strap. The best system now on the market anchors the handle using the wrist strap at the waist belt to pull down to stabilize the very long shaft umbrella.
- click fastener attachment points for a chest pack option on each shoulder strap.
This chest pack would be color matched to the main rucksack, or could be ordered in a different color, as the buyer chose. It would have a large 4-5 liter main compartment, two bottle holders, bungee cords to tie down things like a poncho, gloves or a light jacket. The best one I’ve seen also had a horizontal, top sleeve that would hold a 1.5 liter bottle for this long, Meseta or de la Plata days.
I use a chest pack, sometimes worn lower, at gut, or waist level, but suspended from my shoulder straps.
I know this sounds very busy. But I have been using aftermarket products to achieve this level of utility. I would rather my rucksack have these features built-in instead of cobbled together and added on.
Also, I encourage using lightweight rips top fabric, possible sip-nylon or something like cubes fiber. Yes I know it will be expensive, but ultimately, I feel it would be worth it.
Hope this helps the dialog.
Me too. One of my elastic thingys on the shoulder straps broke this year, but that's the only thing to attach the click fasteners to.click fastener attachment points for a chest pack option on each shoulder strap.
I would love to send my Osprey Back pack back and have the waist strap pockets made larger, they are made too small.I spent last week up in Dolores, Colorado, staying with my friends, Mike and Diane. Mike and I have now been friends for 50 years (!) since we hiked and camped together as young teenagers. He owns, and founded, Osprey Backpacks. I used to tease him because he liked to sew. I said that there were two kinds of people who backpacked; those who use the gear to get out into the wilderness and those who go out into the wilderness in order to play with their gear. Mike was the gear-fiddler. I worried back then about him ever holding down a real job, because he was such a dreamer.
He has a workshop on his property (with marmots tunneling under it and bears wandering around outside some nights), and there is a big new headquarters in Cortez, Colorado. He showed me all the new space-age materials he is working with, and how he's experimenting with mesh pads of various densities with a 3D press. I had no idea there was something that could do this. We toured the new building - complete with a ping pong room, a beer tap in the kitchen, full showers and lockers for those riding their bikes to work, and a kennel for the dogs who come to work, too. There's a show room with practically every Osprey pack that's ever been made right next to the Customer Service department. When people call with questions about their packs, the reps can look at the actual pack while they talk to the customers, even if the pack is no longer made.
Another, older building in Cortez houses their earlier factory, now devoted to repair and storage of parts (after moving from Santa Cruz, California, Osprey opened their first Colorado operation in Dolores). A few Navajo workers in the older Cortez building have been with the company for 25 years. One guy there who does repair work in the shop collects used backpacks to distribute to disadvantaged folks in SE Asia, Africa and elsewhere in the world who can really use them. Two rooms full of backpacks were ready to be delivered.
Most fascinating to me was the large warehouse full of parts; shelves and shelves with box drawers of thousands of different kinds of buckles, straps and other parts, labeled with the name and year of the packs they belonged to. Osprey has a lifetime warranty, so they need to keep all those things in stock. I'm telling you; don't hesitate to send your pack back to them for repairs or call them for help.
You may know that Osprey has a very lightweight pack (I saw a lot of them on the Camino) called the Exos for men and the Eja for women. It's a very good balance between durability, comfort and weight-savings. Now they make a superlight pack called the Lumina for women and Levity for men. They're about a pound and a half in weight.
Oh, and I recommended a name for a new pack, the Ultreia. I like the idea of an embroidered scallop shell on the pack flap. I don't know about the shell advice, but he did really like the name idea, so we will see...
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