Osprey Manta 24 Men’s Pack
Daypack
Rating
| Rating: | 8.6 / 10 |
| Value for Money | 1.7 / 2 |
| Comfort | 1.7 / 2 |
| Weight | 1.7 / 2 |
| Durability | 1.8 / 2 |
| Versatility | 1.7 / 2 |
Osprey Manta 24 Men's Pack Review
Osprey has a very large range of packs to suit just about everyone’s needs and in the case of the Osprey Manta 24 Men’s Pack, this one is fairly unique. Given its capacity of 24 litres it very squarely sits in the day pack category but given the features, it has so much more to offer.
First up, this is a bulky pack as far as day packs go and it weighs more than my 55 litre Osprey Exos Pro Pack which I use for multi-day and multi-week hikes and weighs under 1 kg. Having said that, the Manta 24 pack can best be described as a load hauler being rated to carry between 5-18 kg. If I’m honest, if I’m carrying 18 kg the suspension system on the Manta is better designed for that weight. In some of the images below where I’m wearing the pack, I’m carrying 14 kg and it was very comfortable.
Apart from the load carrying capacity, this pack has heaps more features. This pack is a ‘one size fits all’ but comes with lots of adjustment so unless you are very short, the typical adult will fit this pack quite well. Colour choice is limited to black or ‘leaf orange’ but these colours aren’t going to upset to many people. It comes with an Osprey Hydraulics 2.5 L LT Reservoir and given I’m a water bladder user, this suits my style of hiking. In addition, this pack comes with a built-in pack cover for those rainy days.
There is a second roomy compartment at the back of the pack where you can store all your other items which also houses a mesh pocket suitable for storing valuables. Apart from the water bladder pocket there is an another main pocket in the front followed by another large pocket directly underneath the external stretch pocket. The main storage pocket seems roomier than compared to other packs within the Osprey range.
The chest clip has changed and is a little more streamlined but also a little tricky until you get used to it. The chest clip has the hose magnet attached but it does force you to the left hand shoulder strap with the hose over your left shoulder – my preference is under my right arm so I had to get used to this change.
More comfort features include Osprey’s AirSpeed back panel and AirSpeed suspension which provide great ventilation and back support. The trampoline style of pack frame is one of the main reasons I love many of the Osprey packs because it reduces the likelihood of my back getting saturated.
The two hip pockets are generous in size. There is an external top pocket on the back for items such as glasses. This pack also has two generous side stretch pockets which make it easy to stow and remove items, as well as a rear stow compartment that is also stretchy for quick storage of rain gear. And there is also a built-in rain cover – bright green of course! Like most Osprey packs this one has a ‘Stow on-the-go’ trekking pole storage system however I’ve never mastered this technique, particularly given I use trifold trekking poles that fold down too small for this feature but it may work for you!
At AUD $369.99 RRP this is an expensive day pack but remember you’re also getting the water bladder, a built-in rain cover, and heaps of features for this price too so you need to factor in the cost of those items when you’re comparing this pack to others.
So who is this pack for? If you are a hiker who carries small but heavy loads or you just want a smaller version of Osprey’s full featured larger packs, then Osprey Manta 24 is for you. If you don’t need to buy this pack on the spot, keep an eye out for some sharp pricing that occurs regularly.
We Like
- Designed to carry 5-18 kg but the high-end would be a stretch
- For a day pack the hip belt is very comfortable and the zippered hip belt pockets are large
- Ventilated mesh hybrid back panel that adjusts to your torso length which ensures a customised fit
- Dual side stretch pockets which make it easy to stow and remove items
- Internal hydration reservoir compartment which is great for protection and also easy refilling
- Zippered pocket to store all the little bits and pieces in an easily accessible location
- Adjustable sternum strap
- Abrasion resistant construction
- Ice axe attachment
We Don't Like
- At AUD $369.99 RRP this pack is up there in price for a day pack but keep in mind all the features you get
- Keep an eye out for sales but if you can’t wait, I still think its worth purchasing
- Weighs as much as some larger overnight packs
Best Uses
- For those who want a very comfortable pack that can take heavy loads with the features usually only found on larger packs
Buy One
You can purchase the Osprey Manta 24 Men’s Pack online from Wild Earth or from Wildfire Sports
Disclosure: We may earn a small commission, at no additional expense to you, if you click through and make a purchase. Please note that our affiliations do not influence, in any way, the independence of our reviews. If we don’t like a product, you’ll hear about it from us!
Investment
AUD $369.99 RRP
Other Versions
The Manta 24 is the men’s version of this pack but there’s also a ‘female’ version – the Mira 22
Osprey Manta 24 Men’s Pack; leaf orange colour. This image also shows the rear stretch pocket and the side pocket often used for water bottles but also for just about anything else you can imagine
Osprey Manta 24 Men’s Pack; black colour
Rear view of Tim wearing the Osprey Manta 24. And no, he didn’t deliberately try to match his hiking top with the pack
Osprey Manta 24 showing gap on pack suspension
Osprey Manta Pack front view. Osprey’s ‘Stow on the Go’ is visible on the right hand side of this image and will suit longer trekking poles
Hip belt pockets are well sized with plenty of space for a day pack
Chest clip system on the Osprey Manta 24. This is a new style of clip system than what has been traditionally used on Osprey packs and for once, there is no built-in whistle!
Osprey Hydraulics 2.5 L LT Reservoir is included with this pack
Osprey Manta 24 open hydration bladder pocket showing included water bladder
Close up of the clip system on the Osprey Hydraulics LT 2.5L Reservoir which comes with this pack
Osprey Manta 24 Men’s Pack showing the attached rain cover on
Disclaimer
This review was done with product provided by the Australian distributor of Osprey packs
Last updated
14 January 2024