Rating: | 8.9 / 10 |
Value for Money | 1.7 / 2 |
Comfort | 1.9 / 2 |
Weight | 1.8 / 2 |
Durability | 1.8 / 2 |
Versatility | 1.7 / 2 |
Sometimes you don’t know what you’re missing until you try something new, and in this case it was the Osprey Tempest Pro 20 litre pack.
I have to confess I was more than a little sceptical about the size of this pack. It just seemed too small and didn’t have as many compartments as the Sirrus. What I discovered was that for day hiking, one larger compartment met my needs much better. This is partly because I carry fewer bulky items but stowing my Marmot PreCip Nano Jacket, my The North Face Women’s ThermoBall Full Zip Jacket and my Wilderness Wear PolyPro+190 Women’s Long Sleeved Crew Neck Top in one generous compartment actually works out really well.
I have still have plenty of compartments for smaller items such as snacks in the two very generous hip pockets, a smaller stretch pocket of the shoulder strap where I keep hand sanitiser, a top pocket handy for gloves and beanie, and an internal pocket inside the main compartment for valuables. But there’s more….
This pack also has two generous side stretch mesh pockets which make it easy to stow and remove bottles and other items, as well as a rear stow compartment that is also stretchy for quick stowing on-the-go.
Space-wise it also helps that the hydration pocket is external to the pack which I’ve never been a fan of given I’m a bit fussy about ‘feeling’ things on my back. However the ventilated mesh hybrid back panel, which adjusts to your torso length and ensures a customised fit (Airscape® Suspension), provides great back support and cushions you from the water bladder.
At AUD $339.99 RRP this is an expensive day pack so you’re really going to have to love it to justify that investment. Another potential negative is there’s no rain cover but this is a feature that can always be added on.
This pack comes in two colours; grey and orange. These colours seem to be industry standard these days from a number of manufacturers.
Size-wise this is a ‘one size fits all’ pack with plenty of adjustment to suit most hikers through a good adjustability through the back frame via the solid velcro section – you just un-velcro, set the torso length you need and join back together; easy done. The front of this pack is pretty typical of most packs these days. The sternum strap slides up and down to allow you to get the strap in the preferred spot.
Weight wise this pack is slightly heavier than its predecessor and comes in at 957grams which for a day pack is heavy but when you look at these features on offer this is a great pack and one that will comfortable cope with weights between 5 and 8kg – it may cope with more and the main compartment will comfortably handle any excess gear.
This pack represents a big investment but given the heaps of features it has and the level of comfort you get, the investment is worth it. Keep an eye out for the occasional sales.
You can purchase the Osprey Tempest Pro 20 Women’s Pack online from Wild Earth or from Wildfire Sports
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AUD $339.99 RRP. Typically available at a cheaper price
The Tempest pro is the women’s version of this pack and there is also a ‘male’ version – the Talon pro
Osprey Tempest Pro 20 Women’s Pack. This rear view shows the external stretch pocket on the outside rear of the pack
Osprey Tempest Pro 20l Pack orange colour
Osprey Tempest 20 Pro large stretch woven front panel pocket
Osprey Tempest Pro 20 front view showing back support and hip pockets
This review was done with product provided by the Australian distributor of Osprey Packs
30 March 2025