I was in Norway recently planning a day trek with my brother. We were heading high in the mountains above the timberline. Weather up there can be unforgiving, even in June. I needed to pack appropriately for cold, rain or even snow.
Testing the Osprey and taking in the view!
The pack I had been traveling with was sized at 46 liters and too large for this hike. Luckily I borrowed my brothers new Osprey Comet. At 28 liters it is a fairly standard size for a day hike with a little bit of extra space. To give you a better idea of the room it has, here is my pack list-
Jeans
Rain pants
Rain Jacket
2 pairs socks
2 pair of gloves
Winter hat
2 twenty oz water bottles
1 twenty oz thermos
Mid size camera
3 sandwiches
Phone
Sunglasses with case
(Dimension 19.5x12x10 At 33 ozs)
All this with room to spare for a lightweight fleece and a few more small items. The back padding provides a bit of airflow and shoulder straps were very comfortable. It was a seven hour hike up steep terrain and I would forget I was wearing it. It does have a chest strap as well as a waist strap, although not padded. It has four zippered pockets. Two mid size on the side , a small item pocket on the top and a large main compartment with some separation sleeves. Also two side pockets that are mesh and can stretch to hold large beverage containers. It has two single hand carry straps. One located at the top like most packs and another on the front to carry sort of like a duffel. It shed light rain and snow easily but if you are looking at rain potential I suggest a waterproof cover just in case.
Stylish and Rugged
The quality, like other Osprey products seems top notch. Everything feels made to last. And if function isn’t everything, it looks pretty damn cool too! If it is anything like my other Osprey packs you will have it for a long time to come. So a day hike or an overnighter the Comet won’t let you down.
It’s perfect !! I like the blue one. I’m actually looking for a backpack for my 2 day trek, this one would be perfect, unfortunately can’t get it here.
I have that same problem when I look here in the States for Vaude gear
That is quite a load you carried for a day hike! The Comet’s size does look perfect for day hikes. I have been a one-backpack-fits-all-treks type of guy – I need to re-think that!
Raul (@ilivetotravel) recently posted…Iceland, Where Is Brooke Shields??
It is a great pack. Thing was, a few days before we went on a hike at lower elevation and it snowed! Had to bring extra gear just in case.