Are Osprey backpacks really worth it?

40oz in a rut

40oz in a rut

New member
Im about to be couch surfing the bay area looking for work with my life in my backpack. I was thinking about getting a ALICE pack but I noticed the hype on Osprey. My question is are they really worth $150 and if so what model be best for someone with a pack full of clothes and a sleeping bag to strap up top?
 
I own two Osprey packs they are worth the money, which pack is best will depend on preference. If you intend on carrying your pack much your back will thank you for skipping the Alice pack...
 
Honestly ALICE packs are great but they can be a major pain in the ass. Worth it if your going to hop trains or put it through similar duress. But if your going to be just lugging it around town I'd go with the osprey.
 
Are you mostly going to be traveling around on foot? If so you might really appreciate some kind of internal frame pack like an Osprey since it's going to be more comfortable. If you won't be hoofing it for long distances you could probably get away with an ALICE, which will be cheaper and IMO a bit less comfortable to wear, but could be totally usable for your purposes. What kind of spaces do you hang out in? Would a fancy new pack make you stand out? Just some food for thought.
 
Osprey packs are way over-hyped. They became popularized by the TV show The Amazing Race. Contestants get a budget to work with when buying gear for traveling, from a pile of gear suggestions laid out before them at the beginning of the season. Osprey paid a bit to have that pile of gear heavily stocked with their bags and it worked like a charm.

Modern hiking backpacks in general are worth their money. They really do the science and figure out what shapes work best and what straps work best, all for the least amount of weight and necessary durability. If you want something like them do a little digging into other brands like The North Face, Deuter, Gregory, Kelty, or smaller brands that do more specific work.
 
I've only heard good things about them, but never used one myself.

I've been using a Berghaus Atlas ever since I began my first trip post-army. It's very tough with thick, heavy duty cordura fabric, and stealthy. I like the LOOK of alice packs, or any old school military pack, but those were all before manufacturers figured out what works best on your back. A few flat pads (if you're lucky) and generic shoulder pads aren't going to be so nice after walking miles and miles. Soldiers used them because they had to. (Though if I was really going to be beating on my pack, such as train hopping, or doing short distance bushcraft adventures, that's a different story)
 
If you’re buying a pack specifically for long hikes then buy a hiking backpack, they are generally more comfortable and designed to be carried for hours on end. If you’re buying a bag that’s primary purpose is for bugging out, then a military bag is probably the way to go. The military pack is generally a bit cheaper, easier to organize, and easier to carry gear specifically made for bugging out.
 
JanykShorrths said:
Are you mostly going to be traveling around on foot? If so you might really appreciate some kind of internal frame pack like an Osprey since it's going to be more comfortable. If you won't be hoofing it for long distances you could probably get away with an ALICE, which will be cheaper and IMO a bit less comfortable to wear, but could be totally usable for your purposes. What kind of spaces do you hang out in? Would a fancy new pack make you stand out? Just some food for thought.
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Ill be on foot and public tranist really the space ill be in will be mostly safe the nights ill be park sleeping ill just use my pack as a pillow
Im definitely considering spending this money on a osprey now from hearing all this feedback
 
I have used my ALICE for hopping out.I would be way to worried about trashing a nice pack getting on and off trains.I guess for just being around town an Osprey would work.Also check out some of the surplus sites.Saw some really good prices on internal frame new mil. stuff.
 
I sent my volt 60 in after a year of constant living out of it and they sent me a new one. Had to build my own box to send it in, dumpstered the boxes and cut them to size, taped them myself so it cost 20 dollars. With in a week they had emailed me stating a new pack wss in order since they couldnt repair it. I got a choice of 3 diffrent styles. For 190 with tax i have recieced 2 packs and next year ill push for a 3rd since its a life time warranty on any pack no need for a reciept or proof of purchase.

So for moneys worth yes, it is .
 
Bumrumors said:
I sent my volt 60 in after a year of constant living out of it and they sent me a new one. Had to build my own box to send it in, dumpstered the boxes and cut them to size, taped them myself so it cost 20 dollars. With in a week they had emailed me stating a new pack wss in order since they couldnt repair it. I got a choice of 3 diffrent styles. For 190 with tax i have recieced 2 packs and next year ill push for a 3rd since its a life time warranty on any pack no need for a reciept or proof of purchase.

So for moneys worth yes, it is .
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I just bought a North Face duffle bag back pack recently with a life time warrenty ive been putting it thru the test the last 2 months sleeping with it in parks carrying it everywhere and defiantly worth it! My question is what did you have to do to send kt back and get a free one? Did you break a zipper or cut it up or something because i plan on taking advantage of the lifetime warenty soon
 
40oz in a rut said:
I just bought a North Face duffle bag back pack recently with a life time warrenty ive been putting it thru the test the last 2 months sleeping with it in parks carrying it everywhere and defiantly worth it! My question is what did you have to do to send kt back and get a free one? Did you break a zipper or cut it up or something because i plan on taking advantage of the lifetime warenty soon
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So i had mine pretty ripped up. The netting on pockets was dental floss sewn so many times that it looked like a spider web. A zippee broke wax the final straw but it was dorty from trabeling by foot. Thumb. Choo choo etc. . . all said and done it probally got thrown away imediatly when they opemed the box.
Also i have no idea about a north face warranty. I own a osprey
 
I remember alice packs costing 60 used for the pack, then the frame was 60 and the extra bags were 40 so thats 20 bucks shy of a lifetime warranty, so when that shitty *american* back falls apart, yeah you can replace it with another army surplus score or ebay, or you can just send in your old one and osprey semdw you a new one... Oogle points on the alice pack thou. Face tattoos and herion?
 
I use a 60 litre high pine being a rock climber and survivalist , I find it handy but I had an Alice pack for 5 years and was great .

Runaway packs ! Stay away from the people who even pack em
 
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