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| Mark Wiens |
Five Fab Features:
At first glance, this hauler might seem born out of Lockheed's Skunkworks, but relax: Our Gear of the Year pack will get you there and back in a flash. A matchless mesh suspension setup saves aches and ounces, while the main compartment smartly stows as much or as little as you like. You'll be sure to uncover something new every time you take the Osprey out.
1. Like a stretchy cotton hammock, the breezy back panel keeps you happily cool while it supports up to 3,000 cubic inches of swag. Hinged aluminum stays direct weight to the hipbelt, and the shoulder straps comfortably bear the balance.
2. A sleeping bag, clothes, food, and other sundry items slide easily into the main compartment, while accessible twin side pockets hold Nalgenes, fuel, or even a flask filled with whiskey—you devil, you! On the outside, diagonal compression straps tote trekking poles and the kitchen sink.
3. Shoulder straps and hipbelt are perforated to save weight without skimping on comfort.
4. Helpful extras make a good pack better: A supple shovel pocket can stash just-in-case raingear; there's a bonus cubby behind the mesh back panel for an extra hydration pack (or a smelly shirt); and bottom compression straps batten down a sleeping pad nicely.
5. Don't be the fiddler. Light and fast means well-placed straps and seams that steer clear of pocket zippers, grant-ing hassle-free access to your must-have stuff. On a sun-drenched trail, I easily shed and stored layers—without adding frustration.
- Outdoor Retailer 2005 Outside Online
The gear world's global Big Tent returns to Salt Lake, and things get dirty. The Gear Guy reports.
- Taking All You Can’t Leave Behind Away.com
The latest and greatest in gear-lugging luggage for the world-swept skier.
- Break the Ice Outside Magazine January 2004
When the frost bites hard, fight back with the latest winter hydration systems
- You Can Take It with You Outside Magazine October 2001
Just be sure to share the load with one of this year's best backpacks
- Pack Rats Outside Magazine, February 2007
When we reviewed winterized packs (“Cold Storage,” February 2007), all of our favorites couldn’t fit on a single page. So here are four more ski-and-snowboard friendly backpacks that you can strap on wherever the snow is deep.
- Ultrarunning 2007 Summer Buyer's Guide
Strange but true: It feels good to run all day. Prep yourself with this go-far gear.
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The Perfect Wet/Dry Bag
- The Headphones: Bose Acoustic QuietComfort 2 Noise-Cancelling Away.com
- Play It Forward 2007 Summer Buyer's Guide
Sustainability meets performance in these eco-friendly products
- ‘Tis the Season Away.com
The Photographer
- The Gear You Need: Backpacking in Southeast Asia Away.com
Light and packable gear for a month-long trip through the Golden Triangle.
- What Chris Figenshau, Photographer, Brings Winter Buyer’s Guide 2009
The 37-year-old Victor, Idaho, resident spends over 100 days a year in the field, often chasing the world's best skiers around in snowy ranges from Bolivia to Morocco. Here's what he usually takes along.
- The Gear You Need: Mountain Trekking in Peru Away.com
Save for dense snow cover and crampon-required icefields, if you’re looking to outfit yourself for trekking in places like the Peruvian Andes, we’ve got the goods.
- A New Breed Away.com
The latest carry-on rollers, duffels, day packs, and messenger bags introduce both style and function to your next weekender outing.
