Gear Review – Osprey Mutant 28 Climbing Pack
We think Osprey make great backpacks. They’re well designed, well made and can take everything we throw at them.
Osprey describe the Osprey Mutant 28 as; “A pack designed for year-round ascents. Super light, flexible, strippable and seasonally versatile you can rely on this perennial climbing partner”.
Our intrepid Activities Manager, Paul Taylor, put a Mutant 28 through it’s paces; here’s what he thought of the pack.
What I was doing…
The pack was used for cycling to work (Poole to Swanage), multi pitch climbing in North Wales, leading groups at Dancing Ledge and climbing on various crags on the Jurassic Coast.
Stand out features…
- Integrated helmet storage which includes a rope carry system
- Zippered top access
A 28 litre pack gets filled up pretty quick so the ability to strap a helmet quickly and securely to the outside without interfering with access to the pack is really useful. It can be really frustrating when you can’t access gear quickly when you have helmets or ropes attached and this bag nails it.
It took me a while to get used to the zippered entry but I found it easy to open especially with gloves on and it was very easy to pack.
I have used it loads for after work sport climbing and it will eat up a 60m rope as well as all the other kit I need.
I was really impressed when I used the pack for full days out trad climbing, when it was full with a rack and personal gear the ability to easily secure a rope and a helmet to the top of the pack was essential.
The integrated gear loops on the hip belt has are a nice feature but I’m yet to use them as I prefer to clip the belt around the front of the pack when climbing or scrambling.
The zips all have large grab loops on them, they’re easy to use with gloves on.
Comfortable…
The pack gets used daily for my cycle commute to work; it’s a very comfortable pack.
I was surprised at how comfortable the pack is to wear fully loaded considering the relative skinniness of the straps on the shoulders and waist.
The pack performs well in the heat with good ventilation through the back and shoulder straps.
The compression straps on the side are a bit fiddly to adjust but are secure once you’ve got them where you want them.
Thoughts…
I am yet to find anything frustrating or problematic about this pack; its perfect for days cragging and multi pitch climbing. The lightweight, slim design allow you to forget your wearing it at all most of the time.
This pack is great
Land & Wave help people have incredible adventures in Dorset, the UK and Europe.
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Get out there and find your adventure…
19 October 2016 by Graham Milton
