Size Guide! What Size Osprey Pack Do I Need?

Size Guide! What Size Osprey Pack Do I Need?

Osprey packs are just as good as any quality bag you’ll find in the market. They are comfortable to use, innovatively designed, and versatile. So, there’s no uncertainty about the storage capacity, comfort, or durability of these packs. You’ll find all that information from the bags’ specifications without any measurements. Instead, what most people want to know is, ‘what size of Osprey pack do I need?’

If you are curious to discover the Osprey pack size that’s best for you, then you’re in luck. We’ve gathered the information and tips you’re looking for in this size guide. So, you’ll find everything you need to know about Osprey pack sizes and how to fit them. But that’s not all. You’ll *also learn how to measure the body parts that determine which pack to get by yourself.

Strap up and get ready for the exciting ride we’ll be taking you on in the next few minutes.

What Osprey pack sizes are available for men and women

Osprey has many pack styles in its collection, and the company started producing women-specific packs in the early 90s. So, before you find answers to your googled question (‘what size of Osprey pack do I need’),  you first need to know the available sizes for each gender.

Here are the Osprey pack sizes that you can choose from:

How to Know which Osprey pack size you should get

You should not pick the wrong Osprey pack for your hiking and traveling trips. If it’s too small, then everything you need to carry won’t fit in the pack. And even if it does, you’d be putting a lot of pressure on your shoulders, back, and waist. Doing this can lead to serious injuries to those body parts and ruin your chances of getting the best hiking, riding, or traveling experience.

On the other hand, using an Osprey pack that’s too big will also not work. It won’t fit perfectly on your back and shoulder. You’ll even be tempted to put more than you need in it or use it as a trash bag.

So, there’s no question. You need to use the correct Osprey pack size. But how do you know which one to get? We have highlighted a couple of factors that’ll help you determine the perfect size for you. Dive in!

General features that affect which Osprey pack you should go for

1. The length of your torso

Osprey packs have different designs. Another thing that distinguishes them from one another is that they come in different sizes to fit different torso lengths. The torso is every part of your body apart from your head, arms, legs, and neck.

So, for you to pick the Osprey pack size, you need to know how to measure your torso.

How to measure your torso for Osprey backpack

Follow these steps when measuring your torso:

(i) Find the C7 vertebra in your neck: This vertebra is quite easy to locate. All you need to do is bend your head down when standing upright, and you’ll find it.

But if you can’t locate the C7 vertebra this way, here’s another method to try. Run your fingers from one shoulder to the other. Midway through the movement, you should feel a vertebra at the neck’s base. This C7 vertebra is the starting point of your torso when measuring downwards

(ii) Locate your iliac crest: This refers to the top of your hip bones. It forms the bottom part of your measurement and is rather easy to locate. Just place your thumb at the mid-point between your hip bones to mark this position.

(iii) Take your measurement from the C7 vertebra to the iliac crest.

2. The Harness sizing

Not all Osprey packs have interchangeable harnesses. So, you don’t need to consider this feature for all packs. Currently, only Osprey Ariel, Atmos, Aura, Aether, Xena, Xenith packs have shoulder harnesses you can swap.

For these packs, the harness should end between 2 to 3 inches below the armpit. But this only applies when using a pack that corresponds to the correct torso length.

The webbing on the pack shouldn’t touch the sides that are beneath the padding.

3. The circumference of your hip

Lastly, the circumference of your hip is another feature that affects which Osprey pack you need. A hip belt that fits would wrap your hip bone firmly and be centered around them. The ends of the belt should also be 3 to 6 inches apart and they should be 3 inches away from the hip crest.

The circumference of your hips is not a major factor that’ll affect what size of Osprey pack you’ll need. That’s because many Osprey packs have adjustable hip belts. And, you can get a custom-made hip belt if it isn’t adjustable.

Steps to picking the right size of Osprey pack for you

Now that you know the features that determine Osprey packs sizing and the available sizes, let’s look at how to pick the right one for you.

You can get the right one if you follow these three easy steps:

1. What do you need the Osprey pack for?

It’s pretty obvious, but we think we need to reiterate it. The first step to picking the right Osprey pack size is to determine what you want to use it for.

As you know, Osprey packs have many uses. For example, the company groups its packs for men and women into three categories; ‘outdoor,’ ‘hydration,’ and ‘travel’ packs. In the unisex collection of packs, it categorizes them as ‘outdoor,’ ‘hydration’ and ‘active everyday’ packs. Lastly, the category for children is only ‘outdoor’ and ‘hydration.’

So, picture this. You just traveled to your dream resort and want to go hiking. And since you rather not leave your things in the hotel, you decide to carry your pack with you. The only problem is that this pack is for hydration and not outdoor use. So, even though you picked out a small-sized Osprey pack, it wouldn’t be the best one for you.

So, given the differences in design between Osprey packs, you must acknowledge what you want to do with it first. 

A small outdoor pack won’t work as a small hydration backpack.

Available Osprey Packs and their Use

Men

S/N Pack Use Pack
1 Outdoor Packs Xenith, Aether Pro, Aether AG, Atmos AG, Volt, Exos, Levity, Stratos, Kestrel, Talon, Kamber, Kamber 18
2 Hydration Manta AG, Duro, Raptop/Viper
3 Travel Farpoint, Farpoint Trek

Unisex 

S/N Pack Use Pack
1 Outdoor Packs Escapist, Hikelite/ Daylite, Variant, Mutant, Kamber ABS, Archeon
2 Hydration Zealot, Syncro
3 Active Everyday Radial/ Metron

Women

S/N Pack Use Pack
1 Outdoor Packs Xena, Ariel Pro, Ariel AG, Aura AG, Viva, Renn, Eja, Lumina, Sirrus, Kyte, Tempest, Kresta, Kresta (16)
2 Hydration Mira AG, Skimmer, Dyna, Raven/ Verve
3 Travel Farview, Farview Trek

Kids

S/N Pack Use Pack
1 Outdoor Packs Ace 75, Ace 50, Ace 38, Jet 18, Jet 12
2 Hydration Hydrajet, Moki

2. Determine what you need to carry in the pack

Understanding what you need to carry in the pack is also key to choosing the right one. 

Here’s a rule of thumb that should help you:

This rule of thumb depends on the length of your torso. 

For example, let’s say your torso measures 18.7 inches. If you want to go hiking, then you should only be looking at outdoor packs. A pack like Aether Pro allows small or medium packs for this torso size. So, what you need to carry in the pack would determine which Aether Pro to get.

3. Measure the length of your torso and determine what size of Osprey pack is best for you

The last step is to use your body measurements to determine which size is best for you.

Here’s an Osprey size comparison table:

Men (Torso Sizing)

Torso Length in cm Torso length in inches Osprey pack size Available Osprey packs
38 cm to 48.5 cm 15 to 19 inches Small Aether Pro, Aether AG, Atmos AG, Levity, Stratos, etc.
40.5 cm to 51 cm 16 to 20 inches Small/Medium Ratos, Strel, Lon, Farpoint, Manta AG, Kamba, etc.
46 cm to 53 cm 18 to 21 inches Medium Nith, OS, Vity, Ther Pro, Ther AG, Mos AG, etc.
46 cm to 58.5 cm 18 to 23 inches Medium/Large Stratos, Kestrel, Talon, Kamber, Manta AG, Farpoint, etc.
51 cm to 58.5 cm 20 to 23 inches Large  Exos, Levity, Xenith, Aether Pro, Aether AG, etc.
56 cm to 63.5 cm 22 to 25 inches Extra Large Zenith, Aether AG

Women (Torso Sizing)

Torso Length in cm Torso length in inches Osprey pack size Available Osprey packs
33 cm to 43 cm 13 to 17 inches Extra-small Eja, Lumina, Sirrus, Kyte, Tempest, Kresta, Xena, Ariel Pro, Farview, etc.
38 cm to 48.5 cm 16 to 19 inches Small Eja, Xena, Ariel Pro, Ariel AG, Lumina, etc.
40.5 cm to 51 cm 16 to 20 inches Small/Medium Sirrus, Kyte, Tempest, Kresta, Farview, etc.
46 cm to 53 cm 18 to 21 inches Medium Xena, Ariel Pro, Ariel AG, Sura AG, etc.
51 cm to 58.5 cm 20 to 22 inches Large  Ariel AG (85 liters)

Unisex (Torso Sizing)

Torso Length in cm Torso length in inches Osprey pack size Available Osprey packs
38 cm to 48.5 cm 16 to 19 inches Small Variant
40.5 cm to 51 cm 15 to 20 inches Small/Medium Mutant, Kamber ABS, Archeon, Syncro
46 cm to 53 cm 18 to 21 inches Medium Nith, OS, Vity, Ther Pro, Ther AG, Mos AG, etc.
46 cm to 58.5 cm 18 to 23 inches Medium/Large Mutant, Syncro, Kamber ABS, Escapist, etc.
51 cm to 58.5 cm 20 to 23 inches Large  Variant
56 cm to 63.5 cm 22 to 25 inches Extra Large Archeon (70 liters)

The different types of Osprey packs are available in only one size (O/S). They are suitable for children above five years.

Sizes of Fixed Hip Belts

Sizes Circumference of Hips
XS 24 to 45 inches
S 24 o 45 inches
S/M 26 to 45 inches
M 27 to 48 inches
M/L 28 to 50 inches
L 29 to 55 inches
O/S 25 to 50 inches

How to Fit Osprey Backpacks

Getting the correct Osprey pack is one half of the puzzle. The other is ensuring that it fits perfectly. So, you could get the right size for you, and it won’t still be comfortable to use if you don’t know how to adjust it.  

Osprey has recommended that you get the right fit from their retailers only. However, what happens when your kid loosens the straps or someone else wears your pack? 

You’ve got to learn how to get the right fit by yourself. Here’s how to adjust Osprey backpacks in five easy steps:

Step 1: Put some things inside it

There’s no way you can get the right fit if there’s nothing inside. That’s because it is from the weight of the pack that you’ll be able to know how to adjust it. So, the first step in adjusting your pack is to put things in it.

Weights of 20 to 30 pounds should do just fine. However, if you use an extra-large or large Osprey pack, then you’ll need about 40 to 50 pounds of weights. But that’s not all. You’ve got to make sure that these weights are evenly distributed in the pack.

A comfortable Osprey pack isn’t a luxury. If the weights aren’t distributed properly, it could cause injury to your body over time. So, always make sure the weights are distributed evenly before you continue fitting the Osprey pack.

Step 2: Adjust the hip belt

Quite some Osprey packs have hip belts. In getting the right fit for your body, start by loosening all the straps on the pack. But this shouldn’t be done only when you want to fit the hip belt. It’s a good practice to take these straps off every time you remove the pack.

Once the hip belt strap is loose, buckle the straps. The goal is to ensure you snug it down so that it sits just on top of your hip bones. If you don’t feel comfortable, then you can adjust the strap’s exit angle. Women always have to adjust this because of the structure of their hips.

Step 3: Adjust the shoulder harness

There’s no pack without a shoulder harness. Therefore, if you care about your comfort, you must get the right harness fit for your body.

Many Osprey packs allow you to adjust the torso length. So, you can move it until it stays comfortably on your back.

Pull down the straps of your Osprey shoulder harness to adjust it. But not only vertically. You have to pull backwards as well. Adjusting your Osprey backpack this way ensures that the pack moves closer. It also makes sure that you carry only a part of the weight that’s in the pack.

To add to that, you need to be sure that your shoulder straps are airtight. There should be no space between the blades of your shoulder and the harness itself. However, your harness shouldn’t make it difficult for you to breathe. Ensure that it doesn’t put too much pressure on your collar bone.

Step 4: Get the right fit for your pack’s load lifters

As the name implies, the load lifters are those parts that help you carry the weights. They join the upper section of your Osprey pack to the shoulder straps.

To adjust the load lifters on your back, pull the two ropes. The optimal angle is to have them at 45 degrees. This angle is measured from the line drawn from where they meet the pack. However, for packs that carry a lot of weights, you can set this angle at 60 degrees.

Be careful when adjusting the load lifters of your Osprey pack. Tightening them could cause a gap to form between your harness and shoulder. So, always adjust the shoulder harness before getting the right fit for the load lifters.

Step 5: Adjust the sternum strap and its clips

The last thing to do in getting the right fit for your Osprey pack is to adjust the sternum strap. By fastening it, you’d be pulling the strap away from the areas that have a lot of veins and nerves. Again, make sure it is comfortable to wear and not too tight.

If you feel you’re not breathing properly while you have your pack on, unclip the sternum strap and adjust it.

Women-specific design changes that make Osprey packs comfortable

With about 25 years of experience in designing packs for women, here are some of the women-specific features that determine which size is the best fit:

1. The shape of the pack

In the packs for women, more depth is added, and at the right places. This permits women to move freely and lower their center of gravity. So, the load is supported more comfortably on their backs and by the hips.

2. The harness of the pack

The Osprey pack for women is designed with angular changes and different padding thicknesses. This matches the anatomy of a woman’s shoulder, neck, and chest.

Also, the special harness design improves how women carry the tension from the pack. But that’s not all. The sternum strap is also useful in reducing the pressure of the shoulder harnesses, especially when a lot of load is carried at the same time. Then to top it off, the padding in the pack’s harness makes it easier to carry heavy loads at a time.

3. The hip belt of the pack

Again, the hip belts of Osprey packs for women are thoughtfully designed. Angular changes have been made to it, and the padding thickness has also been adjusted. This ensures that the pack matches the anatomy of a woman.

Another change that Osprey makes in its design of packs for women is to have narrower hip belts. So, women don’t have to worry about the hip belt digging into the upper thighs or ribs. And since the hips of women are conically shaped, the hip belts of these packs are designed for optimal support and load transfer.

Frequently asked questions about Osprey pack sizes

Q1. Where can I find the size of my Osprey backpack?

Every pack has a size tag to differentiate it from other bags. Osprey bags come with a tag on the outside that provides information about the pack, including its size.

Q2. What do I use to measure the length of my torso?

You’ll need a mirror and measuring tape to find the length of your torso yourself.

If you have someone to help you out, then you can use the Osprey fit tool. The Osprey pack sizing app is also an easy way to measure the length of your torso. And you can find the best pack that matches this measurement from the app.

Wrap Up

Osprey is one of the top pack-producing companies with many sizes to choose from. However, it has been difficult for many people to determine their perfect size.

In this article, we’ve answered the question everyone wants to know; that is, ‘what size of Osprey pack do I need?’

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