Osprey Manta 24 Pack Review (Adjustable Torso)

This Osprey Manta 24 Pack Review is about the pack from a completely redesigned series with an adjustable torso size and a 2.5 liters reservoir included. Please keep reading.

Key features

What this is about

The Osprey Manta series for men and the corresponding Mira series for women have been on the market for a number of years already. The packs have been redesigned in the past and this was one of the first Osprey AG (anti-gravity) series. But it is redesigned again. So what you have here is a completely different pack. I blogged about this new Manta-Mira series in my other text where you can see the list of changes.

Hydration pack

This is a panel-loading daypack for hikers and mountaineers, with a bonus Osprey Hydraulics LT Reservoir 2.5 L included. It is stored in its own separate compartment which is behind the harness, so you have the main compartment free for your day-gear.

The reservoir itself is a nicely designed piece with a slider on the top so it opens wide and you can fill it in seconds. You have a zip-lock so it closes nicely and the slider secures it additionally. The slider is with a cord (visible in the picture below), so it is attached and you cannot lose it. The reservoir is with a magnetic bite valve for an easy attachment to your sternum strap.

But this pack comes also with a rain cover which is in its own separate bottom pocket. The fabric is a 210D nylon, reinforced with 500D and 630D fabric.

Overview of features

The suspension – not AG any longer

This is a small pack, yet it comes with a Light Wire peripheral frame. So you have the transfer of load to the hip belt just like in any other larger hiking pack. The frame is visible from outside, you can see this in the picture below.

The AirSpeed back panel is a tensioned mesh for an optimal ventilation. It completely separates the pack from your back. Now, this is a different design as compared to the previous AG version of this pack. So it is not a continuous mesh that goes to the hip belt as it was in the AG version. The hip belt is a separate construction with a very thin padding, but its fins are very wide so this is good enough.

The torso size is adjustable and this is the most important new feature here. Even with small packs, it is essential to have a possibility to adjust the torso size so that the hip belt sits at the right place on your hips. So here you have 4 inches (10.2 cm) of adjustability range.

Shifting the shoulder strap up or down is easy, you have a set of slots and toggles. There are 5 adjustment positions for the torso length, they are visible in the pictures above and below, so it is pretty sure you will have your proper torso size. Some minor adjustments are always possible with the shoulder straps, and also with load lifters which you have here, who would say for such a small panel-type pack.

The sternum strap is adjustable and its lock is magnetic. The shoulder straps are anatomical, padded properly and covered by a breathable mesh. You can see this from the picture above.

Pockets

Apart from the two departments mentioned already, you have the following 7+1 pockets:

• One small zippered pocket is on the top. This is a scratch-free design for glasses and electronics; it is visible in the picture below.
• One large stretch pocket with top buckle is on the front, so here you can store your clothing items on the go.
• There are two dual-entry stretch mesh pockets on the sides. This is for water bottles or for some gear, there are side straps to fix such things in place.
• There are two zippered hip-belt pockets visible in the picture above.
• One large zippered pocket is on the front, but with the entrance from the left side, see below. Its volume is located underneath the front mesh pocket. Inside of it you have some organization features (one mesh pocket and a key clip). You will be surprised with the size of this pocket, it looks more like a separate compartment than a pocket. It is of the size of the main compartment and the reservoir compartment. Quite remarkable.
• One separate pocket is available for the rain cover. It is located completely on the bottom.

Attachment elements and straps

• Here you have Osprey’s famous Stow-On-The-Go trekking poles attachment, one of its elements (a thick loop with plastic cover) is visible below.
• There is a large loop on the bottom for an ice-axe, shown below, and it is paired with a bungee tie-off higher close to the top.
• You also have a safety light attachment point close to the bottom.
• There are upper and lower compression straps on the sides.
• There are elastic loops on both shoulder straps.

Please see a bit more about this new Osprey Manta-Mira series in this short video:

Specifications

• Best use: hiking, mountaineering.
• Weight: 2.89 lb (1.31 kg).
• Volume: 1465 in³ (24 l).
• Weight capacity: 20 lb (9 kg).
• Torso fit: 17 – 22 in (43 – 56 cm).
• Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 12 in (56 x 36 x 30 cm).
• Warranty: Osprey’s AllMighty warranty.
• Colors: 2.

Osprey Manta 24 Pack vs Competitors

I am sure that seeing this pack side by side with some other packs built in the same style may help in making an informed decision. So this is why I show the Gregory Citro 25 and CamelBak Frankonia 24. Both of them have reservoirs included.

I show some of the most important features and parameters and you realize that the other two packs are not a match for this Manta 24. But please follow the links to read more about the other two packs.

Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons

This pack is not lightweight for its size, but the weight is because of its many features, so indeed this should not be taken as a true objection. If you need something much lighter with a reservoir included, check their Osprey Skarab 24 pack.

This pack is on the market with a high price but the reservoir and the rain cover price combined is around $57. So in view of this, the price looks a bit more reasonable, this is a top-notch pack.

This Manta 24 backpack has scored a great average rating by users. I am not surprised, but see my own rating against a set of criteria applied consistently to all the packs here in the site:

Osprey Packs Manta 24 Hydration Pack

9.1

Volume/Weight ratio

7.8/10

Features & Bonuses

9.7/10

Comfort

9.8/10

Pros

• Great ventilation.
• Rain cover.
• Bonus reservoir.
• Osprey’s AllMighty warranty.
• Excellent torso size adjustment system.

Cons

• A bit heavy.
• No bottom straps.

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Osprey

Buy from REI

If this pack is too small, just to know that this new series now includes only one larger pack, the Manta 34 with very similar features, but there are some differences, have a look.

Note that this is not a sponsored text, and I am not paid by the manufacturer. What do you think about this new version of the famous pack? Please share your thoughts, there is a comment box below.