Osprey Rook 65 Backpack for Men is a lightweight pack from a new 2019 series, with an adjustable torso size, rain cover, excellent ventilation, and very affordable.
Key features
- Excellent ventilated back panel with a trampoline style mesh.
- Adjustable shoulder harness.
- Lightweight.
- Attachments for Osprey Daylite and Daylite Plus packs.
- Rain cover.
- Durable materials.
- Very good price.
What this is about
This Rook 65 is the larger of the two packs from this new series from Osprey that includes also the Rook 50 pack. As usual, they have the corresponding packs for women, the Renn 50 and Renn 65 backpacks.
They have built these packs to be affordable but as reliable as any other of their hiking and backpacking packs. So some features are missing, but almost everything that is essential is still there. You will realize this from the features presented below.
Lightweight – what I mean by that
Obviously, the phrase ‘lightweight’ has no meaning unless you compare it with something else. So what matters here is:
- The volume and weight ratio. The more volume capacity with less weight, this is the idea.
- But the weight carrying comfort cannot be compromised.
So all that is needed is here as it should be, and the volume/weight ratio is around 41 liters/kg, which is really impressive. Of course, you have a far better value in their new Exos & Eja packs and also in Levity & Lumina packs, but the suspension in the Rook & Renn series is far better. In fact, I have made a comparison with the Exos & Eja packs so you can have a look here. These Rook and Renn packs have a great hip belt which is not so in the other mentioned series.
So although the pack is so lightweight, it is built from a strong 600D polyester. This pack also comes with Osprey’s All Mighty Guarantee. They describe this as their commitment to protecting the environment by repairing the products rather than replacing them. But on the other hand, I wonder if you realize how many new or modified models they launch every season…
Overview of features
This is a top-loading pack with a classic lid and a collar. But you also have a sleeping bag compartment shown below with a divider between the two compartments. This divider is detachable, there are buckles which you can undo and have one single compartment with a bottom access as well.
You also have a bonus rain cover which comes in its own pocket on the bottom, see the picture below. The pack is hydration compatible and you have a reservoir sleeve inside the main compartment.
The suspension
The suspension is the best part of this pack. You have a fully adjustable torso size and the adjustability system is a quite unique ladder-type. I have not seen anything similar on the market. It is shown in the picture below where you see the loops and locking bars on the sides, so the harness slides up and down along the side rails.
This adjustment system allows for several discrete positions for the torso length, therefore it is not a continuous type which is based on Velcro hook-and-loop connection. You can still do a bit of the usual fine-tuning with the shoulder straps.
The mesh which you see here is tensioned by the LightWire peripheral frame which also transfers the load to the hip belt. This is what they call the AirSpeed system and it offers the best possible ventilation. It keeps the pack away from the body, and air can circulate in all directions.
The same type is in their Levity & Lumina and in the new Exos & Eja packs. But the hip belt in the Rook & Renn packs is well padded so the suspension system here is much better.
One extra feature here – they have built two attachment positions for the load lifters, this is useful when you move the torso attachment far in any of the two directions. By repositioning the load lifters you can better stabilize the pack. The sternum strap is rail-type and it comes with an emergency whistle.
The pockets
This pack comes with 5 pockets. Two zippered pockets are on the hip belt, you can see them in the picture above. On the sides you have the usual stretch mesh pockets with dual entry points (also visible above) from the top and from the side. You also have one large zippered pocket on the lid.
The attachment elements and compression straps
The pack has dual compression straps on each side. The lower straps are directly connected with the hip belts and this is a quite unusual design. Dual removable straps are on the bottom, and here you can attach a sleeping pad or a tent.
You have 4 attachment loops on the lid, so here you can attach a pad, solar panels, or anything with the help of extra cords. On the front, there is nothing but webbing loops where you can attach Osprey’s daypacks i.e., the Osprey Daylite backpack and Osprey Daylite Plus.
Please see a bit more about the Rook and Renn series in this short video:
Specifications
- Weight: 3.53 lb (1.6 kg).
- Capacity: 3967 in³ (65 liters).
- Dimensions (L x W x D): 29.13 x 14.54 x 14.17 in (74 x 42 x 36 cm).
- Colors: 2, see the pictures.
- Main fabric: 600D polyester.
- Warranty: Osprey’s All Mighty Guarantee.
About puzzling dimensions
If you compare the dimensions of this pack and Rook 50, you will see only one centimeter difference in one of the dimensions (the depth). On the other hand, if you compare it with Renn 65 which has the same volume, you will see that the dimensions are quite different.
I was puzzled with this and contacted Osprey and asked, I thought this was a mistake. They replied and sent me this picture below which is supposed to explain it. Although the dimensions may be almost the same (like between Rook 50 and Rook 65), or quite different as in the case of Rook 65 and Ren 65, the volumes may still be very different or exactly the same.
They write that the volume is not always determined only by the dimensions of the pack. The shape of the pack plays a role and affects the overall volume. See the picture which shows the same depth and length but the shape is different. This may sound logical but on the other hand, a pack is a not a solid body, and if you add more fabric as the picture suggests, you will get larger dimensions.
In the case of Renn 65 you have (L x W x D) 67 x 37 x 36 cm, while in the Rook 65 the dimensions are 74 x 42 x 36 cm. So the Rook 65 is both taller and wider while the depth is the same, yet both packs are supposed to have the same volume. Sounds impossible to me but I am a theoretical physicist and perhaps I am overthinking things.
So I remain puzzled, but this is what they say so judge yourself, I thought you might be puzzled with the dimensions and just wanted to share what I know. What do you think about this?
Osprey Rook 65 Pack vs Competitors
In the table below I give this Rook 65 pack side by side with two top-notch backpacks from Gregory. I am showing the packs from the same weight and volume range and this is on purpose.
As you realize, the Rook 65 stands really good with them. But I am certain in one thing, those two are not a match to Rook 65 when it comes to ventilation. Please follow the links for more.
Weight, lb (kg)
Volume, l
Adjustable torso size
Adjustable hip belt
Access
Hip belt pockets
Rain cover
Metal frame
Bottom compartment
Pockets
Day pack
Price, $
Osprey
Rook 65
3.53 (1.6)
65
yes
no
top, bottom
yes
yes
yes
yes
5
no
$
Gregory
Paragon 68
3.63 (1.64)
68
yes
yes
top, bottom
yes
yes
yes
yes
6
yes
$$
Gregory
Stout 65
3.875 (1.76)
65
yes
no
top, bottom
yes
yes
yes
yes
8
no
$
Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons
So they have managed to build this Osprey Rook 65 Backpack for Men as a very affordable yet quality pack. Its best features are those that are the most important ones, i.e., those related to suspension and carrying the load. So here you have ventilation that is as good as it can possibly be. There is not much to object to its hip belt either. The pack is with a great volume/weight ratio and the price is fair.
I have included it in my list of best backpacking packs for men and with all good reasons. Check my comparison text Osprey Rook & Renn vs Osprey Exos & Eja backpacks, all features from those series are summarized there.
You have seen that it comes with the rain cover which you would pay around $20 if ordered separately. So this is a really good price for such a pack. Please see how I rate it:
Osprey Packs Rook 65 Backpacking Pack
Pros
- Rain cover.
- Reasonable price.
- Excellent ventilation.
- Great volume/weight ratio.
- Very good hip belt padding.
- Unique torso adjustment system.
Cons
- No front pocket.
- No attachment for poles or ice axe.
For more packs in this size range please check my page with packs above 55 liters, only top brands are presented. You might want to compare this pack with their new Osprey Archeon 70 pack for men.
You might want to know that this is not a sponsored post and I am not paid by the brand or related to them in any sense. Please use the comment box below in the case of questions or comments. Have a nice day.
Paul says
you wrote:
“In the case of Renn 65 you have (L x W x D) 67 x 37 x 36 cm, while in the Rook 65 the dimensions are 74 x 42 x 36 cm. So the Rook 65 is both taller and wider while the depth is the same, yet both packs are supposed to have the same volume. Sounds impossible to me but I am a theoretical physicist and perhaps I am overthinking things.
So I remain puzzled, but this is what they say so judge yourself, I thought you might be puzzled with the dimensions and just wanted to share what I know. What do you think about this?”
Answer is very simple: we live in a strange new times. There is equality between man and woman. So They invented girl’s version 65, same as man 65 (so everything is equal, because EVERYTHING MUST BE EQUAL!). In the same time volume is smaller for girl because (it’s secret, don’t tell anyone) girls are weaker, so they can take less stuff; they should have lighter pack. But they don’t need to know too much, you know? they have 65 L ! period! 😉
you should accept that, if you don’t want any trouble. 😀
Jovo says
Thank you Paul, yes you are right about strange times. This about equality is a fashion now, I guess it will pass, it must because it makes no sense. Women and men are built differently. Osprey as a great brand takes this into account so indeed their packs for men and women are different, but this about different dimensions yet the same volume is a logical puzzle for me.