Osprey Tempest 20 Pack for women is a great tool for various outdoor activities like day hiking and biking, and also for daily life and traveling. The pack is full of features so typical for Osprey, and with a completely adjustable harness.
Note, there is a new version of the pack, see more below.
Description
Tempest 20 is a panel-loading type pack, with a long zipper to access the main compartment. Inside you have a small hanging zippered pocket. You also have an additional pocket on the top of the pack, zippered and with external access.
The pack is a specific design for women. The corresponding model for men is Talon 22 backpack.
Suspension
This is a pack without a frame. So its suspension is based on Osprey’s AirScape flexible back panel which is padded with foam and covered by a spacer mesh. The structure includes rather tiny airflow channels that are aimed at improving ventilation and reducing sweating.
The harness is adjustable. All you have to do is to break velcro connection and to slide the harness up or down to fit your torso size. In addition to this, you can actually choose between 2 sizes (HS/S and S/M) when you purchase the pack. So you have a lot of adjustability with such a small pack.
The shoulder straps are reasonably well padded and covered with mesh. They are equipped with load lifters, and you have an adjustable sternum strap with an emergency whistle. You also have one stretch mesh pocket on one of the shoulder straps. This all is visible in the picture.
On the same shoulder strap you have Osprey’s famous stow-on-the-go attachment cord. You will use it to temporarily stow the trekking poles if you need to take a photo, to eat something and drink while on the go, or just to rest your hands for a while. The part of this system is a loop on the side of the pack. All in all a great feature!
On the hip belt, you have two wings on the sides, with cut-out foam padding and mesh. They are not so great if you ask me. But you have dual stretchy and zippered hip belt pockets, this is something you always need.
The hydration sleeve is external, positioned behind the panel, again a nice feature. It is equipped with an attachment loop.
A hole exists on the bottom of the sleeve and you can see it on the back. This is in the case of a leak or condensation in the hydration sleeve.
Two quite large stretchy mesh pockets are on the sides of the pack, equipped with InsideOut compression straps. This is again something great to have. You will use it inside (through the pocket) if/when you want to cinch down the pack, for example, if you have no much stuff inside and you want to fix what is there. This you might do if you are doing trail running.
One large stretchy pocket is on the front of the pack, secured on the top. Above it, you have a lid lock for a helmet. You can see all this in the picture above.
You have in total 8 pockets in such a small pack, plus the hydration sleeve; quite remarkable. On the bottom, you have a tool attachment loop, for an ice axe or for trekking poles, and higher up you also have a bungee cord used for this purpose.
Also on the bottom, you have a blinking light attachment point. All great features of Osprey Tempest 20 rucksack can be seen in this short video, have a look:
Technical specifications & summary of features
- Weight: 0.70 kg.
- Maximum dimensions, cm: 50 (l) x 25 (w) x 24 (d).
- Carry load: up to 15 lb
- Specific women design.
- Adjustable torso length.
- Torso fit:
– XS/S: 13-17 in (33 – 43 cm).
– S/M: 16-20 in (41-51 cm). - AirScape back panel with ventilation foam ridges.
- External hydration sleeve.
- Sternum strap with emergency whistle.
- Stretch mesh side pockets with InsideOut compression straps.
- Zippered panel access.
- Side compression straps.
- Dual zippered hip belt pockets.
- Stretch pocket on the harness.
- LidLock bike helmet attachment.
- Internal key attachment clip.
- Single ice axe loop.
- Reflective graphics.
- LED bike light attachment point.
- Material: 70 D x 100 D Mini Shadow Nylon, 210 D Dobby Nylon.
The new version
There is a new version of this pack with changes in the suspension system. The new design includes what they call AirScape accordion-type foam back panel, and a seamless lumbar-to-hip belt mesh.
See how the suspension looks like now:
Please see this very recent short video by Osprey, which presents all packs from the new Tempest and Talon series:
Conclusion & rating
Osprey Tempest 20 pack for women is such a great tool that I would happily recommend it for any day hike or climb, or just for urban life and travel. It is full of great features so typical for Osprey. If the size is not suitable for you, have a look in the picture above, they have smaller and bigger versions in this series. You can find Tempest 30 described in the site, as well as Tempest 40
Please see how I rate this pack:
Osprey Packs Tempest 20 Women's Hiking Backpack
Pros
- Lightweight.
- External hydration sleeve.
- Adjustable torso.
Cons
- No rain cover.
- No frame.
Completely similar versions for men are under the name Talon. So Talon 22 pack and Talon 44 are described elsewhere in the site.
I hope this text has been useful to you, I shall be grateful if you share it with others.
Mara says
Hi Jovo,
Wow, this backpack looks great. The photos really make it look a comfortable pack to wear. I like to get out on my mountain bike and it sounds just right for a day trip. Have you done any climbing in New Zealand? That’s where I’m from originally and it has some pretty decent climbing. I do love the outdoors, so will be checking back into your site for more recommendations on equipment. Thanks for such a thorough review.
Mara.
Jovo says
Hi Mara, what a coincidence to ask me about New Zealand. No, I have not had a a chance, but trust me when I say I would love to. But my daughter is just in the process of preparing for a trip there. She will stay 4 weeks, there are 4 people in the group and they are going to rent a motor home and go around. I would not mind being there, but not this time.
As for the pack, thank you, it is great that you find my text useful. All the best to you.