Osprey Tempest 30 Review – A Backpack Designed For Women

This Osprey Tempest 30 review is about women’s specific fit version of the corresponding Talon series of packs for men. Tempest 30 backpack is ideal for day hikes and for overnight tours, for climbing, and for any other daily activities.

It weighs less than 2 pounds (850 grams), and yet it allows you to carry up to 30 pounds (13.6 kg) of stuff. This is pretty remarkable for a backpack without an internal frame.

Note, there is a new version available now, see more below.

Construction and materials

The suspension of Tempest 30 pack includes die-cut foam hip belt and harness and Osprey’s AirScape back panel, which has no frame. The back panel has a foam with air channels, covered with a mesh. So one reason for being so ultra-lightweight is the absence of a frame. You might want to compare this with Deuter Trans Alpine series of the same size packs, which has integrated aluminum rods in the back.

Tempest 30 comes in two sizes: XS-S range for torso in the range 13-17 inches and the volume 1709 cubic inches (29 l),  and S-M range for the torso of 16-20 inches and 1831 cubic inches (30 l) volume.

In addition to this, the harness of the pack is adjustable and this is done easily. So you can be sure that you will be able to adjust it ideally for your torso length.

Another reason for such a small weight of Tempest 30 pack is the padding on the shoulder harness and the hip belt, which is thinner than what you may see in the mentioned Deuter models. The difference in weight you may see in the comparison table below.

The shoulder harness material is a bit stretchy, it is made like that on purpose. The same material you will see on the hip belt, with a similar structure as in the shoulder harness. A great feature on the hip belt: stretchy belt pockets, very handy and needed indeed.

A particularly great feature of this and other Osprey packs is the unique stow-on-the-go system which allows you to pass your trekking poles through two elasticated loops, one on the side of the pack and another on the shoulder harness, for an easy hands-free temporary solution.

So you need not putting the pack off to store your trekking poles,  you do this when you are on the go, very clever and useful design.

On the shoulder harness you will see load lifter straps, and again a nice feature: a small stretchy pocket on one of the shoulder straps. The sternum strap is with an emergency whistle, it is adjustable and can be moved up and down along the shoulder strap.

Hydration sleeve is a separate, quick access compartment on the back, behind the harness, so it does not affect the volume of the main compartment. The drinking tube can be set on either of the two shoulder straps.

The loading is from the top, under a dual-buckle lid. On the lid, you have a very good zippered pocket, and one more mesh pocket underneath the lid.  Another big power mesh pocket, ideal for a wet jacket or extra layer of clothing is on the front of the pack.

Two quite deep stretchy pockets are on the sides of the pack. Here you have InsideOut system for compression straps in place. This means the straps can run i) inside the pockets through nicely designed openings (and used to compress the pack in case of less stuff inside),  and ii) over the pockets to fix the bottle alone.

Attachment loops are on the front, 2 on the lower part and 2 paired above, for ice axe or trekking poles.

Technical details & summary of features

• The model designed specially for women.
• Weight: 0.85 kg.
• Dimensions (L x W x D): 61 x 25  x 22 cm.
• Adjustable torso length.
• AirScape back panel with foam ridges for ventilation.
• Sternum strap with emergency whistle.
• Stretch mesh side pockets with InsideOut™ compression.
• Top lid access.
• Stretch pocket on front.
• Reflective graphics.
• Side compression straps
• Twin zippered hip belt pockets.
• Twin ice axe loops.
• Hydration compatible, external sleeve.
• Internal key attachment clip.
• LED bike light attachment point.
• Colors: green, gray, magenta.

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 hip belt 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

Thank you for reading my Osprey Tempest 30 review. This is a good pack, from a reliable brand. I rank it below the other two models given in the table because of the cons mentioned above. Please see how I rate it:

Osprey Tempest 30

8.7

Volume-Weight ratio

9.5/10

Features & bonuses

8.2/10

Comfort

8.4/10

Pros

• Great features.
• Quality materials,
• Ultralight pack.

Cons

• No frame.
• No rain cover.

Buy on Amazon

Buy at REI

Buy at Walmart

Buy from Osprey

For updates about the price please follow these links. If you need a bigger pack from the series, please see the new improved version of the Tempest 40.

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