Osprey Men's Volt 75 Backpack

I haven't been able to take this pack out yet, but I'll update my review in a couple weeks after our trip.I've been using the same pack for about 12 years, and it was time for an upgrade. I wasn't ready to make the jump to true ultralight, as I'm a big guy who can handle a little extra weight in my pack. With that said, I've upgraded a lot of my gear, and I felt it was time for a lighter pack.This pack weighs in at 3 pounds, 12 ounces (+/- an oz or two, depending on where you look, and what you can remove). It's still at least a pound heavier than true ultralight packs, but I nearly cut my pack weight in half, YMMV. My first impression is that this pack -- and most Osprey packs -- was very well thought out. I didn't lose much capacity over my old pack, but this one is considerably less bulky. It's also much simpler. I don't need a lot of pockets to organize my gear, outside of a couple water bottle side pockets and a lid pocket. Everything usually ends up in stuff sacks, mixed into the main pocket, sitting on top of the sleeping bag. At 75 liters, you can really load this pack up and not worry about running out of space. I'm pretty sure I'll have to leave my pillow unstuffed to take up extra space on short trips. With that said, there are some compression straps on the sides that allow you to cinch it down when your load is light.Here is my one major complaint about this pack, so far: the bottom compression straps cover the mesh, side pockets. If you need to compress this pack, you lose some of the functionality of those pockets. I'll see how annoying this is after my trip, but for now, it's not a deal breaker.This pack is hydration ready, and I have a 3 liter camelbak in mine. I like how the bladder is accessible without opening the pack, as it can get a bit tricky to remove and replace when you have to move your gear around.I'm 6'1", and I have a long torso, and i was able to adjust this pack to fit nicely. The belt has some nice adjustments as well.

Just back from using this pack for 5 days on the Chilkoot Trail from Dyea, Alaska and Bennett Lake, British Columbia. The pack worked well and easily carried my 50# load. I got the blue one to be more visible. The expandable-stretch pockets on both lower sides carried my water bottles-toilet kit-extra insect repellant without coming out the one open side of each pocket. My synthetic sleeping bag (2.5#) easily fit into the bottom zippered pouch with a little room left over for a wayward stinky sock or two. The small pockets on each side of the waist belt worked well to hold my bug spray (used often) and SPOT (used twice a day to let family know where I was). My hydration pouch fit well into the frame pocket and was a thirst saver on the "Golden Staircase." The adjustable shoulder harness worked well as I adjusted it some from the start and during the trip as our food and fuel supplies slowly lightened. For the next trip, I may sew up some sylnylon outside attachable pockets for some of the other small items often used on such a trip. I sewed up a sylnylon packcover, but this time it didn't rain on the entire trip - very unusual! My only complaint was the slipping waist belt - it required hourly adjustments (and more so if I carried a small soft camera case on the belt). Not sure if it's the buckles or material or a combination of both that doesn't hold - will do some research to see if there is a fix or not. Next time I'll shoot for a 35# pack, but intend to use the Volt as part of the package.

This review is for the 75L pack, I can't speak for the smaller ones.I have been a die-hard Granite Gear user for many years, but this pack has made me a convert. At just under 4 pounds it isn't necessarily ultralight, but it runs rings round my GG Nimbus Trace, which weighs 4 pounds, is smaller, less comfortable, and has fewer features. The Volt is a perfect pack for someone who shares gear with friends- you can adjust it from skinny to fat, short to tall person in seconds with no tools. It may also be adjusted to fit nearly anyone perfectly. I have been looking for a pack with multiple entry points that will hold a Bear Vault 500 sideways. THIS PACK DOES. It will load in the top or bottom and you can slide it to the middle from there, although it is a little snug in the middle. I keep mine in the bottom where the balance is better, and it does not put too much pressure on my hydration bladder.I have seen various reviews that call this pack frilly, and full of features that no one needs. I have been a minimalist for while, but I LOVE the trekking pole holder on the side, the medium/large hip belt pockets (they will hold a delorme, smart phone with battery pack, camera, etc).Other notable features- easy access water bottle/side pouches, hip belt stays tight (and comfortable) with heavy loads, external hydration sleeve between pack and frame, sternum strap is removable without cutting if you don't use one.I am going to order another one to use as a loaner.