Osprey Exos 38 Backpack

Having a bag you can just dump everything into for a riding weekend is a must – especially if you’re getting a lift omewhere and can’t just fill your own car boot.

And while a big overnight bag is great – it just doesn’t always work if you need to move you and your bike easily.

I get to a lot of mountain bike events each year, and much prefer a backpack over a duffle style bag (and I would never consider a wheelie bag). Finding the perfect ‘daypack’ style bag has been a constant search. None are right forever.

The ones I have used the most tend to be lightweight backpacking bags, even bags designed for adventure racing. They tend to be light, cope well with a heavy load if required, and have external pockets or attachments to put bottles in or hold your helmet. Or wet kit post ride…

The Osprey Exos 38 is just about all those things, but a little larger than what I’ve used in the past. While clever packing and a nonchalant look has seen it pass as carry on, it’s mostly been used for chucking a couple of sets of kit, casual clothes,some spares and a laptop in for a weekend.

The bag is rated to about 10kg and I’d agree. Osprey want their packs to sit well and be comfortable with the load they are designed around. With a Macbook inside (there is no specific sleeve for a laptop, but I’m happy to make do) against

the back, it wears the weight well across the broad and padded shoulder straps.

The hip belt is similarly broad, but not so heavily padded it gets in the way. I only used it briefly when walking for quite some time. The little pockets on it are a nice touch if you do use it.

With the cinch straps on the side you can collapse the size down pretty well, and the top pocket is a removable bumbag. While not what I would reach for for an overnight bike trip, it’s actually still a good option if this is what you had. A lightweight overnight trip would be easily packed for if you strip this pack down, and don’t want to invest in frame bags.

The side pockets aren’t cut low to be bottle specific, they’re quite deep, but they hold them securely if you’re just toting them along. I used my helmet straps to loop through other side straps to secure it on. This isn’t a bike specific bag but it’s an easy one to reach for when I’ve got a quick trip away.

Hits: Volume and comfort, ease of carrying, versatility

Misses: No dedicated helmet attachment, the back system is great for load bearing, not so much for laptop carrying.

Mike Blewitt.

Price: $189.95

From: www.ospreypacks.com