Osprey Manta 25 Hydration Pack - 100 fl. oz.

Comments about Osprey Manta 25 Hydration Pack - 100 fl. oz.:

This narrow pack fits well and does not feel constricting. The narrow profile allows for a wider range of arm movement.

I am 5'11" and could not get the pack to adjust so that the hip-belt is on my hips. It sits more around my waist, but that is not such a big deal since there isn't much capacity to carry anything too heavy.

Even though the capacity of the pack is 25L, the shape it is in makes for only about 15L of useable space in the lower portion of the bag. I fit a DSLR camera with lens and a a towel in there before it was fairly full. Fitting a pair of hiking boots in this would be a very tight squeeze. Even if you are able to fit something inside, the bulge from the hydration pack limits access to the bottom of the bag while on the go. I had to stop on the trail, unbuckle the side straps and shift around the pocket contents until I could reach the camera. The overall pack is bulky for how little usable volume there is.

I think this pack would be more suitable for carrying a first aid kit, a backpacking stove, some food, and other things that you might need once you stop. It is not good for storing anything that needs to be frequently accessed.

That being said, there are plenty of loops to clip a GPS, cell phone, sunglasses, hat, etc. to. Just not able to carry them inside.

The rainfly is a nice touch, but it functions like a large showercap and does not have any secure way to fastening to the pack other than elastic.

Also worth noting is that the hydration bladder opening is not a standard size for water filters to connect directly into.

This pack takes a lot of getting used to, but it is well constructed and is comfortable to use.

Comments about Osprey Manta 25 Hydration Pack - 100 fl. oz.:

I purchased a Manta 25 for all the clever features that had previously been available on larger packs designed for multi-day adventures. It has so far performed better than I'd hoped. The storm gray (actually storm green)color looks great. The pack is very comfortable, even with the reservoir fully filled with 3 L of water and all the compartments stuffed. The longest hike I've used it on so far was 7 miles but there were a lot of up-and-down stretches. There was no water sloshing, the hipbelt and chest strap were comfortable (though there were a few moments I wanted more padding in the shoulder straps). The hydration tube across my chest worked out okay with a small camera hung around my neck, the hipbelt pockets were easily accessible and the centered daisy chain and other straps were useful for hanging gear in a stable manner. The main compartment is constricted due to the hydroform reservoir, but you can push most things past it to reach the bottom. Overall, a great design that functions perfectly at the basic level and adds a multitude of clever extras that definitely enhance the hiking experience.

Comments about Osprey Manta 25 Hydration Pack - 100 fl. oz.:

I bought the Manta 25 for summer day hikes and short (half-day) cold-weather hikes and ski tours, when I wouldn't need to carry a lot of food, clothing, or gear. (For other types of hikes, I like to carry more stuff and, therefore, use a larger daypack.) After nearly a full year of use, I like this Manta pack more and more.

The Hydraform water bladder and shaped bladder pocket are ingeniously designed and super convenient. But what else would you expect when two top-notch firms like Osprey and Nalgene team up? I love the fact that I don't have to feed the bladder hose through a tight little slot or hole, as is normal for most other packs; instead, the hose automatically gets routed up through a little groove in the pocket corner. The magnetic keeper is also a great convenience.

There are FIVE small zippered pockets and THREE stretch-mesh pockets to hold trail items. That offers a lot of convenience and organization for such a small pack. The built-in raincover is just the icing on this feature-rich cake. As for the quality of the materials and construction, they are A+ just like all Osprey packs. Comfort and stability, even when running down a trail, are also excellent. To be honest, though, that's not difficult to achieve with a small, lightly loaded daypack.

I did notice that another reviewer here complained about the metal frame digging into his back. I have tried to evaluate this purported "design flaw" when wearing my pack, but I really can't even detect the presence of a rigid frame. It just seems to wrap perfectly around my waist. Perhaps that reviewer simply bought the wrong size (they come in two sizes).

I have only two comments that could be construed as even slightly negative. My first comment is just a cautionary statement that the actual capacity of the Manta packs is less than the listed capacity. I would reduce the listed capacity by about 1/3 to get a truer number. So, the Manta 20, 25, and 30 really hold about 13, 17, and 20 liters, respectively. This isn't a problem if you are buying one in a store and can visually assess the true capacity, but on-line buyers are likely to be disappointed by the small size.

My second "negative" comment is really a question and plea: Why doesn't Osprey use the Hydraform bladder and pocket on ALL of its daypacks? I would love to see this excellent system in some of their 35, 40, and 45 liter packs. Maybe some day they will.

Comments about Osprey Manta 25 Hydration Pack - 100 fl. oz.:

I'm a 5'3" woman, which can make fit tricky. I use this pack for dayhikes only. I don't climb or scramble - just hike.

The Manta 25 in sm/med has all the features I wanted. The hip-belt pockets are just right for my camera and other small stuff. Compared to my Camelbak Blowfish, this pack is better organized, the bladder is easier to fill and install in the pack, the bite-valve is easier to use and the pack is just plain more comfortable. The magnet to keep the bite-valve out of the way but still convenient is a nice touch.

Other features I was looking for and found in this pack include a rain cover and external unzippered pockets (good spot to keep your maps).

One reviewer mentioned the metal frame at the corners, and I had to go check my pack to even know it was there.

Capacity may be a little on the tight side, but you can use the external loops and a tie-down or two to hold that extra jacket you had to take off halfway up the hill.

The only thing I would change is make it easier to tie stuff to the outside. That's the 'lack of flexibility' in the cons notes.

Comments about Osprey Manta 25 Hydration Pack - 100 fl. oz.:

This thing is perfect for going on a day hike. It's got so many impressive features! Most of all, I like the mesh suspension back. It isn't as good as wearing nothing at all, but the ventilation is MUCH better than wearing a regular backpack. You get less sweaty. In response to the guy who's review said it is too small: buy a bigger pack! They sell a bigger version, and there are other types of packs available if size is what you want. This is a DAY pack, not a backpacking carryall!Aside from that, the overall construction, lots of pockets and flaps, the rain cover built in, and the quality of the reservoir all make this thing awesome.[$] is a bit steep, but I think you get what you pay for. This is probably an equal value to the Camelbacks going for $90. Pay more, get more.

Comments about Osprey Manta 25 Hydration Pack - 100 fl. oz.:

The features on this pack do live up to the hype, I really like the reservoir design the spin and back panel work well, the pack is comfortable and light. The materials in the pack are high quality and the rainfly works well. My major issue with the back is that it holds less gear than my 18L camelbak. I have the small/medium so it supposed to be 23L, but I'm doubtful that it is I wish I would have purchased the 30L. If you don't carry much gear this may be the pack for you, but I like to carry a group med kit, jacket, extra food, and a few other small items. I really can't carry much more than that if I wanted to, its not bad for a long day hike, but I would like the flexibility if I was going to use it somewhere cold. I squeezed my climbing shoes in there once as a trade off for the jacket.

Comments about Osprey Manta 25 Hydration Pack - 100 fl. oz.:

I originally bought a Manta 20 for my commutes in to work and for hiking trips with my daughters. When the 20 leaked, I decided to upgrade to the slightly bigger Manta 25. Both packs are brilliantly designed, and feel amazingly light on my back. I opted for the bigger pack since my Hawk Mountain trips usually involves packing a lunch as well as binoculars, snacks, a field guide, etc. I also wanted the extra room for my commutes into work so I could have some extra space for my work clothes. The 25 works really well - I cosidered going right to the 30, but I realized that I would fill the pack no matter how much space it had, and I like travelling light 8^).

The hydration pack fits really well into the dedicated sleeve/pocket, and the magnetic clip is a great feature. The water stays cold all day - it was still nice and chilly nine hours after putting it into the pack (I do throw some ice cubes in there before I leave).

Everything about this pack is well put together - the compression straps are easy to adjust and serve their purpose well, the hip belt feels very good. The pack was pretty loaded for a recent raptor watching trip, yet the pack's design makes it feel much lighter. I even let my 11 year old walk with it for a bit (I had to tighten up all of the adjustments, and it was still a bit big on her), but she remarked about how comfortable it felt. I haven't used the rain cover yet, but it's only a matter of time.

If I had a complaint, it would be this extremely minor one: In the front pocket on the Manta 20, there was an organizer for pens, change, etc. The Manta 25 did not have this feature. It is not a big deal, but it was a convenience that I would have liked to have had.

All in all, this back is really great for biking and for day trips. It was worth every penny.

Comments about Osprey Manta 25 Hydration Pack - 100 fl. oz.:

The construction and design of this bag are both stellar. From the hydration bladder (no more fussing trying to cram a flopping 3L of water into a skinny pouch), to the multitude of pockets.
But this pack didn't do the one necessary thing I needed it to- fit comfortably. The metal wings at the bottom of the frame dug into the small of my back. No matter how I tried to fit it, they dug in. I've had 3 different people try on this pack, and they all agreed- the frame needs re-tuning. Stable- yes. Comfortable- no.

My advice- try it on before you buy, and make sure it fits you well.

Comments about Osprey Manta 25 Hydration Pack - 100 fl. oz.:

I am a 5'5 125lb woman and had the hardest time finding the perfect bag for long day hikes as well as trail rides. I like to feel free, like I"m not carrying a ton of gear, and this bag definitely did the trick. I had a camelback Helena and tried an REI pack for a hike and niether of those were as comfortable as this, especially full. My arms have full range of motion because of the way the bag is made. Each time I go to do something, I notice a new feature that makes it just a bit easier. This bag was very thoughtfully designed and is very comfortable.

Comments about Osprey Manta 25 Hydration Pack - 100 fl. oz.:

I got this pack for myself and used it in colorado and my wife wanted one so we picked it up and they are just a great pack and plenty of room for food and drink for day trips. I love using this pack.
I have yet to use the rain cap. I do think I will give them a spray treatment even with the rain pat to give it a little more dry time.