Osprey Momentum 34 Commuter Backpack

Comments about Osprey Momentum 34 Commuter Backpack:

I use this as a carry-on when traveling because you can tuck all the straps in to get it through security or store it in an overhead bin. It works great for that purpose--lots of space and my iPad can slide into one of the protected sleeves really easily.

My primary use, though, is as a backpack to commute to work. My ride is only a handful of miles, but it's just long enough that I can't bike in wearing my work clothes (typically business casual)--I got a Pack-It Folder that holds my dress pants and a dress shirt and it slides right into the laptop compartment. Dress shoes, socks, etc. all can go in the main compartment and there's tons of extra pockets for stuff like my wallet, ID badge, U-lock, etc. I keep most of my repair tools on my bike, but there'd be space for those if I needed to--there's enough room that some nights I can stop by the grocery store on the way home to buy a bottle of wine and it fits right down in the middle.

I got the bamboo color, which is a nice hi-viz yellow. Added a blinking light to the loop on the back and it's great. I agree with some folks here that the backplate can get a little hot, and I think it rides up your back a bit, but overall it's very comfortable to bike with. I especially like how all the slack ends of the straps loop back onto themselves to keep them out of the way.

Comments about Osprey Momentum 34 Commuter Backpack:

Very spacious commute back pack. My MacBook Pro 15" fits without any problem plus a lot of other things. My only wish is for it to have a place to put a water bottle or my tea mug.

Comments about Osprey Momentum 34 Commuter Backpack:

I have had this pack on two trips now and found that the pack is a really well built pack. I love the rain fly built in so much that I find I will never purchase a pack again without one. The Osprey name is the reason I purchased this pack, their warranty is bar none.

I travel a lot for work and other packs that did not have pockets for my laptop did ok but I could not fit much in them. This pack makes up for that, there is plenty of room for my large 17" engineering laptop plus my iPad and all the rest of my gear for traveling.

Cons: The water bottle pockets are VERY loose and hard to hold a water bottle. Once I get all my gear in the pack is quite heavy and I can not carry the weight on my hips like I would like to due to the fact there is no wide hip belt, instead all it has is a position belt to keep the pack close to your back. This would be the perfect all around pack if it had a wide hip belt that I could use to take the weight off my shoulders. The only other problem I have been having lately (don't know if it is just my pack or not) is the shoulder straps loosen on their own so everytime I put the pack on I have to readjust one of the shoulder straps, this has been very anoying.

All in all this is a very well put together pack, the type of quality I have come to expect from Osprey, but there is room for improvement.

Comments about Osprey Momentum 34 Commuter Backpack:

Great features. I won't go through all of them beacause you can read those yourself, but all perform well. You know how some products you buy have great ideas and thoughts behind them but the execution seems to go wrong. Not with this pack.

I commute to and from work everyday and ride a total of 30 to 40 miles per week. I use it to go to the grocery store, to work, to do errands, everything. I love how it opens to a larger size...fits all my groceries. Gallon of milk, coffee creamer, fruits, etc...i will load this thing down...strap it to my back and head out. The load stays put thanks to the cinch points.

One issue though...

I live in Atlanta and during the Winter I found the bag to be the consummate bicyle commuter pack; however, I have noticed now, since it is getting warmer, that my back sweats like crazy while wearing it. To its defense though...I sweat like a beast.

Comments about Osprey Momentum 34 Commuter Backpack:

First off I am not a commuter and did not get this pack for bike commuting. I was looking for a new weekend trip and everyday backpack that could also double for day hikes and this pack fits the bill.

My final decision was between this pack and the Kelty MAP 3500 and it was a difficult decision to make because both are excellent packs but I ended up choosing this Osprey because it looks cooler and more normal to go around with on your back which is what I will be doing 95% of the time.

I was looking for a pack to meet a few requirements: able to fit a 17" laptop, hydration bladder compatible, waist strap, at least 32L, double as a school/weekend backpack and also a day trip bag, and lastly be awesome looking. Needless to say this fit the bill quite nicely and then some.

Best Features:

-You can actually fit a hydration pouch very nicely in the area where the shoulder and waist straps can tuck in. There are loops on the shoulder straps to tuck the tube also. I bought the Osprey hydration bladder because it has a magnetic attachment, simply brilliant.

-Straps all tuck away nicely and easily for travel.
-Lots of space inside and is also expandable. But the compression straps tighten down so it never looks huge.
-outer mesh stuff pocket, perfect for a shell or fleece not just a bike lock.
-Included rain cover. Now that is clutch, I wish it was matching color for the carbide pack but oh well.
-Dedicated laptop compartment fit my 17" laptop very well with height to spare. Maybe a half inch more on the width but it is pretty snug. You could also fit a nice tablet in the pouch as well with the separate pocket.

What it lacks:

-I kinda wish it had a better waist strap, padded and bigger. But not a deal breaker.
-There's no water bottle pouches on the sides for a nalgene, that really bums me out.
-Side pouches dig into the internal space so they are largely useless
-The cell phone pocket is pretty small. I don't know exactly which cell phones are supposed to fit in it because it is not square shaped and tapers at the top and bottom. I suppose if your still using your flip phone from 10 years ago it could work.

Overall:

Very sweet pack and it will be around for many many years. There is not one reason I can see for not getting this pack, it is just fantastic as long as you are willing to compromise on the "cons" like I did.

Comments about Osprey Momentum 34 Commuter Backpack:

This is a fantastic pack for more than just biking. I bike everyday and it's great with well thought out pockets/design but the pack is great for a multitude of other things.

The only downside is the backpanel gets no ventilation so your back will get very warm and sweaty.

On top of the great pack, the customer service is excellent. Osprey is all I'll buy for backpacks after dealing recently with their customer service. Fantastic pack but better service.

Comments about Osprey Momentum 34 Commuter Backpack:

I use this pack daily, and while I purchased it with the intent to start cycle commuting, forces beyond control have me still in my car. Regardless, the pack has served wonderfully to haul my 15" MacBook Pro, assorted cables and cords, notebook, and other office miscellany to work as well as cross-country on several business trips. I know it will only work that much better on the bike!

Comments about Osprey Momentum 34 Commuter Backpack:

Do you like products that are dynamic and multi-purpose? This is the backpack for you then. I am the type who likes a backpack to be stylish yet functional, high-capacity but slim-line not huge, comfortable but professional looking, has lots of pockets, but not so many that you forget where things are.

I have owned many backpacks trying to fit the above description, but none of them have come nearly as close as this backpack. I have owned this backpack for about 6 months now and could not be happier to have finally found "the one."

I bought this backpack to serve as many purposes as I possibly could. I wanted something to carry my work computer (especially when biking to work) safely, yet I also wanted it to be slimline and not high-school or college looking. I also wanted this for when I sail or paddle on Lake Superior. The pack had enough room for my computer, iPad, books and folders with paper work from work. It also had enough room for my lunch, and my Bose headphones (which are in a hard case) and I put my large water bottle, and power cords in the front mesh pocket.

I have used the rain cover once and LOVED it. FYI: The grey pack has a yellow rain cover, which I loved. I also love the pockets situated on the straps in front. I use them for my keys and my iPhone. I have not bought the iPhone 5 yet, though I do worry that it wont fit. I don't think this is that big a deal as it is actually better for me to keep my phone in my pocket where it is more accessible. But that pocket also works as great storage for other things too.

My only two problems with this pack are 1) I did not get the bamboo one and wish I had, and 2) I wish the pack had a lower, stomach strap as well as the chest strap, but this really has not proved to be that big a deal as the pack seems to distribute weight well without it.

Get this back pack! You will NEVER regret it

Comments about Osprey Momentum 34 Commuter Backpack:

It's a great bag with lots of carefully thought out extras.

Pros: The bag has tons of pockets, the U-bar lock pocket is great, it's comfortable to wear, shoulder straps are well padded, and there's plenty of space (I could easily pack everything I need for a weekend trip in here).

Cons: As mentioned, there are no water bottle pockets. The pockets on the side which I assume are for water bottles are small and eat into internal storage space. I have a 21 oz water bottle and it does not fit into the pockets all the way.

The other BIG con, in my opinion, is the back pad is extremely hot. There is no ventilation so when I was biking to work it felt like there was a heating pad on my back, very different from my usual courier bag. Osprey has a great ventilation system, but didn't put it on this bag. I assume it was designed this way for rigidity so it can be used as a travel bag (hence the tuck away straps) but considering it's primarily to be used as a backpack, it seems they were too clever for their own good.

Overall, however, this bag is great. It's perfect for biking (though as mentioned it's too hot) and is the perfect size for a carry-on travel bag.

Comments about Osprey Momentum 34 Commuter Backpack:

As soon as I got this in the mail I fell in love with it. I'm not usually the type of person that is into yellow colors but this really caught my breath. I love the look of it and all the compartments that come with it. I have a lot of bags and this one is my favorite. I know its supposed to be a cycle bag or whatever but I actually took used it on a backpacking trip to Thailand. I went during monsoon season, which was this month, and I found the rain shield very helpful. I used the eagle creek space bags for my clothes to make more space, which i found helpful.