Osprey  Skimmer 28 Hydration Pack - Women's

The color shown for Plum Red is inaccurate; I bought the pack in the store, and it is a luminous burgundy/claret color. The longer I look at it, the more I like the color. To see an accurate rendition of the color, go to "write a review" and this backpack in the actual color for Plum Red will show up. (Plum Red does not describe the color.) It is a Claret / burgundy but with a slight sheen that appears lighter and quite beautiful in the sun. It appears to be a deeper rich color when overcast - and not the flat dull color as REI shows it to be (there's a low sheen to the material also). See the photo in review from "Maggie" in a turquoise T-shirt to see a more accurate rendition of the color. I believe the other color option (blueish) is better than shown too. I went into REI thinking I'd buy a Patagonia backpack I saw online. When it was on my back, the shoulder straps were thick and formless and it did not rest on my body as such. It also had nothing but cute style to offer. Conversely, the Osprey straps are thinner, exceptionally well made, form-fitting, and sit snugly into my shoulders. I should add that I have one shoulder lower and smaller than the other due to Scoliosis - (curvature of the spine) so I was very pleased with the way these straps did not slide off. I'm fairly broad shouldered generally, but with one lower shoulder, sometimes straps will slide. I am 5'9", 170 pounds, with a 47% thoracic (upper spine) curve and few packs manage to take the weight off my back, I found this pack to be incredibly comfortable. It fit snugly against my back and it appeared to stand straight and slim and close to my back when the waist belt was closed. There was no sag, slouch, or gaping space between my back and pack. The waist belt shifts all weight to the hips and does it very well. In my 40 years of wearing packs, this was the most comfortable I've worn. It appears overly stuffed on REI, however, In person it appears slim, lightweight, and not at all bulky. Again, see the photo under the section "write a review." I've added some photos, but they are mostly to show color. The brightest is the one shown close to window--the others do not show the color as well. I didn't go shopping for the 28L pack or for a pack with a hydration bag, however, I would happily take this on longer hikes of 10 or more miles and am quite sure it will be very comfortable. I put a 5lb weight in pack at the store and didn't feel it, whereas I did with other backs. The waist belt has zipped pockets big enough for snacks, bandana, small sunscreen, etc. The stretchy pockets that they had in an Osprey 30L Mens pack would have been a better option on the sides in my opinion, but I guess they figure that with a hydration pack, you don't need stretchy water-bottle pockets. As pockets go, these are exceptionally roomy and fit a 20oz Hydro-flask (should you opt to not use the hydration pack), with no room to spare at the top, but plenty on either side. The zips open from the bottom up which I found hard to locate with pack on, but some kind of key fob or other jangly item might help to find them. Otherwise, I think you are stuck with the waist pockets for access while pack is on, and which are ample enough for most trail needs. The two side pockets I expect (just to give you an idea of size) could each fit 10 pairs of SmartWool socks. There is another exterior large pocket in front of the pack and located behind the flap that is the face of the pack and which buckles at the top to right and left. At the bottom of the "flap" it says Skimmer 28-- just so you know what I'm describing. Behind that flap front is a large bucket-like pocket with an accordion-style opening at sides; it can lay flat and clean behind the flap, or you can stuff it and it expands. I expect a few t-shirts could fit in there just to give you an idea of size. It is not zipped but the flap covers it completely and extends wider across the pack than the bucket-like deep pocket behind it. The interior of pack has no pockets that I can see aside from the place for the hydration pack. It is kind of like a stuff sack. I would expect one could fit plenty of gear in there in packing cubes etc.: enough clothing for 4-5 mild weather days, food, toiletries, towel and more. I have not used the hydration bladder yet so cannot speak to that. I plan to make it work as well as possible because I don't want a large hydro-flask's extra weight on my body especially on long hikes. I tried on packs of all sizes for two hours yesterday and did not intend on getting anything bigger than a 24L, but this was so comfortable and sat well that I figured I should get it for longer hikes. I'm still looking for a smaller day pack 16-20L so I can retire by 20-year old Kelty pack of many zipped, netted, fobbed, lined, and other pockets-- a well-made pack of yesteryear.

I am looking to replace my 10year old Mira 26 pack. This fits much better but I don't like that it doesn't have the open mesh pockets on the sides which I like for easy access to my cellphone, topo map and bear spray! Those side pockets now are closed with no easy access as the zipper closes at the bottom (opens at the bottom first...seems counterintuitive and easier to lose items if you don't close it all the way!). Also don't like the "hidden" smaller top pocket which in other packs are on the "outside" of the bigger zippered middle.