Osprey  Sportlite 30 Pack

Fine pack, except...

I'm using this as an alternate to my original Hikelite 32, which is great but came in only one frame size, slightly too small for me. This Sportlite pack, though, comes with the new, poorly documented and poorly thought-out "Hydraclip" rather than a normal water bladder buckle, which only works out of box with Osprey-brand bladders :-( I like the Osprey lifetime guarantee and generally like their pack, but trying to lock customers into other Osprey equipment this way is a no-go for me. I almost chose to return this because I usually use a bladder while day hiking and refuse to buy an Osprey bladder at many times the price of what I usually use. In the future I'll consider other vendors much more closely.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]

Originally posted on Osprey

Lightweight, Carries Well, Good Features

Purchased: Aug 2024 Uses: 15+ day hikes with scrambling in the eastern Sierra General: I purchased the Sportlite 30 to replace my aging, 11 year old, Deuter Speedlite 30. My preference is a balance of lightweight, volume, and comfort, and I had not seen anything comparable to my Speedlite until I saw the Osprey. Having used it for a few months, I feel I can give a run down of my impressions. Fit: I have a 16” torso and purchased the small which fits very well. It carries much better than my Speedlite as it stays in place on my back better and there is less play when scrambling. What I like: Stretch side panels keep items secure, as does the front stretch compression pocket. I am very pleased Osprey added 2 hip pockets and I like that one of them is a stretch mesh pocket. I’ve always had zippered pockets in the past, and the stretch mesh secures a snack and allows for an easier retrieval than fighting with a zipper. I wasn’t sure I was going to like the direct access hydration sleeve, but it has worked well. Although the shoulder straps seem thin, they are comfortable and I’ve had no issues with them. What could be better: The 2 stretch loops on the shoulder straps are too high. I have a carabiner attached to the lower loop and it sits on top of my shoulder and sticks out rather than hanging down. I’d really like to see these moved lower. The side stretch mess pockets are about an inch to high. It is very difficult to reach around to grab something, e.g., bottle of liquid fuel/electrolytes, and put it back. The front compression pocket is also a bit too high. I basically have to unclip the compression straps to grab something, e.g., gloves, hat, from the pocket. But, on the other hand, if the pocket were not as high, it might not hold as much. I'm not sold yet on the trekking pole loops. They seem small cumbersome. When I've had to store my poles, I stuff them in a side pocket and secure them with the top compression straps. Lastly, I prefer my key clip to be in the external pocket of the top lid. At the end of a hike, when I’m tired and just want to get in my car, with the clip in the external pocket, all I have to do is unzip + unclip. The workflow to get to one’s keys in the under the lid pocket design requires one to undo 2 compression straps (2 clicks) + flip the lid + unzip the pocket + unclip. That’s 5 steps vs 2. Despite the above limitations, I really do like this pack, especially how it carries. It meets my requirements for being light, having a 30L volume, and being comfortable. I’m not sure of the durability yet.. the mesh panel on the back has already ripped.

Originally posted on Osprey