View Full Version : Osprey's new "Super UL" packs
The weight is as I expected, close enough to 2 lbs to still make Zpacks the top contender if you want the max ventilation and UL weight. Also, the non-removable brain is a bad move IMO.
https://www.snewsnet.com/press-release/osprey-launches-superultralight-levity-and-lumina-for-spring-2018
SWODaddy
08-09-2017, 22:29
I'm pretty sure Osprey has made packs around that same weight before. Hip belt padding looks light.
What interests me is the new fabric:
"Osprey’s NanoFly™ fabric integrates ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) Ripstop and nylon to create an incredibly strong, light fabric with remarkable resistance against water, abrasion and UV rays/chemicals."
Polyethylene is the same thing Dyneema is made from. Almost sounds like it's laminated to a nylon.
daddytwosticks
08-10-2017, 07:15
No hip belt? Must definitely be for very light loads. :)
No hip belt? Must definitely be for very light loads. :)Yeah, not sure I'd consider anything 20+ to be light enough to go sans belt. Interesting to think about though.
LEVITY 60/LUMINA 60For the most audacious superultralight excursions and thru hikes
Weight: 1.83 pounds
Load Range: 10-30 lb
Retail: $270
LEVITY 45/LUMINA 45
For experienced thru hikers and lightweight overnights
Weight: 1.76 pounds
Load Range: 5-25 lb
Retail: $250
Just Bill
08-10-2017, 09:17
That's still a relatively heavy fabric.
60L SUL pack with no hipbelt... no thanks... maybe for intended for UL winter where you got 30L of feathers packed?
45L 1.76... more interesting.
Exos series with brain removed and some stuff trimmed- probably still the better off the shelf pack. Pretty sure they clock in under 2lbs- with a hipbelt- with a wireframe- with a mesh backpanel.
Just Bill
08-10-2017, 09:21
https://www.rei.com/product/864597/osprey-exos-48-pack
38L for sure clears 2 with brain.
But 48L sans brain and trimmed up straps is durn close and probably the better pack.
As much as I love cottage vendors (being one myself)- it is still nice to have an off the shelf pack to get someone started with that makes sense to use.
Get on the trail, see if you like it, learn what you like... then go cottage shopping.
Why are there so many comments about no hip belt? I've seen other posts on this pack and it has a hip belts just no hip belt pockets.
saltysack
08-11-2017, 00:19
Why are there so many comments about no hip belt? I've seen other posts on this pack and it has a hip belts just no hip belt pockets.
Aaaahhh....I assume because the picture doesn't show any?
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daddytwosticks
08-11-2017, 07:09
Aaaahhh....I assume because the picture doesn't show any?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I also did not see any mention of a hip belt in the pack's description.
cmoulder
08-11-2017, 07:44
Yes, it has a hip belt (https://vimeo.com/223265448). I don't know how that got started. :confused:
It is comfortable? Remains to be seen. At about 1:40 in the video the interviewer gives it a tug and it can plainly be seen that the material is stretchy.
Is it really super ultralight ?
Thom
Hikingjim
08-11-2017, 08:30
Seems those side pockets might be too big/high up for easy water access, and a brain but no mesh pocket or anything on the back seems weird? if it's going to be that minimal, might as well cut the brain
But will be good to see more light options on racks in stores!
SWODaddy
08-11-2017, 09:00
I also did not see any mention of a hip belt in the pack's description.
Of course it has a hipbelt. Not sure why people are saying otherwise. Like I said in my first post, they are really skimpy though.
40056
cmoulder
08-11-2017, 09:02
Is it really super ultralight ?
Thom
Seems those side pockets might be too big/high up for easy water access, and a brain but no mesh pocket or anything on the back seems weird? if it's going to be that minimal, might as well cut the brain
But will be good to see more light options on racks in stores!
I agree on both counts. :cool:
Smithereens
08-20-2017, 11:14
Seems those side pockets might be too big/high up for easy water access, and a brain but no mesh pocket or anything on the back seems weird? if it's going to be that minimal, might as well cut the brain
But will be good to see more light options on racks in stores!
It has a pretty big pocket on the back. Not sure if it's mesh, but it's there.
Of course it has a hipbelt. Not sure why people are saying otherwise. Like I said in my first post, they are really skimpy though.
40056
The Section Hiker’s email arrived today with a review of the Levity.
The first paragraph of the review was devoted to a warning that the pack runs small. Order up.
The hip belt and shoulder straps are not adjustable. There are no pockets on the hip belt.
Moving right along.
Wayne
nsherry61
03-26-2018, 13:23
. . . The hip belt and shoulder straps are not adjustable. There are no pockets on the hip belt.
Moving right along.
The Levity is essentially the Exos with an aluminum instead of steel frame, less stretch-mesh on the pockets, and a non-removable brain, probably because most people use the brain and removing the extra lid under the brain that is found on the Exos saves weight and clutter.
The Levity hip belt and shoulder straps are exactly as adjustable as the Exos and most other packs. The torso length, which may be what Venchka was alluding to, is not adjustable, just like it is not on the Exos.
The hip belt appears to be exactly like the new Exos which is actually quite nice for what it is, yes, without pockets so small they aren't useful or so large they get in the way.
And, the wonderfully large side pockets have forward entry (at least on the Exos), so being big does NOT make it hard to get bottles out.
Personally, I would agree with Just Bill that the Exos is likely a more functional options for most people looking for an ultra-light Osprey pack.
Clarity:
The hip belt is not adjustable vertically.
The hip belt lacks pockets.
Fail. To use a disallowed antique word.
My backpack inventory already includes a hip belt that is adjustable vertically but lacks pockets and a pack with no vertical adjustments anywhere nor hip belt pockets. They fit. They work for me.
I’ll keep looking.
Wayne
Just Bill
03-26-2018, 14:18
Looks like they allowed some feature creep on the new exos, and trimmed the old Exos a bit to make the levity.
For an off the shelf, try it in person, return for up to a year at REI... both are respectable options.
I'm a bit confussed by the 60L Levity... who is the target there winter UL?
They seem to have dropped the 38L EXOS... A 35/45 in the Levity line would have been more appealing to me.
I still think the 48L exos remains the more interesting pack. Take the brain off for a 'luxury' UL pack at around 36 ounces and it appeals more to me than a minimal 45L for 30 ounces.
Add the brain back on for a longer trip or winter.
Maybe the 38L simply didn't sell, but looks like you can find them for around $120... https://www.amazon.com/Osprey-Packs-Exos-38-Backpack/dp/B00E0LGSQ0?th=1&psc=1
It is about 30 ounces with the brain removed... and if you are shopping UL packs you should be shooting for a roughly 40L maximum volume.
I would rather have the stretch mesh over 210 D non-stretch pouches... or I'd rather see Osprey just whack them off and get closer to a pound.
A SUL airframe pack with a minimal pack body design would have been nice.
A 25 ounce 35L pack with that suspension would have been a clear competitor to the Arc series...
My personal opinion overall... looks like they dumbed down and potentially ruined the Exos series to introduce the Levity.
They didn't go far enough with the Levity to make it better than the last Exos.
So as Wayne said... Fail?
Guess I'd reserve judgment until seeing them in person but looking that way.
I wonder how hard it would be to swap out the steel frame of my Exos 48L for a carbon fiber frame??? I trimmed all unneeded straps and the brain and have considered cutting out the hydration bladder compartment as well but not sure it is worth it. 35.57 oz for a Medium, unfortunately my back still gets hot even in 40* weather...
Just Bill,
Once again my fingers can’t keep up with my brain.
“Fail” should only be in the context of my own personal needs.
Meaning that the Levity’s shortcomings are already present in my current inventory.
Cheers!
Wayne
Just Bill
03-26-2018, 20:12
I wonder how hard it would be to swap out the steel frame of my Exos 48L for a carbon fiber frame??? I trimmed all unneeded straps and the brain and have considered cutting out the hydration bladder compartment as well but not sure it is worth it. 35.57 oz for a Medium, unfortunately my back still gets hot even in 40* weather...
It's the fabric choices I think more than anything... not the frame.
And I agree... at some point I get hot either way so lighter the load the better. The only trick that reliably works is being light enough to carry on one shoulder here and there to cool off.
Just Bill
03-26-2018, 21:34
Just Bill,
Once again my fingers can’t keep up with my brain.
“Fail” should only be in the context of my own personal needs.
Meaning that the Levity’s shortcomings are already present in my current inventory.
Cheers!
Wayne
Don't worry young man, you used the word in today's proper context. :D
I'd call it a 'fail' but not having seen them in person don't let me push anyone.
The goal was a truly UL pack from Osprey...
To me, looks like some poor materials choices and sizing in the Levity series.
Looks like they may have diluted the previously very good Exos series a bit in the process of redifining the overall lineup. The Exos was a pretty capable UL pack for a mainstream vendor... and despite my enjoyment of cottage gear at the end of the day it's hard to argue with being able to roll into an REI or similar and try a pack on in person. Despite the gains cottage vendors have made Osprey outsells all of them combined for good reasons...
So I would call it a 'fail' on the new lineup for LD hiking needs based upon what I see thus far.
Too bad... I had some high hopes for this one.
It's no longer the case that you HAVE to buy cottage stuff to get going and even if you move past REI gear... you can put together a kit most of us would have been proud of 10 years ago off the shelf these days. I think having quality entry or mid level gear you can buy in person only means more folks get out and enjoy the woods, which is good for all of us in the long run.
Kudos to Wayne for, "Fail” should only be in the context of my own personal needs.*
Confusing thread with personally imposing definitions of UL and SUL on an Osprey Pack that is the lightest for Osprey in these volumes with these features and level of durability market targeted for more than the US consumer. Osprey packs are sold globally with distribution networks and retail exposure in more than 60 countries that likely surpass the US cottage backpacking gear manufacturing base combined. Considering the Osprey Levity and Lumina are spring 2018 releases yet a fail is being assigned is premature.
The Osprey Levity and Lumina, in the different volumes, can surely be considered international UL and SUL contenders, despite the marketing hype. With these pack attributes it applies to the US market as well but perhaps not individually or in some UL or SUL circle jerks.
What adds to confusion is the often espoused notion that UL and SUL always have to be comparitvely based on the wt alone or perhaps the volume. Only the lightest wt are truly SUL is the prevailing theory There can be a 60L SUL pack. There can be a validly claimed 60L SUL pack that weighs more than another for the environments and goals it's aimed just as there are UL packs and gear made by such companies as HMG that aren't the most UL across all possible UL category comparisons but none the less is UL.
DuneElliot
03-27-2018, 10:39
From my understanding and reading other reviews on these packs the hip belt isn't nearly as supportive as a proper hip belt should be, even for an UL pack. I actually put my hands on one in Canada and didn't care much for it. While I love my Arc Haul I did fork out some money for the 2017 Exos as a spare pack before they disappeared completely
Just Bill
03-27-2018, 11:05
No real debate from me, just had some hopes that Osprey would push themselves a bit further on this one and follow up on the strides with the Exos series.
210D spectra reinforced fabric is quite durable... but a bit overbuilt for it's intended purpose. Several pack makers (including HMG and GG) use 120D or 150D versions of that fabric quite well. I don't think the guarantee would have been in any danger with that choice at all. They use 100d fabric on the Exos for example.
"If you're a maniacal gram counter who's tired of carrying a bag of pain, check out the Levity"
https://www.osprey.com/us/en/product/levity-45-LEVITY45_577.html
"The Osprey Levity 45 is the most comfortable and ventilated pack ever made for the lightest loads imaginable. It's perfect for streamlined weekends or committing thruhikes. In fact it's probably not the right pack for you. It's for people who pack lighter, go further, and think smarter. This pack isn't on Instagram, because phones are too heavy, and views look better in your mind anyway. But if you are one of those maniacal gram-counters, look no further. Backed by our All Mighty Guarantee, forever."
Any of that marketing mumbo jumbo sound familiar? Maybe Coup gave up on My Trail and is writing copy for Osprey now.
Osprey is a great company, but they set the marketing and design goals for this product and it doesn't look like they achieved them. Simple as that.
I have an Exos and think it's a great pack, same with my Talon 22. I was anticipating a stripped down and lightened up version of those models but doesn't look like that happened. Osprey remains the most popular pack on the trail for long distance hiking and they appeared to be embracing that and pushing deeper. Last year's Exos was a real breakthrough in a commercial pack IMO, I'm a bit disappointed as it looked like they would build on that momentum with this new series.
This isn't some broader debate, this is a pack that is labeled 'SuperUltralight Backpacking' by Osprey... an established trail/LD hiking pack. Not an ultralight western high elevation winter elk hunting pack like HMG might produce. Nor some high volume food carrier for deep off trail travel. Call it the designer in me declaring the fail if you prefer. Osprey laid down some pretty clear design goals, not me.
I'm sure Osprey will be just fine though, lol.
And couldn't agree with you more- weight or volume don't specifically define anything.
I carry the 6+ pound Osprey Poco Plus at the core of my SUL me and a kiddo kit.
I use the Exos for casual weekend trips... I don't see that this Levity series would displace any packs or that it falls into the category they chose to assign it to.
I was incorrect about one thing... there is still a 38L Exos... just isn't on REI site yet. https://www.osprey.com/us/en/product/exos-38-EXOS38S18_569.html
If somebody asked me about that vs the 45L Levity... I'd say to get the 38L Exos.
The Levity simply isn't worth the few ounces of savings compared to what you are losing.
Heck... the Talon Series is still a sharp pack and the 33L at just under 2lbs is still a pretty sweet pack even without the AirFrame.
https://www.osprey.com/ec/en/product/talon-33-TALON33_754.html
Osprey already has a very diverse UL lineup of packs. I do not see that the Levity has pushed anything into SUL territory.
You are not the only one who sends me PM's that I reply to in the open forum to encourage open discussion. :cool:
Asked for or not- it is just my opinion and it is still 'sight unseen' as mentioned. Though seems fair if I can eyeball sleeping gear or puffy jackets... I can do the same for a pack.:-?
I went Osprey for my new pack, haven't purchased one in years (decades, actually) and went with "shopping accessibility" so I could check fit. I'm pretty stout, so getting the absolute lightest option wasn't critical at this point. I'm also a stickler when it comes to back sweat, and the AG suspension on the Atmos helps significantly in that respect.
My wife wants a pack now, but we're waiting until she can try various UL packs before making a decision. If I can shave a pound (or more) off by putting her in a cottage pack vs. a COTS pack then it will be well worth the added expense.
Just Bill
03-27-2018, 11:18
I went Osprey for my new pack, haven't purchased one in years (decades, actually) and went with "shopping accessibility" so I could check fit. I'm pretty stout, so getting the absolute lightest option wasn't critical at this point. I'm also a stickler when it comes to back sweat, and the AG suspension on the Atmos helps significantly in that respect.
My wife wants a pack now, but we're waiting until she can try various UL packs before making a decision. If I can shave a pound (or more) off by putting her in a cottage pack vs. a COTS pack then it will be well worth the added expense.
Despite my attempts... my wife went for the Aura AG last year.
She does have diastasis recti (ab separation from pregnancy) and if Osprey does anything better than anyone it's build a full suspension pack.
When one doesn't have an Internal Suspension (ab and core muscles) then an external suspension on the pack is quite critical and worth the pound or two.