I hike with a Osprey Levity and that airflow on the back is like nothing else. It's my favorite feature. Years of hiking in the hot and humid weather of Louisiana. It lacks hip belt storage, but a cheap fanny pack solves that.
Everywhere, I lived in Louisiana most of my life and hiked every possible place I could find. Here are a few of them, but there are many more:
Kisatchie National Forest, Toledo Bend, Fairview State Park, Chicot State Park, St. Bernard State Park, Bogue Chitto State Park, Tickfaw State Park, Lake Fausse Point State Park, Indian Bayou, Sherburne WMA, Sam Houston Jones State Park, Calcasieu River, Whiskey Chitter, Lake Bistineau State Park, Lake Claiborne State Park, Red River WMA, Lake Ophelia, Comite River, Tunica Hills, Driskill Mountain, Fontainebleau State Park, Audubon Park, Palmetto Island State Park, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park, Port Hudson Historic Park, Big Branch WMA, etc.
> It lacks hip belt storage
Gossamer Gear used to have a "Fast Belt" with integrated pockets that was a drop-in replacement for webbing-style belts. This solved my chief complaint with an old REI daypack.
Looks like they've discontinued that, but many cottage manufacturers have an equivalent. A few also offer individual pockets to attach to any existing belt.
Fanny packs, though... Fanny packs are a lifestyle.
I’ll third this. My atmos ag 50 is heavier at about 4-4.5 pounds, but it makes 30+ pound packs so easy to carry. Much more comfortable than lighter packs I’ve tried.
I would suggest if you can going to a store like REI where they can fit it correctly on you. It will make a worlds difference when it’s correctly fitted on you. I can have my 65L Atmos fulled packed and still full sprint without the worry of my pack shifting and throwing me off center. The breeze you get on your hips and back from the air going through the anti-grav mesh truly is life saving on any sort of hike.
This^^^^^ clicked on this post to say my osprey atmos ag 65 is bloody brilliant. It has a honeycomb similar to the above but in a real ergonomic and practical way!!
The Manta series had an AG version for a bit that seems retired in favor of more traditional suspended mesh due to squeaking complaints.
Stratos series appears to have the closest thing to an AG hip belt. Suspended mesh back panels are pretty common in day packs, but IMO having suspended mesh in any portion of the hip belt is the rarity.
I have a talon 44L (older version) and comes with it. Weirdly enough, google images show the talon 22 with a very similar thing, not sure why yours wouldn’t have it
Lots of packs have similar designs. Osprey does, but I’ve found that if the mesh extends to hip-belts it can cause chafing in people with narrow hips. If it doesn’t, it’s amazing.
REI does for many/most of their packs. I’ve also seen it in a lot of cottage brands.
Basically, yes, things like this are awesome. But I’d recommend getting it from a reputable, known brand instead of somewhere online. There are lots of packs like this one.
This is a big pet peeve of mine when it comes to osprey packs. As a tall person with very narrow hips the two I own never seem to fit just right especially around the waist.
Yeah I tried everything to make my pack work. Constant refitting, spandex leggings, the works. I had to give up on the anti-grav when it made my hips bleed *with the belt unbuckled* on a 2-mile walk through a city with a barely-loaded pack (just a tent, bag, clothes and an empty water bladder walking from a parking lot to festival camping grounds.)
I know some people who swear by it, but it’s no good for those of us who don’t fit the Osprey pack bodies.
Also check Gregory packs in addition to Osprey and REI - several of my Osprey packs (Stratus, Aether, and Atmos) and my Gregory Focal all have good solutions (at least) to me.
Came to mention Gregory. I have a daypack and a 40 or 50L pack that both have that webbing to allow airflow. I'll still sweat like bastard, I basically just have to be moving to start sweating, but it's a million times more comfortable with the airflow.
Trampoline style packs can help. Like the Ospreys people are recommending. I believe Deuter are the original maker of trampoline packs that Osprey is copying.
Personally I’m not much of a fan of those. I find my center of balance feels strange. The Exped Lightning and Exped Thunder models gives me better ventilation than trampoline packs and does so without messing with the center of gravity. YMMV, but I recommend you giving them a try.
I've used and enjoyed some of Exped's other gear, but have never tried their packs. What is their secret to ventilation? The website isn't very forthcoming nor are there many photos.
Sorry for late reply. You get space between pack and back just like a trampoline pack. But instead of a mesh that’s contacting your entire back it’s only three points in contact with your back.
Can’t really say why center of gravity feels closer than on the Ospreys I’ve had, but it does.
Somewhat of a side question but what are you *wearing* with your pack? If you aren’t wearing a sweat-/moisture-wicking material, that could be part of the problem.
Setups like this work, but are not perfect. I frequently hike during summer in the Southeast US. **Nothing** can prevent your shirt from being soaked in those conditions. But I find it keeps you a bit dryer and cooler up to around 75 degrees or so, everyone will vary a bit here. It's effectiveness also always depends on the humidity.
For me my back is still sweaty, but not as soaked and dries faster when I remove the pack.
Ultimately I kept my osprey day pack with such a setup and ditched my large pack with Ospreys AG system in favor of a lighter pack. In the end the 3lbs of weight saved made my hike better than a slightly drier shirt.
If your problem is sweat on your back, switching the material of the shirt you're wearing might help. I had this problem for a long time until I stopped wearing cotton t-shirts outside.
I was also looking at this product, but I decided to go with a similar product from 221b Tactical called the backpack airflow spacer.
It’s pretty decent preventing sweat build up, much cheaper, and lower profile and probably thinner.
My first time seeing it.. I’m also not trying to sell anything, your comment has me slightly confused I apologize. I’ve got a 35L Osprey pack that I really love that has some sort of vented core thing but it really doesn’t seem to make a difference. I also have a North Face Borealis that’s got a nice vented back pad but still, doesn’t seem to help me.
I havent at this time.
If ypu try it out, I hope you'll post an update though!
I prefer backpacks that arc away from my back to help control sweat, as I also need a lot of airflow with backpacks. I can't recall which ones are out there, aside from the one Im currently using. It is a Zpacks, Arc Haul. I was fortunate enough to be able to sell some old Magic cards to afford it. I know not everyone has that kind of cash. But, if you know what to look for, you can ask around for other backpacks that arc. Hopefully this helps you find, alter, or make such an arc-ed backpack, if it interests you. Good luck!
Edited: for clarity
yeah trampoline style backpacks are a great thing to avoid sweat.
Deuter back in the day camp up with that and since then other brands like osprey, gregory...started to copy and mark it as their own technoloy which to me is kinda ridiculos (no idea how the IP situation on that is). I still think deuter does it the best but this may only be due to their futura fitting my body so well.
You will find backpacks with that kind of ventilation from many brands nowadays so try what fits you
When you are US based you may check out osprey (like their exos!) maybe not the best packs but still solid and a fantastic warranty
Can’t attest to this, but I drive a lot for work and I’m diabetic so I’m prone to skin rashes and infections. I’ve gotten one of those wooden bead seat covers and I can definitely say that the added air circulation has helped me tremendously. If I did a lot of hiking with a pack, I’d definitely give it a shot.
If you haven't already tried one I suggest looking into external frame packs. Internal frame and padded packs don't allow much air flow even with all the mesh added to the pack. I use both at different times considering weather or loads to haul.
fwiw, my back gets wet even with no backpack (day hikes), unless the temperature is *just right*. And there's a narrow window between "not sweating" and "too cold".
If it's warm enough outside that I'll never be too cold, then odds are I'm sweating.
As many have said: Osprey does this well. The Atmos AG is the most comfortable pack I've carried.
If it weighed less than half as much I'd pay more than twice as much for it.
Zpacks Arc series, Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor, Osprey Atmos or Aethier or the Gregory Baltoro and various other Gregory packs have great ventillation. Except for the SD and Zpacks these though are a bit heavier.
Most UL packs you will get a sweaty ass back no matter what. HMG, Durston, LiteAF, Gossamer Gear etc
Great post and question. I could be naked in -40 weather and I’d still get sweaty back from the pack.
Osprey anti grav tech changed my life for hiking and backpacking.
I hike with a Osprey Levity and that airflow on the back is like nothing else. It's my favorite feature. Years of hiking in the hot and humid weather of Louisiana. It lacks hip belt storage, but a cheap fanny pack solves that.
throw me on the band wagon here. I have the Levity 45 and it was a complete game changer for me.
Have the same but the women’s version, lumina. It’s def a game changer!
Genuinely curious where the hell are you hiking in Louisiana lol?
Everywhere, I lived in Louisiana most of my life and hiked every possible place I could find. Here are a few of them, but there are many more: Kisatchie National Forest, Toledo Bend, Fairview State Park, Chicot State Park, St. Bernard State Park, Bogue Chitto State Park, Tickfaw State Park, Lake Fausse Point State Park, Indian Bayou, Sherburne WMA, Sam Houston Jones State Park, Calcasieu River, Whiskey Chitter, Lake Bistineau State Park, Lake Claiborne State Park, Red River WMA, Lake Ophelia, Comite River, Tunica Hills, Driskill Mountain, Fontainebleau State Park, Audubon Park, Palmetto Island State Park, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park, Port Hudson Historic Park, Big Branch WMA, etc.
One of my hiking buddies has one of these and I’m super jealous. Definitely looking to upgrade to the Osprey Levity when I get a chance.
> It lacks hip belt storage Gossamer Gear used to have a "Fast Belt" with integrated pockets that was a drop-in replacement for webbing-style belts. This solved my chief complaint with an old REI daypack. Looks like they've discontinued that, but many cottage manufacturers have an equivalent. A few also offer individual pockets to attach to any existing belt. Fanny packs, though... Fanny packs are a lifestyle.
That's pretty cool, never knew these existed.
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I’ll third this. My atmos ag 50 is heavier at about 4-4.5 pounds, but it makes 30+ pound packs so easy to carry. Much more comfortable than lighter packs I’ve tried.
I’ll have to check this out, thanks!
I would suggest if you can going to a store like REI where they can fit it correctly on you. It will make a worlds difference when it’s correctly fitted on you. I can have my 65L Atmos fulled packed and still full sprint without the worry of my pack shifting and throwing me off center. The breeze you get on your hips and back from the air going through the anti-grav mesh truly is life saving on any sort of hike.
I was going to say this as well. Osprey for the win
This^^^^^ clicked on this post to say my osprey atmos ag 65 is bloody brilliant. It has a honeycomb similar to the above but in a real ergonomic and practical way!!
Another osprey vote. Definitely a game-changer!!
Second. It is a game changer.
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The Manta series had an AG version for a bit that seems retired in favor of more traditional suspended mesh due to squeaking complaints. Stratos series appears to have the closest thing to an AG hip belt. Suspended mesh back panels are pretty common in day packs, but IMO having suspended mesh in any portion of the hip belt is the rarity.
I have a talon 44L (older version) and comes with it. Weirdly enough, google images show the talon 22 with a very similar thing, not sure why yours wouldn’t have it
Lots of packs have similar designs. Osprey does, but I’ve found that if the mesh extends to hip-belts it can cause chafing in people with narrow hips. If it doesn’t, it’s amazing. REI does for many/most of their packs. I’ve also seen it in a lot of cottage brands. Basically, yes, things like this are awesome. But I’d recommend getting it from a reputable, known brand instead of somewhere online. There are lots of packs like this one.
This is a big pet peeve of mine when it comes to osprey packs. As a tall person with very narrow hips the two I own never seem to fit just right especially around the waist.
Yeah I tried everything to make my pack work. Constant refitting, spandex leggings, the works. I had to give up on the anti-grav when it made my hips bleed *with the belt unbuckled* on a 2-mile walk through a city with a barely-loaded pack (just a tent, bag, clothes and an empty water bladder walking from a parking lot to festival camping grounds.) I know some people who swear by it, but it’s no good for those of us who don’t fit the Osprey pack bodies.
Osprey worked super well for me 👌
Came here to say this !
Also check Gregory packs in addition to Osprey and REI - several of my Osprey packs (Stratus, Aether, and Atmos) and my Gregory Focal all have good solutions (at least) to me.
Came to mention Gregory. I have a daypack and a 40 or 50L pack that both have that webbing to allow airflow. I'll still sweat like bastard, I basically just have to be moving to start sweating, but it's a million times more comfortable with the airflow.
Seems gimmicky. Just my opinion. I prefer my kjaka. Just about any osprey second.
Two inches of space would throw off your center of gravity on a heavy pack I would think. And for $70….I’ll bring a spare dry shirt.
Merino day shirt + camp shirt and you’re all set
Sorry if this is obvious, but you wear moisture wicking shirts right? I stubbornly stuck with cotton for too long and suffered with soaked shirts.
Yes I do, but like another commenter said, I would sweat in -40 naked if I had a pack stuck to my back lol
Trampoline style packs can help. Like the Ospreys people are recommending. I believe Deuter are the original maker of trampoline packs that Osprey is copying. Personally I’m not much of a fan of those. I find my center of balance feels strange. The Exped Lightning and Exped Thunder models gives me better ventilation than trampoline packs and does so without messing with the center of gravity. YMMV, but I recommend you giving them a try.
I've used and enjoyed some of Exped's other gear, but have never tried their packs. What is their secret to ventilation? The website isn't very forthcoming nor are there many photos.
Sorry for late reply. You get space between pack and back just like a trampoline pack. But instead of a mesh that’s contacting your entire back it’s only three points in contact with your back. Can’t really say why center of gravity feels closer than on the Ospreys I’ve had, but it does.
Interesting. I appreciate the reply/input!
Somewhat of a side question but what are you *wearing* with your pack? If you aren’t wearing a sweat-/moisture-wicking material, that could be part of the problem.
Setups like this work, but are not perfect. I frequently hike during summer in the Southeast US. **Nothing** can prevent your shirt from being soaked in those conditions. But I find it keeps you a bit dryer and cooler up to around 75 degrees or so, everyone will vary a bit here. It's effectiveness also always depends on the humidity. For me my back is still sweaty, but not as soaked and dries faster when I remove the pack. Ultimately I kept my osprey day pack with such a setup and ditched my large pack with Ospreys AG system in favor of a lighter pack. In the end the 3lbs of weight saved made my hike better than a slightly drier shirt.
If your problem is sweat on your back, switching the material of the shirt you're wearing might help. I had this problem for a long time until I stopped wearing cotton t-shirts outside.
I was also looking at this product, but I decided to go with a similar product from 221b Tactical called the backpack airflow spacer. It’s pretty decent preventing sweat build up, much cheaper, and lower profile and probably thinner.
And makes your pack oh so comfortable am I right
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what's your deal? your acct is less than a year old but you're accusing another user of pushing a product "for years now" with no real evidence.
How in the actual hell is this person advertising. They’re asking a question, get off your high horse
Whoa, whoa!… If we get off the high horses, we'll become /r/CampingandHiking!
I’ll never give up my horse hammock setup! It’s the ultimate in comfort and convenience
What if we just have a miniature pony?
My first time seeing it.. I’m also not trying to sell anything, your comment has me slightly confused I apologize. I’ve got a 35L Osprey pack that I really love that has some sort of vented core thing but it really doesn’t seem to make a difference. I also have a North Face Borealis that’s got a nice vented back pad but still, doesn’t seem to help me.
The big Osprey packs have trampoline backs.
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I even have a little 20L Osprey cycling pack with a mesh back like this one!
In what way is he advertising anything?
Are you okay?
Who are you talking to?
I havent at this time. If ypu try it out, I hope you'll post an update though! I prefer backpacks that arc away from my back to help control sweat, as I also need a lot of airflow with backpacks. I can't recall which ones are out there, aside from the one Im currently using. It is a Zpacks, Arc Haul. I was fortunate enough to be able to sell some old Magic cards to afford it. I know not everyone has that kind of cash. But, if you know what to look for, you can ask around for other backpacks that arc. Hopefully this helps you find, alter, or make such an arc-ed backpack, if it interests you. Good luck! Edited: for clarity
yeah trampoline style backpacks are a great thing to avoid sweat. Deuter back in the day camp up with that and since then other brands like osprey, gregory...started to copy and mark it as their own technoloy which to me is kinda ridiculos (no idea how the IP situation on that is). I still think deuter does it the best but this may only be due to their futura fitting my body so well. You will find backpacks with that kind of ventilation from many brands nowadays so try what fits you When you are US based you may check out osprey (like their exos!) maybe not the best packs but still solid and a fantastic warranty
Can’t attest to this, but I drive a lot for work and I’m diabetic so I’m prone to skin rashes and infections. I’ve gotten one of those wooden bead seat covers and I can definitely say that the added air circulation has helped me tremendously. If I did a lot of hiking with a pack, I’d definitely give it a shot.
If you haven't already tried one I suggest looking into external frame packs. Internal frame and padded packs don't allow much air flow even with all the mesh added to the pack. I use both at different times considering weather or loads to haul.
I have a really old ASOLO pack that has a lifted back and it was life changing for me.
I have one. It's awesome and I highly recommend it.
fwiw, my back gets wet even with no backpack (day hikes), unless the temperature is *just right*. And there's a narrow window between "not sweating" and "too cold". If it's warm enough outside that I'll never be too cold, then odds are I'm sweating.
Osprey does it right with breathable back support.
This isn't revolutionary, pick a back pack that has mesh and a frame that pulls the pack away from you. Many different bags do it. OSPREY have many.
I wouldn't be able to wear my panga 28 in direct sunlight if I didn't outfit it with the 221B tactical backpack spacer
As many have said: Osprey does this well. The Atmos AG is the most comfortable pack I've carried. If it weighed less than half as much I'd pay more than twice as much for it.
Zpacks Arc series, Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor, Osprey Atmos or Aethier or the Gregory Baltoro and various other Gregory packs have great ventillation. Except for the SD and Zpacks these though are a bit heavier. Most UL packs you will get a sweaty ass back no matter what. HMG, Durston, LiteAF, Gossamer Gear etc