Kamber 42

Tried to get a replacement for a previous general purpose mountaineering Osprey pack. The recommended one (Mutant) was not suitable so it was sent back. The Kamber was the nearest equivalent. It is comfy but not as flexible or useful. Whoever silo designed the packs has no idea of how the are used beyoind their silo design concept. As a 'hut to hiut' pack as advised by product specialist it fails. There is no provision forexternal trekking poles, the lack fo a external stretch pocket is a major loss and the good internal emergency pocket is a poor substitute. The thinking behind this is a good idea but the practiucality was not thought through. The top pocket is small as is the google pocket. The helmet carrier is etremely awkward. The hydration hose is too small for a bite valve. The internal load compressing strap is situated outside!!! However it is comfy, usable and the hip belt pockets actually work as they do not incorporate structural straps as used on the Atmos. The biggest flaw is the spindrift collar which is too small to be really effective, especially as the lid securing straps are positioned to the side and don't pul it down enough. Why do manufacturers think it a good idea to remove useful features in the course of redesign? And there is STILL no way of securing the loose ends of adjustment straps, which flail aorund in the wind. Silo product design is fine but these are general purpose pieces of kit that inevitably do other jobs as well. Climbers trek to locations, snow boarders walk and pole as do skiers. They all operate in the wet windy and cold outdoors carrying stuff. Ski mountaineers need crampons and axes, as much as anybody else. Unless there is a change of approach it wil be the last Osprey pack (6 now) I will buy.

Dieser Rucksack ist bis ins letze Detail durchdacht. Er trägt sich durch die breiten Gurte sehr bequem, selbst mit den Skiern am Rucksack. Der Hüftgurt nimmt viel Last auf. Das Material ist deutlich robuster als bei einem bekannten deutschen Rucksackhersteller, insbesondere an der verstärkten Front. Das Vorderfach für die Sicherheitsausrüstung fasst locker auch noch die Steigfelle. Durch die abnehmbare Rückenplatte konnte ich blitzschnell die Steigeisen erreichen, die ganz unten im Rucksack verstaut waren, ohne die Ski vom Rucksack abzunehmen. Auf die gleiche Weise kann auch die passende Osprey Hydraulics Trinkblase im schon voll bepackten Rucksack verstaut werden. Die isolierte Schlauchführung funktioniert tatsächlich. Selbst auf 4000m Höhe ist mir das Wasser im April nicht eingefroren. Die vielen kleinen Taschen, insbesondere die praktischen Taschen am Hüftgurt runden die tolle Ausstattung ab. Kamera oder Sonnencreme sind allzeit griffbereit ohne abzusetzen. Die Helmhalterung funktioniert tadellos. Auch wenn das Seil unter der Deckeltasche verstaut ist, sitzt der Helm perfekt in der Halterung. Ich werde diesen Rucksack vermutlich auch auf Sommerhochtouren einsetzen. Nach langer Suche habe ich jetzt den perfekten Rucksack für Ski(hoch)touren und lange Durchquerungen gefunden. Ganz großes Kompliment an die Mädels und Jungs von Osprey. Yes, you can!

I must say, the quality of this product, thought that was put into it makes it a very good purchase. However, there is one thing that disapoints a lot - helmet system. I have a black version, so those elements I'm supposed to hook my holder to are not that easy to find when you're in a hurry or the light is not that great in the morning. The pack offers few options of holding a helmet, yet you can't miss an impression the elements are badly located. But this is not the worst. If you want to unhook the holder, prepare yourself for a struggle. Even without gloves. Osprey is proud of their glove friendly zippers, yet the helmet holder is not that friendly. Especially when it's piercing cold. You actually start to swear to it. Yes you do. It ought to be much much more comfortable to use this thing. It's not that complicated, so I don't see a reason it should be that troublesome.

Besides that tiny winy problem, the pack is superb. Its fine for a few days in the field, as well as for a short time excursions. Even when the 42 is not filled to it's full capacity, I was still able to wear my skis and all quite easily. That was a huge problem with my previous touring pack from another respected manufacturer.

And yeah - I love the design ;)