I’ve been thinking about this pack since it was released, at this rate I will buy it’s successor. 😂. I agree. If it works for you, ie, the sizing is right, the fit is right, the loading is appropriate, and you DON’T want a frameless belt less pack, it’s the perfect pack. But that is a pretty long long list of exclusions. I fit the profile, but not everyone does. Another thing to consider is the awkward tight space at the bottom, both sides. I love ❤️ the osprey suspension and this tight space seems to be the trade off. So just take 5L off the capacity of the pack if you must. In my opinion the lost volume is well worth the blissful ride.
I used this (also the 60l version) on the Kungslegen 2019 with 10kg of load (incl. food, water & fuel) and it was great! Did not hat any back pain or shoulder pain. Awesome pack!
I'm assuming that those 10kg was without the pack itself, is that correct? I'm trying to figure out what the limit of this pack is for a comfortable carry, and how long of a trip I could do with my current gear (and this pack).
Great review! I got this last year which brought my base weight down to 3,7 kg and total weight with clothes and equipment (2 fishing rods++) to about 7 kg (except food). For a weekend hike im at about 9-10 kgs with the food. I'm considering buying a packraft, have you tried fitting it in there? Not sure if there's enough capacity or that the frame will hold. Cheers from Norway
Nice and fair review. Still, if you have access to North American cottage manufacturers, I say go with them, e.g. ULA, Gossamer, WayMark, Hyperlite, etc. Their packs are much more refined for lightweight, long distance backpacking. Take the side water pockets alone, Osprey has never done them well. Also, however “breathable” that back suspension is, I’ll still be a sweaty mess just the same. I’d rather have the weight sitting closer to my back. Happy trails! PS, cool shades 😎
Yes and no.. love the mentioned packs. All great in their own ways. Hmg of course being the pack for robust, heavy weights if needed. But the osprey is kind of a different pack to those really. It does breathe better than the other packs, and less sweaty. However of the packs mentioned I would say the osprey is the pack I would use for my minimal weight carries along with way mark. I see the osprey as a closer competition to something like the arc-blast. Light loads, minimal back sweat but perhaps not the most durable
@@Backpackinglightse The elephant in the room of course is personal preference. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great that bigger companies like Osprey are leaning even further into the lighter weight backpacking gear category. It democratizes access to gear and spurs innovation. It'll be interesting for you to do a follow-up review on durability and if/how your mind changes about the pack. Happy trails!
Looks like it has borrowed a lot from Zpacks arc haul. I have both, but think the levity is let down by the hip belt. The zpack is better for the heavier loads, needed for extended trips. It also has a great hip belt. I would choose the levity for less challenging trips as a traditional pack cross over.
Hi Ken, thanks for a great review! I am thinking of switching out my Exos for something lighter and have looked at the Levity. Do you know the weight of the Levity without the brain? Also, do you have any experience with the Z-pack arc backpacks? In that case how do they compare to the Levity when it comes to carry weights around 10kg?
Hi, I've used the arc-blast a couple of seasons.. lots of hikes. To be honest, I'm not a huge fan. I like how light they are, but not much else. They are quite flemsy, so with 10kg, unless everything is very well packed, the frame will push out and lose it's "arc". In this sense the Osprey is better, as it doesn't lose it's form. I certainly appreciate the innovation and lightness of the Arc-blast, but just doesn't work for me. Both packs have very light materials, IMO 2,92 dyneema is too flemsy for backpacks - it falls apart a little too easy. Perhaps other people have other experience, but that is my experience. Dyneema for a backpack really only works longterm with 5 oz wozen or greater like the HMG packs. The Osprey has a thick material on the pockets while the actual pack material is very flemsy, though not exposed. Both packs hold up about the same, but I would give the advantage to the Osprey. The Osprey has no hipbelt pockets.. so there is that.. But great pockets can be purchased seperately.
What's a bit weird is that you can find "experts" online reviewers who say it's good for up to 18 kg without any issues. When I look at the build and structure of the pack I totally don't see that. I'd load max. 12 kg just from what I see.
yes, I think 18kg is on the upper limit and not something I would recommend for more than a day or so.. but that's just me. It's not going to fall apart on a shorter trip, but it starts to get really wobbly and unstable with higher weights
I’ve been thinking about this pack since it was released, at this rate I will buy it’s successor. 😂. I agree. If it works for you, ie, the sizing is right, the fit is right, the loading is appropriate, and you DON’T want a frameless belt less pack, it’s the perfect pack. But that is a pretty long long list of exclusions. I fit the profile, but not everyone does. Another thing to consider is the awkward tight space at the bottom, both sides. I love ❤️ the osprey suspension and this tight space seems to be the trade off. So just take 5L off the capacity of the pack if you must. In my opinion the lost volume is well worth the blissful ride.
I used this (also the 60l version) on the Kungslegen 2019 with 10kg of load (incl. food, water & fuel) and it was great!
Did not hat any back pain or shoulder pain.
Awesome pack!
I'm assuming that those 10kg was without the pack itself, is that correct? I'm trying to figure out what the limit of this pack is for a comfortable carry, and how long of a trip I could do with my current gear (and this pack).
@@Cervateus 10kg was all in (with pack, food, gear and one later of water)
Great review! I got this last year which brought my base weight down to 3,7 kg and total weight with clothes and equipment (2 fishing rods++) to about 7 kg (except food). For a weekend hike im at about 9-10 kgs with the food. I'm considering buying a packraft, have you tried fitting it in there? Not sure if there's enough capacity or that the frame will hold. Cheers from Norway
Nice and fair review. Still, if you have access to North American cottage manufacturers, I say go with them, e.g. ULA, Gossamer, WayMark, Hyperlite, etc. Their packs are much more refined for lightweight, long distance backpacking. Take the side water pockets alone, Osprey has never done them well. Also, however “breathable” that back suspension is, I’ll still be a sweaty mess just the same. I’d rather have the weight sitting closer to my back. Happy trails!
PS, cool shades 😎
Yes and no.. love the mentioned packs. All great in their own ways. Hmg of course being the pack for robust, heavy weights if needed. But the osprey is kind of a different pack to those really. It does breathe better than the other packs, and less sweaty. However of the packs mentioned I would say the osprey is the pack I would use for my minimal weight carries along with way mark. I see the osprey as a closer competition to something like the arc-blast.
Light loads, minimal back sweat but perhaps not the most durable
@@Backpackinglightse The elephant in the room of course is personal preference. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great that bigger companies like Osprey are leaning even further into the lighter weight backpacking gear category. It democratizes access to gear and spurs innovation. It'll be interesting for you to do a follow-up review on durability and if/how your mind changes about the pack. Happy trails!
Looks like it has borrowed a lot from Zpacks arc haul. I have both, but think the levity is let down by the hip belt. The zpack is better for the heavier loads, needed for extended trips. It also has a great hip belt. I would choose the levity for less challenging trips as a traditional pack cross over.
It's the other way around. ZPacks was inspired by Osprey with the trampoline mesh back.
Hi Ken, thanks for a great review!
I am thinking of switching out my Exos for something lighter and have looked at the Levity. Do you know the weight of the Levity without the brain?
Also, do you have any experience with the Z-pack arc backpacks? In that case how do they compare to the Levity when it comes to carry weights around 10kg?
Hi, I've used the arc-blast a couple of seasons.. lots of hikes. To be honest, I'm not a huge fan. I like how light they are, but not much else. They are quite flemsy, so with 10kg, unless everything is very well packed, the frame will push out and lose it's "arc". In this sense the Osprey is better, as it doesn't lose it's form. I certainly appreciate the innovation and lightness of the Arc-blast, but just doesn't work for me.
Both packs have very light materials, IMO 2,92 dyneema is too flemsy for backpacks - it falls apart a little too easy. Perhaps other people have other experience, but that is my experience. Dyneema for a backpack really only works longterm with 5 oz wozen or greater like the HMG packs. The Osprey has a thick material on the pockets while the actual pack material is very flemsy, though not exposed. Both packs hold up about the same, but I would give the advantage to the Osprey.
The Osprey has no hipbelt pockets.. so there is that.. But great pockets can be purchased seperately.
Nice review thanks mate 👍🏻
@Asa Dillon thanks
What's a bit weird is that you can find "experts" online reviewers who say it's good for up to 18 kg without any issues. When I look at the build and structure of the pack I totally don't see that. I'd load max. 12 kg just from what I see.
yes, I think 18kg is on the upper limit and not something I would recommend for more than a day or so.. but that's just me. It's not going to fall apart on a shorter trip, but it starts to get really wobbly and unstable with higher weights
You need to adjust the backpack to your back... the gap on your lifters is HUGE.
Its how i like it ;)
@@Backpackinglightse yep, but you are giving advices to others...
@El Diabolico eh… ok. Thank you for your input
@@Backpackinglightse eh... ok. You’re welcome