Reviews

Osprey Hikelite 28 Backpack | Review

A lightweight pack that’s well ventilated and that has loads of smart touches to make your hikes a little more comfortable

The Hikelite model has been a mainstay within the Osprey range for a number of years and it’s now been updated with an improved fit and aesthetic and new colours too. There are 4 different sizes in the Hikelite range – including 18, 26, 28 and 32L options. I’ve been using the 28-litre version over the past couple of months, most notably on some excursions around Glencoe and Glen Nevis in the Scottish Highlands. Here’s how I got on with it.

What the Osprey Hikelite 28L is Best Suited To

For me, this is the perfect size for big mountain day hikes. It easily caters for your warm and waterproof layers lunch and thermos with room for any extras too. With the amount of ventilation it offers, I’d say it’s more suited to warmer weather than cold.

Will Renwick using the Osprey Hikelite 28 in the Highlands. Photos: Dave Macfarlane

Fit

The 26L version and the 18 litre version are one size fits all packs while this 28 litre version and the 32 both come in two different back lengths. I’m 5 foot 10, I have a fairly average sized torso, and for me, it fits nicely with no pressure points and a comfortable feel – thanks, in particular, to the slightly stretchy material used right around the harness.

Features and Performance

The harness system, as you’d expect from Osprey, is very comfortable and the pack seems to manage heavy loads well – mainly thanks to the lightweight internal frame. I think Osprey have struck a really good balance here as they’ve allowed for plenty of ventilation while also ensuring the weight of the pack is kept close to your body, creating a stable centre of gravity. The hipbelt fins and shoulder straps have a nice bit of padding, helping to manage heavy loads well. It has a sliding sternum strap, which I always appreciate on a pack as it allows you to make minor adjustments on the go.

A lot of packs with suspended back systems can be a bit bulky and hard to fit inside a duffel bag or case when you’re travelling but this actually packs down nice and flat, so it’s a realistic option for taking with you for forays from your hotel or basecamp.

I’m 5 foot 10, I have a fairly average sized torso, and for me, it fits nicely with no pressure points and a comfortable feel, thanks, in particular, to the slightly stretchy material used right around the harness.

I like the material that Osprey have used here. It’s light but, from my experience having used a number of packs that feature it, it’s very durable and abrasion resistant and it also sheds moisture really well. I’ve also found it has a good resistance to dirt too. If the pack gets muddy, that mud usually dries and falls off without leaving any residue.

It comes with a built-in rain cover (which is stashed at the base). Not all Osprey packs come with these and they usually cost about £30 when purchased separately, so that’s a handy addition.

Loads of pockets here. First of all, there’s a large stash pocket on the front. This isn’t big enough for a helmet but it’s perfect for a down jacket or your waterproofs. There are also two very large stretch pockets on the sides. These will easily hold a 1-litre flask or a big Nalgene. I’ve found them to be handy for trekking poles, particularly as the base is reinforced. Unusually for Osprey, there’s no attachment point on the harness for poles, so you’ll either want to store them in these stretch pockets or across the front of the pack using the loops and straps.

At the top of the pack there’s a zipped pocket that’s not quite big enough for an OS map but it’s perfect for your gloves and hat or for a pair of googles. Inside the main compartment there’s a deep hydration bladder and there’s an outlet at the top of the pack for its hose. You’ve then got a zipped pocket on the left hand hipbelt that’s the perfect size for a bag of Haribo while on the right hipbelt, there’s an open stretch pocket that I’ve found to be ideal for stashing my phone, buff or another bag of sweets that I can pick at on the go.

Verdict

This is a well made pack with lots of nice details. It’s the kind of thing that would serve a lot of uses, from tough day hikes and fast hiking adventures, through to travel and just day-to-day use.

And credit to Osprey for their sustainability efforts. 100% recycled materials are used for the main fabrics and you can also count on them being PFAS-free and bluesign approved – that means they’re certified for sustainable processes and minimal impact on people. You’re also covered with Osprey’s All Mighty Guarantee with this too, so if something goes wrong (which should be unlikely, from what I’ve seen), then you can make use of Osprey’s extensive repair service.