Osprey Momentum 26-Litre Commuter Pack

I'm a big fan of Osprey packs, but this isn't one of their best designs. The pack has a ton of bike specific features, which is nice, but Osprey lost sight of the big picture. A commuter pack needs to get you to work, without making your back sweat through your clothes. Osprey makes packs that are designed to keep your back from getting sweaty, but this isn't one of them. The pack has a huge contact surface with your back, and makes your back sweat like crazy.

Also know that these are very large packs in comparison to models from other manufacturers of similar capacity. Osprey put a ton of cushion in these packs, to protect the laptop and other items. To achieve the proper capacity size, they had to greatly increase the physical size.

But the commuter specific features are well done, and the shoulder straps are very comfortable. Awesome guarantee as well.

Now this is one well-thought-out design. The 26L model has an abundance of useable space without feeling like too much...I can't imagine why anyone would need a 34L model. But anyway, I use this pack every day to haul a full business-casual outfit to/from work, plus a bag lunch, the occasional file folder, iPad and/or laptop (15"), and all my sundries. There is still room for more if you need it, but if you don't this pack holds whatever you throw at it without slop or shifting around on your back. I love all the details...zip-up pack expander, the retractable key-chain holder inside the right shoulder strap, the cell-phone holder on the left (which fits a large-screen smartphone), the small mesh opening at the bottom in case of a spill or unanticipated rain shower, a bomb-proof built-in rain-fly which keeps everything perfectly dry (including riveted drain opening at the bottom in case water should find its way in...which mine hasn't despite several hard rains), dog whistle designed into the sternum strap...and on and on. The straps are comfortable but the slight bulk of the strap-pockets takes some getting used to. It feels a little like wearing a life preserver. This pack lays flat on your back, and will pick up sweat. You will not arrive at your destination with a sweat-free back, so just be aware. The color is a bright but not garish mustard-yellow with reflective accents front & rear, including the rain-fly. Internal pockets store everything, including an integrated U-lock sleeve. The outermost compartment is soft-lined for scratch-susceptible items. Mesh pockets on the side lay flat, but can easily hold a water bottle each if needed. One small beef: the cinch straps at the bottom (which overlay the mesh side pockets) flap freely in the breeze. All other straps have clips on them to prevent this...I've simply tucked the cinch straps into the mesh pockets. The helmet clip has adjustable tension to hold that onto the pack securely, and all the straps (shoulder + belt) fold into the pack for toting around the airport, made easy with the integrated side luggage handle. The zipper pulls are another great detail that makes everything so easy to operate. I mean wow...what a pack. It may be overkill for the casual commuter, but if you ride day in & day out in all weather (because you don't have a 2nd car and don't want one), this is the answer

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Ok. I'm an avid Amazon shopper (who isn't?), and never have I look forward to writing a review for any product ( I usually don't even write one). But I need give this backpack all the credit that it deserves.

A little about myself: I commute via bicycle everyday and I live in a city. I've gone through a few backpacks and have yet to find one that I absolutely loved. Some are too bulky even with minimal items in the bag, some looks tough enough but it would fall apart, and some are just too small for anything.

I did a lot of research, and here were my requirements: Spacious enough but doesn't compromise the size of the bag; strap pockets for keys, phone, waller, etc., a helmet holder, rain cover, and side pockets for when I want to stash water bottle or something easily while riding. If those things are what you're looking for, then just add this backpack to your basket and pay because you will get all of that AND MORE!

One of my favorite features of this backpack is the key zip-string-thing in the key pocket , and if I could give out an award to the best idea ever I would. I misplace my keys all the time and this key string works flawlessly. It's the little things.

My U-Lock fits perfect inside of one of the side pockets. I"ve yet to use the rain cover and I can't wait for that. The headlight reflectors are great for when you get your bike light stolen.

I got the black one because I intend to have this backpack for a very long time, and I feel the bamboo colored one would show too much stains in the long run. That's just me though. I also got the 24 liter one because I have a small frame and I want something that I can walk around the city/go to work with comfortably like a regular backpack. The 34 liter one would work well for a guy, in my opinion, or someone who likes to carry a lot of stuff while commuting.

I plan on using this backpack as my daily backpack regardless if I'm riding or not, so to have a padded computer sleeve for your computer or tablet is pretty sweet.

Last but not least, yes the price may be a little steep, but this backpack is build to last. It's has a lifetime guarantee. I'm a huge Osprey person, and I also own one of their packs for a few years now, which I used to do my bike trip in Europe. I'd rather pay a little more for something that looks and feel great, but above all, something that can keep up with my adventures and life style.

Did I mention this backpack is AWESOME? Get it!!!

I hope this review helps. I apologize for my grammar but you get the idea :)

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This back pack is great. Tons of Bike specific features, tons of space. I use this for school and I find this back pack a little better equipped to bike riding specifically and not so much for school supplies, as in no good spots for pencils and such. However, I find it to be light, sporty and fills my needs satisfactorily. Yes, it does make your back sweat more than not wearing a back pack, but wearing anything on your back will cause this. Pack a shirt to change into if it's that big of an issue. The surface that touches your back they put on this thing is sort of like a plastic washboard, a little uncomfortable but vents a lot. Any ways, I would definitely recommend this over any other pack I've seen for cyclists.

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I commute daily to work, which involves a short ride to my train station. Prior to this pack I was using really fat Swiss Army backpack which was ok, but had no place to attach my helmet so it was just swinging on the side, hitting people in the crowd :) Another issue was that padded netted back of that backpack ruined many of my shirts (by rubbing against fabric). That was primary reason I decided to look for new backpack and I narrowed my choices to Osprey Momentum 26.

Two main criteria I had were:

1. Non Netted back (it's really hard to find one without netting)

2. Some kind of helmet carrying system

Osprey had both, and also has lots of pockets which I love to carry various gadgets, headphones, pens, etc. Plus an amazing lifetime warranty! And a rain cover! You can attach your bike blinker light to the bag too, which is awesome! Makes you much more visible on the road.

I was able to fit my 15" MacBook Pro in the main compartment, but it made room in the next pocket a little too tight for my iPad...

It looks great! I chose "Carbide" which actually looks not as black as in the picture, it's actually dark grey. Very slim and comfortable to wear. Stiff backing doesn't bother me, my back doesn't sweat because I don't ride too far (about 3 miles each way).

Of course there are some down sides to this bag, thus the 4 stars.

Biggest negative for me is helmet mount. It works great, and holds helmet secure but it prevents you from accessing two zipped pockets :( I found it to be extremely annoying, when I need to get my headphones or train ticket. If they made it just a little lower it would be perfect. But if you attach your helmet by lowest of it's holes, you might get one of the pockets somewhat accessible.

Side mesh pockets are roomy, however I wish one of them could be split in two to hold umbrella. They way it is, umbrella get's too loose and might fall out. Or someone might steal it. My friend actually did take it out of this pocket (he was playing a joke on me) and I didn't feel it being removed...

Another small complaint is that while it has 3 compartments, it doesn't have a small one on top where I would keep glasses or ear-buds (most other backpacks have it).

Overall, it's a best commuter backpack I had, and it's a dream come thru for someone who bikes to work. If it wasn't for location of the helmet holder, I'd give it 5 stars. I still highly recommend it!

Update 09/12/2012:

I've been using it for a while and still love it! Just one thing I wanted to add to my review, is while back seems to be stiff, if you have something non flat (i.e. lunchbox) inside you will feel it and it can be very uncomfortable and it will be sticking out into your back. But it's not a big issue, I just move large objects into the smaller pocket, which is very deep.