Staff gear review by Christian Spencer
These days, climbing packs come in all shapes, sizes and materials. There are a lot of options out there and making the decision to get a climbing pack can be daunting. This gear review will focus on the Osprey Mutant 52 and how it might be the right fit for you. Osprey is famous for its comfortable back panel, hip belt, and shoulder straps. As a climber, I don’t look for cushy straps and a nice back panel. However, Osprey knew what they were doing and made a very minimal pack.
The Mutant 52 sports a removable frame and hip belt making it a solid choice for some serious alpine climbing. The hip belt also has an option to attach climbing equipment. It also includes a removable lid, rope carry, internal hydration sleeve, wand pockets, reinforced A-frame carry straps, and a 3 point haul system just to name a few more helpful features. While all of these features might make it sound like a complicated bag, it is quite simple and very useful for all types of endeavors in the mountains. This pack also excels on long ski tours, quick winter overnighters, and can provide extra storage that the smaller sizes can not.
On a final note, the foam used in the hip belt, shoulder straps, and back panel is quite dense- making it comfortable enough for carrying heavy loads. This pack is very versatile and utilitarian which makes it a great pack for various mountain endeavors. If you are looking for a 50 liter mountaineering pack, the Osprey Mutant 52 is a rock-solid choice!