Osprey Packs, Inc., a leader in creating top-quality, high-performance, innovative packs to comfortably and efficiently carry gear, keeps the needs of alpinists top of mind for Fall/Winter 2014 with upgrades to its popular Variant and Mutant Series.

“Utilizing feedback from everyday users, athletes and professionals, we have made significant changes to our two climbing pack series,” said Erik Hamerschlag, product line manager, Osprey Packs. “The Variant Series gets updated with a streamlined feature set that is lighter weight without sacrificing durability. The Mutant Series has been completely redesigned for four-season use on rock, ice or snow.”

Variant Series

The Variant Series has long been a staple in the Osprey line, with targeted design features inspired by feedback from mountain guides, professional alpinists and weekend craggers. Perfect fit remains a priority, and the new Variant Series offers multiple torso sizes and interchangeable hipbelts.

Thoughtful upgrades for 2014 include the addition of Osprey’s innovative FlapJacket closure system for weather-protected lidless use, simplified shove-it pocket and use of durable yet lightweight fabric. The redesigned dual ice-tool holster includes bungee tool tie-offs and lower side release buckles to ensure secure storage and one-handed quick access and removal. Finally, the expedition suspension and thermoformed, contoured backpanel ensures a high level of comfort and load transfer with minimal snow and ice buildup on the user’s back.

For the alpine minimalist, the Variant can be stripped down, thanks to the removable top lid with integrated FlapJacket, removable frame and framesheet and removable hipbelt, shaving off an extra 1 pound, 6 ounces.

Mutant Series

Designed for fast and light alpine climbing, ice climbing and ski mountaineering, the Mutant Series is perfect for the vertical enthusiast looking for a streamlined, lighter weight pack. This season, the series has been redesigned for four-season use on rock, ice or snow, making the Mutant ready for year round vertical adventures in any climate.

Key features include the reinforced HDPE framesheet with aluminum stay to handle heavy loads combined with a reverse spacer mesh backpanel for breathable comfort. The new and innovative Dual Toollock Attachment System, threads into the axe head and includes bungee tie-offs to secure the shaft, providing secure and lightweight ice tool attachment and access. Finally, the unique Reverse Wrap Hipbelt, allows the user to wrap the padded hipbelt out of the way of a climbing harness while leaving a low profile webbing belt for stability.

Like the Variant, the Mutant series is built to be stripped down for ultralight action with removable compression straps, removable helmet and rope carry options as well as removable framesheet and aluminum stays. Additionally, the Mutant 38 features a removable top lid with integrated FlapJacket. The FlapJacket lid deploys to provide main compartment protection from the elements and top-down compression to keep the pack load stable.

Logo courtesy Osprey Packs