Osprey Variant 37

Osprey's web site claims "The Variant 37 offers superb carry and a versatile volume for a variety of vertical endeavors." Over the past two years I have found this statement to be 100% accurate. I have used the Variant as a crag pack, summit pack, and even a three day overnight stuff-it-beyond-its-37-litter-capacity backpack and it's done it all without complaint. It has attachment points for skis, ice tools, racks of pro and more.


The materials are solid and I've had no rips tears or blow outs and I am not easy on my gear. The hip belt is wide, comfortable and supportive. And there are enough cinching down and opening up options on this pack to turn it into whatever type of pack you need it to be.


My complaints... All those adjustments leave lots of red nylon webbing waving in the breeze like prayer flags over a Tibetan monastery. The shoulder straps, hip belt, and back panel are made to not soak up water or hold snow (a good thing!), so they don't breath very well (a bad thing). There is no hip belt pocket. And lastly there are no water bottle pockets on this pack.

Now these gripes are minor and some of them are even reasons to love this pack. I'd hate to discourage you from getting a Variant because it was doing what it was made to do because, honestly, I love this backpack. The picture of me on Mt. Moran shows just how much stuff you can cram into it, even though it's really designed as a climbing pack. 30lbs.? No problemo!


10 out of 10 for being able to do so many things so well. 8 out of 10 for how well it does each of those individual things.