Osprey Volt 75 Backpack

Field Notes

In the backcountry, this Osprey workhorse was a top performer. On the march, Osprey’s attention to design details was obvious when travelling for multiple days with a full pack (including heavy camera gear) across technical desert terrain. Only after returning home did testers discover Volt’s reasonable pricing.

Pros

In addition to positive sticker shock, Volt impressed testers with specific features and superior functionality. While the hip belt isn’t as generous as some Osprey backpacks, the firm yet form-fitting hip belt performed with the pack fully loaded. The rest of the harness – from shoulder straps to sternum straps – matched Osprey’s customizable back panels so that both a 5’10” tester and a 6’5” tester used the same model with a few quick adjustments. 

Cons

Overall, the Volt was notably durable. However, the stretchy panels on the back and sides of the pack began to show wear with small holes approximately an inch long. Not a game changer as Osprey offers one of the industry’s best warranties.

Favorite Feature

The brain is simple: a decent-sized compartment with a larger pocket on top, a smaller one underneath to get the nod from our discerning testers. Less was more here.

Tester Comment

“Given the price, this backpack is a thing of beauty. Osprey’s comfort and dedication to quality came through from the jump. There wasn’t a thing that I’d change about this pack after a three-day testing trip in Canyonlands.”

Bottom Line

The Volt is a pack for beginners and experienced backpackers alike thanks to its intuitive design, simple features and comfortable harness