FEATURES
Lots here: plentiful pockets including two on the hipbelt and one on the shoulder strap. Stretchy side pockets are high and secure with gaps in the side for accessibility on the move. The lid ‘floats’ to accommodate overpacking, while side compression straps tighten the load. There are ice axe and walking pole attachments, and Osprey’s Stow-On-The-Go system gets the latter quickly out of the way. 5/5
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FIT
The men’s version of the Osprey Tempest 40 comes in two sizes with the women’s in just one size but both have an adjustable back system, secured with heavy-duty Velcro, to avoid adding undue weight. The hipbelt is lightly padded, flexible and sat well on a variety of hip sizes, while the shoulder straps are nicely contoured, fitting snugly without chafing. Top tensioning and other adjustment straps are easy to tweak on the move, too. 5/5
COMFORT
Hipbelt and shoulder strap cutaways allow heat to escape, decrease sweatiness and
save weight. The AirScape raised mesh back panel helps this too, keeping the main weight of the pack off your back, but with enough stiffness to allow for some clumsy packing. You also get excellent stability. 5/5
IN USE
The Osprey Tempest 40 is brilliant as a daypack for summer and winter walks, and will just about take enough kit for a lightweight overnight trip. The stretchy front pocket and roomy lid pockets will hold waterproofs. A hydration pack can slot into a gap between the back panel and the body of the bag, so you can refill without unpacking. Some packs are sleeker, with a neater silhouette, but that’s a minor issue for most walkers. 4/5
VALUE
The features and excellent weight come at the lowest price in this test, meaning value for money is exceptional. 5/5
VERDICT
The Osprey Tempest 40 is a well-featured, lightweight pack, with enough space and features for year-round hillwalking. Remarkably, it won both Trail’s ‘Best Value’ and ‘Best in Test’ accolades. 4.8/5