- Product: Osprey Skimmer 28
- Where to buy it: Amazon for the least expensive at the time of writing this article.
- My rating: 9/10
- Quick summary: In this post, I review the Osprey Skimmer 28, a versatile, tasteful and compact backpack exclusively intended for women. It comes with numerous features making it full of surprises
Having hiked for a long time I have owned a few backpacks over the years. From the entry-level Quechua by Decathlon Natural Hiking rucksack to the Mountain Warehouse Bolt day pack, they are both great for beginners. But when things get harder, they no longer make the cut.
Looking for an upgrade with quality and durability being the main criteria, the 47 years old Californian brand Osprey is the first that comes to mind. Their backpacks are practical and stylish and can use on a hike just as daily commutes. I got to try the Osprey Skimmer 28 on a 42km hike marathon and I thought I would give it a review.
The Osprey Skimmer 28 Review
This backpack does not lack attributes we would not even imagine when we first look at it. From comfort to organisation passing by the accessories, in this article, I am going through all its specifications one by one.
Comfort
Airscape Back Panel
All the Osprey backpacks including the Skimmer 28 comes with an Airspace back panel with bump-foam ventilation. It allows the air to flow so that you do not get a sweat-soaked T-shirt when hiking during summer anymore. It additionally permits a better allocation of the weight by keeping the backpack close to your body. Pair it up with the padded hip belt for even better load distribution and more comfort while hiking.
Additionally, there are two minuscule openings at the lower part of the board. In case of a leak from the hydration bladder, this allows the water to drain quickly without damaging your belonging inside. Very ingenious and life-saving (if you ever had a hydration bladder leakage you know what I am talking about)!
Straps
The Skimmer 28 has five flexible straps so that the bag can best be adjusted to your body shape. It will guarantee the greatest comfort.
The shoulder straps are nearer together to fit the smaller female shoulders. The straps are cushioned and covered with mesh to allow air to circulate. Once you get your backpack, adjust the shoulder straps until the backboard fit perfectly against your back to get the best support.
The second set of straps you need to adjust are the padded hip belt ones. They are canvassed in mesh to prevent sweat from building up underneath. It is easy to adjust by pulling the straps so that it sits perfectly above your hips. This way it will keep the weight away from your shoulders.
Finally, the sternum strap is here to ease the pressure off your shoulders and keep the backpack in place whilst walking. It comes with a magnet to hold the hydration bladder hose in place so it does not ricochet in front of you as you are walking. The magnet feature only works if you chose to go for an Osprey hydration bladder. With any other water reservoir models, you would need to find a way to squeeze the hose under the shoulder strap to stay in place during the walk. I own a WADEO hydration bladder and it works perfectly fine when I stuck the hose under the strap so there is no need to worry about getting an Osprey one.
>>> Get your Osprey Skimmer 28 here
Organization
If there is one thing this backpack is not lacking is storage features. As it is a relatively small model, having seven pockets becomes an incredibly valuable asset.
Bucket Zip Access
The main compartment of this backpack is accessible thanks to a wide mouth bucket zip style. When you unzip it, you can flip open the top and the whole inside of the bag is exposed. This will allow you to access any item in the backpack effortlessly. You can simply pack it and unpack it which makes the whole process much less difficult. However, the main compartment does not appear to be huge even for a 28l. This is where having pockets turn out to be really helpful.
Inside Mesh pocket
The lid comes with an internal mesh pocket which is really useful for electronic goods and valuables items. It also has a clip for your keys so you do not lose them in your bag. The time of you kneeling on your doorsteps under the rain, tired, unpacking your backpack with one hand and holding your phone as a torch with the other one looking for your keys is at long last over!
Front Shove-it pocket
This exceptionally helpful element allows you to store items you need to access effectively without having to get into the main compartment. It is ideal for a waterproof jacket or a hoody as we know that with the British weather we spend our time putting layers on and off through the day. You can pull the straps on the side of the pocket to ensure the item are secured and won’t fall when walking.
External side pockets
The Osprey Skimmer 28 comes with two zipped side pockets and not stretched mesh one as on the previous model. This is by far my least favourite feature. While they are sufficiently large to fit 50ml bottles, they are not easily accessible. With a mesh pocket, you can just extend your arm and grab whatever is in it that you need: a cereal bar, a bottle of water or for my part I used to put my power bank in there. This is no longer the case. With the zipped side pockets, you can do the same however, you cannot zip it back without having to take off the bag as the zip is really stiff. This can be inconvenient at times.
Scratch-free Zipped Pocket
This is another convenient feature the Osprey Skimmer 20 has to bring to the table. This pocket is located at the top of the bag and is perfect for putting away and protecting items such as sunglasses or mobile phone. I also use it to store my sunscreen as it is easy to access.
Hip belt pockets
Finally, the last pockets are situated on the hip belt. They are ideal for small items you need to get to rapidly such as lip balm, mints or cereal bars. Unfortunately, there are too small for a mobile phone (unless you have a very small one). They can be useful as well for train tickets so that you don’t have to take off your backpack when you get to the barriers. The fact they close with a zip ensures the items are safe for the duration of the walk.
>>> Get your Osprey Skimmer 28 here
Accessories
The Osprey Skimmer 28 backpack review is full of surprises. Who would have guessed that you could carry so much in such a small backpack?
Poles & ice axe loops
The bag has four compression straps: one upper and one lower on each side. The upper strap can be utilised to tighten the backpack as well as secure the walking poles and the ice axe. At the front, you will find two small loops to attach the poles and one big loop for the ice axe. I am not too sure if the ice axe feature is truly vital on such a small daypack. It feels like it is adding more loops than it needs to be and can look a bit confusing.
Integrated and detachable rain cover
I remember hiking during storm Sebastian using a bin bag to keep my backpack and belongings dry. However, I did not think at the time that with such a wind it would act as a kite canopy and I would have to hold on to my friend for not flying away. I eventually had to give up and tear the bin bag apart to be able to proceed with the walk. This being said, you don’t need to go hiking during a storm. Yet as we are blessed with British weather, having a rain cover for your backpack is an absolute necessity.
If you buy an Osprey rain cover separately it costs around £16, however it is included when you purchase the Osprey Skimmer 28 which is definitely a plus and will save you money. The only downside is its loathsome greenish-yellow colour. It would have been so ideal to have it in a matching colour.
External hydration sleeve
As explained in the Hydration System review, having an external sleeve for the reservoir is the best option as you do not need to empty your bag to be able to refill the bladder. Furthermore, having the water bladder at the rear of the bag helps keep the water cool. This implies you can enjoy sipping on cold water when walking in the heat. The sleeve can accommodate a 2.5L bladder either from Osprey or any other brand.
Conclusion
As we come to the end of the review, it is no surprise that the Osprey Skimmer 28 is a backpack of quality and durability. Its compact size is perfect for a day hike. Its back panel and shoulder straps adapt perfectly to ladies’ body shape. This feature permits a superior repartition of the load for maximum comfort. As much as the main compartment can feel a bit small, there are enough pockets to be able to carry everything you need. The only drawback for my part is the zipped side pockets which cannot be closed on the go. Yet, that is just my personal taste and a lot of people might find it much safer to have zipped side pockets.
In conclusion, it is a perfect female backpack for day and long-distance hikes.
>>> Get your Osprey Skimmer 28 here
If you enjoyed this Osprey Skimmer 28 review and you have now found the perfect companion for your walks, why not try it on these different hikes
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Circular walks in Essex: 3 loops in Epping Green
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