The Osprey Escapist 30 is designed for multi-day trips by bike. It has 30-litre capacity, including a sleeping bag compartment, and is made from Bluesign-approved recycled nylon.
Tipping the scales at 1,199g (M/L), it costs £150 / $180 / €165 and is available in S/M and M/L sizes.
The backpack has been designed for heavy loads, offering plenty of adjustment, compression straps and internal stabilisation aimed at keeping heavy gear secure.
The ridged foam back piece, covered in mesh, features a dropped-lumbar design, which Osprey claims keeps the load centred on the sit bones, while a split upper piece has been designed to enable a natural position on the bike.
This upper panel can be adjusted and is intended to offer a ‘bike to hike' fit. There’s space between foam and mesh, which is said to provide increased ventilation.
The main compartment includes a horizontal divider and sleeve pocket for stable, organised storage, with a J-zip (a zip that opens three-quarters of the way round the bag rather than fully from side to side) for access.
The lower compartment is accessible from the bottom of the bag, in order to provide easy access to items, and there's a front compartment with three mesh pockets and a key clip.
The front has a stretch pocket designed for stuffing in gear that might be needed quickly and side mesh pockets are intended for essential gear.
The bladder compartment is external to the main section and can accommodate a 3-litre bladder, although this is not included in the price. It can be bought for an additional £56 / $55 / €62 from Osprey.
The chest strap can be adjusted horizontally as well as vertically, and features an emergency whistle on the buckle. The shoulder straps and hip belt are made from a soft breathable mesh fabric that is claimed to offer support and comfort.
Additional features include a LidLock helmet carry, bike light attachment and hi-vis rain cover.
Osprey Escapist 30 performance
The Osprey Escapist 30 performed well throughout testing, proving to be a good option for cycling, hiking and day-to-day life. The pack's versatility is a standout feature.
The 30-litre capacity enables you to fit in everything you need for an overnight trip and the internal organisational pockets make it easy to pack and keep items separated.
Mesh pockets keep small items such as tools from moving in transit and a flexible sleeve in the main compartment helps keep things tidy.
One thing I would like to see is an internal zipped pocket for valuables.
It's great that you're able to access the lower section of the backpack from the bottom and the front compartment opens well to provide access to tools.
I didn’t care for the partial-opening J-zip on the large compartment; I don’t see the benefit and it frustrated me not being able to open it fully.
The external bladder sleeve is also useful, simplifying access and refilling, while keeping the bladder separate from other items.
The Osprey Escapist provides ample airflow, courtesy of its Airscape back panel, with ridged foam and mesh construction, ensuring sweaty backs dry swiftly.
The backpack's ergonomic design ensures a comfortable fit, with the hip belt providing sturdy support even under heavy loads, and the padded straps resting comfortably on your shoulders.
Compression straps at the top and bottom effectively cinch down items for added stability.
While the hip-belt adjustability and adjustable height meet expectations, I found the shoulder and chest-strap adjustments somewhat lacking.
Downsizing to an S/M might mitigate this, although based on Osprey's recommendation, I should fit an M/L.
This could be down to my body shape of having a long back but narrow shoulders, so this may not be an issue for broader riders.
Enhancing shoulder and chest strap adjustability could address the slight movement experienced on rough trails, where stability fell short compared to other models tested.
Though not a major inconvenience, it was noticeable during extended rough sections.
The backpack's stretchy mesh pockets on the front and sides prove invaluable for storing clothing, food and protective gear, while the hi-vis rain cover and reflective details enhance visibility in low-light conditions.
While the LidLock helmet-carry function is effective with certain helmet designs, compatibility issues may arise with helmets featuring internal cradles or lacking top air vents. The Met Roam helmet, for example, necessitated creative strap usage for secure attachment.
Hydration packs | How we tested
It's important on long rides that a backpack is comfortable and practical, no matter what terrain you're tackling.
We reviewed a selection of hydration backpacks with a larger capacity (20-35 litres) for big days on the mountain or long trail days when you need to take a bit more gear with you.
To test these hydration backpacks, we took them on all-day rides in a variety of locations, including the Tweed Valley in Scotland, England's Lake District and trails in South Wales, both fully packed and half-empty, to see how they fare with different loads.
Where possible, we packed the same equipment into each bag to give a true comparison.
Hydration packs on test
- Alpkit Presta 25 litre
- CamelBak H.A.W.G. Pro 20 Hydration Pack with 3L Reservoir
- Evoc FR Trail Blackline 20
- Osprey Escapist 30
- Scott Trail Lite Evo Fr' 22 Pack
- Vaude Bike Alpin 30 + 5
Osprey Escapist 30 bottom line
The Osprey Escapist 30 is a solid choice for big days on the bike and offers excellent versatility, so it's ideal as a do-it-all cycling backpack.
Thoughtful pocket design and compartments make organisation a breeze, although an additional zipped valuables pocket would be welcome.
While airflow and comfort are good overall, stability on rough terrain could be improved.
Despite minor drawbacks, the Escapist's functional design and thoughtful features make it a reliable choice for multi-day bike adventures.
Product
| Brand | osprey |
| Price | 165.00 EUR,150.00 GBP,180.00 USD |
| Weight | 1199.0000, GRAM (3ol) - M/L |
Features
| br_bagCapacity | 30.0000 |
| br_bagCapacity | LITER |
| br_bladderCapacity | 3.0000 |
| br_bladderCapacity | LITER |
| Features | Bladder: Bladder not included |
