Osprey Tempest 20 Review: An Honest Women’s Daypack Overview [2023]
If you’re on the hunt for a great hiking daypack that has everything you could need for a day on the trail, check out this Osprey pack.
Whether you’re heading out for a quick walk on a city trail or a full-day 8-mile hike, this is your bag!
In this Osprey Tempest 20 review, I’ll go over everything you can expect if you’re looking to buy this bag and why I absolutely love it.
But, we’ll also go over the cons and what I think could use some improvement, because we’re all about honesty over here!
So let’s go ahead and jump right into the review.
Osprey Tempest 20 Review Summary
Before we get into the specifics of everything to expect with this Osprey daypack, I wanted to give you a quick summary of the review.
The Osprey Tempest 20 is a versatile, comfortable, and durable pack I’ve used on all of my day hikes.
At 20 liters of capacity, you can store everything that you need for both short hikes and longer ones.
I’ve gone on hikes as long as 12 miles with this pack!
I love that it has so many adjustment points to ensure that it fits properly and comfortably, no matter how you like your bag to sit on your back.
The shoulder harness, sternum strap, and hip belt pockets are all adjustable to fit it to yourself, and you can choose between the two sizes to fit your torso.
It’s lightweight, has a supportive internal frame, offers multiple external attachment options, and can hold up to 3 liters of water in an external bladder sleeve.
The one thing that I don’t love about it is that it is a bit spendy for a smaller bag, but with the price, you get a high-quality, reputable name-brand bag.
One other problem that I’ve seen for some people is that it can fit a bit snug on larger body types or taller women.
Overall, the Osprey Tempest 20 is a great hiking pack for women and has all of the features you could want in a day pack.
✔️ Click here to check pricing on the Osprey Tempest 20!
Pros and Cons of the Osprey Tempest 20
Pros
Cons
Osprey Tempest 20 Key Specs
An important part of purchasing a new hiking backpack is making sure that each of the specifications fits what you need.
Here are the main specs for the Tempest 20.
Top Features at a Glance
Besides just the main technical specifications of this daypack, there are quite a few fun features that make it so great as well!
Here’s a quick glance at some of those features.
✔️ Shop the Osprey Tempest 20 on Amazon by clicking here!
✔️ Shop the Osprey Tempest 20 on Osprey by clicking here!
Osprey Tempest 20 Daypack Features
Now that we’ve done a pretty good overview of this women’s daypack, let’s dive a little deeper into each of the features.
From the comfort of the bag to how it can be adjusted, I’ll give you a full, honest run down on it all.
Comfort
One of the top things that you should look for in a hiking backpack is a comfortable fit, as you’ll be wearing it for a while.
I’ve found that the Osprey Tempest 20 is very comfortable.
The back panel is made with Osprey’s AirScape technology which is essentially a piece of foam with spaces in it and covered in mesh.
This system creates a space between your back and the fabric to increase ventilation, and prevent you from getting a sweaty back.
This works pretty well for me in most conditions, but in super hot climates, I still find myself getting a bit sweaty.
It also has a nice padded hip belt and shoulder straps that are comfortable and help support your load.
On top of these features, you can also make the bag more comfortable by using the sternum strap and load lifter straps to fit it nicely to yourself.
I’ve found that even when packing this thing full, it seems to sit comfortably on my back and doesn’t cause any pain.
Which was a huge problem with my previous backpack, so that’s a major bonus in my book!
Frame
I personally love a framed backpack because I find that they provide more support and don’t cause as much pain in my back.
The Osprey Tempest 20 has an internal frame made of Polyethylene that flexes with your body to stay comfortable when you’re moving.
Not only does the frame provide more support, but it also provides stability and keeps the bag straight on your back.
It also works with the AirScape back panel to prevent your back from getting sweaty and allow airflow.
I haven’t personally had any issues with it, but I’ve heard from some people that the frame and sizing can become a problem for taller people.
Adjustment and Sizing
This daypack is sold in two different sizes, women’s XS/S and M/L, and these are measured by torso length.
The XS/S fits women with a torso length of 13.5 to 17 inches, and the M/L fits a torso length of 16 to 19.5 inches.
(Read more on how to measure your torso and choose the right size below!)
So when you’re looking at making a purchase, be sure that you choose the size that will fit you best.
But then, you can also make plenty of adjustments to fit it properly to your body and make sure that it’s comfortable for you.
You can adjust the shoulder harness, which is what allows you to change the torso length of the bag.
This is simply done by unhooking the sturdy panel from the velcro back and moving it either up or down until it fits better.
You can also change how high the bag sits on your bag with the load lifter straps, as well as the shoulder straps, as you’ll find on any backpack.
Lastly, adjust the hip belt to fit snugly around your hips.
✔️ Shop the Osprey Tempest 20 here!
Pockets
The Tempest features 7 pockets, including the main compartment, that allow you to organize all of your gear.
The main compartment is fairly large and is perfect for storing items such as jackets, any of your hiking meals, or any extra clothing.
Behind the main pocket, there is an external sleeve to store your water bladder in.
Inside the main compartment, there is a smaller zip pocket where I store my first-aid kit, headlamp, and my rain cover.
On the top of the bag is a great pocket for storing snacks that you want easily accessible.
Then you’ll have one pocket on each side for water bottles, sitting pads, or any other gear.
On the outside of the main compartment, you’ll have what I call a “stuff pocket,” which is basically a stretchy pocket that is great for things like a rain jacket.
Lastly, the bag has one pocket on each side of the hip belt, which are perfect for storing small snacks, a phone, or small items you need easy access to.
Hydration Sleeve
As I mentioned above, there is an external sleeve on the back side of the bag that is designed to carry your hydration bladder.
The bag can hold up to a 3-liter bladder, but I personally don’t store anything more than 2 liters as it tends to take up quite a bit of space.
I have found that the opening to the sleeve is kind of small and you’ll need to shake the bag a bit to get the bladder in.
I also love that there is a small buckle on the top to attach your bladder so that it doesn’t slip down into the pack.
Capacity
This hiking backpack has a capacity of 20 liters, which offers plenty of space to store all of your gear for a day hike.
It’s recommended to have a backpack that is between 20-30 liters for a day hike.
I personally have used the Tempest for hikes as short as 1/2 mile and for something as long as summiting Mount St. Helens!
For me, I’ve been able to store all of the gear that I need, but I also can agree that it would be nicer to have a bit more space.
If you aren’t a light packer or require more gear, you might want something slightly larger, such as the Osprey Sirrus 24 or to pair it with a waist pack such as this one.
Weight
The weight of your pack doesn’t matter as much if you’re just doing day hikes and aren’t looking to go super lightweight.
So for a 20-liter bag, it isn’t a super important requirement for me to have it be super lightweight, as I wouldn’t use it for backpacking.
But either way, this pack is super light, weighing in at just under 2 pounds!
And when the weight of the bag itself is low, it helps keep the overall weight of everything you’re packing down as well.
Durability
When choosing a hiking backpack, you’re going to want one that’s durable, because it’s going to constantly be outside on the trail.
I’ve found that the Tempest is pretty solid when it comes to durability and I haven’t found any holes or tears.
The bottom of the bag is made of a 420 HD nylon packcloth, which helps protect the bag when you set it down on the ground.
Plus, it keeps water and dirt out of the rest of the bag with its thin plastic, waterproof material.
External Attachments
The Tempest 20 has a lot of great additional features that make carrying all of your gear for the day super easy.
On the pack, you’ll find Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachments to store them easily on your pack.
You’ll also find a loop for an ice axe, a LidLock helmet attachment, and a place to attach a blinking light for biking.
I personally don’t love the trekking pole attachments and instead typically attach my poles to the ice axe loop.
✔️ Shop the Osprey Tempest 20 by clicking here!
Similar Daypacks for Women
Below is a comparison chart of some of the most popular daypacks for women that are good contenders when put up against the Osprey Tempest 22 review.
Each of these is similar is volume and has similar top features.
| Name | Capacity | Weight | Top Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gregory Juno 24 | 24 liters | 30.8 oz. | Hydration bladder; hip belt; sunglasses QuickStow; trekking pole attachment | See Price |
| Deuter Speedlite 20 | 20 liters | 17 oz. | Internal frame; padded hipbelt; reservoir compatible | See Price |
| REI Co-op Flash 22 | 22 liters | 14 oz. | Drawcord closure; trekking pole attachment; internal reservoir sleeve | See Price |
| Osprey Sirrus 24 | 24 liters | 44 oz. | Internal reservoir sleeve; trekking pole attachment; rain cover | See Price |
| Camelbak Sequoia 22 | 22 liters | 44 oz. | Hydration bladder; hipbelt pockets; trekking pole attachment | See Price |
Osprey Talon 22: Men’s Daypack
If you’re totally sold on the Tempest but are looking for the men’s version, then you’ll be glad to hear about the Osprey Talon 22!
This bag has all of the same great features that the Tempest does, but is specifically designed for men.
It has a capacity of 22 liters and can store everything that you’ll need for the day.
From comfort to stability and support to extra features, this bag is perfect for hitting the trail all day long.
Properly Fitting a Daypack to Your Body
When purchasing a new daypack, it’s important to make sure that it fits you properly to avoid pain and discomfort.
First, be sure to purchase the correct size, if they come in multiple sizes, such as the Tempest, which is done by measuring your torso.
To measure your torso, find your iliac crest/hipbone (put your hands on your hips and find where that bone starts).
Then find your C7 vertebrae (the vertebra that sticks out near your neck when you put your chin to your chest).
Measure the distance between these two, and that is your torso length.
You’ll then want to put some weight in your back and put it on your back, with all of the straps loosened.
First, tighten the hipbelt, right across your hip bone until it fits snugly, to ensure that most of the weight is being carried by your legs.
Secondly, tighten down the shoulder straps, which are the straps on the side of the bag, until it fits comfortably against your back.
Third, tighten the load lifters if there are any, which helps bring the pack forward so it doesn’t fall backward.
Lastly, fasten the sternum strap, just tight enough to release a small bit of pressure from your shoulders.
Here’s a helpful video from Osprey to assist you in sizing your new daypack:
FAQs
What Size Water Bladder Fits in the Osprey Tempest 20?
The largest bladder that you can fit in this daypack is a 3-liter hydration pack.
Although I typically don’t put larger than a 2-liter bladder in because anything larger tends to take up too much space.
How Do You Put a Water Bladder in the Tempest?
Since the pack has a separate pocket for the water bladder, it’s really easy to put it in!
Simply loosen the load-lifting straps and open up the pocket.
Then slip the bladder into the back pocket and attach the top to the small clip to prevent it from sliding down.
Lastly, run the straw hose through the top and place it on whichever side you prefer.
Can a Woman Wear an Osprey Talon 22?
The Osprey Talon 22 is the men’s version of the Tempest 20.
While women can wear the Talon 22, it’s recommended to go for the Tempest, which is designed for a women-specific build.
Does the Osprey Tempest 20 Have a Rain Cover?
Unfortunately, the Tempest 20 does not include a rain cover.
But you can purchase one to carry with you.
Here is the Osprey brand rain cover that will fit this pack.
Is the Osprey Tempest 20 Only for Women?
The Osprey Tempest 20 is a women-specific backpack, which means that it was designed to fit the hips, shoulders, and chest areas of women.
But while they are designed for women, the most important aspect is comfort, so if you find it comfortable, GO FOR IT!
Is the Osprey Tempest 20 Waterproof?
This bag is not waterproof.
How Do I Fit a Backpack to Myself?
Because there are so many adjustment points to this backpack, you’ll want to fit it to your body.
Start by adjusting the shoulder harness, which simply velcros to the backpack. Adjust this by sliding it up and down until comfortable.
Change the hipbelt sizes to sit just above your hip bones.
The sternum strap should tighten comfortably across your chest to help support your back.
Conclusion: Osprey Tempest 20 Review
There are so many great daypacks on the market that work well for storing your gear while you’re out on the trail.
And Osprey makes some of the best quality packs, so it’s no doubt that this is one of the best options.
In this Osprey Tempest 20 review, we went over everything that there is to know about this pack and why it’s such a great choice.
I hope that you’ve been able to learn some more about this bag and are able to enjoy it next time you hit the trail!
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