First gear review written in this blog, I'm starting with my first ever medium-sized backpack. Shortly after its release, I bought the women's model Renn 50 from Osprey, and let's dive right into my backpack review!
Brand: Osprey
Osprey is a popular American brand in the outdoor industry, especially in regions like the Americas and Europe. The brand has been competing with other famous brands in terms of their hiking backpacks over the last few years. I bought it from Trekkinn when Osprey was not in the UAE yet. Trekkinn carried a wide array of models and the prices were quite affordable back then too. However, I heard recently that there were some challenges in their service so do your research.
Osprey doesn't have a physical store yet in the UAE. Fortunately, they do have distributors. The distributors in the UAE are Ramrod Outdoor and Adventure HQ and both these stores are reliable. I can vouch for Ramrod Outdoor as they also handle the after-sales service and warranty and I never had any problem when reaching out to them.
Product: Renn 50
Not so new anymore, the Renn & Rook Series was launched during the first quarter of 2019. Renn is for women and Rook is for men. Both backpacks come with 50L and 65L.
According to Osprey, the product details are as follows:
- Fixed top lid with zippered pocket
- Dayliteβ’ compatible
- Dual upper and lower side compression straps
- Zippered sleeping bag compartment with floating divider
- Removable sleeping pad straps
- Dual mesh side pockets
- Zippered hip belt pockets
- Integrated removable rain cover
- Internal hydration sleeve
Upon checking the website, the packs look upgraded compared to their first release (my pack was from the first release).
Osprey Renn 50 Backpack Review:
As my first medium-sized backpack, I only have the Osprey Ace 50 to compare to. I am not a backpack expert so please excuse my incompetence.
What do I like about it?
Despite the illusion that Renn 50 looks small for a 50L size, that is somehow true but for a reason. Instead of the usual narrow and tall built of backpacks, Renn and Rook are on the 'wide' style backpacks. I loved how Renn differentiated themselves from other backpacks in that aspect.
Renn 50 has almost everything I was looking for in a backpack. Top load compartment, sleeping pad straps, an internal divider at the bottom main compartment, a lightweight frame, and a good back panel. These are my non-negotiable features in a backpack and I am sure most of you will agree.
Of all the mentioned non-negotiable features, I love the AirSpeed back panel system the most! It is a 3D-tensioned breathable mesh back panel with side ventilation as described in the backpack manual. The AirSpeed back system was designed with ventilation space between the backpack and the back. This means that the back gets to breathe while it sweats.
While most backpacks nowadays have a good back panel system, not all have ventilation space between the backpack and the back. And that is the major plus point of Renn 50.
What I don't like about it?
There are no perfect backpacks and Renn 50 is no different. Yes, it is a nice pack but a few things can be improved.
- Internal Divider at the bottom main compartment - Instead of a little cloth as a 'divider', I wish it was the same dimension as the pack and could be removed. The divider is too small with a hole on both sides. The small items from my main compartment slide down to the sleeping bag base compartment.
- Front Panel - I thought that the front panel was too plain. A mesh front pocket or a proper pocket with an organizer would be nice.
- Top Load Compartment - I find the opening too narrow. My average-sized toiletry bag can fit well in the compartment but putting it in and getting it back is always a struggle.
Final Verdict:
Despite all the things I don't like, I am not planning to replace my Renn 50 anytime soon. However, it is now at the backdoor as a new pack came along - my new OSPREY ACE 50!
Anyway, two years have passed and so far my Renn 50 has no fabric torn nor no cords/straps/zippers broken, Alhamdulillah!
Not only while hiking, but I was also happy with it when I brought it from the UAE to Hong Kong and the Philippines!
Overall, Renn 50 is a nice backpack. I can recommend it to you if you are new to Osprey. I know Osprey's variety of choices can overwhelm you when picking a choice! And there you go, that's the end of my backpack review of my Osprey Renn 50 and it is now available for purchase here in the UAE!
Too big for your needs? Check out my daypack, my Deuter Futura 32!
