Before the 2021 holiday season ended, I (luckily) won an Osprey Ace 50 from Ramrod Outdoor! I am not so lucky when it comes to giveaways so let me enjoy my luck this time. This review is long overdue, but I can now share my first impression of this pack. Without further adieu, let's check my Osprey Ace 50 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.
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. You can also purchase them through Amazon UAE.
After hearing my friends' experiences with Osprey, I bought my first Osprey pack, the Osprey Renn 50!
Product: Ace 50
Under the Youth category, Ace is designed for teens and youth who are into the outdoors. Osprey produced this backpack with the same features as any adult-designed backpack with adjustable torso length. Available in three sizes, a 38-liter, a 50-liter option (mine), and the biggest is 75-liter.
Ace 38 and Ace 50 come in two colors - Blue Hills and Orange Sunset while Ace 75 comes with only one - Venture Green.
According to Osprey, the product details are as follows:
- Top load access to the main compartment with an underlid pocket
- Dual lower-side compression straps
- Dual access fabric/mesh side pockets
- Large front panel fabric/mesh shove-it pocket
- Daisy chain for additional gear
- Lower zippered sleeping bag access with divider
- Removable sleeping pad straps
- Zippered hip belt pockets for easy access to small items on the trail
- Integrated removable rain cover
- Internal reservoir sleeve
- Adjustable ice tool or fishing rod
- Dual Upper side compression straps
Osprey Ace 50 Backpack Review:
Before anything else, as an Asian profile, I didn't mind having a backpack under the Youth category.
If you look at it, it is similar to how my Osprey Renn 50 fits me. And that's because the length of the pack itself is just 3 cm longer than the Osprey Renn 50. It's not much of a difference but it clearly shows that the pack isn't only tied down to its dedicated target market - the Youth.
What do I like about it?
First thing first, of course, my favorite is the back panel (remember how I have a back problem?). While Osprey Renn 50 has an AirSpeed *ventilated* trampoline suspended mesh back panel, and Ace 50 has an AirSpeed trampoline suspended mesh back panel. I cannot feel the difference, to be honest. It could be my lack of exposure to these technicalities, but my back pretty much liked the back panel.
Apart from the back panel, I loved the top load compartment! The opening is not tight and it even comes with a zippered mesh pocket as an underlid pocket. I realized how convenient a mesh for an inside pocket is, no need to open all pockets when looking for small stuff.
Last but not least, I got what I wanted (which I complained about with my Renn 50), a better internal divider at the bottom part of the main compartment. It's not just a little fabric anymore with a hole on both sides. Instead, the fabric is strapped securely on both sides. And did you see the mesh front panel? Look how my light jacket is conveniently tucked in!
What I don't like about it?
To be fair, I don't have anything to complain about from this pack. It has everything I wished Renn 50 had. And I am currently loving this pack, even the bright color grows on me. There's just one thing I find odd... the straps. I don't know if it's just me or because I don't need them for my current needs but there are a lot of additional straps with no use to me. Or could be just an overwhelming sight to me, that's all.
And last but not least, which is not entirely the pack's fault - the pack has a tear already *sobs again*. I noticed it even before we started so I tried to be more cautious during the hike (though it's hard to be cautious). Now I am a little worried that the fabric might not be able to last long if I bring this with me on tougher hikes.
Final Verdict:
In summary, I LOVED the pack. I told myself that I would not replace my Renn 50 anytime soon but it is now at the back door lol.
I find Osprey Ace 50 more efficient for me - from packing and during the hike. It gives me comfort and convenience in ways that Renn 50 couldn't deliver (front panel, top load compartment, and the internal divider).
There you go and that ends my Osprey Ace 50 backpack review! If this pack is entirely unfamiliar to you, it's now your chance to check this out!
Disclaimer:
Osprey Ace 50 is gifted to me by @outdoorgeargcc (same guys as Ramrod Outdoor). The backpack is my prize for winning their #10DaysofChristmasGiveaways contest during the holiday season. However, all opinions stated in this post are my own.
Osprey Renn 50 is too big for your needs? Check out my new daypack instead, my Deuter Futura 32!
