Specifically designed to let you carry the bare minimum, Opsrey Katari 3 is the latest addition to my pack collection. Originally part of Osprey's Bike Hydration series, I bought it during a sale because it comes with a 2.5 L Water Reservoir, and I needed to replace mine anyway. After a few uses on different activities, my review is finally ready! Was it a waste of money or was it worth trying? Let's dive into the Osprey Katari 3 Pack Review from a hiker's perspective!
Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored post by Osprey, Adventure HQ, or Ramrod Outdoor. I purchased the Osprey Katari 3 with my own money during a sale in March 2024. All opinions in this review are my own.
๐ก Looking for reviews on other pack sizes? Check these out:
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.
As mentioned in my older posts (Osprey Renn 50 & Ace 50 reviews), Osprey doesn't have a physical store in the UAE. However, you find their product through reliable distributors such as Ramrod Outdoor and Adventure HQ.
Personally, I usually purchase my gear from Ramrod Outdoor. They offer a wide range of products and also distribute other well-known brands such as Buff, Led Lenser, Sea to Summit, and Stanley. Additionally, Ramrod Outdoor also handles the after-sales service and warranty for any Osprey product.
Product: Katari 3
Under Osprey's Bike Hydration series, Katari (for men) and Kitsuma (for women) are the lowest-volume bike packs, designed to carry essential hydration and minimal gear.
Available in three sizesโa 1.5-liter, a 3-liter (mine), and the biggest is a 7-liter. As for colors, you can choose from Black (mine), Primavera Yellow (this looks nice I swear!), and Green Creek.
According to Osprey, the product details are as follows:
- External reservoir sleeve with an included Hydraulics LT 2.5 L reservoir
- Blinker light attachment for added visibility
- Magnetic sternum strap bite valve attachment for easy hydration access
- External zippered scratch-free heat-embossed slash pocket for valuables storage
- Dual stretch mesh side pockets for extra storage
Osprey Katari 3 Pack Review:
To be honest, I've only used this pack three timesโeven though Iโve had it for over a year already. Well, first of all, I had fewer outdoor activities compared to the previous years. And when I did, I usually required a bigger pack. With that said, I'm still beyond grateful that I was able to use this pack on two short hikes and while biking in Mushrif Park.
What do I like about it?
First of all, it stayed true to its promise, by letting me carry only the essentials. Thanks to its smart design and compact size, I could easily fit water, snacks, and even bottled drinks. That was more than enough for short and easy outdoor activities.
During the recent 9th Cancer Awareness Climb, I maximized the pack and squeezed everything I could. Hereโs what I managed to fit:
- 2.5L of water + a bottle of Pocari Sweat for hydration
- Emergency essentialsโpower bank, raincoat, ground sheet
- A home-cooked lunch sealed in a Ziploc bag
I also made full use of the external slash pocket, where I stored utensils, energy gels, chocolates, peanuts, and personal items like keys and lip balm.
The mesh side pockets held my power bank and Pocari Sweat, plus I still managed to squeeze in a trash bag and some wet wipes.
But thatโs not allโI even hooked my headlamp, cup, gloves, and two caps onto the pack! With this setup, I honestly couldnโt ask for more.
What I don't like about it?
Now, onto the last part of my reviewโkeeping it short, and thatโs a good thing!
My only complaint isn't even about the pack itself, but it's about the water reservoir. And to be fair, this isn't just an Osprey issue, I had the same problem with Camelbak.
The silicone bite valve on both brands tends to attract dust, dirt, and tiny particles especially outdoors. And honestly, why isnโt a bite valve cover included in the design? Instead, itโs sold separately. I even tried covering mine with a plastic cover, but that didnโt even help muchโdust and debris still found their way in. So now, Iโm left with no choice but to buy the cover after all.
Again, this isnโt a flaw of the pack itself. But as a detail-oriented perfectionist, I canโt help but feel like this shouldโve been an essential feature, not an afterthought.
Final Verdict of Osprey Katari 3 Pack:
To answer the question I posed at the start of this review, was the Osprey Katari 3 pack a waste of money or was it worth trying?
The answer is very clear: itโs worth it. Even though I accidentally bought the Menโs version (donโt ask me whyโeither I was too lazy to check or I just didn't care), the compact size has proven to be perfect for shorter outdoor adventures.
I may have smaller packs than my Deuter Futura 32, but those are more casual backpacks and just donโt offer the storage capacity or organizational design I need. So, getting the Osprey Katari 3 packโespecially on saleโwas a win for me. And even with my continuous back pain lately, I can still pack efficiently without compromising on the essentials.
Overall, it felt like I stumbled upon a hidden gem from the saleโsomething that perfectly fits my needs without breaking the bank!
