Getting the pack that's right for you!

Fit is the key to pack performance. Take the time to get it right. If you're buying from one of our online partners measure yourself carefully and don't hesitate to call customer service if you have questions. And always remember that there is no better way to fit a pack than with a store professional at your local specialty retailer.

Once you have selected the pack model that meets your needs, you will need to choose the right size.

Step 1 - Pack Sizing

All of our packs, save the transit bags, are available in multiple sizes to fit a range of torso lengths. To find your torso length, have a friend measure your back along the spine (as shown in the illustration) from the level of your iliac crest (the top of your hipbones) to your C7 (the knobby bone at the base of your neck).

Step 2 - Hipbelt Sizing

To determine your hipbelt size measure around your hips, not your waist. A properly fitted hipbelt rides centered over the hipbones and needs to be very snug; after all it will be carrying the bulk of the pack's weight. The padded portion should wrap well around your hips, leaving a gap of 3 to 6 inches between the tips of the pads when securely tightened.

Osprey's BioForm CM™ A/X, IsoFormCM™, and Exposure CM™ hipbelts are heat moldable.

Please note: Our specialty retailers invest a great deal in Osprey CM ovens and CM certified fitters to heat mold your new hipbelt. If you purchase your pack online, feel free to visit your local CM Certified Dealer to get the hipbelt molded, but be prepared to pay a reasonable charge for the service.

Use the charts below to determine your pack and hipbelt sizes.

Argon and Xenon Series
ReCurve suspension and BioForm CM™ A/X components

Atmos & Aura Series
AirSpeed suspension with built-in components
Exos Series
AirSpeed Suspension with built-in components
Stratos Series [40, 32 & 24]
AirCore suspension with built-in components
Kode Series [38, 30 & 22]
Built-in Components

Aether/Ariel Series
AirScape suspension and IsoForm CM™ components

Sprint Series
AirScape suspension with Sprint components

Variant & Mutant Series
Variant & Mutant suspension and hipbelt
(Variant 28 & the Mutant 38 have built-in hipbelts)

Waypoint Series
Ethereal Suspension and Waypoint Harness

ErgoPull Nearly all of our hipbelts use our exclusive ErgoPull design. It creates mechanical advantage to provide extra leverage in cinching down the hipbelt. The ErgoPull design also draws tension along the top and bottom of the belt, not through the center, so it distributes pressure more evenly over the padding and relieves direct pressure on the hipbones.

Step 3 - Harness Osprey Argon & Xenon, Aether & Ariel and Waypoint packs offer interchangeable shoulder harnesses. Harness sizing usually corresponds to pack size, but your best bet is to try one on. A properly fit harness should terminate 2 to 3" beneath the armpit. Webbing should not touch the body. By breaking the hook and loop connection and sliding the harness up and down the backpanel the torso length can be adjusted up to 3". (see illustration). Men's Women's SM WXS MD WSM L WM XL WL

Step 4 - Overall Fit Once you have the correct size pack, harness and hipbelt, and the torso length set properly, it's time to put some weight in the pack (20 to 30 pounds of well distributed weight will do) and dial in the fit. First, snug down the hipbelt and harness. Connect the sternum strap (A) - position it about 2 inches below your collarbones and snug it down lightly. Finally, tighten the load lifter straps to draw the load solidly against your back. The lift straps (B) should come off your shoulders at a 45 to 60 degree angle in our ReCurve and Ethereal Suspension packs. In other models these straps serve more as compression straps and ride flatter; they may even angle downwards. In a good fit, there should be no pressure points and no gaps between your body and the pack. With our ReCurve packs, final tweaking may involve custom fitting the aluminum stays to your back. Call Osprey's expert customer service team or consult with Osprey-trained store staff for help with this step.   For further sizing and fitting instructions also see the owners manual for your pack or call our expert customer service staff at (970) 564-5900.