The Lightest Option – Lumbar Pack

Osprey Tempest 6 : Unpacked and ready to go!

The Lumbar Pack

Over the years, I’ve tried all kinds of packs. I’ve tried most types, from big external frame packs to fanny packs. I even have a small set of packs that attach to my thighs. Each one serves its own purpose to a greater or lesser degree. Some seem good ideas but poorly executed or just flawed in the field. A few years back, I stumbled across what looked to me like a well-designed fanny pack. The manufacturer termed it a “lumbar pack”.

This small pack was built by Osprey, known for its lightweight packs and innovative designs. I immediately saw its value in packing a couple of liters of water and few candy bars. I went ahead and ordered it, paying something in the neighborhood of $45. This might be a pack I could use on my motorcycle or as a short day-trip pack, so I pulled the trigger.

What I Like

This little lumbar pack turned out to be one of my most-used packs. It has a very comfortable belt design and both padding and ventilation around the back. The belt system is easily tightened during the hike, and the side pockets are easily reached. Grabbing a drink of water is as easy as reaching back on either side to pull a bottle. I can quickly remove it to access the entire pack. The weight on my hips is minimal, even when I load it up with water.

Know your own limits on the trail.

The Osprey pack comes with two 0.57L Nalgene bottles for the side pockets. You can easily just slide your favorite 16.9 oz bottled water into the same locations. You can fit two more similar bottles in the main pocket with some food. Alternatively, a third bottle squeezes in to maximize your water-carrying capacity at about 2.5 liters. With maximum load, you still really are barely aware the pack is there, once you are hiking.

The pack provides two compression straps to tighten secure your load. Alternately, you can use those straps to attach a lightweight jacket or other doo-dads. The little side pockets are about right for a set of car keys or a tiny sunscreen bottle or similar.

Limits?

I haven’t made any attempt to see just how far I could push my hike using only one of these lumbar packs; however, It is pretty easy to slip well over 1,000 calories and 2 liters of water into the pack. I can substitute a water filter system for one liter of water. This allows me to take over a pound of nuts and other high energy food. With water available for filtration on the trail, this quickly turns into a true day pack.

I’ve done numerous six and eight mile hikes with this pack during warm weather. I load the two liters of water, being well hydrated when I leave my car. Add a couple of granola and candy bars and stuff a lightweight pullover in and I’m ready for the day. The beauty of this pack is it weighs in at a scant 12 ounces. I said, 12 ounces! Even the lightest day packs will be double that at least. Why pack more than you need?

Osprey Tempest

My wife recently bought the new Osprey Tempest 6, based on my success with the Talon 4. As best I can tell, the design hasn’t changed a lot. Pockets are pockets. The one noticeable improvement is what appears to be a more well ventilated belt and lumbar padding. It seems Osprey has taken some of the technology from their Atmos and Aura line of backpacks. You can see it on amazon.com here.

Stiff ventilated fabric along your spine makes the belt cool and distributes weight evenly. This keeps the pack itself away from your back for the most part, with additional padding provided between the belt and the pack. This is just about as optimal as you can get for this type of pack. It keeps your back very cool and distributes the weight without pressure points. I’m sure there are other nice lumbar packs out there, but I’m not inclined to search too hard, as these are exceptional packs. Follow these links to Osprey’s Tempest 6 and Talon 6 on Osprey’s website. The Talon 6 is on amazon.com here.

In Practice

Excellent support and ventillation. Older version top. Tempest 6 bottom.

We plan to summit a local 11,300 foot peak using these packs. The total vertical will be only about 2,500 feet, so it will make for a relatively short day. My wife will be armed with her new Osprey Tempest 6, and I with my old Talon 4. We will pack two Nalgene bottles each, along with a backup 16.9 ounce water bottle in the main compartment. I will pack a filter and we will bring about 3,000 calories of nuts, protein bars, and a candy bar or two. We will add in merino pullovers or similar in case of inclement weather, and we will report back on our trip.

The point I hope to leave you with is the bare-bones utility of the lumbar pack can be your go-to day-tripper. You don’t need to have shoulder straps and you don’t need to pack an entire picnic setup. It is fine if that is your desire, and I’m not advising against it. I just want you to be aware there is an ultralight alternative to the day pack. The lumbar pack might be the easiest and fastest pack you can employ to get quickly to the top and back.

Caution

One note of caution is warranted though. Know your own limits on the trail. While some folks can do 30 miles in the mountains in a day, you need to be realistic. Do NOT outfit yourself with a lumbar pack and a few bottles of water for a trip that will take all day, if you’ve never done this before. It should go without saying that the lumbar pack will provide you with only a limited range. It is your responsibility to know how much food and water you need for each hike. Don’t go out there unprepared.

For example, we summited an 11,388 peak last year in July. We estimated that we drank about 7 liters of water each. This little lumbar pack would leave me literally dying of thirst if I couldn’t find water to filter. You can escape hunger for a day, but thirst and dehydration is a totally different animal. You must know how much water you need. If you don’t know for sure, you must err on the side of caution. The lumbar pack is not well-suited to such experimentation.

You’d better darn well know what your water requirements are when you are using the lumbar pack. You also need to know when you must turn back. If you know your limitations and the hike in front of you, the little lumbar pack can make your day easier.