Osprey Lumina 60 Backpack Review

Introduction

The Osprey Lumina 60 backpack (and the men’s version, the Osprey Levity 60) is a sub-2lb (907 g) pack found in most well-stocked mainstream outdoor stores. The upshot is an ultralight pack that’s accessible for fitting and testing before purchase. Osprey backs up the Lumina/Levity with its lifetime warranty. Many large outdoor retailers will help with returns to Osprey if the pack is eligible for factory replacement or repair. These benefits, when combined with the Osprey’s chops as a backpack, make it worth a look.

Features and Specifications

All specifications are for the women’s small size. Click the links for the men’s and women’s size charts and specifications.

Features

• Available in multiple sizes (extra-small, small, medium, large)
• Available in two volumes in both men’s (Levity) and women’s (Lumina)-specific designs:
  • Osprey Lumina 45L (Women’s)
  • Osprey Lumina 60L (Women’s)
  • Osprey Levity 45L (Men’s)
  • Osprey Levity 60L (Men’s)
• Fixed top lid with zippered pocket
• Bellowed front fabric pocket
• Dual access fabric side pockets with removable ‘InsideOut’ compression cord
• Internal main compartment compression strap
• Top-lid cord-loop attachment points
• Adjustable sternum strap with integrated safety whistle
• mesh back panel
• harness system with seamless layered mesh for improved comfort and cushioning
• hipbelt system with an ergonomic closure and seamless layered mesh

Specifications

• Load range: 10-25 lbs (4.5-11 kg)
• Main Fabric: 30D Cordura® Silnylon Ripstop
• Accent and Bottom Fabric: NanoFly® 210D Nylon X 200D UHMWPE
• Volume: 3478 in / 57 L
• Dimension (h x w x d): 26.38 in X 15.75 in X 13.39 in (67 cm X 40 cm X 34 cm)
• Weight: 1.874 lbs (0.81 kg)
• Suspension: 3.5 mm “Lightwire”

Review Context

When assessing ultralight backpacks, I consider the following to be key performance features: comfort, fit, adjustability, load stability, weight, size, capacity options, any special features, functionality, organization, durability, warranty, and price point. Some of these considerations are subjective or otherwise need additional clarification. See my notes below.

Review Context Notes:

Comfort:

I have several old upper-body injuries and am picky about fit and comfort. I have calcification on my right collarbone from breaking it – this injury is often irritated or blistered by pack harnesses. I have whiplash injuries from the hips to the skull, a torn disk, other healed fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue damage. My entire spine is sensitive to backpacking, and the sport can be a catalyst for excruciating pain. I have to be cautious and adjust my pack often. Therefore, any pack I buy is highly adjustable, with a well-padded harness. If a pack is comfortable for me, it will likely work for anyone: if uncomfortable for me, it may be worth a shot anyway. For the above reasons, I have an aversion to frameless packs.

Size and Fit:

I’m petite, and my pack options are limited – I’m often stuck with whatever pack I can find that fits and isn’t heinously heavy. In my case, this has always been an Osprey women’s specific pack in extra-small or small.

The Lumina does not have an adjustable frame (torso) length (which saves ounces). I went into my local gear outfitter and tried on the size small, and it fit nicely. My body would also fit the extra-small, but this size has a smaller volume (with a slightly lower weight) and wasn’t currently in stock. I took the size small (on sale, 30% off no less).

Ultralight:

The Lumina weighs less than some of my brand-name day packs. This 30 oz (850 g) pack feels like picking up air compared to a “traditional” 60L pack. For context, the Gregory Deva 60L (about as traditional as you can get in an internal frame pack) weighs in excess of 78 oz (2211 g) in women’s size small. Of course, like most UL gear, the Lumina comes with a more delicate frame and fabric.

Why an Osprey Lumina 60L size small:

• I could try the pack on and make sure the fit and frame matched my body.
• I have had excellent experiences with Osprey’s warranty and service department.
• 60L is what I need for a winter or shoulder-season trip.*
• The Osprey Lumina is about two pounds (907 g) lighter than my Osprey Aura AG XS 50L or Osprey Ariel 65L SM.

*As a note here, I’m not a “fair-weather” backpacker. Winter gear may include (but is not limited to): snowshoes, skis, crampons, ice axes, helmets, four-season tents, sleeping bags or quilts, sleeping pads, winter parkas, winter mittens, boots, balaclavas, toques, etc. I should also point out here I’m sensitive to cold and have to be careful about avoiding hypothermia.

It is also important to note; I always pack a large down puffy (or another massive piece of insulating gear) in which to walk around camp and sleep. However, I will not be able to wear anything heavily insulated while snowshoeing or skiing, it’s too much insulation for the heat output of sweating uphill on snowshoes. Therefore, the winter parka et al. goes into the pack and gets a free ride while I attempt to avoid getting sweaty.

This winter gear is why I chose the 60 L Lumina to test. It has enough space to accommodate winter gear if needed.

Description of Field Testing

I started testing the Osprey Lumina 60L in August of 2018, and I’ve continued using it ever since. The Lumina tramps all over Canada (and the world) with me.

I took the Lumina on several shoulder-season Canadian Rockies adventures. For this review, I chose shoulder season adventures, including Fryatt Valley, Alberta; Lake O’Hara, British Columbia; and Sunset Pass, Alberta. These three trips represent my first impressions (September 2018), a “midterm exam” (June 2019), and a final assessment – winter backpacking (October 2019).

Performance Assessment of the Osprey Lumina 60L

My performance assessment of the Osprey Lumina 60L addresses:

• Comfort
• Load Stability
• Durability
• Fit
• Organization
• Weight
• Availability

Comfort

As (somewhat) subjective as comfort is, packs have some distinct advantages and disadvantages concerning comfort. All framed backpacks should have:

• Adjustment
• Padding
• Ventilation