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The Osprey Duro 15 is fully featured running pack that is great for long days out in the mountains.
I’ve been reviewing running and hiking packs for a number of years now and I’ve decided that finding the perfect pack is a little like looking for that pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. You can see the end of the rainbow but the gold always eludes you and so it is with many packs – “…this is such a great pack except…” is my usual refrain.
So it is with the Osprey Duro 15 – on many levels it is such a great pack. The soft back and mesh liner that is cut throughout the pack including the shoulder straps and some of the waistband makes it super comfortable for all day wear. The addition of a waistbelt helps it carry and feel like a hiking pack but you can run also for miles with it.
The shoulder straps have a good variety of pockets: two soft flask pockets; the Duro 15 comes with two 500ml soft flasks which include straw caps (this is a great deal as this straw caps are usually expensive additions that you have buy as an extra) so you have a full litre of water instantly available for medium distance days out. The pockets have cap retainer loops to help keep the flasks in place. Under these are another pocket which is big enough for keeping food in. I could stuff three foo bars on each side here. On the left hand side the shoulder pockets are completed with a zipped pocket which is plenty big enough for my iPhone 7 with its Lifeproof cover. So plenty of pockets to organise food, water and updating your Instagram feed.
The shoulder straps are secured with two chest straps. These have a clip system which I found quite tricky to use when on the move and especially with gloves on. I can see the logic: there is a rail which has subdivide sections in which the strap clips in. The clip system is not a normal clip but is flatter, this was really frustrating at first until I discovered that you unclip it on the left hand side buy pulling the tab – I’ve not had any issues with unclipping it since. Re-clipping, however, I’ve found to be fiddly. So a little more practice is needed here before I master this.
The waist belt is super comfortable (Osprey are the masters of pack comfort) and has a large, zipped pocket on both sides. These have been great, in one I carry a printed map of my route, my compass and glasses and in the other a warm hat and some gloves. With these and the shoulder strap pockets there’s very little need to take the pack off on a normal, fast moving adventure. If that isn’t enough however, there are two more zipped, stretchy mesh pockets to keep anything else you might feel you need access to whilst on the move. These zipped pockets also utilise the pole carry as the base of your poles fits into the pocket and the other end is secured with a bunny loop and cord lock at the top of the shoulder. This system securely held my poles but has a couple of flaws: one, I found it tricky to access the poles with the pack on as I felt the poles were placed too far back and two, you had to remember to zip up the pocket if you had anything in it.
The main body of the pack is made using water resistant 140 denier ripstop fabric. There are three main compartments the from is the main loading one which is plenty big enough for a couple of outer layer jackets, food, first aid kit, emergency shelter and the myriad of other kit you might want on a day out (including a flask for hot drinks if you like to tae one for a hoking day) – I am rarely able to fill this compartment unless I’m heading out for a winter moorland run. Next to that is smaller organiser pocket which is useful for stashing smaller items such as a wallet, extra mapping, head torch. there are also two mesh organiser pockets inside this which would be handy for putting a GPS tracker for longer/multi day races or adventures. This also has a key clip for keeping the car keys secure. It’s a good size, next to your back is the hydration bladder slot.
The Duro 15 not comes with two 500ml soft flasks you also get a 2.5l hydration bladder so a total of a wapping 3.5l of liquid can be carried (think MDS sections!). The hydration bladder comes with a quick release hose which means you can refill the bladder without faffing around with the hose – ultra racers will appreciate this at refill stations. The main body is then covered with a durable stretch mesh panel/pocket for fitting it items that you might want quickly – think warm valley ascents and then you need arm warmers and a windproof on the breezy tops. You will need to be a little careful and remember to re-clip the the panel back to the main body as the panel is quite shallow. This can happen more than you think as if you want full access to the main compartment you will have to unclip it. I nearly lost some arm warmers this way – but then I’m just daft!
The whole pack has plenty of reflective piping and decal logo so being seen on those long dark legs won’t be a problem – unless the pack is on the back of a competitor and you are following them 😉
In conclusion, the Osprey Duro 15 is well featured pack as you would expect from a premium brand such as Osprey. The many adjustment options mean that you should find an optimum fit for you and the waist belt ensures ride is great whatever the load you are carrying. The included soft flasks with straw caps is a real bonus and the back and carry system is really comfortable. I wasn’t so keen on the chest strap clips as a more traditional buckle system like the waist belt would be better and the pole attachment system could have been designed so you can access them on the move. Overall though, a great pack for long days out on the hill.
The Osprey Duro 15 comes in two sizes S/M and M/L and two colour options.
The Duro series is unisex and includes a 6L version for racing and a 1.5L version for training length runs. As well as running belt and a handheld so plenty to choose from.
The SRP is £140 and it is available direct from Osprey EU and specialist retailers.
Disclaimer – CGR reviewers and writers are never paid to provide a review and the website does not take advertising or link to affiliate sales. We are a bunch of keen climbers and travellers that accept sample products and offer an honest and independent review of the item. The reviewer will often keep the sample after reviewing it for both hygiene and safety reasons and more often it’s in no fit state to return!
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