We bring you this Osprey Manta 20 backpack review in order to let you know what we like best about its features. While there are very many positive reviews of the Osprey Manta 20, there isn’t really much bad to say about it. This is likely due to the fact that Osprey is a reputable company and one of the best in terms of hiking backpacks.
What to Use the Osprey Manta 20 For
The Osprey Manta 20 is specially made for those who love going on a random day hike. Why carry a regular store-bought backpack when you can have one that has a highly adjustable harness. The adjustable harness and compression straps make the weight of the backpack feel twice as light as a regular backpack. Once you use the Osprey Manta 20, you will never go back to a backpack that you just buy in a department store. As an added bonus, it has a compartment for an external hydration pack so you can keep yourself hydrated throughout your hikes.
Osprey Manta 20 Features
Weight: 2.62 pounds
Dimensions: 22 x 12 x 13 inches
Hydraulics LT 2.5 Litre reservoir included:
Our favorite feature of the Osprey Manta 20 is the fact that it actually comes with one of Osprey’s hydration packs. This backpack is specially designed so that it fits the Hydraulics water reservoir and accommodates the bite valve. This means that you get a tube sticking out of the back and into the front we are you can sip on water.
Rain cover included:
A rain cover is a feature that makes any backpack great. Sooner or later, it starts to rain and your backpack could get soaked. By taking the rain cover out of the external compartment at the bottom, you simply toss it over the entirety of the body, and away you go; complete protection against the rain and snow.
Main compartment:
The main compartment can be zippered down to the point where you can see all of the items in it in one glance.
Comfortable harness:
The harness of the backpack is specifically designed so that it distributes its weight evenly across your back and hips. This is a feature that Osprey offers on all of its backpacks. It is the reason why Osprey backpacks tend to feel a lot lighter than others, even with plenty of content.
Dual compression straps:
In order to keep the content stable, tighten it up with the compression straps that are provided on the sides of the backpack. These compression straps also double as extra attachments for more gear. The compression straps are situated at the top and bottom.
Trekking pole attachment:
Apart from the compression straps, the Manta 20 has trekking pole attachments. This allows you to store your trekking poles without needing to take off the backpack in order to access them.
Front mesh pocket:
The front of the backpack has mesh pockets that stretch out to allow for bulky gear to be stored. Tired of rummaging through your main compartment in order to retrieve something as simple as a towel? Or maybe you get cold every once in a while and you need to reach for a blanket. A stretchy front mesh compartment is just what you need in order to store bulky, frequently used items.
Helmet loop:
A hiking daypack would not be complete without a place to put your bicycle helmet. With the Manta 20, you get a really nice way of attaching your helmet quickly and be able to retrieve it at a moment’s notice. The attachment loop is located right at the top beneath the zipper of the front pocket.
Blinker attachment:
Do you have a blinker light for when you ride your bicycle or go for a run? Blinker lights are currently being used by avid hikers and bicycles as protection against moving vehicles in the dark. The Manta 20 has an attachment at the bottom so that you can safely secure your blinker light.
Stretchy mesh side pockets:
If you need a place to store your smaller items or a water bottle, both sides of the backpack feature side pockets that stretch to allow for more room.
Hipbelt pockets:
The zippered pockets located on the hip belt can be secured to protect your expensive items. You can store your phone or other knick-knacks that you will need to access on a frequent basis.
Where to Buy Osprey Manta 20?
The Osprey Manta 20 is available on Amazon. Check out the latest price below:
- Large front zippered pocket
Osprey Manta 20 Pros
- Comes with an external hydration pack and tube for easy hydration
- Allows you to attach a blinker light at the bottom to protect against fast-moving vehicles at night
- The compression straps make it easy for you to engage in intense activity while keeping the load of the backpack stable
- As with all of Osprey’s backpacks, the harness allows for greater comfort than most other brands
Osprey Manta 20 Cons
- The side pockets are not really big enough for a regular-sized water canteen
The Verdict
The Osprey Manta 20 is an all-in-one hiking backpack made for day hikes. It includes a separate hydration pack that can be tucked into the back and out of the way. The hydration pack has a tube coming out of it that can be attached to the front straps so that you can take a swig of water whenever you want. For the price of a regular day pack, you can have this extra accessory already included in the package. We love this about the Manta 20!
Other features that we enjoy are the integrated rain cover and the blinker light attachment. These go a long way in making your backpack fully featured. This is the perfect backpack for those times when you just want to head out and enjoy nature for the day without needing to worry about how you are going to pack. In fact, using the Osprey Manta 20 makes packing enjoyable. Whether you are going out on a bicycle ride, a hiking trip in the hills, or just roaming around in the city, the Osprey Manta 20 does it all.
Another backpack that might be of interest to you for those day hikes is the Osprey Farpoint 40.
This one is more of a hybrid, with the perfect balance for city travel and trail travel. It is slightly shorter than the Manta 20 but wider. It looks more like a regular backpack, but it has compression straps to keep your content in place. Also has a special frame back panel so that the weight gets transferred evenly throughout the pack. While it is wider than the Manta 20, it can still be used as an airplane carry-on to make it even better for travel, and it has lockable panels to keep your valuable items secure.
You may also be interested in the Osprey Daylite Pack, another day hiking backpack. The Daylite is lighter than the Manta 20, and it can actually be used to piggyback other Osprey backpacks. If you will not be needing a lot of gear, the Daylite allows you to be more nimble with less weight.
All of the Osprey backpacks are top-notch, it is just a matter of figuring out the exact uses that you will want to be purchasing it for. If you have any questions about how you can use the Manta 20, please let us know below.