Osprey Tempest 22 vs Osprey Sportlite 25
Quick take: The Osprey Sportlite 25 costs $45 less; the Osprey Sportlite 25 carries more (25 vs 22 liters); the Osprey Sportlite 25 is lighter (1.7 vs 2.19 lbs).
| Spec | Osprey Tempest 22 | Osprey Sportlite 25 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $175 | $130 |
| Rating | 4.7★ (66) | 4.8★ (11) |
| Type | Daypack | Daypack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 22 L | 25 L |
| Weight | 2.19 lbs | 1.7 lbs |
| Max Load | Not specified by Osprey | 15 lbs (tested, not manufacturer stated) |
| Torso Fit | Women's fit, adjustable back panel | S/M and M/L, 5 in torso range on 25 and 30 L |
| Material | 100D 100% recycled nylon with dobby check ripstop | 100D recycled high-tenacity bird eye nylon |
| Back Panel | AirScape ridged foam backpanel | AirScape ridged foam backpanel |
| Adjustable torso | No | No |
| Ventilated back | Yes | Yes |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | No |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | Osprey All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime) | Osprey All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime) |
Pros & cons
Osprey Tempest 22
- ✓The AirScape foam panel keeps the load tight to the back, which is more stable than a trampoline panel when scrambling or moving fast.
- ✓At 35 oz it is 3 oz lighter than the men's Talon 22 while keeping the same feature set.
- ✓100% recycled 100D nylon with a dobby check ripstop resists tearing better than plain fabric of the same weight.
- ✓Hipbelt pockets are included, which many packs this size drop.
- ✓Three volumes from 11 to 33 L means the same fit scales from a summit push to an overnight.
- ✓The women's-specific harness is a genuine construction difference rather than a colourway.
- ✓Osprey's All Mighty Guarantee applies to daypacks as well as trekking packs.
- ✓Widely stocked, so trying one on before buying is realistic.
- ✗$175 is expensive for a 22 L daypack -- the REI Flash 22 covers the same volume at $60.
- ✗The AirScape foam panel ventilates noticeably worse than the suspended mesh on the Sirrus.
- ✗35 oz is heavy for 22 L; the Sportlite 25 carries 3 L more at 27.2 oz.
- ✗Osprey publishes no maximum load figure for the line.
- ✗The 11 and 33 L sizes have no independently measured weight published.
- ✗No rain cover included at this price.
- ✗The 2025 redesign changed torso sizing conventions, so older fit advice no longer applies.
- ✗Bear-canister fit is not stated, and the volume makes it academic anyway.
Osprey Sportlite 25
- ✓27.2 oz for 25 L is the best weight-to-volume ratio in Osprey's day-hiking line.
- ✓$130 undercuts the Talon 22 by $45 while carrying 3 L more.
- ✓Five volumes from 15 to 30 L is the deepest size run Osprey offers in a daypack.
- ✓The 25 and 30 L sizes get five inches of torso adjustment, unusual on a pack this light.
- ✓100D bird eye nylon is a high-tenacity weave that holds up better than the denier suggests.
- ✓The AirScape ridged foam channels air without the bulk or repair difficulty of a suspended mesh.
- ✓Simple construction means fewer failure points than the feature-heavy Talon.
- ✓Osprey's All Mighty Guarantee applies.
- ✗Testers found it starts to sag above about 15 lb, and Osprey publishes no official ceiling.
- ✗No frame, so a poorly packed load transfers straight to the shoulders.
- ✗The smaller 15, 20 and 22 L sizes use a fixed harness with no torso adjustment.
- ✗No rain cover included.
- ✗The AirScape foam panel ventilates less than the suspended mesh on the Stratos and Sirrus.
- ✗No hipbelt pockets, unlike the Talon and Tempest.
- ✗Only the 25 L has an independently measured weight published.
- ✗Unisex fit only, with no women's-specific version in the line.