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When Osprey first released the Mutant 38 several years ago, it was an immediate success due to the pack’s combination of durability, simplicity and value for money, 3 values that all climbers recognise. The new Mutant 38 retains these characteristics whilst also having a couple of new features that should enable Osprey to build on the success of the original. The new Mutant showcases Osprey’s ability to focus on building packs that address the specific needs of the end user in a practical and innovative way. The Mutant 38 is first and foremost an alpine climbing pack, though its features will enable it to be used for all other types of climbing, along with hiking and scrambling too.
Perhaps the most important new feature on the Mutant 38 is the FlapJacket system. The FlapJacket is Osprey’s answer to the recent trend in rucksack design of removable lids and roll top closures. The lid of the pack can be taken off completely and the FlapJacket pulled down to protect and compress the load. This makes the pack more versatile as it can be used with or without the lid depending on load or situation. Alpine climbers particularly will appreciate this feature as the Mutant can be loaded up for the approach and then stripped down for the climb.
Along with the FlapJacket system, the remainder of the Mutant’s features are designed to simply and effectively address the needs of the user. The top lid has the usual main pocket accessed at the rear along with a small pocket on the front of the pack that is easily accessed by a second without having to remove the pack. There’s also a mesh cover in the top pocket for storing a helmet.
The Mutant 38’s back is a little more ventilated than on many other climbing packs which will provide comfort in warm conditions and the HDPE internal frame sheet is removable to save weight and gives the pack its structure along with the T6061 aluminium stay down the back. Osprey have also taken the die cut ventilated shoulder straps from their ever popular Talon packs and put them on the Mutant which again should increase comfort during warm weather.
The Mutant’s overall weight comes in at a respectable 1190g but a further 380g of weight can be stripped from the pack by removing the back system and employing the FlapJacket System. This takes the Mutant into the ‘very light’ category and will no doubt appeal to the weight conscious alpine activist who wants to travel as fast, light and simply as possible.
Osprey’s ToolLock system provides a simple and secure home for ice axes in the winter and the side ski straps extend the Mutant’s use into the realm of ski mountaineering and touring, another nod towards alpine versatility that is so apparent in this pack. The hip belt is sewn in but can be reversed wrapped out of the way when not needed. There are also ample gear loops on the hip belt for storing hardware whilst climbing. Rounding off the features are the side compression straps, an under lid rope strap and an internal hydration sleeve.
The Mutant 38 should prove to be the ideal pack for the climber who is active in both summer and winter, across a variety of disciplines. Equally suitable for a leisurely afternoon cragging session in summer to the most serious winter alpine routes - the new Osprey Mutant 38 is a pack for all seasons and received the prestigious ISPO award in 2014.
RRP £100 / €126 / 152 CHF
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Read more of Andy's reviews on his website.
