Osprey Silhouette Review

"The Osprey line of packs is very impressive. I recently used the Silhoutte on a trip to the Ozarks and was favorably impressed by it's impecible construction and extreme comfort. Hill after hill I blessed the Delrin hoop and two aluminium stays that supported my usually aching back. The product is well worth the price and intern is also worth the effort of comparing it to the awsome Dana Terraplane."

"Well, all you Dana lovers need to sit down. I have found a pack that is just as comfortable and durable as any made by them. Plus I managed to get all the functionality and comfort at a savings of $120 over the Terraplane. I have taken this pack on trps through the Rockies. I have hiked along the Amazon. I have trekked through the plains of the Serrengheti. I have beat this pack to death and it still looks good as new. I have never had any comfort problems even with 60+ pounds in the pack. So all you Dana lovers need to step back off your ivory tower there is plenty of competition out there!"

"Summary: not very good.
Detail: I've used this pack 4 times, and the stitching for the shoulder harness blew apart today. It also has frayed nylon webbing. My friend got the Xenith, and the stitching at the sleeping bag zipper is frayed after 1 trip. We carried 60-70 lb. loads on the App. Trail, my pack went about 50 miles so far and his about 30. Also we're not impressed by the belt. I'm slightly bruised from it. And I don't like how much it sways. I *am* new to backpacking, and this is my first serious pack. But I've been mountain biking for years and if any parallels exist between the equipment of both sports, I'd rate the quality horrible for the price ($360 for Silhouette). But I don't know how well packs are supposed to perform, so this may be standard. If so, I'll stick to mountain bikes. I can't afford a new pack every 5 outtings."

"I'm a little different in that I love trout fishing first, backpacking second. I'll hike were ever I have to to find good fishing. Therefore, when I went looking for a pack, I was looking for versatility. I found perfection. There were several great packs in the price range I considered. The Dana Terraplane is awesome,though I won't buy one now that they aren't American made. The Gregory Robson also was a serious contender. But my final choice after 2 years of agonizing was the Osprey Silhoutte. I just can't find any negatives. Great fit, comfort, attention to detail, but most importantly to me - great versatility. I tend to overload with gear, hike into areas like the Absoroka Wilderness, set up base camp, and take off on fishing daytrips. The Osprey Vector system solved my problems. I purchased the Summit attachment holding 1100 cu. in. When attached to the Silouette, I fill it light with bulking items like fleece. When I get to base camp, the big bag stays. The Summit converts into a great close fitting day pack. It has a special compartment for a hydration system (I use a Gregory Mirage)load up my fishing gear, lunch, raingear, and head off to hit some nearby alpine lakes. Ultimate versatility. There are several great packs out there but I haven't seen anything that compares to this kind of functionality. When you spend this much you tell yourself you made a wise choice; this backpack system and a Western Mountaineering SMF sleeping bag were the best two choices where I feel I actually got my money's worth."

"Awesome pack! I finished a 1,300 mile hike from Springer Mtn. to the Delaware Water Gap with the Silhouette and do not have a single negative thing to say about this pack. Well made, versitile, comfortable. Perhaps a little on the heavy side but I believe it's made that way for durability. If you can afford this pack buy it!"

"A hell of a pack. Comfortable too. i have owned mine for 5 years and it has seen alot of miles. From Alaskan ice to Mexican caves this pack has seen it all. It has held up well. I have no visable seem failure anywhere that I can tell. Its a tough piece of work made in the USA. Buy it!"