Osprey Ultralight dry stuff pack review: It’s my go-to day bag
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The Osprey Ultralight dry stuff pack is easily the most expensive backpack I’ve ever purchased.
It’s lightweight, waterproof and packs down into its own zippable pocket – all reasons that made me buy it back in 2022.
But it’s far from perfect.
It’s impossible to carry a water bottle in the side pocket when the bag isn’t at least half full, for example.
It means I’m often forced to carry extra items – like my camera case, even if I don’t think I’ll need it – just to give the bag some structure.
Still, it’s served me well over the years, and was my go-to day bag for travelling.
In 2026 I sent my bag to Osprey for repair and received a new version as replacement. As I’ve had this version for much less time, I’ll review the features of both.
Osprey Ultralight dry stuff pack at a glance
Rating: 8/10
- Price: £75 from Osprey*, but sometimes cheaper on Amazon*
- Weight: 200g
- Dimensions: 45 x 25 x 21cm (20L capacity)
- Materials: recycled 40D ripstop nylon with waterproof coating
- Colour: tundra green, black, waterfront blue
- Warranty: Osprey All Mighty Guarantee (30 year repair policy)
- Best for: day trips, beach use, hiking in changeable weather
First impressions
When I walked into an outdoor retailer in Adelaide back in 2022, I needed a backpack that was lightweight and waterproof.
I was heading to Queensland a few days later to stay at Reefsleep, a pontoon moored on the Great Barrier Reef.
It was just an overnight stay, but the only day bag I had was my Lowepro Tahoe BP 150 camera bag*.
It was the right size but it wasn’t waterproof, and I didn’t want to risk my camera getting wet.
I was also lugging around three weeks’ worth of luggage so needed something that packed down and was lightweight.
The guy behind the counter suggested the Osprey Ultralight dry stuff pack*.
It ticked all the boxes, was small enough to slip into my pocket, but still offered decent carrying capacity.
The only sticking point was price – I hadn’t expected to spend quite so much.
But after much umming and aahing, I bought it.
When I got my replacement Osprey Ultralight in 2026, I was surprised by how different it looked.
The fabric was much brighter and shinier, and there had been a few design tweaks since I purchased my original one.
Key features and specifications
The Osprey Ultralight dry stuff pack is designed to be packed down so it’s very minimalist in design.
Even so, it has some great ergonomic features that I really like.
Design and build quality
Designed for urban and outdoor (soft adventure) environments, the Osprey Ultralight is currently made from recycled 40D ripstop nylon that’s resistant to tears.
The old version of the bag served me well for years, but it was prone to abrasions when placed on rough ground.
I managed to make a couple of small holes in the front pocket, which I suspect were from keys – I’m not thrilled about this because it’s not exactly rough handling.
The new version is made from a noticeably tougher-feel fabric, which I’m hoping will make it less prone to wear and tear over time.
In both versions of the bag, the fabric has been treated with a waterproof coating. There’s also waterproof tape sealing the inside seams.
Combined with a roll top closure, the bag is IPX5 non-submersible waterproof.
Over the years, my Osprey Ultralight has done a pretty good job protecting my DSLR camera from getting wet on seafaring adventures and in wet weather.
After my old bag suffered some wear and tear (more below), I ended up using a dry bag inside for extra protection on particularly wet excursions.
Capacity and packing layout
The Osprey Ultralight has one zippable front pocket, two stretchy mesh side pockets with adjustable straps and a main compartment with roll down top closure.
The capacity is 20L, which you can adjust a little depending on how many times you roll the top down.
It comfortably holds my Lowepro Adventura SH 120 III camera bag* and a jumper or packable down jacket, plus a water bottle in the side pocket and assorted items in the front.
There’s no sub-division or structural support in the main compartment.
In the old version of the bag there was a small zippable pocket against the back that the entire bag folds into when packed down.
The new version doesn’t have this. Instead, it’s a Velcro-close pocket inside the front zippable pocket.
The bag’s two mesh shoulder straps are adjustable, with a fabric strip across the top for clipping in sunglasses.
There’s also a sternum strap that’s adjustable in both length and positioning – this single feature makes all the difference when it comes to how comfortable the bag is to use.
The old version of the sternum strap allowed you to shift it up and down using clips. The new version is a bit awkward as you have to unhook toggles to adjust the strap’s positioning.
Portability and weight
At around 200g, the Osprey Ultralight is barely noticeable whether packed in checked or hand luggage.
It packs down into its own internal pocket to about the size of a big orange, but to be honest I never bother to do it because it’s quite fiddly to squish in the straps.
Instead, I’ll fold it if I’m slipping it into my backpack or just lay it flat on top of my other stuff if it’s going into my checked luggage.
Security features
The Osprey Ultralight has no integrated security features.
I usually fold the top down and clip it behind the shoulder straps, which makes the opening inaccessible for casual theft.
The internal pocket on the old version of the bag was handy for storing passports (with a bit of wriggling), cards and cash although I would sometimes stash these into my camera bag for an extra layer of protection.
The new version of the bag doesn’t have this at all, although there is now a hook for your keys
Of course someone could easily cut through the fabric to get at my things, but I suspect theft would be the least of my concerns at that point.
Warranty and repair
Osprey offers the All Mighty Guarantee* for most of its products, which covers all repairs and replacements over a 30 year period.
It’s extremely comprehensive, and even covers fabric tears.
You’ll have to send the bag into the Osprey’s repair centre and pay for outward shipping but Osprey will pay for return shipping to get it back to you.
I contacted them about the waterproofing issues with my bag and they agreed to replace it, which is why I now have the new version of the bag.
Performance in the real world
When I’m travelling, I always put my Osprey Ultralight dry stuff pack in my suitcase (read about how I pack and why here).
Although it’s small enough to use as an underseat carry-on bag, I almost always travel with my laptop these days and so I need something that’s structured and padded to protect the tech and my back.
Once I’m in-destination though, the Osprey Ultralight is my go-to day bag.
It has just the right capacity for day-use, can easily hold my camera and some light clothing plus snacks, and is relatively secure.
I particularly love it for expedition cruising because stuff always gets wet on those zodiac excursions, but it’s also come in handy during unexpected downpours.
Ease of use
The Osprey Ultralight requires no set up. Simply unpack/unroll and use.
However, you do need to think about what you’re carrying inside.
The bag has zero structure, which means if you’re using it to carry small items, they’ll just roll around the bottom and dig into your back.
And it’s impossible to use the side pockets for a water bottle without having something substantial in the main compartment – the bottle will simply fall out after a couple of steps or if you happen to lean over.
I’m usually carrying the Lowepro Adventura SH 120 III camera bag* inside, which helps to give the Osprey Ultralight a bit of structure, but if not I’d need to carry a jumper or lightweight down jacket just to bulk it out.
It’s not a huge deal but sometimes it feels like I’m carrying extra weight just so I can keep my water bottle accessible.
I do occasionally carry the water bottle in the main compartment but the roll top closure means I always need to go through the rigmarole of taking off the bag just to have a drink.
I could use a camel pack* for a bit more accessibility when hiking – the sunglasses straps I mentioned could be used to hold the straw – but it’s not really appropriate for city breaks.
Durability
I use my Osprey Ultralight almost exclusively for travelling.
Given I spend half the year on the road, spread across a dozen or so different trips, my bag gets a lot of use.
Often I’m using it on city breaks, occasionally on the water and very rarely out on hikes somewhere truly wild.
It’s fared pretty well given how many years I’ve been using it.
The nylon fabric used to make the bag is thin but durable, and the ripstop stitching is meant to stop any tears from spreading.
My old bag showed few obvious signs of wear and tear, save for the small holes that have formed from the abrasions, though the waterproofing started to fail after about four years.
On trips where I expected to get very wet I’ve had to use a dry bag inside as an extra line of defence.
What I liked
The waterproof, lightweight, packable design was why I originally bought the Osprey Ultralight dry stuff pack.
Those features are why it’s still my go-to day bag today.
However, I also like the fact that the bag feels secure.
Aside from the inaccessible closure, I can clip it to my chair if I’m dining in a neighbourhood I’m not sure about, which helps to alleviate those pickpocketing concerns.
What could be better
As you’ve probably gathered, the thing I hate about the Osprey Ultralight dry stuff pack is that it lacks any kind of structure when empty.
It means there are times when I’m carrying extra weight just to keep my water bottle handy.
But the other thing to bear in mind is that while the shoulder straps are meshed and breathable, the main body of the bag isn’t at all.
In hot and humid environments it can get really sweaty, where beads of water actually gather on the fabric.
It helps if I loosen the shoulder straps so the bag isn’t right against my back but then it’s not as comfortable to carry.
Is it worth the price?
Clearly I balked at the price when I bought the Osprey Ultralight dry stuff pack.
At £75 (when purchased directly from Osprey*), it’s pretty pricey, though occasionally you can find a good deal for it on Amazon*.
I would argue that with all the functionality and the robust product guarantee, it’s worth every penny.
Certainly I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another if my bag eventually fails and is no longer covered under the guarantee.
There are cheaper and more expensive alternatives though.
Other brands to consider
Amazon has plenty of options for packable backpacks*.
On the premium end is the Matador Freerain22*.
It’s bigger (22L capacity with dimensions of 50 x 27 x 18 cm), bulkier (weighing 300g) and more expensive (around £120).
However, it does come with extra features, like a removable waist strap, abrasion protection and gear loops for hiking poles.
The more budget-conscious option is the Lifeventure packable waterproof backpack*.
It’s bigger (22L capacity with dimensions of 50 x 28 x 13.5 cm) but lighter (150g) and cheaper (around £37).
It also features waist straps for better weight distribution and side pockets for water bottles but no zippable pockets for the small items you need easy access to.
The cheapest option by far though is the Forclaz Travel 20L foldable and waterproof pocket backpack* from Decathlon, which also stocks a bigger 25L version* with more or less the same design as the 20L one.
This bag has the same 20L capacity as the Osprey Ultralight but its slightly tapered shape means the dimensions are only given as 58 x 35 cm.
It is however much lighter (145g) and much cheaper (around £13) and you still get side pockets and a sternum strap.
Final verdict
There’s a reason why the Osprey Ultralight dry stuff pack is my go-to day bag: despite its flaws, it’s highly functional in a variety of situations.
Like its cheaper competitors, it’s lightweight and waterproof, with side pockets for a water bottle or umbrella.
But it also features an easily accessible and zippable external pocket for small items like tissues or lip balm, and adjustable shoulder and sternum straps that help with weight distribution and therefore comfort.
Plus, thanks to Osprey’s All Mighty Guarantee, getting damages fixed is a breeze.
However, I do miss the internal zippable pocket in the old version of the bag.
Buy the Osprey Ultralight dry stuff pack direct from Osprey here*.
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