[Closed] What Rucksack - Decathlon or Osprey?

I have one of the Osprey bags and it is excellent, doesn't come with a bladder so you would have to factor that in if you don't already have one

Cheers @StuE - I already have a bladder so that isn't a requirement.

They both look good but I'd go with the Osprey. My osprey raptor is very comfortable and some of the features they have are great. The helmet clip works well, and if that ones comes with the little tool roll that's a great feature as well.

Osprey are a brilliant company, making good things in  good way.

Despite me being the world's number 1 decathlon fan, for the extra tenner I'd go Osprey for sure.

They just make good bags.

I’ve had one of those Osprey bags for years. Very comfortable and great quality. Normally I’m Decathlon everything but I’d go Osprey

Was just looking at the Decathlon to replace an Osprey that has startled to tear the material around where the compression straps locate. Not as well made as the Osprey and heavier. Despite being disappointed with my current bag I think I would still go Osprey

I have both of those bags. I use the Osprey one for work as i also carry food with me.

They are both good bags but for off road the parachute type harnes is very stable compared to the conventional type on the ospreys.

Both bags have rain covers which work as well as pockets on the waist straps, which are more useful than you may realise especially for keys.

Personally i would go for the Osprey as its a better commuting bag and the extra room is useful.

The decathlon one is probably good value, and half decent.  Osprey packs are pretty much always great, so go with that.

I've got a very similar Decathlon one (previous model, probably) and the 30l Escapist.  I like the Decathlon one, and find the straps pretty good (the big flat buckle is designed to mount a Go-Pro, which is a nice touch, and the tool area is well done).  But, unless there were a significant price difference, I would get the Escapist - even though I've the 30l version, I find that the compression straps work really well for smaller loads, and it gives more flexibility.

Haven’t tried Decathlon. Have tried the Escapist 18 plus other Osprey bags, and I’d have no hesitation in recommending them.

In case you haven't got the message yet, go with the Osprey. The decathlon one will be fine but the Osprey several steps above in terms of quality.

I have the same Osprey escapist 25 for the bike and 2 other Osprey backpacks for hill walking and another for travel. I am a fan of them all.

Being an Osprey fan I have the Escapist for the bike & backpacks for hill walking. Plus a travel bag.

So to your question - go Osprey

Gonna play devil's advocate a little bit here.

I have that exact Osprey bag. It's awesome. I've used it for day walks, coast to coast and other bikepacking trips on my MTB, city breaks... Basically everything except commuting and day rides (even really long ones).

This may be different for you, but when I was commuting 12 miles a day in all weathers I wanted a bag that was fully waterproof (it has a cover, but it's not 100%), brightly coloured and super simple. The Osprey was almost too nice to waste on commuting!

Then for day rides (and we're talking all day, 35 - 40 miles in the Peak / Moors / Dales / Lakes) I much prefer something smaller like the Osprey Raptor which - although being nominally smaller at 14l - has LOTS of cunning pockets and spaces to tuck stuff, and sits much nicer on the back for riding.

I used an Alpkit Gourdon for commuting - they seem to have gone up in price a bit now. but they were dirt cheap when I picked mine up. Pretty tough - it took me a year and a half to break the chest strap on mine, and that was probably repairable - and as long as you roll it properly, fully waterproof. And just one big space, so really easy to just chuck stuff into (usually in separate dry bags).

Not necessarily the same for you, but worth considering...

My 2p is that Osprey bags are great, and even though my bag is many years old they're still selling the spares for it.

For the extra £10, Osprey:

"All <b>Mighty</b> Guarantee. Osprey will repair any damage or defect for any reason free of charge – whether it was purchased in 1974 or yesterday. If we are unable to perform a functional repair on your pack, we will happily replace it."

i`m with teh monkey above. If you are commuting in actual rain then you need something actually waterproof. or your laptop will die and your dry pants will be wet.

I`m amazed MTBers put up with bags that are not actually waterproof. its stupid (or most mtbers are fairweather cyclists)

alpkit gourdon +1.

I already have a non-waterproof bag that I use for commuting and don't find it an issue. Clothes go in a dry bag and don't have a laptop or anything else. Looks like it is an Osprey then.

We have 5 Osprey packs in our house.  All ace.

i`m with teh monkey above. If you are commuting in actual rain then you need something actually waterproof. or your laptop will die and your dry pants will be wet.

I`m amazed MTBers put up with bags that are not actually waterproof. its stupid (or most mtbers are fairweather cyclists)

alpkit gourdon +1.

Anything I want to keep dry just goes in drybags inside a cheap Quechua 20L rucksac, (under a tenner from decathlon), it's got chest and waste straps and stays stable enough, you can shove a hydration pack in it too if that's your thing...

TBH I only use a rucksac when I have to cycle to work with the laptop (maybe once a fortnight), the rest of the time I just clip a drybag direct on the bars, or a ~15L rear seat pack if I'm on the commuter.

I can't imagine paying £60 to have a sweaty back...

Impressed with this OEX bag from Go Outdoors

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/oex-aquaforce-22-hydration-pack-p429763

Includes a bladder and an extra 20% off if price is a consideration.

FOG - as above, Osprey should repair your bag, I had an old Talon fixed up (various tears, holes, and a new foam back plate)

Osprey, brilliant bags, I've been using mine for commuting and trial use for the last 3 years and it still washes like new, the zips and material all stay in tact, can't fault them at all, well worth the money.

I don't commute but I do own an Escapist 25 and I wouldn't use it for trail riding. It's too big and too wide. The Raptor works far better and still has ample space for spare bit, food and add-on clothing etc.

I like the Escapist as a day-to-day sort of bag, but rarely use it on the bike. Had it for years, one of the main straps came off at the lower attachment point, local repair shop stitched it back on. Otherwise no issues and it's well-made and well-designed thing.

If you want a more pack-like pack that's also waterproof, Mountain Hardwear's Scrambler ones are neat, minimal and have an OutDry waterproof liner to keep the rain out. Or the Alpkit Gourdon of course. Basically a dry-bag with straps on.