Honest Osprey Tempest 11 review: suitable for hiking in the alps?
Any hiker in the Alps knows that the right backpack can make a big difference on the trail. In December 2025 I bought the Osprey Tempest 11 for shorter hikes in and around the Austrian Alps, near Innsbruck. After 3 months of almost daily use, I am ready to answer the question: Is the Osprey Tempest worth its €130?
Before buying the Osprey, what did I look for?
I had a clear idea of the backpack I was looking for. I planned on using it daily for work, doing errands, biking and shorter hikes. My must-haves were:
15-20 liters of capacity
a short back length, designed for women or people with shorter backs
a padded hip belt with pockets large enough for my iPhone 12 mini
a ventilation system at the back for warm summer hikes
a color that matches both casual and sporty outfits
durable, high-quality materials
I had been searching for my perfect backpack for months before I ran into the Osprey Tempest in a big outdoor shop (Sportler in Innsbruck). I was there to try the Ortovox Traverse 20L, which seemed like a great option and fit all my requirements. While walking through the store, my eye fell onto the bright mint green of the Osprey Tempest 11. The backpack ticked all the boxes, and without prior research I bought the bag on the spot for €130. Normally I don't do this, but I think the fatigue of endless searching for a fitting backpack hit me that day. Was this a mistake? At first I did feel so.
The one thing I dislike about the Osprey Tempest 11
All the backpacks from the Tempest line have the AIRSCAPE™ BACKPLATE. Even though it is supposed to ensure a close-fitting, stable fit as well as flexibility, I find it to be uncomfortable, especially when carrying hard items like a lunch box or water bottle. On bike rides, I sometimes felt pressure against my lower back that was close to painful.
After researching reviews and user experiences, this seems to be a common issue with the Tempest backpacks. It usually comes down to a combination of design and fit:
Compact design: smaller packs have less structure and transfer less weight to the hips
Close-fit system: the backpack sits tightly against your back, so pressure points are more noticeable
Load distribution: if the weight sits too low, it presses directly on the lower back
Body type: people with less padding around the lower back may feel pressure more quickly
In short: If the fit isn’t perfect, weight can shift toward the lower back and create pressure points.
Osprey’s official stance is fairly simple: fit is personal. In other words, not every backpack works for every body type. The issue is not necessarily a defect, but a mismatch between the pack and the user. There are many people who absolutely love this bag. So if you are thinking of buying this backpack, try it on in store.
My solution: adjusting the Tempest and reorganize the contents
I improved comfort in two ways:
adjusting the backpack to sit higher on my back
reorganizing how I pack it
I now place hard items higher up or further from my back, and softer items against the backpanel. This made a noticeable difference. The discomfort didn’t completely disappear, but it became manageable.
Yesterday I hiked 10 km in snow shoes up a mountain with a hard lunch box container inside. Once I ate my lunch, it was much more comfortable and the bag felt very light.
I now use my Deuter Futura (love this bag!) for heavier loads.The Tempest is a bag for lighter days. In the end, I bought a bag that is not the right fit for me. That is my fault, and another lesson learned. Thankfully, there are so many things I love about this bag that it's easy to imagine wearing the backpack for years to come!
All the things I like about the Osprey Tempest 11
Whether you are hiking in the Alps, on your way to the gym or going to work with a laptop, this bag is a perfect fit for so many activities. Although it’s officially 11 liters, it feels closer to a 15–20 liter pack thanks to its smart layout and stretch pockets. In this part I will tell you about all the things I love about this backpack.
The mesh harness pocket on the front
OMG, these things are soooo handy. During this winter I put my beanie and gloves there for easy acces. In the summer I can imagine putting an extra layer or a rain jacket there. think it would also be perfect for your child's plush animal, a dog's leash or a bag of chips. They are super sturdy, nothing falls out and just makes a smaller backpack so much more useful.
The side stretch mesh pockets
The side pockets of the Osprey Tempest 11 are very flexible and deep. My Yeti bottle fits well, but also a bottle of handcream, sunglasses, hair ties, lipgloss, keys. It is the same as the mesh harness pockets: it gives a smaller backpack more options for organizing.
The dual-zippered fabric hipbelt pockets
I love a good hip pocket, and this one had two. My keys or sunscreen go on the right, my phone on my left. It is so nice to have the most important items close to you.
The inner pocket
For a bag of 11 liters it has the perfect amount of organization. There is one big inner pocket, and a little zipped pocket inside. Perfect for keys, money, bills, gum, sunscreen, anything that is important to you and you want keep separate from the rest.
The shoulder and hip straps
I love that all of the straps are wide and easily adjustable. They are very comfortable and never hurt me. I do wish the hip straps were a little higher, but as we discussed before, I just think the fit of this bag is not ideal for me.
The colour: mint green!
The colour is the first thing that got my eye, and it still makes me happy everyday! Yes, the lime green is very bright, but I like that. It goes well with both my hiking trousers and my everyday outfits.
The 2 things I am missing with the Osprey Tempest 11
For an expensive, premium backpack it is missing 2 important things: a raincover and a slot for sunglasses. You can buy separate raincovers on the Osprey website, that kind of feels like a cash grab to me. Luckily I was able to use one I already had.
I am also used to having a little elastic bit on the shoulder straps to put your sunglasses in. This is not a must for me, it is just something I was expecting and it wasn’t there.
Hiking in the Alps with the Osprey Tempest: does it hold up?
I find this backpack ideal for shorter hikes. With shorter hikes I mean: 2-3 hours or 10 kilometer relatively easy hiking. There is enough space to bring lunch, a few snacks and 1 layer. If I put my gloves and beanie on the outside of the pack, it works for a short winter hike. If I would hike longer or I need to bring more items, like an extra layer, my crampons, a powerbank etc, I would prefer to use my 25L bag. I have not worn this pack on a sweaty summer day, so I don’t know about the breathablity yet. I will update this blog when I find out!
The bag itself feels very snug to the body. I can imagine wearing this back while doing a more technical hike, as the bag is very stable and won’t move. Or other activities like bike riding, there is even space for your helmet and a light on the outside of the bag. The bag itself is very light, easy to take on and off. I can take items from the side pockets or the mesh harness pocket on the front without having to take it off. That is always nice!
The straps are very comfortable and easy to adjust to your load. The whole backpack feels very high quality and I think if this bag fits you well, it is a perfect choice for daily use.
Final thoughts about the Osprey Tempest 11
The first few days after buying this backpack I really felt like I had made a mistake. The backpack was very uncomfortable on my back. After adjusting the backpack and learning how to organize it, it got better. Still, this was a valuable experience, and I would think twice about buying a backpack from Osprey in the future. Not because the quality is bad - there are so many things I love about this backpack! - but because the fit is not perfectly fitted to my body. And that is a lesson I think all hikers in the Alps have to learn at some point: the right backpack will truly make a difference on the trails in the mountains
FAQ Osprey Tempest 11
1. How much does the Osprey Tempest 11 weigh?
The Tempest 11 weighs approximately 0.8 kg (1.76 lbs), making it lightweight for day hikes.
2. Is 11 liters enough for hiking?
For short hikes, yes. Thanks to the stretch pockets, it feels larger than its capacity. For full-day or winter hikes, it may be too small.
3. Can you use a hydration bladder?
Yes. The backpack includes a sleeve and exit port for a hydration reservoir.
4. Is the Tempest 11 comfortable for long hikes?
It depends on fit and packing. If adjusted correctly and not overloaded, it’s comfortable. Poor fit can lead to lower back pressure.
5. Is it suitable for biking or commuting?
Yes. Its compact size and stable fit make it great for biking and everyday use.
6. Is the backpack waterproof?
No. It is water-resistant, but you will need a rain cover for heavy rain.