The list of small backpacks with big pack features is pretty small these days. Osprey’s Manta 20 makes a go at it.
I don’t usually take daypacks out on hikes. They usually provide pretty poor support, don’t hold enough, and don’t have enough of the features from bigger backpacks. Last year I ran across the Manta line from Osprey and was a bit intrigued. It appeared to be a full size pack scaled down for a day hike, and it would work as a ski pack. Thankfully, Osprey humored me with a loaner to see how I liked it.
As you can probably tell by the spec sheet, the Manta 20 has quite a few features. Hip belt pockets, and integrated rain cover, and a pocket for your sunglasses are included standard, just like your bigger pack. Storage is also scaled down, but provides an ample amount of space for day hikes or a day on the slopes.
Aside from the size, where the Manta differs is the hydration system Osprey has designed the bag around. The company has spent quite a bit of time trying to keep the water from sloshing around in the pack. What they’ve come up with is a hydration bladder integrated into the frame of the pack. The hydration bladder is then strapped down in the middle of the pack to remain as stable as possible.
While the company claims this provides a bit of positive pressure, I haven’t seen this in about 100 miles of hiking and 2 months of skiing with the pack. The bladder does however remain much more stable than the typical bladder that slips inside a pack. Thanks to an integrated handle, filling the bladder is super easy too. Overall, using the hydration features is a bit easier than the standard hydration bladder.
That’s not to say that the Manta 20 is perfect. The shutoff for the bite valve isn’t the easiest to see if it’s off or not. I’ve had a decent amount of water leak in my trunk before I realized the bite valve wasn’t shut off in the past. Also, as far as I can tell the hose doesn’t detach from the bladder itself, which makes cleaning a bit more difficult than usual. At times the pocket the bladder is in can be difficult to operate, especially with gloves on. Finally, all these features come at a price in weight. At 1kg, this isn’t the lightest daypack on the market.
So, when it’s all said and done, did I like the Manta 20? Absolutely. My complaints about the hydration bladder aren’t unique to Osprey. Many of the competitors I’ve tried have had the exact same issues. Yes, it’s a bit heavy for a daypack. However, you get quite a few features for that extra 8 ounces. When it comes down to it, it’s a daypack. Weight isn’t exactly critical for an 8 mile day hike through the woods. I’ve pretty extensively tested the Manta 20, and I have yet to run into any show stopping problems. Quality of construction is exactly the same as the bigger Osprey packs. That is to say, it’s excellent.
What may be the real deal killer though is the price. At $129, this is an extremely expensive daypack. If you already have a hydration bladder, you’re essentially paying for another one in addition to the pack. If the bladder that comes with the Manta 20 has issues, you’ll need to find the exact same one that comes with it. You can’t buy another one off the shelf and use it with the pack.
If you can justify the price though, you’ll get a very nice daypack with bigger pack features. The Manta 20 has served me quite well this spring, and I’ll be sad to see it go back to Osprey.
Product provided by the manufacturer for review purposes.
In response to the 2nd to last paragraph, I was able to make a 100oz camelback bladder work with the Osprey.
Other bladders can fit in that pocket, however the issue is that the bladder that comes with the Manta is also the frame for the pack. So, if you replace the bladder with another brand, you’re getting rid of the frame. Overall though I was pretty happy with the pack. I just wish it was easier to find a replacement bladder.