2fifty6

I'm looking for insight into how two Osprey cycling packs compare to each other: the Osprey Escapist (32L size) and the Osprey Radial (34L size). I've searched the Interwebs thoroughly for insight into this question, but to no avail. This surprises me, since they seem to be both very similar to each other and "contemporaries"--that is, Osprey is selling both. I'm trying to decide which one would be the best choice for bicycle commuting.

So, does anyone have any experience with both? From what I've read, here are some of the differences and general observations:

• Escapist has a better waistband, complete with pouches (that some claim are too small for an iPhone).
• Radial has a very well ventilated back panel. Some say the Escapist does well, too; others say it's too warm.
• Radial has a "kickstand" to let it stand upright on its own (which would be really awesome)
• Escapist comes in blue, red-orange, and black. Radial only comes in red-orange and black.
• Both are designed with cycling in mind, but the Radial is more specialized to that purpose than the Escapist.

So...thoughts? Based on the features of both, which would you choose? (Or, if you considered both of these and chose one over the other, which did you choose and why)?

GeneO 

I have a Radial 26. The kickstand is underrated. I have learned to appreciate it immensely - it is very stable and handy. The 26L has plenty of space for my commuting (30 mi RT) - maybe a little tight when I bring a big lunch and clothes - but I would imagine the 34L would handle that quite well.

HardyWeinberg

I have a radial 34, it's a couple years old (lime green; if it has a kickstand I haven't found it).

I don't know if it's a measure of the value of a waiststrap or lack thereof) but one side's waist strap came off on mine and got lost, and while Osprey has impeccable guarantee (they sent me a whole new one), I wound up taking the other half off, just the chest strap to hold the shoulder straps together is all I need for riding. I basically don't walk around with it at all though (an hour yesterday at my kid's middle school is about all I can think of in the several years). And I reverted to 1980s high school one shoulder strap only anyway...

All that said, I really like this pack. Mostly I keep it cinched down but can release those bottom straps to get something close to double the volume that I usually use. I have used it to carry all sorts of things.

GeneO 

I took my waist strap off too. I figured it would eventually give me trouble and the chest strap is plenty sufficient.

Motolegs

Escapist 32 owner here. (blue) Nice pack, very roomy. The waist strap pouches are smallish, I use the right one for my keys, the other mainly stays empty. The shoulder strap pouch is a nice place for a pocket knife or maybe a multi tool. No room for a smartphone in any of them. Haven't tried the Radial, but I'd bet based on the quality of the one I own it would be a great choice too. Can't go wrong with either I'd wager.

2fifty6

What do you think of the Escapist's back ventilation system? The Radial basically has a completely separate/suspended mesh panel, but the Escapist apparently has sort of a mesh-covered ridged back? (I was able to handle and examine the Radial at my local REI, but unfortunately they only carry the Escapist online.)

srestrepo

I don't have either of these bags but I will comment to the sorry suspended back suspension ventilation thing. There's only one backpack that I've had (for backpacking) that has a better suspension set up and the differences were marginal.

My experience was super positive with this suspended back set up. Particularly on a very humid overnight trip in August in Massachusetts. I really really like their bags and this setup. The only caveat would be that it reduces the available volume inside the pack in order to accommodate the spring back suspension.

The mesh and ridged back foam type works ok, it was comfortable but obviously didn't bent nearly as much as the suspended mesh bag did.

I ended up using the foam back bag during the winter where it would keep my back warm during cold commutes.

Either way, solid company, solid guarantee and intuitive designs. Not sure you could go wrong either way.

Motolegs

The Escapist has five sections of ribbed foam separated by an inch or so, covered with mesh. Works better than plain packs, but still gets hot. The shoulder straps are vented similarly, and work very well compared to solid straps.

acidfast7

30L+ is getting pretty big for a cycling pack.

I find that I can get a change of clothes, bike lock, lunch, passport/wallet/phone/13.3"MBP/keys/access card into 20L bag quite easily and have space for the evening meal as well.

Does that bag have a contoured frame? Otherwise it could be quite uncomfortable for cycling?

Never been a fan of Osprey as they're not really born and bred on the mountains (I'll stick to Arc'teryx/Lowe Alpine/Fjällräven, which I've been very happy with).

edit: For example, a few year old bag shouldn't need to be sent back for a replacement without any hard usage. I'd really look around if I were the OP.

2fifty6

Thanks, all, for the feedback thus far.
@HardyWeinberg:
I don't believe the older Radial model had a kickstand. That seems to be a recent innovation. Also, love the crabs! Bet Osprey never envisioned that particular cargo.
@acidfast7:
My commuting stuff tends to be bulky enough that bigger seems better--especially in the winter, when warm clothing is needed as well. I also envision the pack doubling as a daypack/hiking pack, so as to get more use out of it.

The Escapist does not have a frame, so I imagine it conforms well. The Radial does have a frame. As both are designed for cycling, though, I imagine both are comfortable when riding. Having no experience with either bag, I'll have to defer to those here who do.

My experience with Osprey in general has been positive thus far. Granted, I haven't worn anything into the ground yet, but the equipment seems well designed and well built. My only complaint has been the design of the water bottle holders on some packs: they tend not to hold the bottles very well.

As for other brands, do you have particular models in the same vein as these that you would recommend looking at?

gregf83 

I recently bought a Radial 26 after having used a Momemtum 34 for the last 4 yrs. I had no complaints with the Momentum but was attracted to the mesh back thinking it would help keep my back drier.

I noticed no difference. When I'm riding the pack is pressed fairly tight against most of my back and I'm still soaked (1 hr ride) when I get to work. I spoke with my son this weekend who also bought one for hiking. I thought perhaps if you were walking upright the ventilation would work better. Not in his experience either.

I still like the Radial pack and prefer the storage compartments but it won't keep you cool in my experience.

acidfast7

I usually cycled in the British winter with not much more than I have in the summer (just an extra jacket and a weatherproof shell) from CRAFT and LL Bean respectively. Good gear should be light and small but warm.

Again, 30+L is quite huge for a day pack. We camped for two evenings near SLC recently and just about everything would fit into 35L+.

I really like the frame on my bag ... also, I hate water bottle pockets as their useless and get in the way when running/walking/cycling. I want freedom of arm movement when using public transport and connecting it to a train/subway/bus/plane

the rolltop is a really nice feature as I can get in a baguette or a longer tube (fishing rod).



Also, over here, extra space comes with a big hassle or cost (housing/parking/etc...)

I wouldn't want a 35L pack on a daily commute.

acidfast7

Also, zippers break over time and I try to avoid them if at all possible. They don't allow larger items and they wear out.

I guess there's a 25L model floating around somewhere as well, which could be nice for an extra pair of shoes.

edit also that grab handle is nice for holding it upright in one hand (especially on the tube) ... holding a pack by the rear straps is very awkward.

maybe I have totally adjusted to the pack, but I haven't seen a better one in the last few years for day-to-day use (cycling, carrying, trains, planes, buses, boats, hovercraft, etc...) the roll-top is great, the handle on the front is great, the extra straps on the front surface are gimmicky ... I just use it to a hold a Scandinavian reflector from when I lived in Stockholm and Copenhagen.

Motolegs

OP, a couple general comments on the Escapist you may find useful. It is indeed conforming, in fact when chest and waist straps are engaged it feels like hug. If you aren't using the bag to it's full capacity, you can cinch it down via straps so it's not bulky empty or nearly so. I like having the option though of carrying lots of stuff, which this certainly provides. It will hold my bike gear- helmet and shoes, sunscreen, snacks, bottle, ect in one handy place that can be tossed in the car, ready to hit the road.

Worth mentioning- it comes with a safety yellow colored rain cover that deploys fairly quickly in emergencies. I have ridden with it without the cover in lighter rain and my stuff stayed dry.

HardyWeinberg

I am definitely not of the one-pack-to-rule-them-all school. Happy w/ 34L for cycling (cinches down to very small, I guess if I were on transit or in museums a lot I'd get a smaller one), 44L for short backpacking trips, 65L for long ones.

Every morning since I've read this thread, I get to work, put my pack on the chair (straps facing the back) and it falls forward onto the floor. Maybe a kickstand would be pretty handy!

re ventilation on the radial, my back is no more sweaty with it than it is without it, and less sweaty than if I rode w/ panniers and a raincoat. On summer raincoat days I take the pannier bike.

acidfast7

Usually the activities tie together. Cycling to the island or to the museum/train/airport. Cycling and camping at once.

I've found that 20L and a 65L (with detach) are quite useful. The other sizes are just specialised stuff that I don't like to accumulate.

2fifty6

Appreciate the various comments about the mediocre effectiveness of the mesh backing. Perhaps it shouldn't weigh as heavily in my decision as I thought. And pretty much anything would be better than the wall of spongy foam-fabric on my current commuting bag (a repurposed daypack from my school days).

I stopped by a local sporting goods store today and found they had the Escapist 18. Size-wise it was clearly too small for my needs, but it did let me see the ribbed foam/mesh back and the shoulder pouch in person. (The 18 doesn't have the waist strap pouches, I found.) They only had the blue color, but I rather liked it. Not the best visibility-wise, I suppose, but definitely better than black.

I searched a bit for the Spear 25 pack you mentioned above, but it seems to have been discontinued for at least a couple years now. Couldn't find much in the way of reviews for it, either. Do you know if Arcteryx has a current equivalent? Or are you aware of a pack of a different brand that has similar qualities?

Returning again to the matter of size, it's good to hear that the Escapist can be cinched down when it's not full in order to keep it from being awkward and baggy. (I presume the same is true for the Radial?) I'd rather err on the side of a bit too large than a bit too small, since I have several bags from years past that are the latter.

GeneO 

I am impressed by the kickstand. it makes packing and unpacking amazingly easier. I wasn't expecting that.



My experience with the radial mesh backing compared to my mission workshop is my back is much more comfortable and ventilated in 80-100F weather at least for a 32+ mi RT commute. My MW has other advantages though for cooler climes.

HardyWeinberg

Yep Radial cinches down well.

Motolegs

OP, did you choose a pack? Don't leave us hanging here, lol

2fifty6

Still deciding! I opted to order in an Escapist 32 to my local REI in order to compare it to the Radial 34 and the Manta 36, which I saw recently and decided to consider in comparison with the others. (Outside of Osprey, I haven't really found anything that appeals to me yet.)

I'll take a standard commuting load of stuff with me when I go do my grand comparison (probably Friday). I'll post my impressions afterward. Stay tuned!

2fifty6

Ok, this is extremely overdue, but I've long been meaning to tie up this loose thread! :P I think I'm better equipped to do so now, too, having been using this pack for over six months now.

After much consideration, I opted to go with the Radial 34. I was able to order in an Escapist 32 for an in-store comparison at REI, and while it was a fine pack, the Radial 34 seemed best suited to my needs. I compared the Manta 36 there as well, and while ample in size, the features and feel (particularly the massive waist belt) just didn't lend themselves to bike commuting, at least for me.

Probably the two most compelling features were useful capacity and number of pockets. I'll touch on those two aspects first.

Useful capacity.
In trying my test load of commuting gear in the various packs, everything just seemed to fit better and with the least amount of struggle in the Radial. There was also a surprising amount of room to spare, which gave me confidence that I would be able to add more to the load if necessary. Such was not the case with the other packs, particularly the Escapist. Time has dimmed the details, unfortunately, but I remember having a harder time getting everything in. Note I said _useful_ capacity. The stated capacities aren't that different, but the layout of the space in the Escapist made it much harder to pack effectively. The Radial just seems almost cavernous in its presentation of space and makes it easy to fit things in accordingly without having to get creative about packing technique.

Pockets!
As I mentioned, the number of pockets was another big plus for me. The Radial has at least eight that I can think of off the top of my head (though this subdivision somehow doesn't detract from the ability to load it up well--indeed, it may even enhance it). I like this because it makes it much easier to have "a place for everything and everything in its place." I can pack it such that I know exactly where to find my gloves/hat, glasses/sunglasses, wallet/pens/keys, shoes/socks/clothes, bike pump/repair kit, papers, or other things I carry. I can keep the regular stuff (such as the repair kit, glasses, gloves/hat) divided among the smaller pockets for easy access in consistent places and leave the larger spaces for the bulky things.

Other notes about the pack:

• Color. While I really liked the blue of the Escapist, the orange-red of the Radial gives me more confidence that I'll be visible on the road. Both had reflective features, so color was the difference there.
• Kickstand. I honestly was not expecting this to be that big a deal, but it is seriously awesome! It makes packing/unpacking far faster and easier, and the convenience of having a pack that stands up on its own in the locker room is huge. Just that much less friction getting in the way of frequent bicycle commuting. (Also, it can be folded in--hence the "kickstand" moniker--but I haven't bothered doing so.
• Water bottle holder. This seems to be one of the few Osprey packs that has a water bottle holder actually capable of holding a water bottle. I don't know what their designers were thinking with so many of their other packs, but I always have to use a carabiner to keep them from falling out of my daypack or light overnight pack.
• Mesh backing. Hasn't made as big a difference as I expected, though we'll see once we hit the true summer months, I suppose. When I'm biking home in 90+ degree weather, every bit of ventilation will likely make a difference! Thus far, though, I still arrive home with a sweaty back. I think the mesh presses up too easily against the main pack for it to be a truly suspended space. If I bend forward more as I ride (my bike has a pretty upright riding posture) and/or arch my back a bit, that tends to help boost circulation back there.
• Sternum and waist straps. I actually use them less than I thought I would. Using them tends to reduce the effect of the mesh backing, for one. I might use them if my commute were longer (it's only about 30 minutes right now).
• Visibility (i.e., me being able to look around while riding). I think this was another factor against the Manta. Visibility around me--as I look over my shoulder, for example--is not at all impeded. (The pack also sits low enough to not bump into my helmet, which may have been another concern with the Manta.)
• Shoulder straps. Sufficient padding for what the pack does, and despite the bungee-line adjustments at the top, they seem to be snug enough after cinching up the length of them a bit. They do allow some movement and maybe a little bounce, but nothing that significant on your run-of-the-mill road surfaces.
• Helmet holder. I don't use this very often, but it comes in handy now and then.
• Rain cover. It's there, but I haven't used it yet (I'm in New Mexico, after all). With our precipitation track record lately, I suppose I could take it out without too much risk and gain yet another pocket for storing some odds and ends. But for me it doesn't take up enough space to have though that seriously about doing it.

Well, that's about all I can think of at the moment. Hope that was worth the wait! I'm happy to answer any questions if anyone else is out there wondering about this pack.

HardyWeinberg

Excellent! Glad to hear you are happy with your choice, hopefully your review will help folk in the future too.