Osprey Women's Luna 70/Men's Crescent 75 Backpack

Osprey Women's Luna 70 Backpack (Plum)

I purchased this in excellent used condition off FaceBook Marketplace, in my quest to find a pack that truly fits me. The pack itself is a women's small, and the hipbelt and harness had already been switched out for mediums by the previous owner. I was pretty sure the medium belt wouldn't fit me correctly, and I was right. However, a quick email to Osprey got me excellent advice and service and a $25 men's XL belt was on its way to me in short order (they only offer the women's conical cut belt in XS-L). Now, I finally have a pack that truly fits me - for the first time, my pack's hipbelt wraps ALL the way around past the front of my hip bones, like it's supposed to.

The weight of the pack while empty concerned me somewhat, as over 6 lbs is super hefty (it added 2 lbs to my base weight when I transferred my stuff from my Kelty Coyote 60).

Specifications:

• ReCurve Suspension optimizes fit and load transfer: Foam-X polyethylene framesheet, twin aluminum stays and dual aluminum struts
• ReCurve aluminum struts create a pretensioned lift mechanism, actively transferring load to the hipbelt and reducing sag
• Load-lifter straps act with ReCurve struts and framesheet to draw load snug against your back for increased control and stability
• D3 Spacer Mesh on backpanel, promotes airflow and wicks moisture during warm weather and intense activity
• BioForm hipbelt is canted and conically cut to fit a women's hips and waist; BioForm technology allows heat molding for a customized fit
• Osprey certified Custom Molding is available in most stores—check your local REI store for a custom hipbelt molding oven
• Provides complete access to main compartment via top-loading and side zippered access
• Externally accessible, extra-large sleeping bag compartment accommodates large synthetic sleeping bags
• Lid pocket converts to a fanny pack with hidden hipbelt and features compression straps for lashing on day-tripping gear
• Removable two-liter AquaSource hydration sleeve converts to a hydration pack for day-tripping; reservoir sold separately
• Comes with built-in stretch-panel front pocket with spacious waterproof zip compartment
• Side pockets, one zippered and one mesh, keep essentials handy and secure, and double as slots for hauling skis in the traditional A-frame style
• StraightJacket compression wings let you securely compress the contents, whether the pack is full or nearly empty, without sag or load distortion
• Imported.

Specifications for torso, hipbelt, base volume and weight are as follows: X Small - up to 16 in. / up to 28 in. / 3,900 cu. in. / 64 liters / 6 lbs. 2 oz. Small - 16 - 18.5 in. / 27 - 31 in. / 4,100 cu. in. / 67 liters / 6 lbs. 6 oz. Medium - 18 - 20.5 in. / 30 - 34 in. / 4,300 cu. in. / 70 liters / 6 lbs. 10 oz.


On The Trail:


Turns out my weight concerns were totally unfounded....this thing carries like a dream!! I only had around 32 lbs in it, but it rode so smoothly it was almost like carrying my 13 lb day pack. I can envision this pack hauling 40+ lbs with ease. On my overnight backpack trip, I didn't need to touch any of the adjustments after the initial set up each day. The forwad pull hip belt straps are one of the features I was searching for in my pack, and this one's wide straps are easy to adjust and stayed put once set. I love the head dent in the back panel that allows me to look up, even with a ponytail. I also love that I can reach my drink from the mesh pocket without straining. The biggest plus I found, however, is the absolutely gigantic sleeping bag compartment on the bottom, with a huge and robust zipper that never got stuck - I got my hammock with bug net and straps, top quilt, underquilt, gear hammock, and baggie of personal items into the compartment, and still had space on the sides left over.

Things I Love:

• The size of the sleeping bag compartment and the power of the compartment's zipper
• The mesh bottle pocket that allows for upright or forward-angled bottle carry
• The enclosed, zippered pocket on the opposite side that can also function as a bottle carry
• The front stash pocket with zippered front waterproof compartment
• The head dent on the back panel
• Key clip on red webbing inside the Brain pocket
  
• The bioform hip belt and harness' comfort and customization
  
• The removable water bladder pocket that uses the sleeping pad compression straps to become a separate water pack
• The removable sleeping pad compression straps - you don't have to fight them to work with the sleeping bag compartment
  
• The range of adjustments and compression straps that actually work without getting in the way constantly (mostly)
• The off-white vertical compression straps, making them highly visible
  
• The way it carries so easily

          Things That Need Work:

• I wish it had hip belt pockets
• The brain's pocket is so large that everything slides around, and if the pack is only partially loaded, everything in that pocket ends up right behind your head
• All 3 front compression straps need to be unbuckled to find the front-access zipper, which is tucked up under the front compression wings, making it pretty useless on the trail
• Why in the hell are the insides of almost all packs BLACK??? Trying to find stuff inside this huge pack SUCKS because of this
• I'm a compulsive organizer, so I wish this had an organizer pocket or internal pockets for smaller items like my knife, lighter, and EpiPen        

Overall Impressions:

I highly recommend this pack for anyone looking to haul larger loads in style and comfort. The ability to swap out both the harness and the hip belt makes this a true winner for women that don't fit the "womanly norms" of size and shape. Yes, it's big; yes, it's heavy; yes, it just works. The fact that it's now a several-year-old model (first introduced in 2005) means you'll likely find it at prices up to 2/3 or more off retail (orignially $359), IF you can find one. I've gotta give this one 2 👍!