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Osprey Arcane Duffel Pack Specs
Cost: $130
Capacity: 30 liters
Dimensions: 18.5” x 12.2” x 10.6” (47 x 31 x 27 cm)
Style: Duffel
Weight: 1.89 lbs (0.86 kg)
Laptop: 15″
Materials: 500 Denier packcloth, YKK zips
Origin: Manufactured in Vietnam
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Overall Impression
It’s weird traveling to a location that’s usually so crowded. I’m used to seeing the Santa Monica 3rd Streep Promenade bustling with people, but not so this weekend with social distancing in full force. But the lack of people didn’t stop me from hiking around with the Osprey Arcane Duffel Pack. This is a small minimalist travel pack, with an external access laptop compartment and duffel style organization.
Materials and Hardware
The main fabric is a thin 500 Denier pack cloth. And while Osprey avoids mentioning what the material is made from, generally this is a nice way to say polyester. Don’t get me wrong, there’s certainly nothing wrong with polyester. It’s a great, strong lightweight synthetic fabric widely used in travel backpacks. However it isn’t as strong as nylon, which is usually why it’s less expensive.
I love this hardware. Solid, huge #10 YKK’s on the main compartment, and smaller #8s throughout. What I love the most is the aluminum. It’s shiny and lightweight and makes a great contrast with the dark color I chose for this pack. The one downside to these zipper is they aren’t lockable, however you can easily clip them together with a microlock.
The rest of the hardware is just as great as the zippers. They use the same matching lightweight aluminum clips for the backpack straps. It’s strong, look great, and you know it won’t break because it’s metal. Best yet it matches the aluminum strap adjustors and zippers. And since this is a minimalist travel backpack, this is everything for hardware.
Dimensions
The dimensions on this pack are great for under the seat carry. This is a smallish pack, probably better for a weekend bag than a full-time travel backpack. But if you can slim your gear down enough, the smallish 18.5” x 12.2” x 10.6” (47 x 31 x 27 cm) will fit a solid 30 liters of travel gear.
External Components
The exterior of the Osprey Arcane Duffel Pack is very minimalist. There are no visible front pockets, no compression straps, or water bottle pocket. There’s just two side carry handles and a small top-access slash pocket.
Organizational Pockets
This pocket is large enough for storing small easy access items. I was able to fit my sunglasses, a travel charger, and a small notebook in here. This is it as far as external organization though. There is one small mesh pocket on the inside lid, but likely you’re going to have to rely on a tech pouch with this pack.
Laptop Compartment
Located on the back of the bag with a side access zipper, the laptop compartment offers decent protection against damage. The padding is decent for a minimalist pack of this weight, but I wouldn’t expect it to protect again a major drop. Just one small thin pad on the back, and another one between the main compartment. The false bottom (and top) will help though. The compartment is sewn a few inches away from the edges of the bag, which protects the vulnerable corners.
Carry Options
Shoulder Straps
Like other minimalist backpacks, the Osprey Arcane Duffel Pack has moderately padded backpack straps. These would be a bit thin on a larger pack, say a 35 or 40 liter pack. However they are going to be sufficient for this small 30 liter pack, as long as you don’t pack it too full.
Cross Body shoulder strap
This bag does have a cross-body shoulder strap, giving you multiple carry options. The duffel style pack is one of the best styles for using the cross-body strap. It’s a comfortable carry, and the small 30 liter capacity isn’t too heavy to haul with just one strap.
Carry Handles
Lest we forget you, oh lowely side carry handles, the oft overlooked alternate carry option. While nobody actually carries their bag around by the side handle for any real length of time. A solid padded handle is still important for when you find yourself rushing across the airport with no time to unclip your should straps. These straps do the job just fine. They’re not the huge “beefy overly padded” handles you’ll see on the Osprey Farpoint 40 or the Porter 40, but the slim padded webbing do the job just fine.
Back Padding Comfort
The back padding isn’t bad, but it could be better. I like the look of this bag and the back adds to the sleek minimalist design. Subtle ridges located behind a thin breathable fabric offer adequate air ventilation, without making the bag seem overly done. However, as an avid sweat monster in the summer, I always appreciate more air flow.
Interior Design and Organization
Like most standard duffels, this bag has a large side-opening flap lid. It’s about as simple as you can ask for. Big lid, big zipper, large one compartment organization. There are no bells and only one small whistle inside this large pocket. A small zippered mesh pocket on the inside lid. This pocket, as well as the small exterior slash pocket are all you are offered for small item organization. A tech pouch is warranted in this situation.
The packing style is similar to most duffels and the main compartment is easy to pack. Two 12”x14” (30 x 36 cm) packing cubes fit perfectly inside the bottom of the main compartment. I used two of these medium Eagle Creek Specter Tech Compression Cubes. They only come in a set with the small version for now, but you can buy the medium non-compression cubes separately. They’re the same dimensions, just without the compression zipper. The remainder of your gear easily nestles on top.
Osprey Arcane Duffel Pack Summary
This is a nifty little weekend pack, with some decent comfort for the size. With an easy access duffel style opening, sturdy hardware, what’s not to love? This pack is best for folks who want a simple, easy to pack weekend bag with decent carry comfort. If you love excessive organization, aggressive padding, and tons of bells and whistles, this is not your pack.
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