The Osprey Tempest 20L excels in comfort and supportive structure for women with short torsos. Its top feature is the adjustable harness that maintains comfort even with heavy loads. However, a significant drawback is the hydration sleeve, which is difficult to access, potentially limiting it for some users. This pack is best suited for all-day trail use where a precise fit matters.
- DVSS Score: 88.15/100
- Satisfaction Tier: Excellent
- Review Count: 906
STRENGTHS
- Ergonomics & Fit: Women’s-specific design perfectly fits petite (4’10” to 5’4”) and short torsos (15″ frame).
- Load Distribution: Hip belt effectively transfers weight, preventing strain and “pulling on my neck” for users with injuries.
- Ventilation: AirScape back panel provides excellent ventilation, keeping the back cool on long, hot hikes.
- Durability: Built strong; holds up to years of hiking, camping, and aggressive use (snowboarding/SAR training).
LIMITATIONS
- Hydration Access: The External hydration sleeve is critically tight and “nearly impossible” to insert a full 2L bladder without two people.
- Shoulder Fit: Straps are spaced too narrowly for some body types (broad shoulders/larger chest), causing them to “cut the sides” or rub the neck.
- Side Pocket Security: Side water bottle pockets are shallow, allowing 32oz bottles to “fall out of the side” when bending down.
- Hip Belt Pockets: Hip belt pockets are too small for modern large smartphones (e.g., iPhone 12, Samsung S21).
QUICK DECISION
✓ You’re a STRONG FIT if you:
- Have a short torso and struggle to find a pack that doesn’t rub your neck or lower back.
- Need the hip belt to carry the majority of the load (e.g., due to neck or shoulder pain).
- Carry a 1.5L bladder or smaller and prefer to fill it before placing it in the sleeve.
- Need secure attachment points for trekking poles and a jacket.
✗ You should SKIP this if you:
- Need quick, hassle-free access to your hydration bladder or frequently refill it on the trail.
- Have a wider frame or broad shoulders that require more distance between the shoulder straps.
- Carry a 32-oz water bottle that must be stored externally.
- Need a fully waterproof bag (no cover included).
IDEAL USER
The Tempest 20L is ideal for the serious woman hiker who prioritizes exceptional on-body comfort and load distribution, particularly for short to medium torso lengths.
KEY ISSUE
The design places the external hydration sleeve behind the back panel, creating a critically narrow opening that makes bladder insertion difficult.
Read the full article below. ↓
Contents
Osprey Tempest 20L Women’s Hiking Backpack: The 88.15 Score Behind Comfort
High customer satisfaction for the Tempest 20L is driven by its comfort and reliable support of heavy loads, minimizing neck and shoulder strain for women with short torsos.
A high volume of positive reviews proves the product’s reputation. However, the critically flawed hydration system can pose challenges for long-distance hikers. Our proprietary DVSS weighs positive sentiment against failure-point frequency and severity to assess reliability.
- DVSS Score: 88.15
- Satisfaction Tier: Excellent
- Review Count: 906
- Average Rating: 4.80 stars
- Ideal For: Day Hikers, Multi-Sport Adventurers, and Petite Backpackers.
Women’s-Specific Harness Achieves Perfect Fit for Short Torsos
The pack’s harness system is lauded for its women’s-specific cut and adjustable torso, which solves chronic fit problems for petite users (4’10” to 5’4″). Buyers confirm that after watching the sizing video, they found a pack that “finally fit my 15-inch frame” without rubbing the back of the head or neck. The fit is so precise that when adjusted correctly, the pack is “immovable,” making it ideal for carrying 10-20 lb weights for exercise or Rucking.
The Hydration Sleeve is Critically Tight and Difficult to Load
The hydration sleeve is located externally to prevent a full bladder from consuming internal volume. However, the external opening is critically tight. Users report struggling with a full 2L bladder, finding it “nearly impossible” to insert or remove.
Some users require two people to pull the bladder out, and the general advice is to “put the bladder in first before you start packing your bag.” This design flaw significantly compromises the pack’s core functionality for long-distance hikers.
Load Distribution Prevents Neck Pain and Shoulder Strain
A major strength of the Tempest 20L is its ability to transfer the load effectively via the hip belt, a key feature for users with existing injuries. Buyers confirm that the pack “worked great” and provided the “extra hip support” needed, preventing the weight from pulling on the neck.
The comfortable, padded waist and shoulder straps are adjustable to ensure the load sits squarely on the hips, a critical feature often missing in smaller daypacks.
Side Pockets are Insecure for Large 32-Ounce Water Bottles.
While the pack features exterior side pockets for hydration, they are designed too shallow for larger bottles. Users carrying 32-ounce water bottles report that they will “fall out of the side water bottle holders if you bend down.” This lack of security dictates that only smaller bottles (around 20oz) or flexible soft flasks can be carried safely in the side mesh.
Durability and Construction Quality Outlast Years of Abuse
The Tempest is consistently described as being “beautifully constructed” and made from rugged fabric. Users confirm the pack has kept contents dry and clean through heavy use, including being “tossed in the snow” during snowboarding trips and “dropped in the mud” during search-and-rescue training. The high quality is consistent with the Osprey brand, leading buyers to expect the pack to last for many years.
Is the Tempest 20L Women’s Hiking Backpack the Right Choice for All-Day Hiking?
If you are a petite or small-framed hiker, the Tempest 20L stands out for comfort and fit quality. Yet, purchasing this pack means accepting a challenging hydration sleeve design. Ease of use for water reservoirs should guide your decision, especially if you refill often on the trail.
Quick-Fit Assessment
✓ You’re a Great Fit:
- Have a short torso and struggle to find a pack that doesn’t rub your neck or lower back.
- Need the hip belt to carry the majority of the load (e.g., due to neck or shoulder pain).
- Carry a 1.5L bladder or smaller and prefer to fill it before placing it in the sleeve.
- Need secure attachment points for trekking poles and a jacket.
✗ You should SKIP this if you:
- Need quick, hassle-free access to your hydration bladder or frequently refill it on the trail.
- Have a wider frame or broad shoulders that require more distance between the shoulder straps.
- Carry a 32-oz water bottle that must be stored externally.
- Need a fully waterproof bag (no cover included).
The Perfect-Fit Load Distributor (Risk: Hydration System Failure)
This profile is for the hiker who needs maximum comfort and stability for 8+ hour treks where the weight must be effectively transferred from the shoulders to the hips. The Tempest 20L Women’s Hiking Backpack excels at load distribution and remains the most comfortable pack that experienced buyers have owned. The critical risk is the tight hydration sleeve, which is highly prone to damaging bladders and is inconvenient to refill on the trail.
The Petite Multi-Sport Adventurer (Risk: Narrow Strap Pinching)
This profile fits the buyer who needs a high-quality, durable pack that is not bulky for activities like biking and sightseeing. The Tempest 20L Women’s Hiking Backpack successfully manages this with its lightweight design and structural stability. The final limitation is the narrow strap placement, which can cause shoulder friction for wide frames or restrict neck movement for those with short torsos.
Verdict: Specialized Osprey Tempest 20L Women’s Hiking Backpack
The Tempest 20L is an industry leader in daypack comfort for women, making it an excellent purchase for most female hikers. However, the critical design flaw in the hydration sleeve is a consistent point of failure. Buyers must be willing to accept the hassle of bladder management or plan only to carry water in the easily accessible side pockets.
After weighing all component thresholds, the data confirms this choice. Buy the Osprey Tempest 20L with confidence. Explore the Osprey Backpacks and Gear Guide for more alternatives.
