by Chuck
(Pack provided by Platypus for review)
P L A T Y P U S O R I G I N 2 2
It never occurred to me that Platypus would design such an awesome looking pack. Functionality and Durability?…well that’s what I’m here for, to take it into the outdoors where it belongs. The pack looks amazing and has so many features. Here is what Platypus has to say about it.
“With ample volume for minimalist overnights or peak-bagging day trips, the Origin 22 hydration pack includes a 2.0L Big Zip™ SL reservoir, plus 22 liters of dedicated gear storage for all the things you need to keep you moving through it all.”
And one of the great things I love about it is the reservoir is made in the good ‘ole U S of A. The pack itself is made in Vietnam and I’m sure those folks did a jam up job on the fabric and the construction of the pack.
Here are some Features of the pack:
- Weatherproof Protection: Waterproof, 10,000mm-coated fabrics, welded, all-weather zippers and heat-taped seams.
- Integrated Hydration: Dedicated, easy-access compartment for included 2.0L Big Zip™ SL reservoir, options for top, bottom, left or right hose routing, lightweight reservoir suspension toggles, and locking hose clips.
- Clean Design: Precisely what you need and nothing you don’t to keep things light and simple.
- Refined Fit: 18 or 20-inch BioCurve™ back panel and ergonomic shoulder straps with soft, stretch-woven surfaces.
- Essential Features: Removable back compression/storage panel and ice axe loop – zippered waist pockets – internal organizer – welded light loop/lash points – reflective detailing.
Hmmmm…what about the Specs. Well here you go:
Color: Green (also available in Blue and Black)
Size: 20 (which means 20 inch or so, torso length)
Gear capacity: 1342 cu. in. / 22 liters
Reservoir capacity: 3L (comes with 2.0 L Big Zip™ SL)
Total capacity: 1525 cu. in. / 25 liters
Pack weight: 1 lbs 10 oz / 726 g
Reservoir weight: 5.5 oz / 157 g
Total weight: 1 lbs 15 oz / 883 g
(Click on image to see enlarged)
Wow…where shall I start on describing this thing? I’ll start with what is seen in the pictures above going from top to bottom, left to right. Well the first thing that struck me was the fabric and the zippers. The fabric definetely looks waterproof, it has that rip-stop material look and I can tell it has a nice coating of some waterproofness on it. The zippers appear to be waterproof as well with nice zipper pulls.
On the front of the pack is what Platypus likes to call a compression/storage panel. This is a great feature when you want to stow a piece of clothing outside of the pack because of wetness or just ease of retrieval. Rain gear, fleece jackets, puffy jackets, a climbing helmet, and many other things can go here. Then just cinch down the web straps and it’s nice and secure. I’ll get to the pocket potion of it in a minute.
The shoulder straps are nice and padded. Not so padded and bulky to carry heavy items but enough to feel comfortable with a bladder full of water and a day’s worth of essentials. The sternum strap area is very interesting and unique. The sliding mechanism has indentions, is what I like to call it, where the mechanism stops, almost like little groves spaced out. This keeps the sliding mechanism from moving up or down when you don’t want it to move on its own. Where the sternum web straps meet the shoulder straps there is a locking hose clip on each side to keep the bladder tube in place as it is placed in the up or down direction on the shoulder straps. The sternum strap quick release buckle is very easy to squeeze to release as well. The back panel that is shown, shows the chimney air flow design. The back panel is padded at the shoulder blades and latissimus area of the back and provides a chimney or channel area for hot air to escape from the back panel.
Inside the main compartment is a generous area for gear on a day trip or even a short over night trip. At the top of the main compartment is a zippered mesh pouch with a key keeper clasp. This is a great area to keep small items that is needed or wanted to be seen on a quick glance and easily retrieved.
At the area where the waist belt meets the pack, there is a small stow pocket on each side of the pack. This can store the waist belt if not needed or any type of small items or snacks. This pocket is also closed by a waterproof zipper.
The bladder area behind the main compartment will hold a 3 L bladder but it is preferred to use the Platypus Big Zip 2L size water bladder. It is held in place by two toggle knobs. The hose can either be fed through the top or at the bottom in each side corner.
As I mentioned before the front of the main compartment has a small compression/storage panel. This panel is also a top loading pouch or pocket. Small items can be placed in it for easy retrieval and the pouch also has a small hook and loop fastener on the front of it to hold hiking poles or an ice axe. Another utility loop is at the bottom to keep the tools in place and secure. And if the pouch is not wanted or needed, it can be removed.
I am sure I have missed a few features but I know I will find them when I load this thing up for my first trip. I will be sure and take note of them so I can pass the information on to you. I look forward to the next couple of months, reviewing the Platypus Origin 22 pack. Stay tuned!
UPDATE: 10/10/11
The Origin 22 has been the perfect size day pack for me. The best part I like about it is the volume in the main compartment. I’ve come to the conclusion that I need a larger size day pack than normal when I go hiking with my kids. I always somehow end up carrying something of theirs. Whether it be a jacket or shirt or wet clothes where they fell into the creek or a rock that weighs about 5 pounds because “It’s just so cool and I don’t have one of these at home, dad!!”. Whatever it is, it’s nice to know that I have a good bit of room in the main compartment without sacrificing weight.
Don’t get me wrong, I love everything about the pack. But the volume is one of the main things on my list. Having carried this pack on several day trips I used the Big Zip reserviour every time. Great capacity and very easy to retrieve the water from the mouth piece, very little effort is needed to get a good amount of water retrieved from the bladder. I love the location of the hose clips that keeps it in place while hiking. It holds well and keeps it from flopping all over the place.
I’ve had the pack on a hike with light rain that lasted for about an hour. The fabric repelled the water and it ran off like water on a duck. Seeing the water bead up is a beautiful site especially when you have dry clothes in the pack that you don’t want to get wet. And one of the main features that help this pack be so storm proof is the zippers. As most waterproof zippers are, they are a little hard to open and close. But it gives me security in knowing that my stuff is dry.
There are not a lot of options for organization in the main compartment. It does have the mesh pocket ot the top on the inside and that has generous area for items wet of dry. It also has a key clip in the pocket as well. I mainly use it for my first aid kit, maps, survival kit, extra snacks and small things like that. And leave the main compartment for larger and bulkier items.
I like the front utility pouch. It’s removable if I want to save weight and leave it behind but I’ve liked in on a couple of occasions when I’ve carried extra socks or snacks in that pocket and it’s been very easy to retrieve myself or I’ve asked a fellow hiker to retrieve it for me.
I have a couple more trips coming up that I would like to see if the volume of the pack is big enough for and overnight trip. Stay tuned for the results….
UPDATE: 1/23/12
I’ve decided after taking this pack on an overnight trip, that for me, the volume is just a little to small for winter backpacking. I took a one man tent as my shelter, a zero degree bag in a compression sack, a pad, very little food, a stove and some warm clothes. I know it’s probably not designed to be used in this manner, but I thought I would try it just to see if I had room. I actually was able to fit everything in but it was bulged out like a balloon and while wearing it on my back, the back panel was barely making contact with my back. The load wasn’t that heavy, it was around 18 lbs, and the shoulder straps were actually very comfortable with this load. I only did it for fun, and not to take anything away from the integrity of the pack. But it really did hold up to the challenge.
I took it back out again on a day hike and it worked superbly. This is its original function and anything more would be pushing the boundrys of the design. This isn’t to say you might could use it during a summer overnight trip where the bulkiness of the gear is cut in half and not to mention the load. But I have thoroughly enjoyed the Origin 22 as a day pack.
One thing I haven’t mentioned is the bladder and how easy it is to clean. Each time after a trip I’ve been able to bring it home, rinse it out and be able to dry it out inside with a paper towel. It’s so nice to be able to do this and not have to place something in the bladder to keep it open to hang and dry out. I can wipe it down inside and put it away.
I want to thank Platypus and 4AllOutdoors for the opportunity to test this pack.
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