Mutant 38L Backpack
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Mutant 38L Backpack
Osprey's Mutant 38L Backpack carries your essentials whether you're on a technical alpine objective or running laps on ice climbs. Complete with the necessary features required for light and fast missions, the Mutant 38L strips itself of the extra components of a typical technical pack. Reinforced A-frame ski carry holds your skis securely and the 3-point haul system distributes the weight of the pack evenly when clipped at an anchor or hauling up a climb. The hip belt features two gear loops to clip and carry equipment that can be easily accessed when wearing the pack while climbing. Ice tool locks safely stow a set of ice tools, and an included helmet carry attachment conveniently holds a climbing helmet during the approach.
Details
- A streamlined pack hauls your gear on light and fast alpine objectives
- 38 liter capacity is perfect for long, single day missions
- A frame ski carry securely holds your planks while straddling a ridge
- 3-point haul system fastens pack to an anchor on multi-pitch climbs
- Hip belt and ice axe gear loops allow for additional gear storage
- Helmet carry stores your helmet when hiking back to the car
- Item #OSP00BC
- Material
- [main, accent] 210D nylon, [bottom] 420D nylon
- Volume
- [small/medium] 36L (2197cu in), [medium/large] 38L (2319cu in)
- Support/Suspension
- removable Atilon sheet lamination, HDPE top stay
- Shoulder Straps
- laminated EVA
- Waist Belt
- fixed
- Hydration Compatible
- yes
- Access
- top
- Pockets
- 2 zippered lid
- Gear Loops
- 1 front panel daisy chain, 2 waist belt gear loops
- Helmet Carry
- yes
- Ice Axe Carry
- yes
- Weight Capacity
- 40lb
- Dimensions
- 29 x 13 x 12in
- Claimed Weight
- [small/medium] 2lb 10.7oz, [medium/large] 2lb 13oz
- Manufacturer Warranty
- lifetime
Reviews
Q&A
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Overall Rating
4.5 based on 14 ratings
Review Summary
Fits True To Size
Screen reader users: the following list provides a visual scale to illustrate the product fit. Please refer to the heading above for the fit type in text.Customer Images
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Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageJuly 31, 2025
Excellent Pack!
Great pack, very light and straps in all the right places. Some really nice features that I’ve not seen on packs before such as strap tidies to stop them flapping in wind.
Originally reviewed on osprey-emea
July 9, 2025
This is my goto bag
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This is my goto bag for mountaineering. It carries comfortably, even with heavy loads, and every pocket, strap and feature is exactly what I want. With the exception of adding a hip belt pocket for snacks. Just took it up Rainier last weekend. My one big complaint- the hip belt is not long enough! Ok for men maybe, but this lady needs just one more inch. I sometimes have bruises right where the belt ends. Please fix this Osprey, and you’ll have the perfect bag!
Originally reviewed on Osprey
April 2, 2025
Great winter sack
Nice simple design, has just about all the features you need without being over complex. Nice low weight too. Very pleased so far.
Originally reviewed on osprey-emea
February 9, 2025
Overall a very good pack,
Overall a very good pack, which I’ve used on several Scottish winter mountain days so far. This is my second Mutant 38 pack and I think that the first one may have a bit more capacity. Also, I prefer the helmet enclosure on the older pack as it has a zip rather than Velcro fastener. A good mountaineering sack which I would recommend. If more capacity is required the 52 litre version may be an option.
Originally reviewed on osprey-emea
January 26, 2025
Nothing carries weight more comfortably
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Nothing carries weight more comfortably than the Mutant. And it has everything else you’d want for almost any endeavor
Originally reviewed on Osprey
December 14, 2024
New bag day!
Exactly as expected, brilliant. Bought this to replace my old Mutant 38 ( which was given to my eldest son). Super happy.
Originally reviewed on osprey-emea
October 4, 2024
Everything I had hoped for
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Everything I had hoped for and more! I have been a P/T rock and ice climbing guide for the past thirty years and was the fortunate owner of a Mutant 28 zip-top pack for 10+ years (used summer and winter). Unfortunately, this pack was stolen from the back of my car this past August, with my entire rock rack contained within it (grrr!). Given all the positive experiences I had over time with that pack, I decided to replace it with the updated and larger 38L current version. Though I have only used it twice during the past week, it far exceeded my expectations. It is light, sleek, simple, versatile, well-designed, and carries heavy & bulky loads with ease and comfort. It has everything I want and nothing more - just what anyone would want in a backpack!!
Originally reviewed on Osprey
September 2, 2024
Great climbing backpack, really comfortable when fully loaded
Really well thought out backpack, well featured, very comfortable. I particialulary like the addition of the helmet carry and the quick buckled side compression for rope carry.
Originally reviewed on osprey-emea
August 11, 2024
I bought this pack specially
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I bought this pack specially for winter Search and Rescue where I need to be light and fast but also have the ability to add or subtract elements easily depending on the situation. For example, I like the straps that can be taken off entirely or that could be used to strap on a pair of snowshoes or closed cell foam pad. I took it out for a 15 mile overnight to test it, carrying about 20 pounds with full food and water. I really liked the narrow profile and it rode very well. Adjustability was good, and I like the fairly robust buckles; they will be helpful this winter in gloves. I miss having any option for a water bottle sleeve built in on the outside, but for this pack's intended purposes, it makes sense not to have it. I'd also note that I tested a couple Osprey accessories with it including a waterproof phone case, and that attached conveniently to the shoulder strap. Overall a well designed climbing and versatile pack that will meet my Search and Rescue needs. It also appears to be a nice balance between good durability and lighter weight. Not the pack the average backpacker wants, but great for climbing, or other activities that may require some flexibility of use, it's a great pack.
Originally reviewed on Osprey
May 14, 2024
Excellent, well-designed multi-pitch pack
I recently purchased a Mutant 38 and love it. It is built with durable, yet light material, with reinforcements at key points. While it's not "ultralight" in its stock form, dropping the brain and rigid backplate brings it to a very respectable 26oz, which is pretty darn light! The fit is excellent for climbing (the hip belt rides above a harness) and there is a ton of flexibility for attachments. Most importantly to me, the pack compresses down on itself very well, so it doubles as a larger capacity haul-in pack, but then cinches up small on your back for multi-pitch climbs with light gear.
Originally reviewed on Osprey
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