Osprey Finesse Pro

The simplest, most versatile sack Osprey has ever made. Like a Timex, it keeps on ticking.

My Finesse is from 1992, made in Dolores, CO. Repaired several times in the '90s by the same sewer. I knew her by name. 

This is the pre "Vector" system sack, pointing back to a time before Osprey junked up (in my opinion), their backs with too much focus on being everything for everybody: the Vector system. And nowadays, Osprey packs simply have too many bells and whistles. I just don't need or want a doodad to hold every last widget I own. 

This is a "pack light, pack simple, pack smart" person's sack. I've done the entire Colorado Trail, multiple 100+ stretches of the Continental Divide Trail, too many climbing excursions in Moab, Indian Creek, Southwest Colorado (Weminuche Wilderness), you name it — all with this pack alone. 

It weighs in at 3 pounds, 4 ounces (again, no Vector panel hoo-ha). Not light by today's standards, but in 1992, it was stripped down compared to offerings by Dana, Gregory, etc. The delrin rod hoop goes from a point at the base of the pack in a hoop from hip to hip, and loops about to the middle of one's shoulders before circling back around to the other hip point.

A nylon framesheet, 3/8" open cell foam backpad, and mesh backpanel complete the suspension. It's 2800ci. The later-year one's were 3200 with the Vector panel.

There's not much else to tell you I haven't said already. This here is a link to someone else's photo:

Very simply the most versatile, longest-lasting, best load-carrying midsize pack out there. I've been using this pack for 11 consecutive years, climbing, mountaineering, backpacking and traveling. This pack carries odd loads well, has good compression, is lightweight, and well padded.

Reviewing it against the packs on the market in 2009, the only thing I'd say is that it's less well ventilated than the current generation; however, I still carry it in preference to anything available now, because of the enormous benefit in comfort derived from the big open cell mesh foam backpad. Hot, perhaps, but very comfortable.

This bag has suffered two injuries over the years. The first is that the hypalon patches which the ends of the delrin rod fit into, and which come into contact with the ground when the pack is standing upright, have worn away. I've fixed this about every three years by stitching on more with a good bit of sail twine.

The other problem is that the Spectra (Dyneema to the Euros) ripstop strands have a much lower melting temperature than the nylon fabric they're woven with, which resulted in a portion of the ripstop melting away when it came into contact with a very hot bit of something in the Canyonlands one July.

The only other pack in the same league as the Finesse Pro is the Dana Bomb Pack, but as I've used my brother's on more than one occasion, I'd still take this one in preference. It's just more comfortable.

If you come across one in someone's closet or on ebay, and need a great climbing rucksack or winter mountaineering daypack, grab it.

The difference between the Finesse and the Finesse Pro is that the F.P is made from 500D Hardline Spectra Ripstop. This is a much tougher fabric but doesn't weigh any more than the standard 500D Cordura.

It hugs my back very well, however I did have to tweak the stays shape for over an hour to get it where I like it. I use it for ultralight backpacking up to a week and believe that no other pack on the market offers this much load carrying capacity in this small a pack.

This winter I'll use it as mountaineering daypack and I expect it to perform just as well in the cold temperatures.

It competes directly with the Dana Bomb Pack and the Lowe Alpine Attack 50. I picked it over the others for two reasons. The load bearing Derlin rod make the suspension substantially better than the others without adding too much weight. Also, the Vector compression system makes this pack a lot more versitle. I can snap on back pockets and add some volume to the pack really easily.

All in all I think it's a no compromise all-out assult pack. Just be sure to sit down and get that single stay matched to your back. Leave a little space between your lower back and the stay to allow for the thicker lumbar pad.

I bought this pack so long ago I don't even know how old it is. I am a 5'4" female with a short torso and have a hard time finding packs that fit me. This pack has been it.

Just two days ago I went out to buy another larger pack because I didn't believe that I could fit everything in the finesse pro. I tried on many packs and none really fit me well. The others couldn't be adjusted to fit my torso length and they seemed less versatile and more solely dedicated to one season or style of hiking. I like to do winter ski mountaineering trips as well as summer hiking trips and I find that the vector system gives me more versatility than any other I have seen.

The only downfall to this pack in my mind (besides the fact it is no longer made) is that there are only two pockets and the main pouch is toploading. There are times I would like to get something out of the bottom of my bag and would prefer to not have to take everything else out. However, in the scope of things this is by far the best backpack I've ever owned. I would highly recommend it for anybody.

I purchased this primarily as a winter daypack, something hefty enough for the larger loads of winter; looked at Dana, Lowe, Gregory and Arc'Teryx but this was most comfortable with a load. I've used this pack for overnighters, but it isn't really large enough; the Impala would probably make more sense.

With a heavy load packed tight against the spine, charging up a mountain feels effortless. With less well-packed gear (heavy stuff hanging off the back of the pack) it can be less comfortable on the front of the shoulders, but that's a matter of physics.

My only design complaint would be the load lifter straps; the angle on them is flatter than I'd prefer, which limits their ability to relieve the tops of the shoulders. This is probably inevitable with a pack of this size, though. The lower stabilizer straps on the hipbelt feel almost magical as they tension the Delrin rod to pull the load in and onto the hips.

I'll probably make my next (large) backpack purchase an Osprey as well, due to satisfaction with this model and a desire to re-use vector attachments. It being made in the U.S. by what seems to be a good company is gravy.

Lightweight for its capacity. Very tough construction. Easy to adjust to a stocky frame on a short guy. Taken it hiking. mountaineering, and day hiking where I had to haul in lots of stuff for back country picnics. Very good for winter use with all the attachment points, side ski holders etc. Flexible.

Easy to adjust. Fits well, comfortable, good built-in volume management. Easy to adjust on the go.

Still going.

Can't believe that it's 2013 and I'm writing this. But my Finesse Pro is STILL going.

Not sure how many baggage handlers have released their frustrations on it. Not sure how many backcountry treks it's been on. Not sure how many years it carried my books through undergrad, law school, and business school...but suffice to say, I'm still using it for split boarding trips these days.

I love this thing!!!!!!