I see a lot of our tour participants carrying Osprey luggage. It seems to be a bag that can be over-stuffed, bulging at the seams even, but still holds up really well.
Fortunately for all of us, the folks at Osprey are always upping their game and innovating their bags with new features and materials. This means I get to test out what’s new, including the Osprey Ozone Convertible. I checked out the 22″ carry-on version.
This is a two-wheeled bag that has hidden straps in the back in a zipped pouch. These straps allow you to put it over your back and carry it like a large backpack.
Like many of their other bags, this has a zip-off daypack that attaches to the front. While I almost always carry a daypack during my travels, I have never traveled with it attached to the larger carry-on bag. So, while this feature is nice, it’s not for me. But I have seen other people use it as such, so you might find this to be useful.
The daypack itself is pretty good and is something I’d use independent of the 22″ bag. It’s got a padded compartment for a small laptop or iPad. And there’s plenty of room in the main compartment for a guidebook, camera (be it small), and zippered pockets inside and out for smaller items (keys, cell phone, snacks, pens, etc.). It’s also got two side pouches on the exterior for water bottles (oh, it bugs me so much when a daypack doesn’t have a place in which to slip my water bottle!).
There are some features of the main bag that I really like. It’s got several interior pockets including a large pouch on the inside of the lid/top where there’s room enough for magazines and paperwork. There are also two side pockets (one mesh, one nylon). I find these sort of pockets very handy for stashing receipts and tucking away some protein bars.
Each side of the bag has a handle which I find super helpful when I’m trying to pull it out of the overhead bin in a plane. There’s nothing worse than holding up the line while you’re trying to figure out how to get your bag safely out.
What makes this bag a convertible is the fact that you can pull out that set of straps from the back of the bag and convert it into a backpack. The back of the bag is rounded so that it sits relatively comfortable around your hips rather than laying straight across your backside.
What I Love
- Available in both a 28″ and 22″ inch bag so you have the option of using it as a carry-on in the smaller size
- Despite all the features, the bag is constructed of lightweight (but durable) materials and weighs just over 6 pounds
- The fact that it’s so versatile means that whether you’re adventuring around the globe or traveling to a destination where you only need a wheeled piece of luggage, you’ve got it all in one
Not So Much
- Something’s gotta give when you’ve got so many features. And unfortunately it’s space in the interior of this bag. Between the handle and the shoulder straps that are tucked into the back of the bag, you’ve lost some space in the interior of the main compartment. I have seen people absolutely stuff their Osprey bags full but I generally don’t like to have to sit on my bag to close it :-). This is a well made bag with a lot of features but I think I’d lose a bit too much space to take it on a longer international trip.
Overall, a great versatile bag. Perhaps ideal for backpackers needing something they can throw on their back but also have the convenience of rolling it through the airport.
Available in Light Blue and Light Green on Amazon for under $300.
Travel Well,
Beth
Related links:
Eagle Creek Morphus Bag
Briggs & Riley TORQ Bag
Disclosure: Osprey sent this bag to me for review. Regardless, everything I have said in the post reflects my honest opinions.
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