Variant 52 Backpack

Variant 52 Backpack

New alpine climbing & expedition design with removable hipbelt, framesheet, top pocket & tech.

• Material: Matrix 4200 Nylon, 2100 Cordura Nylon
• Removable 3D contoured EVA hipbelt with tool loops, Removable HDPE framesheet with aluminum tubing framework
• Crampon shield compression pocket
• Front pocket with water resistant zipper
• Sternum strap whistle
• Removable top pocket with spindrift collar
• Wand pockets
• Thermoformed backpanel
• Side compression with ski straps
• Hydration sleeve
• Ice tool attachments
• Reflective logoing
• 3 point haul loops
• Adjustable front tool handle tieoffs
• Volume: small 3000 cu. in. (49 L.), medium 3200 cu. in. (52 L.), 3400 cu. in. (55 L.)
• Weight: small 3 lbs. 9 oz. (162 KG.), medium 3 lbs 12 oz. (1.70 KG.), Large 3 lbs. 15 oz. (1.79 KG.)

Voted Best Climbing Pack- Backpacker Magazine's Gear of the Year Awards
Enhanced by mountain guides, professional alpinists and weekend warriors, the new Osprey Variant 52 Backpack is designed for alpine climbing and expedition mountaineering pursuits. The streamlined feature set, that is specific to climbing needs, targets fit and versatility with a removable 3D contoured EVA hipbelt with tool loops, and a removable HDPE framesheet with aluminum tubing framework. A crampon shield compression pocket keeps those awkward to carry sharp pointy things out of the way, while side compression/ski straps provides a place to stash your planks. Additional performance logic includes a front pocket with water resistant zipper, sternum strap whistle, removable top pocket with spindrift collar, wand pockets, and hyper -comfort Thermoformed backpanel, A hydration sleeve and ice tool attachments stow alpine necessities.

Purchase USD$45 or more and get free shipping. The Osprey Packs Variant 52 Backpack is available through Altrec.com.

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Customer Reviews for the Variant 52 Backpack

Sizing Chart

Step 1 - Pack Sizing

All Osprey packs, save the transit bags, are available in multiple sizes to fit a range of torso lengths. To find your torso length, have a friend measure your back along the spine from the level of your iliac crest (the top of your hipbones) to your C7 (the knobby bone at the base of your neck).

Step 2 - Hipbelt Sizing

To determine your hipbelt size measure around your hips, not your waist. A properly fitted hipbelt rides centered over the hipbones and needs to be very snug; after all it will be carrying the bulk of the pack's weight. The padded portion should wrap well around your hips, leaving a gap of 3 to 6 inches between the tips of the pads when securely tightened.

Crescent Series
Luna Series

Torso Length	Pack Size	Hip Measurement	Hipbelt Size
> 22"	XLarge	> 36"	XLarge
20-22.5"	Large	33-37"	L or WL
18-20.5"	Medium	30-34"	M or WM
16-18.5"	Small	27-31"	S or WS
14-16.5"	XSmall	< 28"	WXS

Aether Series
Ariel Series

Torso Length	Pack Size	Hip Measurement	Hipbelt Size
> 20"	Large	> 36"	XLarge
18-20.5"	Medium	33-37"	L or WL
18.5"-	Small	30-34"	M or WM
-	-	27-31"	S or WS
-	-	< 28"	WXS

Exposure Series
Switch Series [55+5, 40+5, & 25+5]

Torso Length	Pack Size	Hip Measurement	Hipbelt Size
-	-	> 36"	XLarge
> 20"	Large	33-37"	L or WL
18-20.5"	Medium	30-34"	Medium
< 18.5"	Small	31"	Small

Atmos Series
Stratos Series [34, 32, & 24]

Torso Length	Hip Measurement	Pack Size
> 20"	> 33"	Large
18-20.5"	30-34"	Medium
< 18.5"	< 31"	Small

Stratos Series [18 & 12]
Switch Series [18 & 14]
Daytool Series [Focus, Flux]

Torso Length	Hip Measurement	Pack Size
> 18"	-	M/L
< 18.5"	-	S/M

Waypoint Series

Torso Length	Hip Measurement	Pack Size
> 20"	> 33"	Large
18-20.5"	30-34"	Medium
< 18.5"	< 31"	Small

ErgoPull

Nearly all Osprey hipbelts use an exclusive ErgoPull design. It creates mechanical advantage to provide extra leverage in cinching down the hipbelt. The ErgoPull design also draws tension along the top and bottom of the belt, not through the center, so it distributes pressure more evenly over the padding and relieves direct pressure on the hipbones.

Step 3 - Harness

Osprey Crescent & Luna, Aether & Ariel and Waypoint packs offer interchangeable shoulder harnesses. Harness sizing usually corresponds to pack size, but your best bet is to try one on. A properly fit harness should terminate 2 to 3" beneath the armpit. Webbing should not touch the body. By breaking the hook and loop connection and sliding the harness up and down the backpanel the torso length can be adjusted up to 3". (see illustration).

Men's	SM	MD	Large	XLarge
Women's	WXS	WSM	WM	WL

Step 4 - Overall Fit

Once you have the correct size pack, harness and hipbelt, and the torso length set properly, it's time to put some weight in the pack (20 to 30 pounds of well distributed weight will do) and dial in the fit. First, snug down the hipbelt and harness. Connect the sternum strap (A) - position it about 2 inches below your collarbones and snug it down lightly. Finally, tighten the load lifter straps to draw the load solidly against your back. The lift straps (B) should come off your shoulders at a 45 to 60 degree angle in Osprey's ReCurve and Ethereal Suspension packs. In other models these straps serve more as compression straps and ride flatter; they may even angle downwards.

In a good fit, there should be no pressure points and no gaps between your body and the pack. With Osprey's ReCurve packs, final tweaking may involve custom fitting the aluminum stays to your back.