What is the Renn 65?
The Renn 65 is a women’s specific pack designed to offer incredible comfort, support and durability without emptying your wallet. It's ideal for backpacking and travel use thanks to Osprey's legendary AirSpeed suspended, adjustable backsystem and long list of clever features.
What is it made of?
The entire bag is made from a super durable, lightweight and weather resistant 600D polyester. This tough outer fabric is perfect for the Rook as it won't weigh you down when you're heading out for a multi-day trek in the mountains yet is designed to withstand years of regular use.
What are the features?
If there's one thing Osprey do well, it's providing copious amounts of incredibly useful features for life in the mountains or on the trails. Starting from the bottom, you've got a large zip which gives you access into a compartment on the base of the pack, this is perfect for sleeping bag or wet/dirty clothes. An integrated and detachable raincover lives in the bottom of the pack and can be pulled over quickly and easily if and when you get caught out in heavy rain.
Moving up, two PowerMesh dual access side pockets will swallow 1 litre water bottles or spare clothing and feature dual entry, there’s a forward-facing entrance at the base and a regular opening at the top. This means that you can easily load and unload water bottles whilst wearing the pack without having to dislocate your shoulder.
Two more pockets on the hipbelt store smaller items such as snacks, a GPS or a camera. Moving up, you've got another pocket in the lid of the bag and an internal sleeve for a hydration bladder.
Side compression straps pull the weight closer to your back when loaded up and also reduce the volume of the pack if it’s not packed to capacity.
Another useful feature is the ability to attach a Daylite or Daylite Plus rucksack to the Rook. This may not sound incredibly useful to begin with, but if you're travelling and need to grab some food or simply want to explore a new town but don't require your entire 65 litre pack, you can detach the Daylite and leave the Rook at your accommodation/in your car.
What is the backsystem?
A trekking pack is nothing without a comfortable backsystem, and luckily Osprey have you covered. The Rook features Osprey's legendary AirSpeed ventilated, adjustable trampoline backsystem; this backsystem features a suspended layer of mesh which sits around an inch away from the pack itself, meaning there is a constant gap between your back and the bulk of the pack where air can circulate.
If that doesn't sound good enough, this backsystem is also adjustable, allowing you to fine-tune the fit to your exact height. The torso length adjustment is very intuitive, utilising an innovative 4-point ladder-lock system that enables the Renn 65 to be quickly and easily adjusted to fit perfectly. As well as the clever adjustment system the Rook has dual load-lifter points on the upper frame, ensuring that the shoulder harness will remain comfortable in whichever position you choose.
A large, highly padded hipbelt provides a very comfortable fit and aids in carrying heavier loads in the pack. The hipbelt features a comfortable layer of foam which is covered by mesh to grip securely to your hips.
Please remember that your torso length and not your height will determine the back length. For example, I’m 191cm tall, yet only have a 47cm torso length. For more advice on pack fitting scroll down and watch our handy video.
Summary
The Rook is the ideal pack for all your backpacking and travel needs and features just about every techy feature you could possibly ever need. Pop it on your back with a little weight and go for a long walk in the mountains, you'll barely notice it's there.
-
Adjustable AirSpeed backsystem
-
Adjustable torso length
-
Base zip entry
-
Can attach Daylite/Daylite Plus
-
Cord tie off points
-
Integrated and detachable raincover
-
Internal hydration sleeve
-
Internal top load compression strap
-
Large zippered lower compartment
-
Light weight peripheral frame
-
PowerMesh dual access water-bottle pockets
-
Removable sleeping pad straps
-
Side compression straps
-
Sleeping bag base compartment with internal divider
-
Sternum strap with emergency whistle
-
Top lid
Getting the correct fit for your rucksack is as important as getting the fit right for your boots. A badly fitting pack can inflict misery and discomfort and completely ruin your adventure. This guide is designed to help you get the best fit and comfort from your chosen pack so that carrying all your kit becomes a pleasure and not a chore.
ADJUSTING THE BACK LENGTH
If the pack has an adjustable back length, adjust this to your correct level. Your back length is not related to your height but your torso length. Many packs, and specifically the bigger and more technical packs are available in different back lengths or feature adjustable back systems. Contrary to popular belief, your torso length and not your overall height is the key to getting a well fitted pack. Tall people don’t necessarily have long torsos, just as shorter people don’t always have a short torso length.
Your torso length can be found by measuring from your C7 vertebra (the bony protrusion at the back of your neck when looking down) to the height of your iliac crest (top of your hip bones, where you put your hands on your hips). This measurement will give you an idea of which pack back length to choose.
Once you've got the back length sorted, either by selecting the correct size pack or adjusting the back system, you can begin to follow these simple steps to help achieve a comfortable carry.
LOOSEN OFF ALL STRAPS
Before you start fitting the pack, loosen off all the straps as this will make it easier to get the correct tension later.
TIGHTENING THE HIPBELT
Fasten the backpack hipbelt, the general position is the same as where you’d put your ‘hands on hips’ This area is called the pelvic girdle, and what you can feel when you rest your hand on the area is the bony protuberance, the iliac crest. The iliac crest can support the weight from a pack comfortably, and for sustained periods. The padded section of the hipbelt should encompass this and fit securely.
Tighten the straps so the hipbelt feels secure and held firmly around your body. Ensure that the lumbar pad is centered to your lower back to give you maximum support. Remember that your hips carry most of the weight of the pack, so this should be firm but comfortable.
ADJUSTING THE SHOULDER STRAPS
Next, adjust the shoulder straps, pull them until they start to become snug, but ensure that they are not too tight as to lift the pack off your hips. Remember tightening them will stabilise the pack but will increase pressure over the shoulders. If the back length of the pack is correct the shoulder straps will be flush to your shoulders whilst the hipbelt sits in place comfortably. The point where the shoulder straps attach to the main body of the pack should be roughly half way down your shoulder blades; this ensures that the shoulder straps rolls evenly over the top of your shoulders to distribute the weight correctly.
FASTENING THE CHEST STRAP
Fasten the chest strap and pull until taut but not tight, the elastic section should not be extended. This helps keep the shoulder straps from catching in your shoulder joints and keeps the stability of the pack when moving over rough ground.
ADJUSTING THE TOP TENSIONERS
Top tensioner straps link the shoulder straps to the top of the pack. When tightened, their main function is to stabilise the top part of the pack. The optimum angle for these straps in 45º, but they will stabilise the load even when horizontal or at a more obtuse angle. Tighten them until you feel the top part of the pack rest against your pack, over tightening them will create excessive pressure on the front of your shoulders.
ADJUSTING THE SIDE TENSIONERS
Side tension straps are linked to the hipbelt. By tightening these straps you can stabilise the load but reduce the hipbelt flexibility. Where balance is critical tightening them can help you feel more secure. However, if you are striding out over easy terrain it’s better to loosen these straps to allow full hip flexibility.
ADJUSTING THE SIDE COMPRESSION STRAPS
Side compression straps come next, pulling these tight does two things: firstly, it stabilises the load, secondly it can lift the lower part of the pack, repositioning the load closer to your back.
ADJUSTMENTS ON THE GO
Following these steps should give you a comfortable but secure fit on your pack. Sometimes adjustments will need to be made on the go depending on the terrain or the load you are carrying. The perfect fit is very much a personal preference so experiment with different tensions on the pack to find what suits you best.