Trampoline-style suspension: worth it?

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Dan57

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Apr 8, 2012
Messages
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Osprey's Airspeed, Gregory's Crossflo DTS , Deuter's Aircomfort, and various similar suspension technologies from other companies, all use a sort of mesh "net" to lift a backpack off your back and hence allow better airflow between the two. I've decided that I need a good hydration pack for biking and day hiking. I like the idea of Airspeed-type suspension, but not too many hydration packs have it as a feature, (only the Osprey Syncro and a few others by Vaude and Deuter,) so to make this sort of suspension a requirement would really limit my options.
So, how well do these sorts of things really work? I hate having a sweaty back, so if this sort of thing would make a substantial difference there, then the decrease in choices would absolutely be worth it. If.
 
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i highly recommend the osprey manta - it's been my mountain biking pack for about 3 yrs now. another feature to note is that osprey's water bladder has a rigid, contoured back so it doesn't bulge against your back when it's full.

the manta and the atmos (both are airspeed) are two of osprey's best packs in my experience.
 
But how do you feel about the Airspeed suspension specifically? Is it a huge improvement over a more common airmesh backpanel, or just a minor one? And are there any downsides I should be aware of?
 
it definitely works - this is in direct comparison to osprey's airscape (kestrel 28 in my case) for biking. for hiking, the difference will probably be less noticeable since you're not walking fast enough to get that strong airflow through your back.
 
I have quite an a collection of packs, from Camelbak, Ortlieb, VauDe, Gregory, LLBean, Macpac and others. The only one with a mesh suspension is a VauDe. Very light, 30l capacity, all sonic welded construction. Great pack, I like it alot, but honestly: I don't think the mesh suspension helps preventing a sweaty back at all. It sounded all great in theory, but for me -it's not working. Your experience might be different, but I wasn't impressed. For MTBiking I use a Chaos for freeriding, a MULE when I need more room and the Ortlieb for commuting.
 
I have an Osprey Statos 24 with the Airspeed suspension and I absolutely love it. I bought it in lieu of the deuter because it fit better in the torso. The zippers are also better IMHO. The airspeed suspension does work but minimizes volume inside the pack, especially when you put a hydration bladder in there. However Osprey engineering is brilliant because there's a zipper on the back panel where, if you want, you can hang your hydration bladder between the airspeed suspension - between the pack and the mesh - allowing you to reclaim the pack volume and still keep a cool back. I thought that was pretty wild when I discovered it. I've put hundreds of miles on this pack hiking, biking and traveling. Can't recommend it enough.
 
I have the Osprey Kestrel 32 with the Airscape on it and I personally love it. This is my 1-3 day pack its everything I need nothing I don't and comfortable. I seriously don't see this pack being replaced anytime in the near future.
 
Thanks for all the advice! Unfortunately, it occurred to me recently that I need a pack with a removable or stashable waistbelt- and the only packs I could find with that feature are in the Osprey Syncro series, all of which are too large for what I'm looking for. So, I'll be getting the Platypus Tokul XC 5 rather than the Vaude Aquarius 8+3, which is what I was previously looking at. Thanks for all the advice! Hopefully it'll come in handy if anyone else ever has a similar question.
 
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