Osprey, the leader in creating top-quality, high-performance, innovative carry solutions, is launching their most advanced backpanel design to date. The rethinking of Osprey’s signature Airscape backpanel has been a long-term innovation project coming out of the brand’s Alpha Lab, an advanced concepts team lead by Osprey Co-Founder and Director of Innovation, Mike Pfotenhauer.
“The AlphaLab frees Mike from the constraints of the traditional product cycle so he is able to focus on technical innovations, new production solutions and sustainable initiatives,” said Erik Hamerschlag, Sr. Product Manager, Osprey Packs. “The all-new Spring 2021 AirSpeed backpanel is a result of the freedom and creative space the AlphaLab affords.”
The new Airscape features an injection-molded frame sheet with die cut foam that maintains a comfortable and breathable contact surface, flexibility for dynamic movement and improved carry performance. The position of the Airscape channels are dependent upon the intended usage of the individual packs. In the case of the Spring 2021 Aether/Ariel series, designed to carry heavy loads, the horizontal plane channels prevent barreling under a full load to ensure consistent fit and optimal stability while vertical planes follow the contours of the back preventing collapse under heavy loads. By contrast, the Spring 2021 Talon/Tempest series, designed for fast and light pursuits, features horizontal channels to allow flex in the vertical plane while staying flat horizontally.
From a production point of view, the injection molding process reduces plastic waste to near zero. This was a critical consideration in development process of the new backpanel moving Osprey one step closer to their goal of becoming the most progressive, transparent and sustainable hardgoods brand in the world through chemistry, materials and CSR.
The new Airscape backpanel debuts with the Spring 2021 Aether/Ariel series available in October 2020 and the Spring 2021 Talon/Tempest series available February 2021.
About Osprey
Founded in 1974 and based in Cortez, Colorado, in the foothills of the San Juan Mountains, Osprey designs the highest performing and longest lasting carry solutions on the market including technical packs for outdoor, travel and everyday adventures.
In addition to creating top-quality packs, the Osprey team is focused on becoming the most progressive, transparent and sustainable hardgoods brand in the world. From raw materials and chemistry benchmarks to progressive factory code of conduct agreements and programs that extend a product’s end of life, Osprey is taking a truly holistic approach and looking at every aspect of their business to ensure they leave as little trace possible. Osprey’s dedication to create innovative, high performance, sustainable gear reflects the brand’s love of adventure, devotion to the outdoors and steadfast resolve to leave the world better than they found it.
To learn more about Osprey and its products backed by their industry leading All Mighty Guarantee, visit osprey.com. Osprey products can be found online at osprey.com and in specialty retailers in over 60 countries worldwide. Follow all brand updates on Instagram (@ospreypacks), Facebook (@ospreypacks) and Twitter (@ospreypacks).
