They say an experience doesn't always have to be positive, especially when it's deep. Well, my weekend with my dad was as "deep" as the snow in the High Tatras. My dad, albeit reluctantly, agreed to my offer to spend the weekend at the Téryho chata. He already had his backpack, but my Variant 52 seemed a bit too robust for a weekend in the Tatras where you don't need to carry a sleeping pad and sleeping bag. So, I started looking for a climbing backpack with a less generous volume, but one that would be rich in the features I love so much about the Osprey brand. I set my sights on the Mutant 38 and the Variant 37, which unfortunately was no longer available, so I gave the "Mutant" a try. And it wasn't a bad choice at all!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + weighs only 1.19 kg (can be reduced to 810 g) | - single-compartment, which isn't much of a disadvantage, but... |
| + comfortable even with a heavier load (must be adjusted correctly) | - lacks a drawstring cord on the pack body (must be purchased separately) |
| + removable lid and possibility to attach a rope | - ice axe tips are exposed (can get damaged or damage the pack) |
| + large number of climbing features | - higher price, although cheaper than the Variant |
| + helmet net | |
| + compression straps tighten the entire pack around the perimeter | |
| + it looks great |
A reliable partner for the mountains, ski touring, rock climbing, and multi-pitch routes.
Variability at every step
The backpack is truly lightweight, weighing only 1.19 kg, which is a great weight for its size. What's more? You can surprisingly reduce the weight by another 380 g by removing the top lid, which is attached with four buckles. In this case, the clever FlapJacket™ system takes care of closing the pack, ensuring that rain or snow won't get inside during bad weather. If you remove the HDPE sheet with an aluminum stay, the weight will drop to an incredible 810 g, but this will result in the back being less comfortable and rigid, so keep that in mind. By removing the top lid, you definitely won't lose the small pocket for essentials, which is sewn into the inside of the FlapJacket, which is quite a big advantage.
A top-notch back system
The back system, although it looks perforated, is excellently ventilated and snow barely sticks to it (tested during a controlled fall on a slope). The straps are comfortable, reinforced with pleasant soft foam that has "holes" in it, through which Osprey reduces the weight of the pack without sacrificing comfort. Unlike other climbing or smaller backpacks, the Mutant features practical load lifter straps.
The hip belt is firmly sewn to the body of the pack. It is sufficiently wide, relatively short, and not reinforced with foam, which allows for easier handling. While it cannot be detached, thanks to the absence of foam, which makes it less pliable and flexible, it is not a problem to fold it against the body of the pack if it gets in your way while carrying.
On the sides of the hip belt, there are also two large gear loops for attaching climbing hardware. Compared to the Variant model, the Mutant also has loops for Caritool, to which you can attach even more climbing gadgets.
Features everywhere you look
As for ice axe attachment, it is slightly different compared to the Variant and other models – in some ways it's better, and in some worse. The first thing that is different (and personally, I think worse designed) is the system of threading the ice axe pick through a fabric loop.
The mechanically resistant PU fabric on the front panel looks sturdy, but compared to the Variant, it is more prone to damage. On the Variant, the ice axe picks are hidden behind the reinforced section, where crampons also belong, which is quite hard to the touch. Here on the Mutant, the ice axe is just threaded through, so if the pack is fully loaded at the bottom, the tip of the ice axe presses directly against the body of the pack, which may (or may not) cause damage. It will probably depend on how sharp your ice axes are. :-D I used the Grivel Air Tech Evolution mountaineering axe, which has only a slightly curved shaft. Compared to technical climbing axes, the picks are not fully inserted.
What will surely please you, however, is the small buckle on a bungee cord called Dual ToolLock™, which you thread through the eye of the ice axe and it acts as an anchor. You then attach the shaft with a classic Alpinclip to the body of the pack so it doesn't move.
If you are a fan of ski touring, you will certainly be thrilled by the hand-woven strong loop for attaching skis. Although the Mutant is not a pure ski touring backpack, ski touring inevitably involves some climbing or movement on slopes and ice, so it wouldn't work without an ice axe and crampons or ski crampons. And if you are not an avid ski mountaineer, you can calmly attach other gear to the loops that didn't fit on the hip belt loops. Just keep in mind that they are a bit further away, so they might be a little harder to reach.
It's a bit of a shame that Osprey does not include a bungee cord with this backpack, which can be threaded through the loops on the front of the pack to create a net. You could carry a sleeping pad or crampons (if you don't have a protective cover) behind it. However, this feature can be purchased separately, and I definitely recommend it.
Final verdict or how I see it...
I slightly miss more voluminous mesh side pockets on the backpack, where you can store drinks or other "oval-shaped material". Inside the pack, there is of course a built-in internal hydration sleeve, which has a hose port near the lid, which easily solves the drinking situation. However, regarding "oval-shaped material", I mean the fact that if you really use the Mutant as a climbing backpack, in case of an action in snow and ice, it is necessary to have a permanently attached avalanche shovel and probe, preferably in a separate pocket. The Mutant does not allow this because it is a single-compartment pack. The situation can be solved, however, by the aforementioned loops with a bungee cord, which is not part of the backpack, which in my opinion is probably the biggest weakness, but not an insurmountable problem.
What I consider a big plus for the Mutant and at the same time something I miss on the Variant is that it has two zippered pockets on the lid. The first is more spacious, ideal for a wallet or other small items like a headlamp, bandana, or spare gloves. If you have a hardshell jacket, it fits there without problems and there is no need to even unzip the main compartment. The second smaller pocket hides a small helmet net, so in case you already have the pack fully loaded, the helmet can be easily attached to the lid of the pack and covered with the net, which you then hook onto the loop at the end of the lid. Thanks to this, the helmet is practically ready for use immediately. It is a bit of a shame, however, that the net strap cannot be tightened with a compression strap, which has a fixed length. In case the pack is filled and there is still some space in it, the helmet "wobbles" a bit when seated with the lid because it is not sufficiently fixed. I therefore recommend placing the helmet under the net as if you were putting it on your head, i.e., forehead forward, then it fits much better.
The body of the pack is well fixed by a system of compression straps, which hold firmly and stably, thereby tightening the contents of the pack along its entire height and not just in two places, as is the case with some other models and brands. You can also attach things like crampon covers if they need to dry out a bit, or a lot of other gear that is handy to have on hand during trips. Even the aforementioned avalanche probe, provided it is fastened so that it does not slip and slide out even during more demanding movement.
All in all, the Mutant 38 is a reliable backpack with solid volume, sophisticated design, and a comfortable back system, which will please passionate outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. The backpack is cleverly designed so that you can use it for various activities outdoors and in the gym all year round. In short, a good investment in equipment that pays off. Simply Osprey.
Author: Honza Kaděra
Photo: ospreyeurope.com, Honza Kaděra's archive
