Women-specific Design

So much of the outdoor industry’s spin on women-specific gear feels like a pervasive marketing gimmick to “reach women” and “engage them in the outdoors”. Apparently, swirls, pastel colors and cute graphics are thought to be the clincher that seals the deal. Wrong!

When it comes to backpacks (and bike saddles), there is some validity. Compared to men, women tend have narrower shoulders, shorter torso lengths, and different hips (for some archaic, barbaric, biological practice called “child bearing”). It makes sense that backpack design is sensitive to that. But are narrow shoulders, shorter torsos and hip size limited to only a woman’s body type? No. There are lots of scrawny dudes and broad-built women out there. That being said, the Osprey Tempest 40 looks unisex in its design (until you put it on) and is mercifully devoid of swirls, pastel colors and floral graphics.

40 Liters Holds more than you Think

Until recently, I’ve been using the Osprey Tempest 40 as a long dayhike pack and summit pack. Let me tell you that it works amazingly well for that. However, it’s like owning a Porsche 911 and never exceeding 55 mph. It can do so much more! Like when I took it on a two-day solo hike on the Superior Hiking Trail for a 19-mile hike between Lutsen and Grand Marais.

Could I really carry enough gear in the 40 liters that make up the Osprey Tempest 40?

Weight

Fully empty, the Osprey Tempest 40 weighs 2.4 lbs. When it’s all packed for a two-day solo hike, with the basic necessities, it weighs in at…

Top-loading design

Front-loading vs top-loading will almost always be a subject for debate, even among the best of friends. There’s merit to each depending on the objective of the mission. But top-loading design, at least for me, means lighter weight and fewer failure points. We’re not talking five pounds of weight, more like mere ounces. But when you’re on an all-day hike or a multi-day thru hike, and you’re carrying a sleeping bag, tent, food, water, camp stove, etc, the extra ounces add up.

Zippers can also break. Should that happen when you’re days from civilization, whaddya do when all your gear tumbles out? Or the zipper jams to the point where you need the jaws of life and you don’t have a pair? For the record, the pro-front-loaders dis the pro-top-loaders because front-loaders are easy to organize and access that dry pair of socks smushed at the bottom of the pack without unpacking the entire pack to find. But us top-loaders mitigate this by packing with intent: Dry socks are packed at the very top.

Outstanding Organization

Floating Removable Top Lid

Like its bigger multi-day, top-loading sisters, the Osprey Aura AG 65 and Osprey Xena 85 (of which I have older versions), the Osprey Tempest has a floating removable top lid with exterior and interior zippered pockets. This where I stashed the items that I would need quick access to, like first aid kit, dry socks, phone, trail snacks, sunblock, rain jacket, rain pants, bug spray, etc.

Stretch Side Pockets

Another hold-over from the big sisters Aura and Xena are two stretch side pockets. I rely on these for holding a trail map, smartphone and, like any reasonable human hiker, a flask of brandy.

For a pack’s side pockets to be of value to a hiker relies on their position and depth. If they’re positioned in a way that you can’t easily access them while wearing your pack, or they’re so shallow that your contents fall out, they’re of limited use on a hike.

The Osprey Tempest kills it with the depth of the pockets. They’re deep, cavernous and my map and smartphone have no way of escaping unaided. I liked this. However, the angle of those deep pockets is straight up/down making it harder to access my map and phone while wearing the pack. I can do it, I just don’t always get it on the first try and it’s never pretty.

Main Compartment

The Tempest has a 40L main compartment. For an overnight hike on the Superior Hiking Trail, it held food for four meals, pillow, sleeping pad, change of skivvies, long-sleeve pullover, sleeping shirt/shorts, small ditty bag, fire-making supplies, camp stove, bowl, fork, spoon, trashbag, water purifier, biodegradable soap, camp towel, bear line, headlamp, book in addition to a handful of other trail necessities.

A convenient zipper located at the bottom of the pack allows you to gain access to items stashed in the pack first. In my case, it was the bear line and my sleeping bag. Osprey calls this zipper access the “sleeping bag compartment” but it isn’t an isolated compartment. Personally, I’d be happy to see this zipper go because it just adds extra weight.

Hip Belt Pockets

The Osprey Tempest 40 has two zippered mesh pockets on the hip belt. What I carry in these are items like lip balm, Swiss Army Knife and, like any conscientious person these days, a face mask. I encountered a few other hikers on the Superior Hiking Trail and that always invites opportunity for light conversation: Where did you start? Where are you hiking to? Are you from the Cities? Wow, love those colorful hiking socks! Because I’m not 100% certain I’m COVID19-free, I wear a mask to protect others.

Shoulder Straps

This is one of the spots where a women’s-specific design is appreciated. The Tempest 40’s straps are made with a soft foam that is not too thick, not to thin and are curved to create a nice and comfortable fit for a woman’s shoulder and chest. They’re also perforated to allow for ventilation.

Backpanel

The Airscape backpanel is unique in that it is comprised of a lightweight mesh attached to a backpanel of raised foam ridges in the design of an “accordion”. The shape of the ridges, coupled with the mesh, ensure good airflow between the pack and your back.

Hip Belt

The hipbelt is made with a soft foam that conforms to hipbones and allows for a comfortable load transfer. After four months of hiking with this pack carry varying weights, the hike that I noticed the comfort the most was on my two-day solo trek on the Superior Hiking Trail when the Tempest was loaded with 22.8lbs of gear and a full bladder of water. As with any pack it takes some finagling and tweaking of the shoulder straps and load balancer straps to find the sweet spot of comfort. Once I found it, the pack’s load was always well-dispersed and comfortable to carry for 8-10 mile days.

Size is Accurate

I have a 17.25 inch torso so I went with the S/M size per the Tempest’s official sizing for S/M (17”-20″). It was the right size. That means I have plenty of room to grow! If you ever wonder how to measure your torso length, check out this neat little vid from Backpacker mag.

What Could be Improved

As with most Osprey products, there isn’t much to improve upon. But I did find two things!

Kill the “Sleeping Bag Compartment”

It’s not a separate compartment so why add the extra weight and potential failure point of a zipper?

Add an Integrated Raincover

C’mon, Osprey. You’re really going to make me carry an extra rain cover??

Conclusion/Final Thoughts

To summarize the Osprey Tempest 40 in one word is easy: Amazing! It’s small enough to be a solid day pack for short or day-long hikes but it’s big enough for a two-day, self-supported solo hike, carrying everything you need, including tent, sleeping bag, camp pad, water and food. It’s a pack for a slow, meandering hike. It’s a pack for fast-hiking.

All the features are thoughtful, purposeful. There is nothing on the pack that is superfluous. In addition to the biggies that I listed earlier in this review, it also has stow-on-the-go trekking pole attachment system, a total of eight pockets situated in the most useful places, ice attachment loops (if you’re into that), emergency whistle on the sternum strap and the most wonderful feature of all? Osprey’s Lifetime Warranty.  

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The Backstory

Recently I was able to accompany my friend, Annie, for a couple of days on a 40-mile section hike of the Superior Hiking Trail. Afterward, I cycled with my gear back to the trailhead where my vehicle was parked. That wasn’t the end of the journey for Annie.

She would continue forward to attempt a halfway-thru-hike of the North Country Scenic Trail. Annie loves what I call “endurance hiking,” whereas my passion lies in endurance cycling and bikepacking. I’d never backpacked such a distance but looked forward to the challenge and opportunity to learn from an experienced hiker. We can learn so much from our fellow outdoor allies, even when it’s not our specific interest. 

A Hiker’s Tale

Annie’s and my conversations varied at great length. However, our most ardent discussion circled our experiences as outdoors-women who do solo adventures and how common it is to be asked if we are doing our adventures “…alone?!” And we weren’t mistaken.

Only a short distance into our first day, we ran across a couple who asked the standard questions one might ask when seeing hikers with packs. I let Annie do the talking since this was her quest. After describing her mission, it was quickly met with the exclamation, “Alone?!” 

Annie: “Yes.” 

Hiker: “Don’t you have a job?” 

Annie: “Well, I had a job, but I left it to pursue this hike.” 

Hiker: “Does your mom know you are doing this?” 

Annie: “Yes, she encouraged me to do it. My mom is very supportive.” 

The woman, seeming a bit bewildered, let out a very unsure sounding, “Okay…” as we marched ahead. As soon as we were out of earshot, I laughed, “She asked our favorite question!” We quipped over how she asked if Annie’s mom knew. I joked, “Nope, I disappeared and told no one.” We had a good chuckle. Surely, she did not mean any harm with her questions, but concern. 

A Bikepacker’s Narrative

I told Annie about a similar experience I had while biking from Seattle to Portland several years prior. Cycling in the winter months, it was quite wet, cold, and no other bikepackers were out. I was prepared with rain gloves but knew they would soak through. Finally, when they had, I wished I brought a pair of plastic medical gloves to keep me warmer.

Planning on picking some up when I arrived at my first destination, I continued pedaling. Lucky for me, I didn’t need to wait; there was a paramedic station a short distance from where it crossed my mind. I pulled up to their open garage door and was met by two friendly (cis-male appearing) paramedics. Again, they asked all the typical questions.

Finally, one asked, “Are you married or have a boyfriend?”

“No,” I replied.

“I thought so, or he probably wouldn’t let or want you to do this.”

I proclaimed, “What makes you think I’d marry or date someone that wouldn’t support me doing this? I’d marry the guy who says, “Let’s go!”

The Statistics

Why is it when we learn of women in the outdoors alone, we assume they are at serious risk? Are they indeed at more risk than in their daily lives in any other part of the country?

Statistics show, in the outdoors, you are safer. FBI Crime Statistics detail that in 2017, there were 1,247,321 crimes committed nationwide (including aggravated assault, robbery, murder, and rape). With a US population of 325,150,000 at that time, that results in a .38% chance of being the victim of violent crime. Compared to the National Park Service’s 2017 stats, there were 630 total crimes, 47% of which were crimes against another person. There were only 181 new cases in 2017. That is 181 cases, with a population of 325,150,000. Let’s just say that your chances of victimhood have dramatically decreased. You are much safer in the woods than anywhere else. 

We know the Risks, that’s why we Use Common Sense

Annie and I (as well as most solo women adventurers) are well-aware of our risks in the outdoors. These include a lack of water or food, injury, a highly improbable negative encounter with wild animals, and not listening to your instincts and taking necessary precautions. For Annie’s hike, she uses a satellite device and has a well-established set of safety protocols. Annie never stood too close to ledges to prevent unnecessary risk, took a wilderness first aid course before her hikes, and carried a first aid kit.

On my adventures, I also carry a first aid kit and have safety protocols in place so that folks know of my whereabouts. As a cyclist, when I’m on or near a busy road, I break or stop riding at sunset while the sun is at horizon, which makes me less visible to drivers due to glare. While there are minimal risks to these wildlife trips, the benefits are immeasurable. 

Annie and I surmised that no matter your pursuit, this is a frequent question that solo adventurers are asked – particularly when you are a woman. I wondered if cis-males experience the same questioning or surprised response when they are approached on a solo adventure. Although not scientific, my brief survey of a few cis-male friends informs me that they are sometimes asked, but not met with replies of disbelief.

Pondering these experiences, I’ve created a list of ways for how to be a positive ally to women solo adventurers.

How To Be An Ally 

1. Don’t add Fuel to the Fire

First and foremost, if you are not a woman or woman-identifying person, recognize where our frustration lies. To do so means understanding the reality of our everyday lives. Throughout our lifetimes, we are continuously reminded of the dangers of our mere existence – and these aren’t unwarranted. According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), 1 in 6 American women are victims of attempted or completed rape.

Tips like, “don’t walk alone at night, lock the doors as soon as you enter your vehicle, put your keys in your hand to use as a weapon, always notify people of your whereabouts, don’t look lost,” are hardwired into our brains. Be this the case, we are already confronting our fears when realizing a solo adventure; darkness, noises, sleeping, running into crazy folks. Provided our life experiences and the ways we must safeguard our person on the daily, I promise we all have them. What we need most is validation and support, not more reminders that our existence is dangerous.

2. Provide her Positive Reinforcement

When encountering a solo woman adventurer, it’s okay to ask if they are alone. But please, try to respond in a non-shocked, “Oh my goodness, you are in so much danger!” – sort of way.  A reply like, “Wow, that’s awesome!” or “Cool! What an adventure!” is encouraging. Positive affirmation makes us more willing to continue talking. Note: Sometimes, women will lie about this. (You won’t know the difference anyway.) Maybe she’ll choose not to respond and derail to a new topic or is unwilling to engage in conversation period. Respect this. Not sharing may be a woman’s form of protecting herself. Don’t continue to prod with questions about her route, etc. 

3. Don’t Assume she’s Adventuring in Secret

Don’t assume she doesn’t have a partner, spouse, or has disappeared into the wilderness without telling anyone. It seems pretty obvious, but the above encounters indicate otherwise. I’d argue that most women outdoor enthusiasts have a solid support group who know their whereabouts and encourage them to achieve their goals. It doesn’t mean they aren’t concerned for their safety, but understand it is a calculated risk. Like Annie and myself, they presumptively have emergency and safety plans in action.

4. Offer your Support

We are happy for offers of support. When you have a conversation and discover a woman may be on her own, feel free to offer help. We appreciate it like any traveler. Volunteer to drop a water cache, your yard to tent for a night, couch to sleep, shower, or place to have a hot meal. Who doesn’t like an amenity here and there?! Are you familiar with the hiking or biking route? Know of road closures or obstacles? We love tips! Respect her response if she declines. 

These are some fantastic ways to be an ally to solo women outdoor adventurers – some I’ve experienced firsthand. Follow these and you’ll probably receive a few less audible sighs and perhaps some more adventuring friends. 

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Leatherman FREE T4 Multi-tool

With 12 tools packed into one small package, the Leatherman FREE T4 Multi-tool includes a 2.2 in. carbon-stainless main blade, scissors, package opener, awl, reamer, four types of screwdrivers, a metal and wood file, bottle opener and a set of tweezers. This multi-tool knife has a tool for just about anything you might run into; whether you’re gutting fish at camp or out on a wilderness hike. Our reviewer even used it to start a fire using the file and a fire-steel striker. Leatherman | $60

NeatIce Bag

Instead of dumping your ice cubes into your cooler, where they will eventually melt and leave your food and drink stash drowning in a pool of melted nasty cooler ice, try the NeatIce Bag. It is a reusable, waterproof bag made of 420-denier nylon that holds ice cubes. When they melt, they melt conveniently into the bag, not the bottom of your cooler. And, as long as you didn’t buy your ice cubes from a Mexico petrol station, the melt water is drinkable, thanks to a BPA-free liner and a convenient valve, pour spout and detachable 10-inch drain hose. NeatIce | $30

Primus PrimeTech Stove

With two pots and under two pounds, the Primus PrimeTech 1.3L stove set is small enough to take up minimal space in a backpack but large enough to adequately feed two campers. Having two pots was great because I could cook noodles in one while prepping food or heating up meat and vegetables or sauce in the other. primus.us | $150

TrailFork Camp Food

All TrailFork meals are packaged in 100% home-compostable packaging and are burnable in a campfire. I especially loved the compostable and burnable packaging burning in a campfire part. Peanut Butter Banana Oats and Pizza Casserole. The Peanut Butter Banana Oats  has the more the consistency of steel cut oats (as opposed to instant rolled oats) but takes considerably less time to cook. It’s filling and nutritious. Mix in some almond or peanut butter, honey and voila. The Pizza Casserole comes  has all the fixings you need for a semblance of a slice of pizza when a slice of pizza is miles and miles away: veggie sausage, spiced marinara, red and green bell peppers, and mozzarella cheese topping. TrailFork.com | $9-$11

UCO Sweetfire Strikeable Fire Starter

Made from Bagasse, a byproduct of sugarcane (hence the name “sweetfire”), each eco-friendly Sweetfire Strikeable Fire Starter will burn for up to seven minutes, giving ample time to get a fire started. For wet or windy days, switch to the Titan Stormproof Match Kit. This kit includes 12 matches and three replaceable strikers in a handy, compact waterproof case that floats. industrialrev.com | $6

GSI Outdoors Pour Over Java Set & Bean Grinder

A full review is coming of the GSI Outdoors Pour Over Java Set & Bean Grinder. I absolutely fell in love with the oh-so packable GSI Outdoors Pour Over Java Set & Bean Grinder that delivered coffee as fine as any floofy coffee shop on my recent trip to Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. All that’s needed is beans, a mug, and boiling water. All things you’re going to have in your camping cache anyway. Fill the grinder with beans, turn the crank handle (it’s very smooth) until all the beans are ground and descend into the grind chamber. Dump the grounds into the Pour Over Java set’s cone and mesh filter and slowly add boiling water. The end result is drip coffee that (metaphorically) turns a rainy, dreary morning into blue skies and sunshine. GSI Outdoors | $40

GSI Outdoors Haulite Ketalist II

Full review coming on this one too. The GSI Outdoors Haulite Ketalist II comes with a 1-liter anodized aluminum kettle, folding “foon”, insulated mug with sippy top and a nesting bowl. In the BWCA, weather can turn rapidly. The faster you can boil water for tea, coffee or to prepare a freeze-dried backpacking meal, the better your chances of warding off misery. Thanks to the anodized aluminum, the kettle heats evenly and brings water to a boil efficiently and fast. The other nice thing I liked about it is that the spout allowed for an easy pour of boiling water into the small water intake hole of my Sun Shower so I could at least have a much-needed semi-warm “shower” after a couple days.  GSI Outdoors | $35

Slumberjack Nightfall 2 Tent

The Slumberjack Nightfall 2  is a 3-season tent that meets—and exceeds—the objective of reliable and durable shelter at a pricepoint that doesn’t give you a hernia. Inside, it is the roomiest two-person tent I’ve ever known. At 86 inches in length and 52 inches in width, crampy inside this tent is not. The ceiling peak sits at about 39 inches. Its walls run more vertical than other tents in its class so taller campers are really going to appreciate its height accommodation. I’m a moderate-height camper at 5’ 6” so I liked that when I sat up I had a ton of headroom and didn’t feel like I had to hunch my neck. It’s also easy to pitch. This is not a tent in which you need to consult the instructions. It’s intuitive. Slumberjack | $140 

GCI Outdoor FirePit Rocker

The GCI Outdoor FirePit Rocker brings our love for the rocking chair to the car camping. It will suck all motivation out of you when you sit down because it’s insanely comfortable. Armrest height is spot on, the seat is wide and deep and once you get rocking, only the Jaws of Life will get you up. It rocks butter-smooth on its own platform without any shifting thanks to the GCI Outdoor Spring-Action Rocking Technology. The cup holder is a very nice touch. GCI Outdoor | $70

Eureka! Ignite Stove

The Eureka! Ignite stove is for the car camper who prefers culinary masterpieces over ramen noodles and freeze-dried camping food. A piezo igniter lights the two 10,000 BTU burners and two-full turn adjustable knobs allow for precise flame adjustment. Wind panels block wind, heat distribution was even and despite being ten pounds, it’s compact and packs down to a briefcase style making storage easy. The full review is coming but it is basically like taking two of your home stove’s burners to the campground. Atop its trusty burners you can lay out a griddle for pancakes and a pan for eggs and bacon. It doesn’t get any better than this. Eureka | $100

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