Weight: 1.46 kg
Materials: Main body in waterproof 300D x 600D polyester, fibre reinforcement and polyester film. 100% recycled. PFAS-free DWR.
Front in waterproof/breathable Loop hardshell. Lightweight, durable 75D polyester with mechanical stretch. 70% recycled. PFAS-free DWR.
Buy Osprey X Houdini Allt Rucksack: From £300 at Osprey.com
Osprey X Houdini Allt Rucksack Review: TL;DR Review
A genuine winter-all-rounder that packs in everything you need for ski-touring, climbing and alpine adventure, as well as when travelling too.
Osprey X Houdini Allt Rucksack Review: Intro
The short story here is of a collaboration between two respected outdoor brands, coming together to create not just another bag, but a tale of circularity and minimalism. The pack was designed to be a one-pack quiver built for four-season alpine adventures. Named after the Swedish word for “everything,” Allt combines Osprey’s considerable rucksack and daypack expertise with Houdini’s approach to circular design.
“To carry the Allt backpack is to embrace simplicity: fewer possessions, fewer choices, and more freedom. By merging high performance with circular design, Houdini and Osprey invite outdoor adventurers to discover that the greatest journeys begin when life is stripped down to its essentials”, according to the brands.
A laudable aim, but can the Allt rise above the everyday winter pack? Read on to find out...
Osprey X Houdini Allt Rucksack Review: Materials & their meaning
Unusually, materials are at the heart of this collaboration, each selected to deliver sustainability. Central to this is the mono-material construction - polyester - which allows for easier recycling at the pack’s end of life - both Osprey and Houdini offer this service.
Additionally, the main fabrics contain at least 70% recycled material, the liner is 100% recycled, and meshes are made with at least 75% recycled content. Even more intricate are the POM buckles, which are derived from captured agricultural methane, while still functioning exactly as you’d expect.
Osprey X Houdini Allt Rucksack Review: Style, Fit and Features
The Osprey X Houdini Allt Rucksack immediately feels like a quality product, with enough heft to engender trust, but not too much to deter use on a long alpine day. This heft is partly due to a rigid backplate that lends structure to the bag, as well as preventing things like crampons from poking you in the back when in use. The backplate is removable, but not easily, so stripping it down for summit attempts isn’t going to be a viable option. That said, there’s little excess equipment elsewhere, with a roll-top doing duty as a top closure, no lid to be debated here.
A generous strap and hook are intended for rope storage, which is sensible in a winter bag. The back system is adjustable for different back sizes, which is why the bag is only offered in one size, also allowing you to adjust for different clothing/times of year/loads as appropriate.
The internal rear section is padded, potentially offering stowage for a laptop, or hydration sleeve if you’re keen to fit one. In the front, a small compartment offers space for an avalanche kit that’ll be close to hand when needed. There’s an A-frame ski carry on offer too, as well as attachment points for ice tools - these very reminiscent of Osprey’s Mutant mountaineering/climbing flavoured bag.
Osprey X Houdini Allt Rucksack Review: Tester’s Verdict
As you’d expect from Osprey, the attachment points work well, especially the ice tool points, which keep axes nicely attached with the picks facing inwards and unlikely to snag (the inner straps are reinforced). The roll-top is idiot-proof, and the internal pockets are well-placed to do their jobs. The shoulder straps and hip belt are well-padded to distribute heavier loads, and the back adjustment allows them to be dialled in exactly to your needs for that trip.
The downside to that adjustability is the slight extra weight of the adjustment system, and the potential to faff about with it, although possibly that’s more of a note to self! At a shade under 1.5 kilos there's nothing to complain about weight wise, and the rigid backplate does a great job of distributing weight, making it feel lighter than it actually is. The colourway is very light and likely to pick up grime if used in anything other than perfect alpine conditions, but again that’s one for the user - a damp Welsh quarry is probably not the ideal habitat for the Osprey X Houdini Allt. Our review sample was the 20L pack, which is a great size for a minimalist alpine guide, but a 30L would be more practical for day hikes and more general use.
Overall Osprey and Houdini have produced a pack that not only looks good, but fulfils the one-pack quiver brief - from commuting to alpine adventures, the Allt has you covered…
Buy Osprey X Houdini Allt Rucksack: From £300 at Osprey.com
