Backpacks
Product 2025
Woman, Man
The Osprey Firn 28 is all about lightweight performance — and it’s a pack we really enjoyed using. Still, a few small details keep it from being perfect.
Designed with care and precision, the Firn 28 uses recycled nylon fabric with a DWR treatment, offering impressive weather resistance — especially in wet snow. Water ingress is significantly delayed, which helps keep your gear dry. That said, the long-term durability of the material under UV exposure remains to be seen.
Once on your back, there’s no mistaking the Osprey DNA. The carry system is comfortable and well-balanced, with just the right mix of flexibility and support. The pack allows full freedom of movement and has no pressure points. The thin straps are easy to adjust, as always with Osprey.
A first drawback: the chest strap is very long, which is great for larger builds, but the excess length could use a retention loop — otherwise, it can slap the face when skiing. The same goes for the hip belt: an elastic keeper would help manage extra strap length more cleanly.
Diagonal ski carry is fairly intuitive, but the pack needs to be well loaded to make it effective. The system uses a small strap to secure the ski tail and a long elastic strap (hidden inside the pack) for the front binding. A large hook fastens everything in place. Efficiency depends on how full the pack is — and on ski weight. Light touring skis work better than heavy freeride models.
Be cautious with the small ski tail straps on either side: when not in use, they should be tucked away to avoid getting caught in branches. This isn’t easy to do with cold fingers. While the brand suggests that skis can be mounted without taking off the pack, in practice, this is a bit optimistic.
One highlight is the dedicated side pocket on the right, ideal for storing climbing skins or crampons. And as always with Osprey, the zippers run flawlessly.
The pack offers attachment points for two ice axes and poles. However, the minimalist anchors are somewhat cryptic at first use. The gear loop on the right hip belt is excellent.
The metal hook closure at the top is sleek and stylish, but not the fastest to operate — especially with cold fingers or gloves. This closure gives access to the avalanche safety compartment.
The back panel is very comfortable and comes in a beautiful color (e.g. Tequila Orange) that unfortunately gets dirty quite quickly. The Sandy Grey / Orange version looks great but is stain-prone. That said, the overall minimalist design and refined construction make this one of the most attractive packs we’ve tested.
The drawcord closure under the flap is quick and efficient — just one pull and you’re in.
In conclusion, the Osprey Firn 28 is a light, well-designed ski touring pack with excellent carrying comfort. A few small refinements would make it award-worthy, but it’s already a strong contender.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
Receive your answers by mail. Do you have a particular question concerning the design, use, durability or other about a tested product? We will answer your question personally.
