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The Osprey Soelden 42 is a feature-rich backpack designed specifically for ski touring, and after a variety of outings, I’ve come to appreciate its thoughtful design and versatility. It’s a pack that caters to those who prioritize organization and ample space, allowing you to comfortably carry everything you need for a day (or even a quick overnight) in the backcountry. Osprey has a reputation for feature-rich packs, and in this Soelden 42 review, you’ll see that it didn’t disappoint me.
Storage and Organization
The entire back panel opens for access to the main compartment.
Starting with organization, the Soelden 42 has a solid balance between open space to customize as you’d like and zippers and pockets. As with every backcountry pack worth using, there is a dedicated avalanche safety gear pocket, easily accessible and large enough to accommodate a shovel, probe, first-aid kit, and some other items. I always test how quickly I can access my probe in an emergency situation, and the Soelden 42 does a pretty good job in this regard. I was able to quickly unbuckle the sternum and waist straps, flip the bag to the front, unclip the two top lid buckles, and open the large zipper pull. I do wish that there was a way to design the pack so that the top lid and side compression buckles didn’t interfere with the safety compartment. Without those in the way, you’d be able to open it up wider and faster. The safety compartment does come with dual-sided zippers, and you can open the side up to access some things without removing the upper buckles. This is good for grabbing small items at the bottom of the compartment. The sleeves for your probe and shovel handle function as expected. It would be nice to have a small zippered pocket of some kind in this compartment, though.
Sleeves in the safety compartment are dedicated to your shovel handle and probe.
A side zipper lets you access smaller items in the safety compartment.
Beyond this crucial compartment, the main compartment offers a generous amount of space for extra layers, food, water, and other essentials. Many backcountry packs are in the 27 to 32-liter range, and I find that the extra liters of the Soelden 42 make for a pack you don’t have to make as many decisions about what not to bring, especially when you wear large and extra-large clothes that take up a lot of space.
A zippered pocket in the back panel is perfect for organizing smaller items.
I particularly appreciate the zippered pocket in the back panel for carrying items like my multitool, repair kit, and headlamps. I don’t want those things just rolling around in a pack, easily getting lost. Additional organization in the main compartment comes in the form of two soft sleeves along the inside sides. These are great for a thermos/water bottle and also for a radio like a BCA Link that separates the transceiver from the microphone via a cable. I ended up using one to store a backup hat and neck gaiter.
Internal organization sleeves hold tall items like water and are also a good spot for a radio with a remote microphone.
The Osprey Soelden 42 gives you two options for accessing the main compartment, and they are both straightforward. The entire back panel opens up completely with two easy-to-operate zippers, making it convenient to access all your contents. I will say that there isn’t really any rigidity to the pack when the panel is open, so getting things in and out is a little floppier than I’d prefer. You can also access the Soelden 42 from the top by unbuckling the lid and opening the drawstring closure. The benefit of this style bag is the ability to add gear to the top and use the lid to cinch it down. That extra space is there when you need it, say for an overnight, and packs down when you don’t.
The removable top lid has two zippered pockets. The larger one is great for eye protection such as goggles and sunglasses.
Having two zippered pockets in the lid is awesome for keeping things sorted.
Moving on to another storage space, the Soelden 42 backpack has a removable lid attached with four straps. There are two zippered compartments, providing great organization for smaller items. I kept my goggles and sunglasses in the larger compartment and my liner gloves and light hat and avalanche beacon (when at home) in the smaller one. I truly love that there are two zippers here instead of just one large area because it’s just more functional. If you want to make the pack smaller, remove the lid, and Osprey thoughtfully includes a cover flap that keeps the main compartment covered.
With the top lid removed, the Soelden 42 has a cover to keep the main compartment dry and secured.
The Soelden 42 does have a couple of things I would have liked to see improved. First of all, I never understand why no backcountry pack has any sort of accommodation for a water bottle/thermos on the outside. My assumption is that the manufacturers believe you wouldn’t want something to be able to fall out while skiing, and I understand that concern. However, most of us are smart enough to arrange our packs properly when we transition from hiking uphill to skiing downhill, and moving a bottle inside the pack wouldn’t be hard. I also believe they could design a bottle holder that could be zippered shut, as I’ve seen zippered bottle holders on various summer packs. When I’m hiking, I like to have access to my water/hot beverage without taking off my pack and opening up the main compartment. Osprey does include storage and hose routing for a water bladder, but I don’t personally like that method and find the hose to freeze too often.
The zippered pocket on the hip belt is great for snacks and quick access items like gob-stopper.
Another place where Osprey could have given me a feature I love, is adding storage to the shoulder straps. I’m a big fan of stretchy mesh pockets on shoulder straps because you can put all kinds of useful things there for quick access. Snacks, a cell phone, GPS device, a small water flask, an action camera, etc., are all good options for pockets like this. Finally, the Soelden 42 comes with a removable helmet carrying system, which is functional, but it could be improved. The helmet carrier attaches to the pack with four clips that hook onto loops. This works fine to keep the helmet in place when they are cinched down and the pack is full. However, because they do not actually snap into the loops securely and are only held with tension, they can easily fall off if you take some stuff out of the pack and also when the helmet is removed. I’d like to be able to keep the carrier attached without worrying about it falling off.
The Soelden 42 carries comfortably, even when fully loaded. One of the benefits of a 42-liter pack for someone with my long torso is that it’s a bit taller, and I was able to get the hip belt properly sitting on my waist. The hip belt and shoulder straps aren’t thickly padded, but I never found them uncomfortable while skinning up the hill or skiing down. The harness didn’t get in the way at any point, and it distributed the weight well. A good carrying system should be versatile enough for comfort when fully loaded up for an overnight hut trip or carrying just the basics for an afternoon fitness tour up the ski resort, and the Osprey Soelden 42 handles both scenarios well.
On the shoulder straps, there is a loop you can attach things like a radio.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Osprey Soelden 42 Ski Touring Backpack is a well-designed and versatile option for those looking to get into the backcountry or just get some fitness on the local resort. The pack’s strengths lie in its ample storage space, thoughtful organization, and comfortable carry system. With the dedicated avalanche safety gear pocket and multiple compartments, it meets the needs of skiers who require quick access to essential gear. The spacious main compartment and removable lid add flexibility for both day trips and overnight excursions, making packing decisions easier.
However, there are a few areas where the Soelden 42 could be improved. The lack of external water bottle or thermos storage is a noticeable oversight, and the helmet carrying system could be more secure. Additionally, the absence of shoulder strap storage limits quick access to small essentials. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Soelden 42 remains a very strong contender in the ski touring backpack market.
Ultimately, this pack is best suited for backcountry skiers who prioritize organization, a little extra space, and comfort. Whether you’re embarking on a challenging multi-day trip or a simple day tour, the Osprey Soelden 42 offers the features and capacity needed to enhance your skiing adventure. For more info or to check one out for yourself, visit osprey.com, backcountry.com or amazon.com.