Osprey Tempest Velocity 30 Daypack Review
The Osprey Tempest Velocity 30 ($215) is a fast-and-light spin on the classic Tempest/Talon daypack, built for efficient movement without skimping on support. With running-vest-inspired shoulder straps and hipbelt pockets, it’s ideal for hikers who want quick access to snacks, water, or layers without having to stop. We wore the Tempest Velocity fully loaded with overnight gear while fastpacking in Colorado’s San Juans and found it to be the perfect tool for the job—comfortable, capable, and thoughtfully designed. It’s pricey and not the most versatile option out there, but for mission-focused trail days, it hits a sweet spot between access and support.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Weight
Durability
Water Resistance
Sustainability
Weight
2 lb. 0.5 oz.
Hipbelt
Padded
Suspension
Framesheet
Fabric
100D x 100D & 420D nylon
Capacities
20, 30L
Pros
Cons
Osprey Tempest Velocity 30
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Hiking Daypacks.
I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the Osprey Tempest Velocity 30 felt on trail. The design strikes a nice balance between a framed daypack like the standard Tempest and a running-vest-style fastpack like the Black Diamond Distance 15. The result is a pack with enough structure to distribute weight without sagging, paired with a body-hugging fit that moves well with you. I put it to the test on a fast-paced overnight trip in Colorado’s San Juans, and it delivered: The pack stayed snug against my back, and the Airscape backpanel was both cushy and breathable. I tend to run hot, but the ventilation helped minimize sweat while keeping bulky gear from poking through.
The Tempest Velocity’s padding isn’t as thick as what you’d find on a full-on backpacking pack, but the strategic cushioning around the shoulders and ribcage kept things plenty comfortable. The lightly padded hipbelt isn’t overbuilt, but it’s enough to prevent sore spots on long days, even when the pack is fully loaded. I carried about 15 pounds day after day without issue. Compared to other running-vest-inspired daypacks—like the Black Diamond Distance 22 (which lacks a hipbelt altogether) and the Arc'teryx Aerios (which uses a thin mesh hipbelt)—the Osprey Tempest Velocity 30 offers a clear step up in both support and comfort.
The Osprey Tempest Velocity 30 offers excellent on-the-go access across both the front and back spread out over a whopping 8 pockets. On the chest straps, you’ll find two soft flask sleeves, a zippered pocket large enough for a smartphone, and another stash pocket that’s perfect for snacks or small essentials (mine stayed loaded with gummies and electrolyte chews during a fastpack). The hipbelt pockets mirror those on the standard Osprey Tempest; one held my phone, while the other carried my keys, chapstick, and headphones. With so much front-facing storage, I rarely needed to take the pack off to grab gear—something that really streamlined my time on the trail.
Around back, the Tempest Velocity 30 (which also comes in a 20L version) features a large main compartment with a drawstring closure, which can be cinched down further with a top compression strap. Inside, there’s a hydration reservoir sleeve and a mid-sized zippered mesh pocket—great for items you want to keep organized and separate, like an inReach or headlamp. On the exterior, stretchy side pockets hold water bottles, sunscreen, sunglasses, or even trekking poles, and a compression strap helps secure the load. A large shove-it pocket on the face of the pack is perfect for stashing layers, and the pack rounds things out with bonus features like sleeping pad straps, low-profile ice axe attachments, and Osprey’s signature Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole holders.
While the external storage is excellent, I do think the pack could benefit from more internal organization or a couple of larger, zippered compartments to separate bulkier gear. Still, for moving quickly in the mountains with a dialed kit, the Tempest Velocity 30 nails it—thoughtful, streamlined, and incredibly efficient.
My XS/S version of the Tempest Velocity 30 weighs just over two pounds—an interesting place to land on the daypack spectrum. While the pack is designed for fast-and-light missions, dedicated running packs typically weigh far less. The Salomon ADV Skin 12, for example, is nearly three times lighter, and the Black Diamond Distance 22—one of our favorite fastpacks for mountain running—comes in under a pound. That said, the Tempest Velocity is significantly more supportive and carries a much larger, more versatile load than either of those.
Compared to more traditional hiking daypacks, the Tempest Velocity stacks up better. The standard Osprey Tempest 26 is heavier at 2 pounds 4 ounces, and the Arc’teryx Aerios 35—a similarly hybrid pack with a running vest-style harness and full suspension—weighs about 9 ounces more. Even the comfort-focused Osprey Mira 22 adds over a full pound. In short, yes—you can shave ounces by going more minimal. But if you want real support, dialed storage, and all-day comfort, the Tempest Velocity strikes a smart middle ground. Out on the trail, its two-pound weight felt like a non-issue, and I still felt light and quick on my feet even at the end of a long day.
After several months of heavy use, every aspect of the Osprey Tempest Velocity has held up well to the elements. As I’ve come to expect from Osprey, the pack shows impressive attention to detail throughout the design. It’s built with 100- by 210-denier nylon in the body and a beefier 420-denier nylon at the base—materials that strike a solid balance between durability and weight savings. There’s quite a bit of mesh throughout the pack, which initially gave me pause, as mesh can be prone to snagging and tearing. But the mesh here is noticeably thicker than average and has stayed intact, even after scraping against rock and vegetation.
The hardware has also held up admirably—zippers and buckles continue to work smoothly, and nothing has come loose or broken. Even the shoulder and hipbelt padding still looks fresh, with no signs of pilling or wear. All told, the Tempest Velocity feels like a well-built, trail-ready daypack that should last for years to come, even with regular use.
Storm resistance on the Osprey Tempest Velocity 30 is decent, but it has its limitations. On the plus side, the pack is made with relatively thick nylon and treated with a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish that sheds light moisture well. However, it’s far from waterproof. There’s no included rain cover, and the large mesh shove-it pocket on the front is especially vulnerable to the elements. When I had the pack fully loaded for fastpacking, that pocket was stuffed—and if a storm had rolled in, my gear wouldn’t have stood a chance. The Tempest Velocity is well-suited for fairweather adventures (which, let’s be honest, is most of us), but if waterproofing is a top priority, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
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Longevity
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PFAS-Free DWR
Durable water-repellent (DWR) finishes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are used in outdoor gear for their strong resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product uses a PFAS-free DWR, while a red X means the DWR contains PFAS.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Repair Services
Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption, though programs vary widely. Some brands offer comprehensive repairs for a range of issues, while others provide limited or no repair support. A green check mark indicates a robust repair program, a yellow check mark indicates limited repair services, and a red X indicates the brand does not offer repair services.
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation longer and out of landfills, ranging from trade-in resale platforms that offer store credit to take-back initiatives that recycle products at the end of their usable life. A green check mark indicates a brand offers both resale and recycling programs, a yellow check mark indicates it offers one or the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
The Tempest Velocity 30 is a women’s-specific hiking daypack and comes in two sizes: XS/S and M/L. My torso measures 17 inches, which falls right in the middle of Osprey’s size chart. I opted for the XS/S (rated for torsos 14 to 17 inches), and while I was initially nervous it might be too small, the fit ended up being spot-on. The pack offers four inches of torso adjustability, which helped me dial in that Goldilocks fit. The shoulder straps and hipbelt are also highly adjustable and comfortably accommodated my smaller frame—with room to size down or up as needed.
For those considering other options, the Tempest Velocity also comes in a 20-liter version, while the men’s Osprey Talon Velocity is available in both 20- and 30-liter capacities. Both men’s sizes come in S/M and L/XL, covering torso lengths from 17 to 22 inches.
Arc’teryx Aerios 35 ($250): Higher Capacity, Higher Price Tag
Like the Tempest Velocity, the Aerios 35 borrows design cues from the trail running world. Its chest harness fits snugly against the body and includes storage for water flasks or snacks on the go, but with only two mesh compartments up front, it offers less storage space than the Tempest Velocity’s vest-style design. The Aerios is also about nine ounces heavier, which is far from insignificant when it comes to fastpacking, and in true Arc’teryx fashion, it costs $50 more. While we appreciate the Aerios’s excellent build quality, its external storage could use some refinement—especially on the hipbelt—and the Tempest is simply more comfortable. For most hikers, we think Osprey’s take on the daypack/running vest hybrid is the better option. For more, read our Aerios 35 review.
Black Diamond Distance 22 ($230): A Running and Scrambling Specialist
Black Diamond’s Distance packs are some of our favorites for moving fast and light in the mountains. The 22-liter version features a well-designed running vest up front along with thoughtful storage in the back. We especially like the large mesh shove-it pocket on the pack’s dorsal side and think the Distance’s chest harness storage is both more spacious and intuitive than the Tempest Velocity’s. At just 14.1 ounces, it’s an excellent option for those looking to cut weight for long-distance or summit-focused objectives. That said, the Distance lacks the Tempest Velocity’s hipbelt storage—in fact, it doesn’t have a hipbelt at all—and offers no framesheet for added structure, making it less suited for heavy loads. But for airy scrambles and long miles of running, its lightweight, body-hugging design is tough to beat. For more, read our review of the Distance 22.
A speed-oriented pack that takes some inspiration from running vests, the Tempest Velocity 30 is made for hikers who think “snack break” is an offensive term. This specialized model’s relative lack of structure and support and its high price tag might be offputting for more casual adventurers.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Weight
Durability
Water Resistance
Sustainability
The Aerios is an interesting mishmash of a pack, featuring elements of a running vest paired with a supportive suspension and a large capacity. This pack is plenty comfortable, but its priorities are a bit confusing and it’s super expensive.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Weight
Durability
Water Resistance
Sustainability
The Distance wants to turn you into a mountain-eating speed demon. This light pack has storage for every gel packet and wicking layer you possess, and its beefy running vest-style harness hugs it close to your body on scrambles and trail runs. Make sure not to overload what little support it offers, though.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Weight
Durability
Water Resistance
Sustainability
Is the Tempest Velocity 30 for You?
The Osprey Tempest Velocity 30 is ideal for hikers who like to move light and fast without giving up support and comfort. We wouldn’t recommend it as a true running vest, but it shines on days that involve a bit of everything—hiking, scrambling, running—or even fast-and-light overnight missions. It’s also a great option for hikers who simply want easy, on-the-go access to food and water without removing their pack. What the Tempest Velocity isn’t is a highly versatile travel or basecamp pack—it doesn’t pack down small enough to stuff inside a duffel or backpacking pack. And for dedicated running, you’ll likely find it a bit heavy and overbuilt. But for trail days when you’re covering ground and want a breathable, well-organized, and supportive carry, it’s a do-almost-all daypack that hits a sweet spot.
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