I thought i had it all with an external frame pack, boy was i wrong. It took alot to get me to even consider an internal. When i started working at Ramsey Outdoor i gave the internals the benefit of the doubt. I tried Dana, Arc Teryx,TNF, Gregory and finally Osprey. Well the Osprey is by far the best pack i ever wore and since they are discontinuing their packs in favor of a brand new line, the price was right. I cant wait to get some time off work to try my Osprey on the trails. Walking around the store with a weighted pack is one thing, but the trail is the ultimate test for a quality pack, like Osprey.

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Dana Bridger, Arc Teryx, Gregory

Bought this pack in Denver @ Mountain Miser. Loaded close to fifty pounds on first use and had zero complaints. I'm still finding compartments and features on this thing. I'm 6'5"" and skinny so store personnel had to put medium hipstrap on large torso pack. Love the vector attachments! Osprey rules.

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A perfect match. I am a four season weekend backpacker. Occasionally, I am lucky enough to get 3-4 days off to hit the trail. I've had the Highlander for a few years now and it's done nothing but impress. The suspension and harness systems are super. When traveling over treacherous terrain, just pull the load close, and be amazed at the wonderful balance the pack provides. The harness system is fully adjustable, and really eases the strain that ill fitting packs have caused me in the past. I've loaded it with 3 days of backpacking gear along with my top-roping gear (rope, harness, beaners, shoes, etc), and all was carried in style. For winter runs, the vector Mega attachment is used for light, warm clothes. Do not fill the Mega with rocks, as this will throw your balance out of whack and cause you great pain. If you need more space, and you won't, get a bigger pack. The detachable upper compartment handles a hydration system nicely. It also becomes a pretty cool fanny pack (if there is such a thing). The versatility of the vector system is a winner. For fast and light trips, the vector One is the call. For bigger adventures, using it as overseas luggage, the Mega does the job. Either way, the compression system makes for superior load adjustment. The pack comes with a water bottle carrier that gets in the way of your arm when hiking. Throw this thing away immediately and buy a hydration system. I've found that the side clips are perfect for a camera case. Go buy this pack. You'll love the versatility and the superior ergonomic design. You're friends will turn green when they see how this pack makes your outdoor adventures a dream.

Customer Service

Oh yeah, send in a picture of yourself using the pack, and Osprey will send you a free hat. No foolin'. I sent in a customer questionairre and received another hat and a handwritten letter in return. Now ain't that nice?

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Great pack I wrote a beatiful review that was rejected cant spend the time again

Customer Service

none

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gregory dana tnf arc teryx

The Highlander has been one of the best packs I have ever purchased. It is perfect for weekend camping trips to long treks. The compresion system is the most creative I have ever seen. There is plenty of room in the sleeping bag compartment and the compresion system helps ajust to your load

Customer Service

I had sent out for a free hat from Osprey by filling out a review. I was suprised that I had gotten it. Although I have never talked to the manufacturer because there has never been a problem with my pack

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I have had other backpacks that can't even compare to this one.

The Osprey Highlander is one of the best packs on the market. The only competition I found for it would be other Osprey packs. The Highlander is the perfect size for almost all trips except a real long trek or for someone who brings everything including the kitchen sink. Osprey packs are loaded with great features which make it second to none for convenience and fit. I had a very hard time finding a backpack that fit well with my long torsoe until the Highlander. It is an ideal pack for tall people with long torsoes. After a week trip into the Maze I found the pack more comfortable than when I started. When hiking around at home in Colorado the Highlander is rock solid on my back.

If there was one complaint it would be the top/fanny pack is just that a "fanny pack". After using a Mountainsmith lumbar pack for years I find a "fanny pack" next to useless. But alas we can't have everything. I don't knock the rating because it is a very small gripe.

This isn't exactly a review of the Highlander, per se, but rather a now-discontinued version of that pack called the Zero-G (circa 1994). In all essentials, it was the same pack but it was lighter and had fewer bells and whistles.
The suspension is quite adjustable and fits like a glove. The frame flexes nicely and carries weight comfortably (up to a point). My major complaint with the pack is with the frame. While being comfortable for light loads, it becomes quite uncomfortable for heavy loads. As soon as my load gets above 60 pounds, the top of the frame buckles down on top of my shoulders. There is never a way for me to get that weight off my shoulders, as the materials used simply cannot handle that much weight. The second problem I've had is with failed stitching. The stitching at the bottom of one of the shoulder straps failed, such that i had to use a safety pin to hold it together for a while. (Later, I repaired it with dental floss, and it hasn't been a problem since.)
A great pack for light loads, but its limitations become clear with heavy loads. (Remember, this is the same frame and suspension as on Osprey's biggest packs.)

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Dana Terraplane '96
Dana Bridger '95

I've had this pack for a few months now and have been able to take it on three trips. All in all it's a great pack. The size is right, the fit was good and the price wasn't half bad either (I got it on sale for under $200). There are only two things I'd change: 1. The sleeping bag compartment could be a little bigger 2. There could be more side pockets

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