Osprey Momentum 26 Review By: Jason Colton
The Momentum 26 is a commuter oriented backpack loaded with friendly features. Osprey has put a lot of thought into Momentum 26, and has successfully delivered a fully functional pack for the everyday commuter.
There are nineteen compartments on this versatile pack and all of them have a purpose to help get you through your day. Two of the main compartments and the shoulder harness pockets are lined with a heat embossed “nylon silk” material. This technology is wonderful because it won’t scratch. Instead it will polish your glass, plastic, and aluminum gadgets you store inside. The two shoulder harness pockets are marvelous! The left side pocket is designed for today’s larger smart phones and the “nylon silk” lining polishes your phone while on the go. The pockets zipper also features a built-in garage to keep your valuable phone safe and dry. The right side pocket is for your keys and has a handy retractable key fob. The three main top-loading sections of the pack are also the largest. Again you will find that “nylon silk” has been implemented, and has an inner document sleeve that is perfect for envelopes and notebooks. Another compartment has three mesh pockets with reflective tabs for easy access at night. This compartment is perfect for a wide array of items: camera gear, lenses, and bicycle repair tools. One of the coolest features I enjoyed while utilizing this pack was the expansion panel. You can expand the main compartment five liters by unzipping the three quarter perimeter zipper. This makes for extra storage space when you need it most. This allows the Momentum to expand from twenty six liters to thirty one liters of storage! The second section is designed for a fifteen and a half inch laptop. During my use I discovered it will fit a seventeen inch laptop in a neoprene sleeve with no problem. The third top-loading section is again lined with “nylon silk” and has four inner pockets. Two pen pockets and two other storage areas that I quickly utilized for extra batteries, sunglasses, and a mouse with room to spare. There is also a handy clip for spare keys but I used it for usb flash drives. On each side of the Momentum 26 are mesh pockets with adjustable straps for large water bottles and are easy to access while wearing the pack.
The Momentum 26 is full of creature features on the outside as well as the inside. The thermo-molded, sculpted foam back panel and padded foam shoulder harness offers unparalleled comfort and support during extended use even when packed down with a heavy load. The front face of this Osprey pack has a very nice patented Lid-Lock helmet attachment for when you reach your destination. Located on the bottom of the pack is an integrated high visibility rain fly that deploys from its own compartment. When the thunderstorms come, rest assured that your laptop and paperwork will be safe and dry during your commute. For those of you who are concerned with safety this pack even includes a rescue whistle, a thick reinforced blinker light attachment, and strategically placed reflective strips. These features make it perfect for those night commutes keeping you seen, heard, and protected.
The Momentum 26 is a great choice for students and professionals. It has two compartments that can quickly stow away the hip belt and shoulder harness. On the left side of this pack is a sturdy reinforced carry handle that completes the system and transforms it into a technical yet professional briefcase for school or office. I also used the Momentum as a carry-on and would easily recommend it to any avid traveler.
If thirty one liters of expanded storage isn’t enough for you then take a look at the Momentum 34. It is the big brother of the Momentum 26 and expands from thirty four liters up to forty two of space. It is also equipped with a U-lock pocket and two extra zippered pockets with internal gusseting.
All Osprey products are backed by their “All Mighty Guarantee” which is a lifetime no-fault warranty for as long as you own the pack. If you’re a student or a professional looking for a all-in-one commuter pack that will go the distance with style, look no further. Stop by Dynamic Earth today and check out the Momentum 26 and the full line of Osprey Packs and Accessories.
