Osprey Pack Pocket (Padded) Review

We’ve all been there—you find a daypack you love or explore an excellent trail with your new favorite pants, only to realize you don’t have a quick and effective way to store your phone, wallet, or snacks. What are you supposed to do? Well, you should check out the Osprey Pack Pocket. This design lets you quickly access your phone or any other similarly sized item, whether you’re wandering through the airport or down the Grand Canyon Trail. The look isn’t for everyone, but we’ll get to that!

External Components

In typical Osprey fashion, the Pack Pocket’s product page has a wealth of information about the materials. This time around, we’ve got bluesign® approved nylon stretch mesh, which has a durable, water-resistant coating made without PFAS, an excellent shout for the environment and sustainability. At the time of writing, Osprey has gone to great lengths to ensure many of their products utilize bluesign® approved, sustainably sourced materials. In our experience, that’s rad!

The zippers are from YKK and operate smoothly. There’s a paracord-like pull with plastic on the end. It forms a loop, making it easy to open and close, no matter the weather or location of the Pack Pocket.

The pouch’s padded exterior protects the gear you store inside. This is ideal for all kinds of equipment. After all, you don’t want to break the glass on your phone when a wayward branch comes crashing into your chest because your hiking partner didn’t hold it long enough, and you probably won’t be too happy if you smush your celebratory Honey Bun while scrambling up a mountain with rocky outcroppings. Whether you’re looking to protect a phone that costs $1,000 or a snack that costs $1, this thing has you covered.

A non-padded version of the Pack Pocket won’t offer you as much protection but will save you a few ounces. At the time of writing, you’ll save $5 by choosing that option, too. If weight is significant to you or you don’t need extra protection, that’s not a bad look.

The Osprey logo is imprinted on the front of the pouch, which we dig. It isn’t loud or in your face, which can’t be said for other Osprey gear we’ve tested. From a distance, it isn’t visible. Once you approach, you can see it, but it’s still subtle.

The back side has two hook-and-loop fastener arms. You can attach these to a shoulder strap, hip belt, or a standard pants belt. The zipper is oriented so that you can access it no matter how you have it attached, so long as you pay attention to where you’re putting it. The track opens around two sides, so you can always get to it.

On the top is a small clip that you can connect to PALS webbing (even though this isn’t technically a MOLLE accessory) or an attachment loop, offering another connectivity method inside or outside your pack. This hardware is small and stays out of your way when you aren’t using it, which we dig.

The back panel has mesh and padding, which promote airflow and comfort, respectively. These add weight to the pack but also offer protection for the backside of the pouch, so we’re on board.

At the time of writing, there are two colorways available. We’ve got the Waterfront Blue model, and there’s a Black one available, too. The model we have on hand is a little loud for our liking, and even if you like saturated colorways, this might be too much. That said, both protect your gear and get it from point A to point B, which is the most important thing. How does it do that? Let’s dive into it.

Inside The Pocket

There’s not much going on inside the Pack Pocket, but there might be more than you expected.

There’s a mesh pocket on the back wall for storing gear you don’t want bouncing around the main compartment. It has a diagonal topper, which makes access easier. There’s a little tab in the center so you can grab onto the top more easily to place and remove gear. A standard-sized phone should fit here, but your device might not if you have a plus-sized model or a large case. The mesh pocket is a great place to lock down larger, heavier gear, too, so that it isn’t bouncing around and annoying you while you’re walking, hiking, or jumping rope. Hey, we don’t judge.

There’s a key leash inside, too, which, in our experience, we found to be handy. There’s nothing worse than not being able to find your keys after a long day hike or evening exploring the city. That said, if you don’t plan to use it, it can be annoying to get around when accessing the compartment, particularly the mesh pocket. On the Waterfront Blue colorway we have on hand, the key leash is red, which is easy to see.

That’s it—there isn’t any more organization here, just space to stow your gear. It’s a stellar size to fit your phone, snacks, minimalist wallet, and an everyday carry tool or two. Sometimes, using this handy pouch can negate the need for a sling if that’s all you’d stow in there.

The Pack Pocket is an excellent tool for hiking or on more adventurous trips; however, it looks a little out of place in the city, especially if you get one of the more saturated colorways. If that doesn’t bother you, you’re all set!