Osprey Rook 65L Review

The Osprey Rook 65 is an all-around reliable backpacking backpack. In terms of performance, it doesn't stand out in any way, but that's not a bad thing. This pack comfortably sits on your back and keeps your gear organized. It's made of durable 600D polyester and is very adjustable, making it a good choice for sharing among friends, as an affordable climbing pack, or for growing kids at summer camp.

Comfort

The Rook is a very comfortable backpack. We found it almost as comfortable as other Osprey backpacks, which can be quite a bit pricier. It has the same suspended mesh back panel that provides airflow to your back, preventing back sweat that can lead to chafing and discomfort.

The Rook has an adjustable AirSpeed suspension system. This suspension system allows the weight of the pack and your gear to rest off your back while still effectively balancing the load between your shoulders, hips, and back.

As you adjust the load lift straps, you can feel the pack weight being transferred from your shoulders to your hips. If you disconnect the hip belt entirely, you'll feel a significant increase in weight on your shoulders — evidence that the Rook's suspension system works as it's intended. When you have the hip belt cinched around your waist and the load lifter straps tight, the frame distributes the weight between your hips, shoulders, and across your back.

The suspended mesh back panel helps prevent a sweaty back, which is one of the most uncomfortable aspects of wearing a backpack all day. We love suspended mesh backpanels because they allow air to flow along your back. And while this feature won't magically keep you from sweating on a hot day, it will prevent your back from getting sweatier than the rest of your body.

Ease of Use

The Rook has a straightforward set of features that make it easy to use on the trail. Notably, it doesn't have an external mesh stuff-it pocket. But it has all the other standard pockets common on backpacking packs.

The Rook has side stretch-mesh water bottle pockets, a zippered pocket for small items on the lid, and zippered hip belt pockets. It also has a zippered pocket that holds the included waterproof rain cover. This makes the pack more usable in wet conditions and makes it a better overall value. Many backpacking packs don't come with a rain cover at all, and they still cost more than the Rook.

Near the zippered rain cover pocket, the Rook has a secondary pocket to access the pack's main compartment. This pocket near the bottom of the pack is perfect for stuffing your sleeping bag inside. There is also a removable divider inside the pack to keep your sleeping bag separate from the rest of your gear, keeping the down lofted and the bag cleaner.

Weight-to-Volume Ratio

The Rook weighs 3.7 pounds, which isn't superlight, but it hits the sweet spot between lightweight and durability. Its simple design makes it much lighter than it could be. There are many backpacks made of similarly heavy-duty polyester materials that weigh well over 5 pounds.

The Rook's weight-to-volume ratio is pretty average. With this pack, you get a fair amount of storage capacity for its weight. Again, this isn't a lightweight pack, but it's relatively lightweight considering its durable materials, ample pockets, and extra features.

Adjustability

The Rook is relatively adjustable overall. It only comes in one size, but you can adjust the torso length from 18 to 22 inches.

Dialing in the torso length is very easy. In less than 15 seconds, you can adjust the length to fit your body. This is the same torso length adjustment system found on many other Osprey packs, too.

The shoulder harness fits into slots on the back panel. To adjust the length, you remove a set of tabs from the fitted slots and move the shoulder harness up or down to match your needed torso length. Then, simply slide the tabs on the shoulder harness in place on the back panel and shoulder your newly fitted pack.

The torso length adjustment system on the Rook is extremely easy to use. All of our testers found that this adjustment system is the simplest way to change the torso length on a pack. Many other systems require you to remove a frame or manipulate small buckles in tight spaces. The shoulder harness adjustment system on the Rook, on the other hand, doesn't even require you to take your gloves off to operate it.

Should You Buy the Osprey Rook 65L?

The Rook is an affordable, comfortable, and durable pack. It has many of the great features people love in other Osprey backpacks, but at a very affordable price. It has the same suspended mesh back panel as other high-end Osprey packs, and that back panel can be adjusted to fit torsos from 18 to 22 inches. It doesn't have an external mesh stuff-it pocket, which means you'll have one less place to stash a jacket and snacks, but it has enough other pockets to stay organized. And it only comes in one size, so if you're outside of the torso length range, you'll have to look elsewhere. But for the price, it's hard to beat this pack.

What Other Backpacking Packs Should You Consider?

If you're looking for a more comfortable Osprey pack with an external mesh pocket, check out the Osprey Atmos LT 65. If you're looking for an affordable, lighter backpack and you don't care about the suspended mesh back panel, check out the REI Co-op Flash 55. Or, for a full-featured pack that's also very durable, check out the Deuter Aircontact Core 65+10.