Reviews You Can Rely On

Osprey Xenith 105 Review

Great for extended adventures, this pack has ample padding, suspension and convenience features
gearlab tested logo
Osprey Xenith 105 Review (Osprey Xenith 105)
Osprey Xenith 105
Credit: Osprey
Price:  $400 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   Osprey
By Ian Nicholson ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 5, 2019
71
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Suspension and Comfort - 45% 8.0
  • Weight - 20% 4.0
  • Features and Ease of Use - 20% 9.0
  • Adjustability - 15% 6.0

Our Verdict

As of 2021, Osprey has discontinued the Xenith series.
REASONS TO BUY
Top-notch foam and fabric on shoulder straps and waist belt
Stout suspension handles heavy loads
Excellent pocket design
REASONS TO AVOID
Stiffer foam geared towards heavier loads and is less "cushy"
If you embark on multi-week backcountry adventures or trips that require you to carry a ton of gear, then the Osprey Xenith 105 is likely the pack for you. It earns a Top Pick Award for its ability to tote everything we need for long trips. Not only is it a fantastic load-hauler with its ergonomic shoulder straps and top-tier foam, but it also features one of our review teams' favorite all-around pack designs. It sports several user-friendly pockets, excellent access, and a lid that transforms into a daypack worthy of a dedicated review. The pack also offers a respectable weight and is only marginally heavier than other (much smaller) packs in our study. The Xenith series comes in three volumes: 75L, 85L, and 105L options. Once you load up this pack, it is easy to understand why so many people love it.

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Xenith 105 is our favorite model for massive loads and extended trips to remote corners of the globe. We love this model because it makes carrying monster loads bearable, thanks to its stout suspension, fantastic ergonomics, cozy fabrics, and top-tier foam. It also has one of our review teams' favorite all-around designs with an excellent and extremely functional collection of pockets, access points, and other additions.

Performance Comparison


This pack is a high scorer for its suspension and features.

osprey xenith 105 - the foam on the xenith is stiffer-than-average; this makes it feel...
The Foam on the Xenith is stiffer-than-average; this makes it feel slightly less “cushy” but offers plenty of support while carrying heavier loads. This photo also gives you some perspective about what the 105L volume looks like on Tester Ian Nicholson (5'9").
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Suspension and Comfort


The Xenith 105 features high-quality foam that strikes a very nice balance between comfort and stiffness. It offers some of our testers' favorite overall padding of any model in our review.


Even when loaded up with over 60 pounds of gear, the foam in the shoulder straps didn't bottom out.

osprey xenith 105 - this model is among the best load handling packs we have ever seen...
This model is among the best load handling packs we have ever seen and our favorite model for any long duration trip. Photo Day one of tester Ian Nicholson using this pack on an extended trip onto the Eldordo Ice Cap, North Cascades WA.
Credit: Peter Webb

Once you put this pack on, one of the first things you'll notice is how dramatically articulated the shoulder straps are. After a few dozen days, every one of our testers found this design was exceptionally comfortable.

osprey xenith 105 - the xenith has exceptionally well-articulated shoulder straps there...
The Xenith has exceptionally well-articulated shoulder straps there were one our favorites in the review. The face-fabric (or the fabric on the out shoulder straps that touches our bodies) felt excellent agaist bare skin or a thin base layer.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

The face fabric used on the inside of the shoulder straps and hip belt is also a favorite among testers. It was the most pleasant feeling against our bodies - an even more noticeable design component while wearing a thin base layer, tank-top, or even bare skin.

Like many of Osprey's packs, this one comes with a heat-moldable hip belt, meaning it can be heated in a convection oven and then placed on the wearer to cool and conform to their body. We think this is a cool idea; however, after quite a bit of direct side-by-side testing, we didn't find that heating it in the oven makes much of a difference. The shoulder straps and waist belt are incredibly luxurious. It's also one of the few packs on the market that is more comfortable when carrying moderate to heavy loads greater than 40 pounds.

osprey xenith 105 - the xenith has one of the beefest suspensions out there that is well...
The Xenith has one of the beefest suspensions out there that is well suited to carrying heavier loads (45+ pounds). It has stellar shoulder strap and waist belt designs; top-tier foam is why it won our award for the best models for monster loads.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

The Xenith 105 easily has one of the most robust, burly suspensions in the review. It carries moderate to heavy loads (more than 40 pounds) significantly better than nearly any options out there. While there are others well-suited to heavy loads, the Xenith edges them out for massive hauls. Not only is the suspension system impressive, but it offers features and volume options, which made it easy to choose for huge loads or extended outings.

The Xenith 105 features a 4mm LightWire peripheral frame, which is quite thick. The result is a stiffer frame that is more resistant to bending under load.

osprey xenith 105 - while this pack is a load hauling beast its large volume means users...
While this pack is a load hauling beast its large volume means users should be diligent not to bring everything and the kitchen sink which this pack makes easy to do.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Weight


This pack weighs in at right around 5 pounds, 11 ounces; while hefty, it's a decent weight for a 105-liter pack, especially when we consider how robust the suspension system is.


As the largest volume pack in our fleet, it is the heaviest. However, when you look at other similarly weighted models, the Xenith 105 becomes that much more impressive considering the additional 40+ liters of capacity.

osprey xenith 105 - our testers loved this model's dual zippered waist belt pockets (one...
Our testers loved this model's dual zippered waist belt pockets (one on each side). They were the perfect place for any small items wanted easily at hand like snacks, camera, lip-balm, or a smartphone.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Features and Ease of Use


Like most monster packs, this model is full of features to help you stay organized in its cavernous 105 liters.


It has one of our favorite feature sets and offers an impressive number of functional pockets, coupled with good access.

osprey xenith 105 - one of all of our testers favorite design-features of this pack are...
One of all of our testers favorite design-features of this pack are its two very large zippered pockets (one seen here with a 1L Nalgene and a lightweight Gore-Tex jacket below). They were easy to access even when we maxed the Xenith's volume out; they were the perfect size and helped us stay organized.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

We love the twin zippered pockets in the front. They are easy to access, even when the pack is super full, and are big enough to fit objects more substantial than a 1-liter Nalgene. Built out from these two pockets is a stretchy mesh beavertail-style pocket, which is perfect for flip flops, a jacket you want to keep close at hand, or any other oddly shaped items. The stretchy, mesh water bottle pockets are user-friendly and well-designed.

osprey xenith 105 - like many other models from osprey, the side water bottle pockets...
Like many other models from Osprey, the side water bottle pockets have two openings. A traditional top opening that is nice to hold funky shaped items you may want to strap to the outside of your pack, and a forward facing hole (seen here) which allows the wearer access to their water bottle without having to stop and take off their pack. The mesh has also been beefed up for 2018 to help with durability.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

This pack also has dual-orientation water bottle pockets: a traditional and secure vertical orientation as well as a diagonal forward-facing opening to make it (relatively) easy to remove and re-stow a bottle on your own. These stretchy water bottle pockets are also large enough to fit tent poles or similar items securely into the pocket on the side of your pack even if you have a water bottle in there.

osprey xenith 105 - the xenith has two zippered pockets on the outside of its lid. this...
The Xenith has two zippered pockets on the outside of its lid. This are great for keeping track of small items and the two pockets help with organization. While we certainly used these pockets, the zipper access isn't as user-friendly, or as easy to find small items that would inevitably fall down in the back of the lid.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

This model's ice ax loops have better-than-average functionality compared to the more backpacking-oriented options included in our review. The lower straps that extend over the sleeping bag compartment are long enough to fit some closed-cell foam pads, tripods, or other elongated items; however, we wished they were just a little longer; they don't accommodate some of the full-length closed-cell foam pads we attempted to stow in them.

osprey xenith 105 - the xenith features two straps over the top of the sleeping bag...
The Xenith features two straps over the top of the sleeping bag compartment. These were perfect for closed-cell foam pads or other difficult-to-pack items.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

We like the two zippered top-lid pockets; one larger and one smaller, which kept us organized on extended trips. While we utilized these pockets on every trip, we didn't think they were quite as easy to search through for items as models with the zippers on the top of the lid.

osprey xenith 105 - showing the side acess on the xenith 105.
Showing the side acess on the Xenith 105.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

We like the spacious hip belt pockets on this model. They were not as large as some others, However, we still found they were plenty big enough for a camera, smartphone, or snacks that we wanted to have easy access to during the day.

osprey xenith 105 - one of the more unique features of this pack is that its lid...
One of the more unique features of this pack is that its lid transforms into a solid daypack. This daypack deploys from a third zippered pouch on the exterior of the lid, as seen in this photo.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

The lid also doubles as an actual daypack with shoulder straps folding out of a smaller third zipper. The idea is if you want to go for a day hike or a summit push, you can leave the primary body of the Xenith 105 behind.

osprey xenith 105 - the lid-turned daypack seen here is well-designed . we brought it...
The lid-turned daypack seen here is well-designed . We brought it day hiking or on outings where we had no intention of bringing the full Xenith 105.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

This included daypack is surprisingly decent. An unexpected perk, we found it useful on short day hikes or trips where we weren't even entertaining the idea of bringing the main pack. If you want to save a little weight and leave the lid behind entirely, there is a separate flap (which Osprey calls the FlapJacket) that covers the central opening of the pack, helping to keep your items dry.

osprey xenith 105 - to save weight for an entire trip or for a summit push, the xenith's...
To save weight for an entire trip or for a summit push, the Xenith's lid is removable. In an effort to keep your gear more securely in your pack and protected from the elements, Osprey incorporated a nylon flap (which they call their FlapJacket) that clips into the existing buckles for these occasions.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Adjustability and Fit


This pack's shoulder straps are attached to a large Velcro flap that sandwiches between two pieces of Velcro, located inside the primary back panel.


Many other pack manufacturers have imitated this relatively simple system over the years, and for a good reason. This design allows the pack to fine-tune to the torso length of any given user. After having used over a half dozen Osprey Packs that feature this system, we have never experienced it slip or slide out of position unexpectedly.

osprey xenith 105 - the xenith has around 4" of vertucal torso length adjustment and...
The Xenith has around 4" of vertucal torso length adjustment and comes in three sizes. To further fine-tune fit, Osprey and several retailers offer the ability to mix and match torso length, shoulder strap, and waist-belt sizes.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

The Xenith 105 offers 4 inches of torso length adjustment and you can swap different sized shoulder straps and waist belts with various frames. For example, you could get a small or large-sized hip belt with a medium-sized frame.

osprey xenith 105 - another one of our favorite features of this pack is its stretchy...
Another one of our favorite features of this pack is its stretchy mesh beavertail style pocket, which was perfect for stinky items. Osprey beefed up this model for 2018.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

osprey xenith 105 - at $400 this pack isn't cheap but we think for extended trips into...
At $400 this pack isn't cheap but we think for extended trips into the backcountry this pack this pack is hard to beat and worth every penny.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Value


At the price, this pack isn't cheap, but it certainly brings plenty of value. For roughly $50-100 more than many packs in this review, you get an incredibly robust frame, top-tier foam, and a ton of well-designed features to help make your trip more enjoyable.

osprey xenith 105 - if you need a behemoth of a pack it gets no better than this one.
If you need a behemoth of a pack it gets no better than this one.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Conclusion


If you need a behemoth of a pack, this is one of the best options out there. Winner of our Top Pick Award for its ability to carry large loads on extended trips, this model features a bomber suspension. It also features one of our review team's favorite overall designs for features and pockets. This pack should be on your shortlist if you're in the market for something of this volume.

Other Versions


This pack comes in three volumes--a 75L, 88L, and the 105L that we review here. They have a similar overall design, but the padding and frame generally become more robust as you go up in volume.

Ian Nicholson