Osprey Mira 32 Review | The Best Day Pack I’ve Owned

It’s no secret that Osprey dominates the backpack market, creating innovative, durable and comfortable designs time and time again. It’s truly a brand you can trust and the only question is – which day pack is the best fit for you!?

We recently began the search for the best hiking day pack and after trying on countless options from various brands and dissecting each backpack thoroughly, I settled on the Osprey Mira 32 Day Pack.

The problem with most of the day packs I tried on – and the ones I have used in the past – was their inability to comfortably support a full load and the lack of adjustability on their harnesses. That was until I found the Osprey Mira 32.

I won’t make you search for the answer, this day pack is the best I have owned – ever. But even the best has a few factors I would improve. In this post, you’ll find a detailed review of every aspect of the Mira 32 Day Pack, including similar alternatives and what I love and don’t love about this hiking day pack.

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My Honest Review of The Osprey Mira 32 Day Pack

Quick Info

Price: $220 AUD
Material: Main: 210D x 630D Nylon Dobby, Accent: 100D Nylon Mini Honey Comb, Bottom: 500D Nylon Packcloth
Weight: 1.35 kg
Volume: 32 litres (also available in 22 litres)
Load Range: 5 – 13 kg
Sustainability: None
Size: One size – adjustable
Alternative Options: Women’s Mira 22 (1.26 KG), Men’s Manta 34 (1.40 KG), Men’s Manta 24 (1.31 KG) – all variations have the same load range.

Positives:

• Very affordable
• Superior support with a heavy weight
• Lifetime warranty with Osprey’s Almighty Guarantee repair
• Included 2.5 litre hydration bladder
• Great ventilation
• Loads of features to accommodate technical hiking

Negatives:

• Not sustainably made
• The hipbelt pockets are too small for the modern sized phone
• The front pocket isn’t included in the compression straps, making it extend too far from the body when at full capacity

The Osprey Mira 32 is a women’s specific technical hiking day pack packed full of features that will assist you in your wildest hikes. The pack comes with a 2.5 litre hydration bladder and enough pockets and compartments to make an overly organised adventurer very happy!

The Mira 32 is large enough to pack all the essentials for a long, technical day hike or even a supported hut-to-hut hike. And with an adjustable harness and superior suspension, you’ll hardly feel the weight.

I would ideally have rathered a backpack made with sustainable material, but unfortunately, none of the sustainably made day packs fit me properly. The only other major issue with the Osprey Mira 32 is the small hip belt pockets that don’t fit a phone.

Who Is This Day Pack For?

The Osprey Mira 32 Day Pack is an affordable all-rounder that accommodates a wide range of hikers. Its supportive suspension and adjustable harness create incomparable comfort for loads up to 13 kg, making it the perfect match for adventurers that thrive on technical hikes where extra gear is needed. Plus, the 3D-tensioned open mesh backpanel allows increased airflow while hiking in hot conditions.

However, if your main priority is staying ultralight and carrying the bare minimum, then there are other backpacks out there that are more suitable – such as the Mammut Lithium 25.

Weight And Load Capacity

The Mira 32 isn’t the lightest option out there, weighing in at 1.35kg. This is mainly due to its durable nylon construction and the technical design of the harness that allows a comfortable load capacity of 5 – 13kg.

I’ve packed the Mira 32 full to the brim, weighing approximately 10kg, and hardly felt the weight on a full day hike with considerable elevation and technical climbs. The only discomfort I felt was a slight pull on my shoulder which aligned with an old injury.

Comfort

I cannot fault the comfort of the Osprey Mira 32 day pack. The 3D tensioned open mesh backpanel allows a great deal of airflow and the hip belt fits snugly around my waist. The shoulder straps have a thick layer of padding and are wide enough at the shoulders to avoid chafing my neck.

I took this backpack on our hike to Barn Bluff and even after 18 km and over 6 hours of walking, the Mira felt comfortable. As I mentioned above, the only issue I had was a small pull on my shoulder which I will investigate on my next hike after playing around with the harness adjustments.

Fit

The waist belt, shoulder straps and chest straps have a wide range of adjustments to allow a snug fit for a diverse range of body shapes – this is something I’ve found frustrating on a number of occasions when backpacks wouldn’t tighten enough to provide the proper support.

The harness has a yoke design that tracks securely on the AirSpeed frame and allows for over 10 cm of adjustability. The use of buttons and a webbing ladder afford the ability to easily adjust the harness on the go which I have found highly beneficial.

Suspension

Perhaps the main reason we keep returning to Osprey each time we need a new backpack is its superior suspension designs. Similar to the Anti-Gravity found on the Aura and Atmos backpacking packs, the Airspeed has a tensioned backpanel that keeps the weight off your back while also providing ventilation. The backpanel is connected to a 4.0mm LightWire that is deeply curved to draw the lumbar in, delivering a close and stable fit.

To read more about the specifics of the Airspeed Suspension, you can read this resource. But basically, it means that the pack offers sensational support without compromising on airflow. I have the same sort of system in my older version of the Ariel 65L AG (sadly discontinued) which I’ve had for over 5 years and absolutely love the fit and stability.

Ventilation

As I briefly touched on above, the Airspeed backpanel is a 3D tensioned open mesh that sits away from the backpack, offering side ventilation that works a treat. There have been many times when my friends have had sweat patches on their backs from their packs while I’ve stayed bone dry. Of course, it doesn’t stop the straps from causing sweat but what could?

Overall, the high level of ventilation results in an extremely comfortable day pack that doesn’t irritate your skin and maintains its comfort throughout even the toughest environments.

Build Quality and Durability

Osprey pride themselves on building backpacks that last, and if they do happen to fail they offer a lifetime warranty with free repairs. I’ve yet to find any build issue with the pack, having already scraped it across boulders and through the spiky shrubs found on most hikes in Tasmania.

The Mira 32 is constructed of nylon dobby, nylon mini honeycomb and nylon packcloth, with varying denier counts from 100 to 650 to add toughness to the areas needing it the most. What you can take away from this is that the Mira 32 is designed to excel in harsh alpine environments with no compromise on durability and comfort.

Organisation

The Mira 32 hiking day pack reminds me a little of a school bag with all its various compartments and pockets. On the backpack you’ll find 6 zippered pockets and three stretch pockets, these include:

• A spacious main compartment
• A large hydration compartment that can fit plenty more inside
• A front panel pocket with three internal mesh pockets
• A heat-embossed and scratch-free small stash pocket above the front panel pocket
• Two hipbelt pockets
• Two side stretch pockets for water bottles
• A front panel stretch pocket that is perfect for wet gear or camp shoes

I love the abundance of compartments to help keep myself organised and I especially like that the hydration pocket is large enough to fit extra equipment I don’t want in the main compartment.

The only downside to the organisation design of the Mira 32 is that I would prefer the front pocket to be a top lid. This is because the bag feels too deep when you fill it completely. There are compression straps on the sides to pull the weight close to your body but they don’t include the front pocket. Additionally, the hipbelt pockets aren’t large enough to fit a modern sized phone.

Features

Compression Straps

The Mira 32 has dual upper and lower compression straps that assist in keeping the day pack as close to the body as possible, which increases stability and support. These work wonders but unfortunately, they don’t include the front panel pocket which causes me to avoid filling it to its full capacity. 

Hydration

Another driving factor for my purchase of the Mira 32 was the fact it included an Osprey Hydraulics LT 2.5 litre reservoir. And honestly, to get a pack of this quality with a hydration bladder included for $220 is ludicrous. 

The only issue I have with the bladder is that the bite valve is hard to open with one hand. But luckily, due to the magnetic sternum strap attachment point, you can keep it open without the worry of it leaking.

Rain Cover

The rain cover can be found at the base of the backpack in a zippered pocket. This is my ideal design which differs from the Ariel 65 AG where the rain cover is located in the top lid. I find the bottom to work well as it doesn’t hinder the use of any of the compartments. 

Hiking Pole Attachment

I actually use the Ice Tool attachment for my hiking poles instead as I find the underarm location for the poles a little uncomfortable when you’re trying to clamber over boulders. But it is the perfect place to stow them on the go if you simply want to grab a snack on a flat section while continuing to walk. 

Ice Tool Attachment

The ice tool loop has a bungee tie-off at the top and a loop at the bottom. It’s perfectly situated between the water bottle pocket and the front panel pocket and can be used as an alternate hiking pole attachment if you dislike them under your arm.

Sustainability

Unfortunately, the major downside to this bag – in our opinion – is the lack of sustainably sourced materials. I would have preferred a backpack with recycled materials, however, the options available didn’t fit me properly or offer the necessary features.

That said, Osprey is working hard on their sustainability goals and have begun creating many packs with sustainable materials. In addition to this, their lifetime warranty and attention to durability ensure you’re left with a backpack you can trust will serve you for a very long time – which avoids overconsumption and increased waste.

Value

I honestly couldn’t believe the price of this pack when I realised it included a 2.5 litre hydration bladder. A reputable bladder can cost up to $100 on its own and in my opinion, this bag is worth more than $120. 

My Experience

Why I Chose The Mira 32

It has the most amount of features compared to the various other Osprey technical day packs, including the best suspension, and fits my body shape the best. It can also carry one of the heaviest loads and comes with a 2.5 l hydration bladder. 

The closest option to the Mira 32 is the Sirrus 24/36 or the Tempest 30. They both offer similar features, however, the Sirrus lacks a front stash pocket and the Tempest doesn’t have a rain cover. But the biggest issue with both of these bags is they didn’t fit properly on my torso – even with harness adjustments. But if these bags fit and meet your needs, then they’re great options as they are both made with recycled materials – which is the biggest negative for the Mira 32.

How It Performs

The Osprey Mira 32 hasn’t missed a beat so far. I’ve packed it full for an overnight hike – with Dylan carrying the majority of the weight in his Osprey Aether 85 Plus backpacking pack – and felt comfortable for the duration of the 27 km hike. 

However, I had a small issue with it pulling on one side of my back, which I will investigate on coming hikes. As I continue to take the Mira 32 on various adventures, I will update this post to coincide with its performance.

Where Do I Take My Osprey Mira 32 Day Pack?

The Mira 32 comes with me on all my day hikes, as well as the odd overnight hike when we don’t need to pack a great deal. It’s the ideal travel bag that can double as a hiking pack as it’s small enough to use for carry-on luggage and durable enough to withstand the harshest environments.

Final Thoughts

Other than a few small issues, I am extremely happy with the Mira 32 hiking day pack and would highly recommend it for hikers looking for a spacious and supportive pack. I would like to see this product constructed of recycled fabrics in the future, with compression straps that include the front pocket and slightly larger hipbelt pockets.

Have you tested the Osprey Mira 32 Day Pack? We’d love to hear your review in the comments below and of course, if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Happy Hiking 🙂