Osprey mutant

What do people think of this bag? I'm considering it to replace my backpacking bag (exos 58) as a climbing bag. Looking at 38 and larger.  I mostly sport and trad, but I almost always keep my rack with me just in case (also afraid of theft) how is this bag compared to similar offerings?

What is your use-case?

Just for hauling kit to the crag, a stubby haul bag or the Patagonia crag pack (my fave) are good options. 

I have the mutant and the exos. I like the exos better. It’s a much better pack for backpacking. If I’m doing a smaller crag or multi pitch day I just bring a crag bag. And if it’s a long approach with tons of stuff I found the exos more comfortable. I don’t do alpine climbing and I think that’s where the mutant would really excel. 

Ahh okay, so seems like people not generally a huge fan of it as a crag bag. I like the side zips and opening on bags like the mammut, I just feel like it's not a great bag for taking up on a multi  

I have a 10-year old mutant 38. It fits everything I need for full days of ice climbing, ski touring, alpine rock, etc. So it has more than enough volume for cragging, but it’s kind of annoying for that purpose, as I am always emptying it out to get to that object in the bottom of the tube. If I were to buy a dedicated cragging pack I think I would go with something less long and tubular with better access to the main compartment. 

crag wagon or splitter station by Mountain Hardwear are my go-to crag bags. The mutant is a great comfy pack but not ideal for cragging or multi imo

I've had the mutant 38 for a year now and if I had to buy it again I certainly would. It fits trad rack and everything that I need for the day in it, strap a rope and a helmet to  the outside of it and you're good to go. 

Thanks for the input everyone!

Osprey has an incredibly good warranty  process if that matters to you. In my experience they will fix anything you can do to a pack

I use my Mutant for long approaches with a double rack because it carries weight well and it's light. I even use it for some light overnight stuff.

Its kinda a pain as a crag bag though, especially with everything loading down inside it from the top under the lid. I have a Creek 20 that I use for those days, although I mostly use it as a multipitch pack/haul bag. 

I have the Mutant 52, its best quality is that it carries very well up to 50 lb, good if you want to be able to do 1-3 nights in the mountains and crag with one pack, 52 too big for multi pitch rock

I have an original circa 2009 mutant 38. It it is a good all round solid bag.

But these days something like a BD creek 50 is better for cragging and more durable.

The mutant is meant more as winter/alpine bag.

I like the camp m45. Alpine pack but you can access main compartment at back with a zipper opening.  Pretty well have full access with the zips.  

I have not used it but the CAMP M30 pops up every now and then for around $75 new. Sierra has the M45 for $130 but has been at $99 on clearance this year. Street price has them around $100 if you are patient. 45 is too big for cragging, (for me) but helps when you need to go long overnight weekends where you have to march in. That 37L size sure seems to be the sweet spot for most CA weekends, since everything can fit IN the bag and when you are desperate for extra space, the rope can go external. I have a BD Mission 50 and an older Mutant 38 and the mutant gets used 80%+ of the time. Good luck on your search Konnor.

Shaniac wrote:

I have not used it but the CAMP M30 pops up every now and then for around $75 new. Sierra has the M45 for $130 but has been at $99 on clearance this year. Street price has them around $100 if you are patient. 45 is too big for cragging, (for me) but helps when you need to go long overnight weekends where you have to march in. That 37L size sure seems to be the sweet spot for most CA weekends, since everything can fit IN the bag and when you are desperate for extra space, the rope can go external. I have a BD Mission 50 and an older Mutant 38 and the mutant gets used 80%+ of the time. Good luck on your search Konnor.

Yup got it at sierra for 99 this year but I think it’s only 45 when you have the top pouch fully extended.

I never see a sweet deal for the mutant 38 or 52. Would be tempted to buy one if it ever happens 

I ended up getting the Crag Wagon for the front entry, but will definitely snag a mutant If I ever need more of the features it offers. I tried one on and it was terribly comfy