I own a few different biking packs and there ain’t any as small as the Katari 1.5. The ‘bare minimum’—after squeezing in my mobile phone, pump, repair kit and multi-tool—doesn’t even fit my wallet. But if you’re after a pack weighing a feathery 350g (reservoir an additional 150g) and a fit that feels like you’re hardly wearing a pack at all, then the Katari 1.5 hits the mark.
The Katari actually comes in three sizes (1.5, 3 and 7 litres), and while the 1.5 model doesn’t offer much space, the larger configurations do. There’s also a woman’s specific version, the Kitsuma, and it offers the same size configurations (although I’ll need to wait for my next life to verify the efficacy of the design differences).
Constructed with 100D nylon fabric, the Katari range incorporates a ventilated, padded harness, includes a light loop, single zippered pocket, and internal hanging hook (ensuring the reservoir stays upright while in use). The pack sits high on my shoulders and has no waist strap. I like this strapless design; waist straps on smaller packs are usually better described as belly-button straps, and then if you want them undone, they flap around all over the place. But on the Katari 1.5, despite being strapless, the pack still sits snug and doesn’t move around at all when on the track, even with a full water bladder. A magnetic tube clip designed to hold the drinking tube on the front shoulder doesn’t, unfortunately, perform the same way. No sooner do I connect the tube, and at the first serious movement, it comes lose again. While it doesn’t bother me that much, it means the reservoir tube jiggles around across my chest.
The accompanying reservoir is easy to fill and I haven’t had any issues with leakage. Like most hydration packs, the reservoir is designed specifically for the same brand pack, and this is the same for the Katari/Kitsuma-Hydraulics combination.
The small issue with the tube clip aside, I’m really impressed with the Katari 1.5. I rate it highly, as long as you remember its primary function: A lightweight, ultra-minimalist mountain biking pack. That said, given how well it stays still on while riding, I’ve even started using it beyond its intended purpose; it now doubles as my trail running pack.
(R.Handel)
Need to know:
Intended use: mountain biking
Dimensions: 35h x 19w x 15d cm
Weight (with reservoir – empty): 500g
RRP: $79.95
More info: www.osprey.com/au