Designed by guides and athletes, the Mutant 38 fits perfectly between its bigger and smaller siblings; great for long days in the mountains that don't require setting up basecamp but might require a ledge-bound shiver-bivy. The backpanel sheds snow and easy-to-use ice tool attachment and glove-friendly buckles mean less time fiddling with your pack. With a hipbelt that includes gear loops and stashes behind the pack to provide access to your harness when you need it, plus integrated helmet and rope carry, the Mutant 38 is a nimble and capable alpine machine that fits better and feels more comfortable than what you’re used to. Whether you're enjoying a North Cascade's classic or getting showered by spindrift in the Canadian Rockies, the Mutant 38 can do everything you need except belay you on the next pitch.
Designed by guides and athletes, the Mutant 38 fits perfectly between its bigger and smaller siblings; great for long days in the mountains that don't require setting up basecamp but might require a ledge-bound shiver-bivy. The backpanel sheds snow and easy-to-use ice tool attachment and glove-friendly buckles mean less time fiddling with your pack. With a hipbelt that includes gear loops and stashes behind the pack to provide access to your harness when you need it, plus integrated helmet and rope carry, the Mutant 38 is a nimble and capable alpine machine that fits better and feels more comfortable than what you’re used to. Whether you're enjoying a North Cascade's classic or getting showered by spindrift in the Canadian Rockies, the Mutant 38 can do everything you need except belay you on the next pitch.
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The lowest price for Osprey Mutant 38 Backpack Mars Orange S/M right now is $299.95 at Paddy Pallin.
The all-time low was $158.38 on 15 May 2023 — today's price is 89% above the lowest ever. It has been notably cheaper before — worth setting a price alert.
Prices last updated 8 Nov 2026.
Osprey Mutant 38 Backpack Mars Orange S/M
Designed by guides and athletes, the Mutant 38 fits perfectly between its bigger and smaller siblings; great for long days in the mountains that don't require setting up basecamp but might require a ledge-bound shiver-bivy. The backpanel sheds snow and easy-to-use ice tool attachment and glove-friendly buckles mean less time fiddling with your pack. With a hipbelt that includes gear loops and stashes behind the pack to provide access to your harness when you need it, plus integrated helmet and rope carry, the Mutant 38 is a nimble and capable alpine machine that fits better and feels more comfortable than what you’re used to. Whether you're enjoying a North Cascade's classic or getting showered by spindrift in the Canadian Rockies, the Mutant 38 can do everything you need except belay you on the next pitch.
Designed by guides and athletes, the Mutant 38 fits perfectly between its bigger and smaller siblings; great for long days in the mountains that don't require setting up basecamp but might require a ledge-bound shiver-bivy. The backpanel sheds snow and easy-to-use ice tool attachment and glove-friendly buckles mean less time fiddling with your pack. With a hipbelt that includes gear loops and stashes behind the pack to provide access to your harness when you need it, plus integrated helmet and rope carry, the Mutant 38 is a nimble and capable alpine machine that fits better and feels more comfortable than what you’re used to. Whether you're enjoying a North Cascade's classic or getting showered by spindrift in the Canadian Rockies, the Mutant 38 can do everything you need except belay you on the next pitch.
Last updated at 08/11/2026 20:27:08
OSP MUTANT 38L PACK S22 MARS ORANGE S/M
Free delivery between 13–19 Nov
originally posted on moosejaw.com
Was given this backpack as a gift, and I haven't used it quite yet but it has everything I need out of a summit pack. The 38L capacity is perfect for a full rack of gear, some food and extra layers with straps for ice tools, helmet, and crampons. The back support can be removed so it can be thrown into my larger pack for expeditions. Can't wait to use it!
originally posted on backcountry.com
This is my first quality pack (was a gift from my GF for my birthday), and I choosed this model because I do rock climbing and I'm planning to do some light mountaineering soon, so it looked like this was the best option for me, but I should probably had to choose a different model. This is why; I've had my 38L for 3 months now and I use it every weekend to carry my climbing equipment to the crag and it is great for that, it is a very nice pack, the material looks like is going to last forever but there are a couple things I don't love about it. 1. SIDE STRAPS. it has a strap to hold your rope on each side, I'd love to have those placed a few inches lower, they are located very high on top and the hanging loops of the rope move all around when you are walking or ... MoreThis is my first quality pack (was a gift from my GF for my birthday), and I choosed this model because I do rock climbing and I'm planning to do some light mountaineering soon, so it looked like this was the best option for me, but I should probably had to choose a different model. This is why; I've had my 38L for 3 months now and I use it every weekend to carry my climbing equipment to the crag and it is great for that, it is a very nice pack, the material looks like is going to last forever but there are a couple things I don't love about it. 1. SIDE STRAPS. it has a strap to hold your rope on each side, I'd love to have those placed a few inches lower, they are located very high on top and the hanging loops of the rope move all around when you are walking or approaching, getting stuck on trees etc, It has a couple of compresion straps below, and I use those to secure the rope but those dont have clips and is very difficult to put the rope inside them. 2. SIDE POCKETS. You can carry watter on your internal reseirvoir and that's ok, but if you are carrying coffee or something else in another bottle the only place you can put that is inside of the pack, not very convenient if you want to drink that on a quick break during your walk to the crag, you need to put the bag in the gound, open it, take out your stuff to get your coffee out, then put everthing inside again to continue walking. Every weekend I have to choose if I carry my coffee in my hand or go thru all that. 3. BREATHABILITY. If you are walking in warm days you will probably end with a sweaty back, there is not a lot of breathability in that area of the pack. As I said, probably another osprey model would be better for what I need, but that is my experience so far.
originally posted on moosejaw.com
I’ve jumped around from various 30-40 liter packs and this is hands down my favorite. It carries heavy loads like dream. The axe carry system is confidence inspiring and you don’t have to keep checking to make sure they didn’t fall out without you knowing. I think my favorite part is how out of the way it is when you’re climbing. The straps are always out of the way and the waste belt sits in a great position just above your harness. The gear loops are in a great position to throw stuff on in a hurry. Cannot recommend this pack enough.
| Fitzroy Pickup | 2 |
OSP MUTANT 38L PACK S22 MARS ORANGE S/M
Free delivery between 13–19 Nov
Was given this backpack as a gift, and I haven't used it quite yet but it has everything I need out of a summit pack. The 38L capacity is perfect for a full rack of gear, some food and extra layers with straps for ice tools, helmet, and crampons. The back support can be removed so it can be thrown into my larger pack for expeditions. Can't wait to use it!
This is my first quality pack (was a gift from my GF for my birthday), and I choosed this model because I do rock climbing and I'm planning to do some light mountaineering soon, so it looked like this was the best option for me, but I should probably had to choose a different model. This is why; I've had my 38L for 3 months now and I use it every weekend to carry my climbing equipment to the crag and it is great for that, it is a very nice pack, the material looks like is going to last forever but there are a couple things I don't love about it. 1. SIDE STRAPS. it has a strap to hold your rope on each side, I'd love to have those placed a few inches lower, they are located very high on top and the hanging loops of the rope move all around when you are walking or ... MoreThis is my first quality pack (was a gift from my GF for my birthday), and I choosed this model because I do rock climbing and I'm planning to do some light mountaineering soon, so it looked like this was the best option for me, but I should probably had to choose a different model. This is why; I've had my 38L for 3 months now and I use it every weekend to carry my climbing equipment to the crag and it is great for that, it is a very nice pack, the material looks like is going to last forever but there are a couple things I don't love about it. 1. SIDE STRAPS. it has a strap to hold your rope on each side, I'd love to have those placed a few inches lower, they are located very high on top and the hanging loops of the rope move all around when you are walking or approaching, getting stuck on trees etc, It has a couple of compresion straps below, and I use those to secure the rope but those dont have clips and is very difficult to put the rope inside them. 2. SIDE POCKETS. You can carry watter on your internal reseirvoir and that's ok, but if you are carrying coffee or something else in another bottle the only place you can put that is inside of the pack, not very convenient if you want to drink that on a quick break during your walk to the crag, you need to put the bag in the gound, open it, take out your stuff to get your coffee out, then put everthing inside again to continue walking. Every weekend I have to choose if I carry my coffee in my hand or go thru all that. 3. BREATHABILITY. If you are walking in warm days you will probably end with a sweaty back, there is not a lot of breathability in that area of the pack. As I said, probably another osprey model would be better for what I need, but that is my experience so far.
I’ve jumped around from various 30-40 liter packs and this is hands down my favorite. It carries heavy loads like dream. The axe carry system is confidence inspiring and you don’t have to keep checking to make sure they didn’t fall out without you knowing. I think my favorite part is how out of the way it is when you’re climbing. The straps are always out of the way and the waste belt sits in a great position just above your harness. The gear loops are in a great position to throw stuff on in a hurry. Cannot recommend this pack enough.
I fret over packs. I routinely destroy packs through use. This thing is the closest to perfection I've seen after 10 years of climbing. I previously shied away from Osprey packs because they've always seemed over-engineered and a little too ultralight (i.e. delicate) to me. But I'm really glad I went with the Mutant 38. I got it to replace my Cold Cold World Valdez, which is bomber but doesn't carry heavy loads very comfortably.I wanted something small enough to climb with, but big enough to fit everything for 2-4 day routes (with judicious packing). After a summer of abuse in the Cascades (including two nights on Stuart's North Ridge and a day of using it as a haul bag on Liberty Crack), I'm as convinced as the reviewers at OutdoorGearLab, who fawned over ... MoreI fret over packs. I routinely destroy packs through use. This thing is the closest to perfection I've seen after 10 years of climbing. I previously shied away from Osprey packs because they've always seemed over-engineered and a little too ultralight (i.e. delicate) to me. But I'm really glad I went with the Mutant 38. I got it to replace my Cold Cold World Valdez, which is bomber but doesn't carry heavy loads very comfortably.I wanted something small enough to climb with, but big enough to fit everything for 2-4 day routes (with judicious packing). After a summer of abuse in the Cascades (including two nights on Stuart's North Ridge and a day of using it as a haul bag on Liberty Crack), I'm as convinced as the reviewers at OutdoorGearLab, who fawned over it.Volume: It may advertise as 38 liters, but this thing is a bottomless pit. It took sleep kit, food for 3 days, 2.5 liters of water, a single rack, extra clothes, etc. without batting an eye, and it was still comfortable for a long approach.Climbing: Just as important, it climbs really well, even with the frame in, so you can keep that internal structure for a long approach without it being uncomfortable when things get vertical. I really liked the extra hood feature that covers up the top of the pack when you stuff the brain inside -- it keeps moisture out and gives the big cinch straps a place to go instead of just dangling.Cons: The cons are pretty minor here. I agree with Connor that the attachments are a little fiddly when using more technical/aggressive tools. Also, the cinch straps for the brain run directly over the handle attachments for your tools, which ends up being pretty annoying (and is the reason for 4 instead of 5 stars). Finally, there is absolutely no internal organization to this pack, except for a hydration sleeve. I actually prefer this, but it's something to keep in mind if that matters to you.
I bought this specifically for multi-day climbing routes, and it's fantastic. Enough space for a full climbing rack, rope, sleeping bag, airbed, food and water etc. It's also extremely comfy.On a recent trip I ended up breaking one of the buckles (completely my fault - it came under an enormous load from a weighted rope). Getting a replacement buckle through Osprey was painless (and free) - which is fantastic.
I was in the market for a mid-30's litre technical pack and all my research kept pointing to the Mutant 38 as the top pick. I borrowed a friend's for a big day alpine climb and loved it. Fits great and many good features. The only two things I wish it has were side pockets and bigger (and higher) daisy chain loops on the back.
Its a nice pack but was bought to replace the Varient and is just lacking in the all rounder features. No internal pocket for small items like keys\pocket knife etc. Material is too lightweight and tore first trip out. Shoulder\waist straps are not as well padded so overloading this pack becomes uncomfortable. The external helmet carrying feature is nice. Good for lightweight fast pack adventures but not as happy with it as an all rounder like the Varient was.
Awesome Pack! This pack is nice and lightweight! It's the perfect pack for those long(or short) approaches to the crag, summiting peaks or just going for a casual hike.The frame and waist moves well with your body as you're climbing up and over obstacles. It felt comfortable on my back even as I hiked 16 grueling miles completely packed down.I always wanted to see more from Osprey geared towards climbing and here is what I was looking for! Oh, and the helmet carrier on top is a really nice feature! Keeps you from having to strap it onto you pack and hearing it smack around.Very happy with the Pack! Keep 'em coming Osprey!
I got this for alpine/multipitch climbing and winter snowshoeing. It works well for both. It can carry snowshoes easily and the daisy chain allows crampons to be strapped to the back. Also holds a helmet on top or back which is nice to have the option. Narrow size is perfect for climbing and I love the ability to remove the brain or stop rope down. Only con I have is it doesn’t hold water bottles on the sides but I knew that going in. This isn’t going to be your backpacking pack anyway.
An all around climbing backpack. Designed for winter conditions. You can fit a winter sleeping bag and a bivou, some extra clothes, water, add a rope between the top cover and backpack, attach two ice axes on the outside, plus a shovel. Pros -Every outer fabric is well thought out and durable -Carry straps are as always super steady and comfortable -Straps for the equipment are performing really well. -The bag can carry too much weight for its size and still be comfortable. No unnecessary straps or zip. -Nice carry mods on the waist straps, ideal for climbing. -its really light Cons - I would like some modification on the fabric of the back panel. It can easily get wet from the conditions and it never dries since the moisture gets trapped between that and your bag, ... MoreAn all around climbing backpack. Designed for winter conditions. You can fit a winter sleeping bag and a bivou, some extra clothes, water, add a rope between the top cover and backpack, attach two ice axes on the outside, plus a shovel. Pros -Every outer fabric is well thought out and durable -Carry straps are as always super steady and comfortable -Straps for the equipment are performing really well. -The bag can carry too much weight for its size and still be comfortable. No unnecessary straps or zip. -Nice carry mods on the waist straps, ideal for climbing. -its really light Cons - I would like some modification on the fabric of the back panel. It can easily get wet from the conditions and it never dries since the moisture gets trapped between that and your bag, -If the ax system can get a bit loose.
| Fitzroy Pickup | 2 |
