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Osprey Mira 22 Backpack Review

Osprey Mira 22 Hydration Pack Review

The Osprey Mira 22 is a well-constructed, feature-rich hiking daypack that comes with a hydration system that holds 2.5 liters of liquid. The size works well for shorter hikes and/or hikes in warmer weather conditions that don’t require a lot of gear. It has a ventilated tensioned mesh back panel to help keep you cooler with a fully integrated women’s specific hip belt and shoulder harness. It can be adjusted to different torso lengths so that you can really dial in the fit. I’ve tried Osprey packs many times over the years and the Mira 22 is the first one that I’ve found truly comfortable. It’s available in neutral colors and makes a great day pack.

Specs at a Glance

    • Volume: 22L
    • Weight: 2 lbs 12 oz
    • Gender: Women’s
    • Type: Internal frame
    • Ventilation: Yes
    • Adjustable torso length: Yes, 4″ of adjustment possible
    • Pockets: 7 + main compartment
    • Rain cover: Included
    • Torso sizing: 14-19″
    • Waist sizing: 25”-50”
    • Max recommended load: 30 lbs.

Backpack Storage and Organization

The Mira 22 is a panel-loading backpack a U-shaped front zipper to access the main compartment making access to the interior easy.   There is also a side zipper that accesses an additional pocket for access to other small items with an interior mesh pocket and key clip for organization.  The main compartment has a separate hydration section that is accessed via a separate zipper at the top.  It would easily hold more than just the reservoir.  There is a port at the top of the pack for the hose and another zippered pocket on top for securely storing some small items like sunglasses etc.

The Mira 22 has a U-shaped zipper which makes it easy to find packed gear and clothing
The Mira 22 has a U-shaped zipper which makes it easy to find packed gear and clothing

The Mira 22 has a front stretch pocket which is good for holding loose layers and snacks and two side stretch pockets, that can hold a sit pad or water bottles if you prefer to carry them instead.  There are two tiers of side compression straps that can be used to lash bulky gear to the side of the pack and hip belt pockets are provided that are large enough to hold snacks, a small cell phone (up to 3” x 6”) or a small camera.

The water bottle pockets are made of a sturdy, stretchy fabric and sized for thinner bottle than a Nalgene, although a 1L Nalgene will fit if you are insistent. You can put bottles into the pockets from the top or through a side opening which allows you to take them out and put them back while wearing the pack. You’ll still want to use a fairly short bottle because longer ones fall out the side if you bend over.

Side cuts in the water bottle pockets let you reach a bottle while wearing the pack. But you’ll want to use a short bottle so it doesn’t fall out when you bend over.
Side cuts in the water bottle pockets let you reach a bottle while wearing the pack. But you’ll want to use a short bottle so it doesn’t fall out when you bend over.

Like all Osprey Packs, the Mira has a stow-and-go trekking pole attachment on the side of the pack which is useful when you want to keep your hands free, especially for scrambling. An ice tool loop and bungee are also provided for alpine or cold weather use. There is also an integrated rain cover stowed in a bottom zippered pocket.

The Mira 22 is a ventilated backpack with an intgerated hip belt and mesh backpanel for extra comfort
The Mira 22 is a ventilated backpack with an integrated hip belt and mesh back panel for extra comfort

Backpack Frame and Suspension

The Mira 22 is a ventilated backpack, with a panel of mesh covering an air cavity behind your back. This helps keep you cooler and cuts down on perspiration on hot and humid days. The Mira also has an adjustable torso length, so you can really dial in a personalized fit. What I find impressive is that Osprey put this suspension on a 22 liter daypack since it was first developed for their higher capacity overnight and multi-day backpacks.

The back panel is tensioned to allow ventilation and while the integrated hip belt provides excellent hip wrap and load transfer.  The adjustable yoke design tracks on the AirSpeed frame and buttons into a webbing ladder.  It’s an ingenious system that cuts down on bulk and weight you might find with more typical hook and loop systems.  The belt webbing is a generous length and the hip belt is well padded.

The torso length is adjusted by moving the yoke up or down these webbing loops
The torso length is adjusted by moving the yoke up or down these webbing loops

The women’s specific perforated shoulder harness is covered with perforated mesh and the foam structure is also perforated to improve breathability.  I find it very comfortable, even in sweltering hot and humid weather.

Included Hydration system

The Mira 22 comes with a 2.5 liter hydration system so you don’t have to buy a separate one. However, if you already own a hydration system you prefer to use it will also be compatible with the pack. The Mira hydration system includes a magnetic bite valve/hose holder attached to a shoulder strap so the hose does flop all over the place while you hike.

The Mira 22 comes with a 25 liter hydration system but is also compatible with other reservoirs
The Mira 22 comes with a 25 liter hydration system but is also compatible with other reservoirs

The sternum strap has a magnetic bite valve/hose holder on the buckle, although the hose tends to flop around uncontrollably when you take off the pack. You can remedy the hose attachment problem by running the hose through the small elasticized bands on the shoulder harness in order to secure it.

The reservoir opens with a foldover flap and sliding clip at the top. There is a quick connect partway up the hose which allows you to fill the reservoir with a compatible system without taking it out of the pack. The hose is a bit long for this pack, but shortening it is easy. The bite valve has a twist on/off switch to reduce leaking. I found that it was pretty leak-proof without turning it on and off every time I used it.

A bite valve cover is not included but is available for puchase.
A bite valve cover is not included but is available for purchase separately.

The Mira 22 does not come with a bite valve cover however, but they are available for purchase separately. Personally, I like a cover to keep dirt off the part that goes in my mouth.  One disappointment with the bladder for me is that the quick connect is partway along the hose.  While I like the functionality of the bite valve, this valve is so secure that I have not found a way to dry the hose without taking the bite valve off.

Comparable Women’s Daypacks

Make / ModelSizingRaincover
Osprey Tempest 20Adjustable
Deuter Speed Lite 22 SLFixed Length
Patagonia Nine Trails 26Fixed Length
Deuter Trail 28 SLFixed LengthIncluded
Osprey Sirrus 36AdjustableIncluded
REI Trail 25Fixed LengthIncluded
Wms Mystery Ranch Scree 32Adjustable
Wms REI Traverse 35Fixed LengthIncluded
Gregory Jade 28AdjustableIncluded

Recommendation

The Osprey Mira 22 is a ventilated, adjustable length day pack that comes with a fully integrated hydration system. It features a fully integrated mesh back panel and hipbelt that makes it comfortable and cool to wear, even in hot and humid weather. The Mira 22 is loaded with pockets to keep you organized and has a U-shaped main zipper that makes it easy to access clothing or gear buried deep in your backpack. Osprey loaded this pack with features that are commonly found on their much larger backpacking backpacks giving it a lot of flexibility for different types of trips while keeping the pack nimble and easy to use. Highly recommended!

Disclosure: The author owns this backpack.

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About the author

Wanda Rice has been backpacking since the late 1980’s. She has climbed the New Hampshire 48, the New Hampshire 48 in winter, the New England 67, the New England Hundred Highest, and the Four-Season 48. Wanda also teaches for the Appalachian Mountain Club’s (AMC) Mountain Leadership School, the AMC New Hampshire Chapter Spring and Winter Schools as well as the AMC NH Winter Hiking Series. She leads day and overnight trips for AMC NH year-round and loves mentoring new leaders. She is a gear junkie, a self-proclaimed Queen of Gear Hacks, and loves sharing her tips and tricks with others. Wanda lives in southern NH and is looking forward to moving closer to the mountains in the next few years.

3 comments

  1. Dankjewel voor je uitgebreide review die zeer behulpzaam was om een keuze te maken!
    Ik heb gekozen om een Mira 22 aan te kopen, maar ik had nog een vraagje:
    Past een waterreservoir van 3 liter ook?

    Het systeem om de romplengte aan te passen ziet er geweldig uit! Dat is echt iets wat ik nodig heb, gezien mijn kleine gestalte.

    Hartelijk dank!

    Thank you for your extensive review which was very helpful in making a choice!
    I chose to buy a Mira 22, but I had one more question:
    Does a 3 liter water tank also fit?

    The torso length adjustment system looks great! That’s really something I need, given my small stature.

    Thank you!

  2. Besides diff capacities, how do you think this compares to the very popular Tempest?

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