The backpack you sling on for a weekend hike today shares almost nothing with the bag your grandparents would have carried into the bush. Modern hiking backpacks are the product of decades of trial, error, and genuine obsession from a handful of makers who simply wanted a pack that fit properly. Few brands embody that obsession more than Osprey, and we think their story is worth telling — because understanding where your gear comes from makes choosing the right backpack today a whole lot easier.

A brief history of the backpack

Before technical fabrics and adjustable suspension systems existed, hikers made do with canvas rucksacks, external steel frames, and leather straps that dug into shoulders after just a few kilometres. These early designs weren't built for comfort — they were built to hold things, full stop. It wasn't until the mid-20th century that outdoor manufacturers started treating the backpack as a piece of engineering rather than just a sack with straps.

The real shift began in the 1970s, as a wave of independent makers — often working out of garages and spare rooms — started questioning why packs had to be so uncomfortable. One of them was a 16-year-old named Mike Pfotenhauer, who taught himself to sew after one too many uncomfortable childhood hikes wearing a poorly fitted pack. That frustration eventually became Osprey.

Osprey: built from one person's obsession with a better fit

Osprey started in 1974 out of a small retail shop in Santa Cruz, California, where Mike built custom-fitted, made-to-order packs by hand for local hikers and travellers. Word of mouth spread quickly, and what began as a one-person operation slowly grew into a dedicated team building packs with genuine attention to comfort and fit — values that still define the brand today.

Osprey has driven several genuine firsts in backpack design. In the 1970s, they were among the earliest to introduce breathable mesh panelling into pack construction, tackling the sweaty-back problem that had plagued hikers for generations. In the 1990s, Osprey engineered ergonomic hipbelt and suspension systems that transformed how weight was carried and distributed, taking pressure off the shoulders and placing it where the body could handle it best — the hips. These weren't just marketing features; they fundamentally changed what a comfortable hiking backpack could feel like.

The rise of ultralight design

For most of backpacking history, a heavier bag simply meant more durability. Ultralight design flipped that assumption on its head. As synthetic fabrics, aluminium alloys, and foam technologies improved through the 1980s and 90s, manufacturers realised they could build packs that were both lighter and stronger — not one or the other.

This is where materials science really earns its place in the story. Ripstop nylon replaced heavier canvas, reducing weight while resisting tears. Internal aluminium stays replaced bulky external steel frames, allowing packs to sit closer to the body and move more naturally with the hiker. Foam padding evolved to wick moisture and mould to the wearer over time, rather than staying rigid and uncomfortable. Every gram shaved off a backpack meant more energy left in a hiker's legs at the end of the day — and that principle still drives ultralight design today.

If you want to see how this philosophy applies to your own kit, we've put together a full breakdown in the ultimate guide to ultralight backpacking, covering how to prioritise gear and cut weight without sacrificing safety.

Modern innovation meets everyday adventure

Today's backpacks combine everything learned over the past fifty years: anatomically shaped hipbelts, adjustable torso lengths, breathable back panels, and componentry designed for specific trip types rather than one-size-fits-all. Osprey in particular has continued refining these systems, building packs that adjust to the wearer's body rather than forcing the wearer to adjust to the pack.

This is a big part of why we've backed Osprey as our go-to hiking backpack brand. Their design philosophy — fit first, features second — lines up with what we see from customers every day: the best bag isn't the one with the most pockets, it's the one you forget you're wearing by hour three. You can browse our full range and see this philosophy in action in our guide, Osprey backpacks built for every trail.

Choosing the right pack for your trip

All this history matters because it shapes the decision in front of you right now: which backpack actually suits your trip? A multi-day trek needs a completely different bag to a quick afternoon walk, and the wrong choice means either running out of space or carrying weight you don't need. For day trips, our lighter, more compact daypacks are built for exactly that kind of outing without the bulk of a full-sized pack. If you're weighing up which one you actually need, our guide on day packs vs hiking backpacks in Australia breaks it down by trip length, terrain, and capacity.

Our founder and CEO, Dave Parker on a recent hike to Canterbury, New Zealand.

Why shop with us at PAST Outdoors

We're a family-owned Australian outdoor retailer with a genuine passion for getting people out on the trail with gear that actually works. Our team tests and uses what we sell, so when we back Osprey as our biggest supplier for backpacks, it's because we trust the fit, durability, and decades of design refinement behind every pack — not because it's simply what's on the shelf. Thousands of hikers and campers across Australia have trusted us to kit them out for everything from weekend getaways to serious multi-day expeditions, and our customers keep coming back because we get the details right.

If you're ready to find a hiking backpack built on fifty years of genuine innovation, browse our full range today or reach out to our team for personalised advice. We're here to help you carry less, move further, and enjoy every step of the way.

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