Get Out There and Make Your Own Odyssey: JanSport Odyssey 38
Written: Feb 25 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Comfortable, weightless, large enough to carry almost anything
Cons: Loading system, sternum strap removal
The Bottom Line: An excellent pack for those who carry heavy loads.
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| peacheater's Full Review: Jansport Odyssey 38 Daypacks |
I am a big fan of JanSport backpacks and I have reviewed several of them here on Epinions. Recently, however, I had grown dissatisfied with the capacity of my Big Student and I felt an update was necessary. I looked around the internet for a versatile pack that I could carry on campus as well as on the trail. The designs that I found from other brands were satisfactory at best until I found the JanSport Odyssey. It had received many rave reviews and when I went to the store to buy it, I instantly knew why.
Pockets
Like many other JanSport backpacks, the Odyssey comes with a vast array of pockets and slots for almost anything that you’re carrying. At the very back of the pack is a V-Loft pocket in which you can carry a music player (Walkman or MP3) as well as a toggle for your hydration reservoir. If you place your reservoir inside the pack, it needs to be threaded through the toggle and the hose will come out of a small hole near the shoulder straps which has H2O stitched on it. Once the hose has been threaded, the only thing left to do is place it into one of the little elastic holders on the shoulder straps and you should be in business. I personally have never used a bladder with this pack, but I know plenty of people who do.
The next pocket is the large main compartment. I can usually fit five or six textbooks in there and a spiral notebook. Since this pack is 19.5 inches tall, there is room at the top for a coat or sweatshirt. Also, if you have already over stuffed the V-Loft pocket, it might interfere with any binders since it hangs directly above your books at the back of the pack.
In front of the main compartment is a smaller pocket that you can use for books, journals, shoes, or gym clothes. I like to carry smaller items in those pocket and the heavier ones closer to my back. I also just leave this compartment empty so that the others don’t implode on it, which makes it difficult for me to take something out of this pocket.
The next pocket is the organizer. Like most JanSport packs, the organizer is a group of slots for pencils, pens, and even a cell phone. In addition, there is a space behind the organizer for my spiral school calendar. There is also a key ring for your keys. In front of the organizer are two black mesh pockets that can be used to store any small items that you might need. I carry my Altoids in there as well as scissors, extra pencils, and pens.
The front two pockets are called stash pockets by the manufacturer. I wouldn’t quite call them that, however, since they are large enough to fit several small paperbacks. I use the pocket closest to the organizer to store my gym clothes and some other small items. Sometimes, I carry my reading books in there. The front stash pocket is the same height as the previous one and I don’t really use it for much of anything although it has enough space for some small toiletries or other necessities.
There are also two mesh pockets on the sides underneath the compression straps. These expand so that I can fit a 32 oz Nalgene water bottle in there. This is very comfortable for me although some might want to use their reservoirs.
The zippers on all of the pockets are really tough #9 and 10 zippers. They do get caught sometimes, but that is to be expected when you are carrying an extremely heavy load.
Suspension System
The JanSport Odyssey is one of the most comfortable backpacks that I have ever carried. The main reason for this is the Airlift Suspension system that has been utilized by the manufacturer since 2000. The straps on this backpack are very wide and durable. In newer models, you can actually see the Gelastic Gellycomb (a soft and squishy rubber) that gives you unrivaled suspension. The under side of the straps has a special kind of mesh that absorbs sweat and the padded back isn’t shabby either. It’s built with a really tough nylon and it is extremely soft.
This backpack also comes with a removable sternum strap that can be adjusted according to height. To adjust the strap, remove the white plastic wand from the rubber sleeve at the bottom of the shoulder strap and then rethread it to the height that you want. Adjusting the sternum strap was pretty hard for me because the holes at the top of the weren’t big enough to remove the strap. I had to pull as hard as I could on the plastic wand so that it popped out. The new version of this Odyssey does not have this type of harness. Instead, the sternum strap is simply moved up and down by hand like on other traditional backpacking packs. Despite this, I have found that the sternum strap is one of the best features of the Odyssey since it doesn’t allow the shoulder straps to slide around when I am running.
The hip belt on the Odyssey is one of the largest that I have seen. It is easily adjustable and sturdy. The buckles are tough and durable and the belt helps to balance my load on the hips. It is designed for a torso length of 16 inches or more. If you have a smaller frame, you might want to reconsider.
Loading System
One of the things that some people have found frustrating about the JanSport Odyssey is that it is a panel loading internal frame pack. What that means is that the back of the pack is supported by an aluminum frame rather than an external one. This isn’t that big of an issue, but the loading system is.
I have used panel loading packs for a long time. These packs are designed so that the zippers come down only half way down. Many people have had problems putting their clothes inside the pack because of this, but I haven’t had any major problems. I use mesh bags to organize my stuff and then place those inside the bag.
Appearance
Overall, the Odyssey is built for people who are really into school, sports, or both. It’s large 2350 ci capacity allows me to take it out on the trail for a day hike and also utilize it for school. I bought mine in cobalt blue and I have seen other versions in bokchoy green and black on the internet. Since JanSport redesigned the Odyssey for Spring of 2007, the pack might appear smaller than what I have and this is one of the main reasons why I decided to stick with the older model which was sold side by side with this.
When you stuff this bag, it does look relatively big on the back. Depending on height and torso size, it can look extremely bulky and it is not recommended for anybody with a waist that is smaller than 16 inches. One of the nice things, however, is that you barely feel the load.
Final Comments
The JanSport Odyssey is probably the best backpack that I have ever used. It is comfortable, durable, and sturdy. At $100, this pack is definitely expensive but one of the most durable. I highly recommend it to anybody who needs pack for travel, school, or the trail.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
peacheater
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Reviews written: 62
Trusted by: 22 members
About Me:
A student who loves backpacking, books, and good music.
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