Bottom Line
The Osprey Nebula 32 is a versatile daypack designed for commuters and travelers seeking functionality and comfort in a lightweight platform. With a 32-liter capacity, it offers ample space for daily essentials and has enough capacity for shorter trips and quick overnighters. Based on our Alaskan commutes and day trips, the Nebula quickly earned its place as an excellent lightweight bag in our lineup of best travel backpacks.
Made of 100% recycled materials, the Nebula is Bluesign approved and sustainably made. The pack is divided into three main compartments: laptop, main, and a secondary compartment with small zippered pockets. A stretch mesh exterior pocket is great for quickly stowing essentials, and two water bottle sleeves are great for staying hydrated on the go. The Nebula lacks the volume to be a true one-bag option for most travelers, but it excels on day trips and shorter outings. It quickly became our bag of choice for commuting, going to the gym, or biking across town.
How We Tested
Every travel backpack tested got put through a standardized packing test where we investigated the organization of the bag by packing it with everything we needed for a five-day trip. We carried the bag up and down stairs, through airports, and on trails to test its durability, comfort, and performance across multiple months of use.
Quick Specs
Osprey Nebula 32
Best Commuter Backpack
CleverHiker Rating: 4.4/5.0
Price: $140
Volume: 32 L
Weight: 2 lb. 2 oz.
Dimensions: 19 x 12 x 11 in
Pros
- Lightweight
- Versatile
- Good for Commuting
- External mesh stuff pocket
- Two water bottle pockets
- Laptop compartment
Cons
- Not enough volume for longer trips
- Easily overburdened
Organization & Storage
The Nebula is divided into three compartments: a laptop, main, and secondary compartment with accessory pockets. The laptop pocket is unique in that it unzips completely open, reminiscent of the clamshell style of other travel backpacks. It is also one of the larger electronics pockets we tested, making it great for transporting a larger workstation.
The main and secondary pockets are large enough for daily essentials and outfitted with features like a scratch-free sunglasses pocket. However, they lack the volume found in other travel backpacks. At 32 liters, the Nebula may have enough room for light travelers, but those requiring more space should look for a slightly roomier option.
Features
The Nebula is the only bag in our lineup with two water bottle pockets. We loved this for biking around town and for using it on long days away from home. The stretch-mesh back pocket is a great addition for quickly stowing essentials like an extra layer. There are four tensioning straps on the exterior of the pack, two on each side. One across the water bottle sleeve, the other across the zippers into the compartments. We found that this strap was in the way when accessing the main compartment and had to be unbuckled to easily access the interior of the back. Decidedly simple, the Nebula lacks many of the features found in dedicated travel bags. But it is extremely streamlined, making it a perfect lightweight option for those on the go.
Comfort & Fit
Long acclaimed for well-crafted designs to carry heavy loads, Osprey continues its The Nebula 32 is built with Osprey’s signature AirScape ridge foam. However, this construction seemed slightly less breathable than other higher-priced Osprey packs. Without as much airspace behind the back, we became sweaty when commuting with this bag.
The Atilon framesheet helps distribute the load evenly across the frame, but we found the Nebula was more easily overburdened than other packs we tested. With only a small, removable webbing waistbelt, we didn’t get as much support as other packs. The smaller volume combined with less support makes this pack more suitable for light day trips than longer stints on the road.
Durability & Protection
For a small and lightweight pack, we were impressed with the durability and protection offered by the Nebula. The laptop compartment is fully padded and protected by the pack’s frame. Even though the main compartment does not have much rigidity to it, it was still more than enough to keep the contents safe and secure. This is not the most rugged or rigid pack in our lineup – its lightweight design is better for travelers who favor low weight over heavy durability.
Should You Buy The Osprey Nebula 32 pack?
The Osprey Nebula is a great pack for commuters, day trippers, and those looking for a lightweight weekend backpack. Ultralight packers may be able to fit a week’s worth of items inside, but we found it slightly too small for any trip longer than an overnighter. However, it makes a great carry-on or secondary travel pack to pair with one with more volume. It is one of the lightest packs in our lineup making it perfect for moving quickly or bike commuting. Its three pockets keep items secure and divided and external water bottle sleeves and stretch pocket are perfect for stashing essentials on the go. If you’re looking for a lightweight pack with enough volume for a day trip or overnighter, the Nebula is the perfect choice.
What Other Travel Backpacks Should You Consider?
Check out our full gear guide to see all of our favorite travel backpacks.
Thule Aion Review: Another pure backpack, the Aion has slightly more volume and features making it a great option for longer stints of travel.
The North Face Basecamp Voyager Review: A rugged and durable backpack, the Basecamp Voyager provides more protection and weather resistance.
Osprey Farpoint 40 Review: If you’re looking for a backpack that can double as a duffel, the Farpoint 40 carries weight like a backpacking pack, but can quickly convert to a duffel for checked luggage.
