The Osprey Mira 32 hiking backpack became so comfortable during a 90-mile trek on the Camino de Santiago that the author almost forgot it was there. After two weeks in Spain, the pack proved to be a perfect organizational appendage, with zero hot spots or friction points despite wearing it for seven consecutive days.
Osprey Mira Backpack at a Glance
The Osprey Mira 34 (women’s) costs from $239.95 at Amazon and $240 at REI, while the men’s version, the Manta 34, costs $234 at REI. Note: The Mira 32 is discontinued, but the new 34-liter version offers the same features.
A Hold-It-All Organizer on Your Back
The Camino’s terrain constantly changed from steep climbs to humid forests. The backpack’s adjustable torso length allowed a customized fit, and the suspended mesh back panel kept air flowing. Seven exterior pockets provided a home for everything, including a hidden pocket near the top for valuables, a stretchy front shove-it pocket for a rain jacket, and deceptively roomy side pockets that could hold a water bottle and snacks. The hip-belt pockets were easy to reach while walking, perfect for lip balm, coins, and a compact iPhone 14, though a larger phone would not fit.
The bright green rain cover, tucked into its own zippered pocket at the base, took seconds to deploy whenever showers rolled through. The author used it repeatedly due to Galicia’s unpredictable weather.
Packing Tips from Hiking the Camino
Keep heavy items low and close to your back to make the pack feel lighter and more stable on climbs and descents. Pack for two or three days, not a week, since nearly every stop has at least a sink. Rotate a few outfits and wash them often. Leave room to stash layers, as Northern Spain’s weather changes constantly.
Accessories That Helped Keep the Daypack Light
Thule compression packing cubes kept clothing compact and prevented the backpack from turning into a jumbled mess ($53.95 for a set of two at REI). The REI Co-op packable fast-drying towel ($19.95 at REI) was essential for hostel showers and wiping off sweat. The REI lightweight folding brim cap ($35.95 at REI) was indispensable during exposed stretches. Sea to Summit pocket soap sheets ($6.95 at REI) allowed washing clothes without liquid detergent. A Metolius mini carabiner ($7.95 at REI) clipped odds and ends to the outside of the pack. Vuori fast-drying athletic shorts ($53.93 at REI) dried in a few hours after hand-washing.
According to the author, who travels 200,000 miles a year, the Osprey Mira is the best travel backpack they can't leave home without. The pack carried a 14-inch MacBook Pro snugly inside the hydration sleeve, and the laptop emerged unscathed after the pilgrimage. The author tested 12 hiking daypacks on trails in Colorado and Peru before choosing the Mira, finding it the most spacious without feeling bulky and the lightest on the back.
