Not every ride calls for a big pack and lots of gear. When you’re looking to get in a quick ride that requires water and not much else, the women’s-specific Kitsuma 3 is a quality and functional inconspicuous solution to your hydration needs. Low-profile shoulder straps give way to rolled-soft edges that offer excellent fit and stability. Stay cool and dry, even on hot and steamy days, with a lightweight AirScape air mesh back panel that also grants full body movement. An independent hydration sleeve holds an included 2.5-liter reservoir with a bite valve that attaches to your sternum strap via magnet. Store small easy-access items, like energy bars and arm warmers, in the side, mesh pockets, and attach a rear bike light on the designated loop should you pedal close to sunset.
As a young boy growing up in Oregon, Mike found himself unsatisfied with the poor fit of his backpacking equipment. Taking matters into his own hands, he learned to sew from his mother and created his first backpack. It wouldn't be his last.
As a young entrepreneur, Mike opened up Santa Cruz Recreational Packs in California where, drawn by word of mouth, backpackers and travelers sought him out for his custom-fitted, made-to-order packs. His reputation would eventually transform the business into the Osprey we are today, but first, he'd need some help.
With his business partner/wife Diane Wren, Mike moved to Dolores, Colorado, and began working with a small team of sewers who took over production while Mike's attention turned more heavily to pack design. These Navajo women, skilled in traditional sand painting and blanket weaving, became experienced in the art and science of constructing Osprey packs. They built upon and scaled Osprey's vision, contributing to the prosperity and growth that, in 1994, led Osprey to expand operations to Cortez, CO, where it remains headquartered to this day.
The Osprey of today looks a little different than these humble beginnings, with packs that are sold and used the world over. We have offices in Poole, England, as well as design and manufacturing facilities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where Mike and Diane lived for four years to build relationships and transparency with our employees and suppliers abroad. Besides our headquarters, we have a distribution center in Ogden, UT, and also continue to employ local Navajo sewers at our original warehouse in Cortez, CO, where we proudly deliver on our All Mighty Guarantee.
This growth and development of the company haven't hindered our longstanding commitments to innovation and quality, allowing us to tap into global talent and resources that have strengthened the legacy Mike started back when he first sat before his mother's sewing machine.
Mike continues to work meticulously as Head Designer to push the limits of pack design and what it means to be a sustainable, responsible, and integral participant in the global outdoor industry alongside a growing team of over 270 employees aligned around a common mission.
<
