A close look at two backpacks buyers cross-shop. The Desert takes a modest overall edge, led by low weight, but the Levity 45 has its own case.
| Pa'lante Desert | Osprey Levity 45 | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 68✓ | 62 |
| Capacity | 43 L | 45 L |
| Weight | 1 lb 6 oz✓ | 1 lb 12 oz |
| Rated load | n/s | 25 lb |
| Fabric denier | 400 D✓ | 30 D |
| Price | $300 | $250✓ |
| Type | Ultralight | Ultralight |
| Frame | Frameless | Internal |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: Desert in blue, Levity 45 in amber. A blank spec is never counted as a win. Capacity is shown for context and is not scored, since more volume is a sizing choice rather than better. GearScore is the overall rating (0 to 100); re-weight it on the full backpack comparison. Prices are current MSRP.
Put the Pa'lante Desert next to the Osprey Levity 45 and the trade-offs are clear. The Desert wins on low weight and durability, and the Levity 45 pushes back on price.
The Desert is 6 oz lighter and tougher fabric (400D vs 30D). The Levity 45 is $50 cheaper. On the default GearScore the Desert leads 68 to 62.
Pick the Desert if you care most about low weight and durability, which makes it the better call for counting grams on long miles. Pick the Levity 45 if price matter more to you, or you are focused on getting the most for your money.
The Pa'lante Desert. It is 6 oz lighter than the Levity 45.
The Pa'lante Desert. It is tougher fabric (400D vs 30D) than the Levity 45.
The Pa'lante Desert, 68 to 62 on the default algorithm. You can re-weight the factors to match your trip.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the Desert for low weight, or the Levity 45 for price. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.