Osprey Launches FW13 Portal Series Featuring Tech-Driven Design

Cortez, CO – January 14, 2013 – For nearly four decades, Osprey Packs has been a leader in design innovation, creating backpacks unrivaled in their ability to comfortably carry gear. For Fall/Winter 2013, Osprey is celebrating the technology that has become integral to daily life – laptops, tablets, smartphones and the accoutrements that need to go wherever we go. The new Portal Series is designed with access to and interaction with these devices as priority. Clean lines, textured warm fabrics and a hint of retro styling offset the technical sophistication of this series.

“The Portal Series is a great example of how technology and design can be married in a really innovative way,” said Cassie Tweed, product designer at Osprey. “With the new Portal series, we have broken new boundaries by designing packs that aren’t just for carrying, but for interacting with tech tools.”

Each Portal style provides superb organization and protection while the “port” models feature Osprey’s ingenious Port™ window, allowing use of a tablet without removing it from the pack. Another smart design feature is the PowerHouse™ Add-On™ that keeps a laptop powerblock, tablet and cell phone cords, battery packs, USB drives or any other electronics accessories organized. This handy, zippered case is included in a specifically designed pocket on Cyber, Pixel and Beta, and is also sold separately.

All Portal Series packs feature:

• Separate padded laptop and tablet sleeves (Nano Port equipped with tablet sleeve only)

• Magazine/document sleeves

• Organizer panel to keep small items secure and accessible

• Scratch-free electronics/sunglass pocket (except Nano Port)

• Top padded grab handle

• Available in a range of textured colors including: Black Pepper, Chestnut Brown, Pinot Red and Grey Herringbone

The collection includes:

PIXEL $139 – Flap-style Daypack

Unique features:

• Padded laptop compartment with direct side-zip access

• Zippered expansion capability to add four liters of additional volume

• Under-flap zippered organizer pocket

• Lower zip compartment with removable PowerHouse™ cord organizer

• Pounds/Ounces: 2/1 (one size)

PIXEL Port $119 – Flap-style Daypack with direct tablet access

• Features Osprey’s unique Port™ window under the flap for instant tablet use.

• Pounds/Ounces: 1/10 (one size)

CYBER $129 – Panel-style Daypack

Unique features:

• Padded laptop compartment with direct top zip access

• Lower zip compartment with removable PowerHouse™ cord organizer

• Pounds/Ounces: 1/14 (one size)

CYBER Port $99– Panel-style Daypack with Port window

• Features Osprey’s Port window for instant tablet use.

• Pounds/Ounces: 1/9 (one size)

BETA $129 – Courier Bag

Unique features:

• A courier style option to the Portal series

• Padded laptop compartment with direct top zip access

• Zippered expansion capability adds four liters of volume to the bag

• Lower zip compartment with removable PowerHouse cord organizer

• Pounds/Ounces: 1/11 (one size)

BETA Port $99 – Courier Bag with Port window

• Features Osprey’s Port window under the flap for instant tablet use

• Pounds/Ounces: 1/6 (one size)

Nano Port $99 – Vertical Shoulder Bag with Port window

Unique features:

• The smallest bag in the Portal series

• Features a padded tablet sleeve with a FlipSlide™ Port window in the flap allowing the user to move the tablet from storage to use instantly

• Pounds/Ounces: 1/3 (one size)

Osprey Packs

Independent since 1974 and anchored by the design genius of company founder and owner, Mike Pfotenhauer, Osprey Packs has long set the standard for creating innovative, high quality gear carrying equipment. The collection includes packs and bags designed to help adventurers enjoy their outdoor, biking and travel pursuits.

The location of company headquarters in Cortez, Colorado, near the rugged San Juan Mountains on the edge of desert canyon country, provides a constant inspiration and a superb testing ground for Osprey products. Osprey also maintains a product development office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, near the factories where they manufacture their products, ensuring face-to-face relationships and transparency with their suppliers. In 2009, Osprey opened a design office in Mill Valley, California, a hub of design talent and the birthplace of mountain biking. All three of these offices play a crucial role in creating Osprey gear that lasts a lifetime.

To celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2009, Osprey launched the All Mighty Guarantee, an enhancement of a lifetime warranty that was already one of the most robust in the industry. Free of charge, the company will repair any damage or defect in its product – whether it was purchased in 1974 or yesterday. Every Osprey product reflects the company’s commitment to protect the wild places its customers love to explore. For more information, visit www.ospreypacks.com.