OM Ultra 20 Review: A Durable Training and Racing Pack That Can Do Almost Everything

Introduction

The OM Ultra 20 is a 20-litre training and racing backpack from OM, part of the brand’s Ultra series of packs built for training and racing. It is designed to carry larger loads between 5 and 12 kilograms, which makes it equally suited to long days on the trail, multi-day racing, or even commuter hops into work. After extended testing with loads of four to eight kilograms on both long three-hour runs and shorter hour-long outings, this pack left a strong impression. At £75 in the UK, it is hard to argue with the value on offer.

Who This Pack Is For

This is not a minimal ultravest. It feels more like a well-padded rucksack, and that shapes who it suits best. For a single-day ultra where you want to move fast and light, there are probably leaner options. Where it shines is multi-stage racing, long training days where you need to carry a lot of kit, or any run where you would rather not skimp on what goes in the pack.

It also doubles brilliantly as a commuter pack. The main compartment happily takes a 15-inch laptop alongside a towel and a change of clothes, so you can run to work and back without swapping bags.

Main Strengths

The build quality is the first thing you notice. The pack feels solid and durably made, and after a lot of running it shows no visible wear. Comfort comes from a combination of an EVA padded shoulder harness, cushioning waist straps, full-length removable back padding, and vertically adjustable chest straps that lock the pack firmly in place even when fully loaded.

That thick EVA back pad deserves special mention. It keeps gear off your back, so even two-litre bottles did not dig in during testing. If you want to lighten the load, the pad can be removed, and multi-stage racers may find a second use for it as a half sleeping mat or pillow. The wide, well-padded shoulder straps hold a tight lockdown without any cutting, and the sliding chest strap connector feels far more secure than packs where the adjuster pops off under load.

Other thoughtful touches include big rubber zip pulls that work easily with cold fingers or gloves, a rigid built-in whistle on the chest strap that does not flap around, trekking pole attachment points on the front harness, a top grab handle for aid stations, and a universal gear rail for attaching extra accessories.

Pockets and Storage

Storage is generous and well organised. The main compartment barrels out for good depth as well as width, and a large zippered top compartment includes a built-in key hook that is perfect for clipping in a head torch, headphones, or anything you cannot afford to lose.

On the sides there is one zippered waist belt pocket, one open stretch mesh waist belt pocket for stuffing in a jacket or socks, and a large zippered side pocket that wraps around to the front for easy access to gels or a phone while running. The mesh pocket is deep enough to swallow a lot of gear, though loose single gels may work their way out, so a freezer bag of nutrition works better.

An angled side pocket takes a 500ml hard bottle and is easy to reach while running. It also doubles as a stash spot for spare socks or extra nutrition, and could take a larger 700ml plastic bottle if needed.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The biggest gap for some runners will be soft flasks. There is nowhere on the front harness to hold them, so if you like flasks up front you will need to look elsewhere or rely on a hard bottle pulled from the rear pocket.

The pack is bladder friendly, with room in the back and hose routing that can go over or under the shoulder, with attachment points on either side. Note that the bladder is not included in the price. There is also some rain protection, with hooks that accept covers to make the pack more waterproof.

Key specs: 375g weight, 20-litre capacity, £75 in the UK. If you want something more minimal, the Ultra series also includes 15-litre and 8-litre packs with roughly the same features and design language.

Buying Advice

At £75, this pack is brilliant value. It is durable, capacious, versatile, and genuinely comfortable under heavy loads. It suits long training days with friends on the trails, days when you want a change of clothes for afterwards, and commuters who want one bag for the run and the office. If your priority is soft flask racing at speed, look at lighter ultravests instead. For everything else, this is a very well-thought-out piece of kit worth a serious look.

Conclusion

The OM Ultra 20 gets very little wrong. It takes heavy loads comfortably, feels built to last, and offers thoughtful details from the rigid whistle to the removable back pad. As a training, multi-day, and commuter pack at this price, it is an easy recommendation.