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Reviews > Navigation and Map Gear > Maps > Osprey Map Wrap Map Case > Owner Review by Shane Williams
Osprey Map Wrap Map Case
By Shane Williams Owner Review June 13th, 2010 Tester Information: Name: Shane Williams Age: 36 Height: 6ft (183 cm) Weight: 183 lbs (86 kg) Email: Sherpa(dot)Colorado(at)Gmail(dot)com Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado USA Biography: As a child I lived in the last house on a dead end street. Just beyond my house was a wilderness area. I started hiking and exploring there, and I've never stopped. I started backpacking in the South Eastern Appalachian Mountains, including portions of the Appalachian Trail. Today I primarily hike in the Colorado Rockies. My pack weight is approximately 30 (13.61 kg) to 50 lbs (22.68 kg). I often carrying more gear than necessary hoping that I won’t need it. I enjoy weekend excursions into the High Country with friends and lower elevations day trips with my family. Product information: Manufacturer: Osprey Packs Inc Manufacture Date: 2008 Website: http://www.ospreypacks.com/ Listed Rolled Dimensions: Width: 4 in (0.10 m) Length: 12.5 in (0.32 m) Listed Open Dimensions: Width: 10.5 in (0.27 m) Length: 12.5 in (0.32 m) Listed Weight: 3 oz (85 g) Actual Rolled Dimensions: Width: 3.5 in (0.9 m) Length: 12.5 in (0.32 m) Actual Open Dimensions: Width: 10.25 in (0.26 m) Length: 12.5 in (0.32 m) Actual Weight: 2.9 oz (82 g) Manufacture Location: Cortez Colorado USA Field information: Field Location: Colorado Rockies Trips: La Plata Peak - Sawatch Range - March 27th, 2010 Temp: 10 - 35 F (-12 to 1 C) Mount Lindsey - Sangre De Cristo Range - June 12th, 2010 Temp: 36 - 50 F (2 to 10 C) Various Day Hikes around Colorado Springs Product Description: The Osprey Map Wrap Map Case is a lightweight, water resistant case designed to keep maps dry and usable. It's constructed of highly water resistant, rip-stop nylon exterior. The Map Wrap Map Case has 2 exterior straps, a Wrap Strap and a Quick Attachment Strap. The Wrap Strap is made of durable nylon webbing and is 3/4 in (1.91 cm) wide and 12 in (30.48 cm) in length. The fixed end of the strap has a sewn Velcro patch for fastening to the exterior rip-stop nylon, the other end has a stylish Osprey label. The reverse side of the label has the corresponding Velcro patch for fastening. When the case is in its tri-fold formation, this strap wraps around the entire case, and latches it in the closed position.
Map Wrap Strap
The Quick Attachment Strap is also made of the same durable nylon webbing. It's 3/4 in (0.02 m) in width and 8 in (0.20 m) in length. This strap is folded at about half its length and has a black adjustable tri-glide buckle for quick attachment to a pack. Just below this strap is another stylish embossed Osprey label with the descriptive letters "Map Wrap".
Quick Attachment Strap
The exterior side of The Map Wrap has the water-sealed zipper by which the case can be opened to load or unload maps. This zipper is positioned along the left horizontal edge and is 11 in (0.28 m) in length. The zipper has an attached loop cord used as a handle. A portion of the cord has a raised plastic coating on it, making it easy to grab.
zipper and handle
The interior of The Map Wrap is constructed of a heavy-duty transparent thermoplastic urethane. This side of the case is the window by which the map can be viewed. The entire side is a durable water resistant viewing panel. When a map isn't inside, there's a full color Osprey label visible.
viewing window
The edges of The Map Wrap are made of a single piece of rip-stop nylon that's been folded over the edges and sewn with a 1/8 in (0.125 m) stitch. This width of the edging is 3/8 in (0.01 m). The only seam that's visible is where the two ends of the edging come together, and that seam is sealed.
closeup of the sewn edge
Product Review: Having a map is an essential for any trip, short or long. I've been in a couple of situations where I didn't have a map, I decided to make it a priority. I purchased the National Geographic Topo! program. Knowing that this would require me to print my own maps, I decided that a map case would also be helpful. Thus, my introduction to the product reviewed here. I've used this map case in varied conditions. I've had it totally covered in snow as well as water. I've yet to have it leak in the field. The manufacturer designates it as water resistant rather than waterproof. Being that it performed so well in the field, I was curious about this. That curiosity compelled me to give it a little more rigorous test. I fully submerged it underwater for 60 seconds. It did in fact leak and got my map wet but it wasn't fully soaked. The single point of failure was around the zipper area. The rest of the case held the water at bay. I typically keep The Map Wrap in an exterior side pocket on my pack. I also take a 3 mm utility cord and tie one end to the Quick Attachment Strap, and the other end to a D ring on my pack's shoulder harness. I do this for a couple of reasons. One, to ensure that the case doesn't inadvertently fall out. Two, because my external pocket is somewhat hard to reach while I'm wearing my pack. A gentle tug of the utility cord renders the map very accessible, which is key to frequent consultation.
My setup
Summary: The Osprey Map Wrap Map Case is designed to do one thing, keep a map intact while on the trail, and I think it does it well. The tri-fold design lends itself nicely to packability. It holds its own against water in the field. Pros - Compactable - Lightweight - Durable - Quick Attachment Strap Cons - If I could change anything about the Osprey Map Wrap Map Case, it would be to make it waterproof. The manufacturer openly states that it's water resistant and not waterproof, so it is "as advertised", but it would be a nice addition. Read more reviews of Osprey gear Read more gear reviews by Shane Williams Reviews > Navigation and Map Gear > Maps > Osprey Map Wrap Map Case > Owner Review by Shane Williams |