Osprey Atmos 65 Pack

Comments about Osprey Atmos 65 Pack:

The suspension is great and breaths very well. The 2009 design allows you to fit much more into the main compartment than any other breathable pack I have seen (significantly better than the 2008). The 2009 also has water bottle pockets that fit bottles diagonally so you can actually reach them (I used a 1.5 liter SIGG).They are just about as light as the Exos but are made of a more durable material. I especially love the stretchy mesh drying pocket and compression straps.

I was surprised when comparing the Atmos 35, 50, and 65 because the main compartment on the 35 and 50 are almost the same size if you only pack to the top of the frame (I hate packs that stick up high). The 65 has additional space due to the zippered lower compartment.

If you intend to use the pack for travel on a plane or want the flexibility to compress it down and have a great day bag – get the Atmos 35. Even the large size can be carried on any flight (except flights out of the UK – the large size was a few inches to long if they actually measure however I was able to get mine through security b/c it looks enough like a normal back pack). Also the zippered main pocket makes accessing the main compartment and things packed at the bottom much easier.

If you know you will be hiking light, go with the 50. It has a brain and extra space above the frame if you need it. It does not have the lower pocket and will distribute the weight of lighter loads better. In addition if compressed lacking the lower pocket will make it better for a day bag.

If you are only using the pack for extended hiking and camping I would probably go with the 65 because I like the zippered lower pocket on the 65.

Comments about Osprey Atmos 65 Pack:

This backpack is just about as good as it gets! Every zipper, seam, chord, material is perfectly built. The fabric is stretchy on outside parts where you put water bottles and any pocket for bulky equipment.

The hip and shoulder belts are extremely comfortable and the back panel is not only awesome to look at, but useful. The buckles are designed to be lightweight but their also tough at the same time.
The only con I can barely think of is the curvature of the frame. It's curved a lot more than I thought and it does restrict a little amount of space inside the main compartment. It's definitely not a big problem though for everything else you get. It also has many perfectly placed pockets for all types of gear and I love the huge hip belt pockets for quick items and granola bars.

Make sure to try on the 3 different sizes first so you know exactly what torso length you need to be comfortable. Overall the Atmos is close to perfection and I would definitely recommend it to anyone.

Comments about Osprey Atmos 65 Pack:

I purchased the pack for a thru-hike I will be doing this summer. I just took it out for a 3 day shake out trip. It packed up nice, but I couldn't fit my water bladder in the main compartment so I worked it inbetween the pack and the back mesh panel. This was a real pain as I really wanted my bladder in the inner sleave so I would have the airflow on my back. The curve of the pack really affects the amount of gear you can fit in the main compartment.
However; the main problem was how this pack distributes the weight. I could not get the pack to stop pulling back on my shoulders. After 3 days of rough Arizona mountains my shoulders felt like they were being ripped off my body. I believe this was due to the curve of the pack and the airspace between the pack and my back. The airflow idea is wonderful, but it made for a painful carry.
I have since returned the pack and purchased the Gregory Baltoro 70. The new pack carries like a dream. I have used Osprey products for years with great results, but this pack still needs some work.

Comments about Osprey Atmos 65 Pack:

I have been using this pack for overnights and multi-day backpacking trips. I have used it to carry up to 35 lbs for up to 28 miles in a day with lots of climbing and descents. I got this pack after using (and really liking) the Atmos 35 and Stratos 18, which I use on shorter trips.

First of all, if you sweat a lot, this pack is great because of the excellent Air-Core ventilation. The effective ventilation on Osprey packs contributes enormously to their high level of comfort. I am a heavy sweater who walks and climbs fast. The arc in the pack is meant to conform to the body, which it does well. While this does influence the way you pack the bag, it does not really limit what you can pack if you know what you're doing and know how to distribute the pack weight properly when loading it up (for example: there should never be a need to stuff anything between the main compartment and the ventilation mesh). I use this with a 100-ounce water reservoir. I am still able to fit a tent, bag, clothes, food, and pleanty of other stuff without lashing anything to the outside of the pack.

This pack has performed very well. Even with a 35 lb. load, it felt secure and close to my body when ascending and descending on steep, wet rock; I was especially impressed when rock-hopping some fast rivers and streams recently. I never felt the pack pulling on me or causing me to be out of balance. I am impressed how the '09 version of these packs have been engineered to put the weight closer to the body's center of gravity; the upgrades over the older models are really impressive.

When filling the pack, you can really stuff a lot into the cavernous compartment and side/front pockets. Note: the side pockets are not really for water bottles (get a water reservoir of some sort). I also like that the pack is easy to clean after use, due to the large bottom compartment.

My only complaint is that at times the pack "creaks" a little, but that might be due to the fact that it is still breaking-in a bit.

Comments about Osprey Atmos 65 Pack:

As a big guy it is hard to find a pack that is comfortable. I was at the Marlton, NJ store and spoke to Herb who pointed to this pack. He suggested this pack and after trying it out I was amazed how comfortable this was. He said the frame of the pack was modified to conform to the back better, would clear the neck, and would be ideal for me. I added an extra strap to the hip belt to give me some more room.
For bigger guys this is the pack to get, and I am sure everyone who tries this will be happy with how it fits.

Service and delivery comments:

The service at the Marlton, NJ store was great!

Comments about Osprey Atmos 65 Pack:

I recently purchased this pack for a 3 day trip in the Grand Canyon. After researching all my options and trying on every pack in several stores I was 100% sold on this one. I am a big guy with broad shoulders (wear a 46 sport coat) and this pack fit me great.
This pack is very well made and has great attention to all the small details. The belt is easily adjustable and very comfortable. The bag was easy to load and held my sleeping bag, food, clothing, tent, sleeping pad, water filter, etc., and enough water for 2 days. My load was very heavy due to the amount of water we had to pack in, and this bag handled it very well on our descent down the Grandview Trail. The curved suspension system kept the load close to my body and I love the ventilation it provides. The only concern about the suspension system is that it keeps a full pack very close to the back of your head. It was not a major issue, but it slightly restricted my head movement on the steeper climbs.
I am very pleased with the Atmos 65.
As a comfort driven Backpacker this pack definitely gets two thumbs up from me.

Comments about Osprey Atmos 65 Pack:

This is a very well built and designed product. Great attention to the small details like how well a zipper zips etc. Very impressed. The backpack is decently light and the there is a lot of pocket compartments to fill all your small knick knacks.

IMHO definitely a great buy.

Comments about Osprey Atmos 65 Pack:

I tested this pack for two weeks at 11,000 ft. and as a university day pack. Mountain test: I have a 33/4 waist and wear the medium. The origin of the weight belt in conjunction with the metal hoop style botton pushed against my ever so slight love handles. This is a new, awkward sensation, so maybe I just need to get used to it. However, it felt confining. I did not like it. When the main compartment is stuffed to the max, the side water bottle pockets do not really stretch enoug and the front two pockets lose their space since the pocket fabric is so tight. The top lid access zipper is a little shorter than most packs of this size, so not as easy to get stuff in and out. The middle connecting strap between the top lid and the pack is not a quick adjust connection. It is not quickly adjustable like the two side straps. This is a hassle if you switch between full and partial loads with a quick lid removal for whatever reasons.
School and travel use: carry a laptop, bike and skate gear, books, school supplies, clothes, etc. Same issue with the main compartment squeezing out room in the fantastic external front pockets (main reason i bought this), same issue with zipper access and middle strap on top lid, same issue with wire loop frame, no daisy chain for extra stuff, etc. When the pack is partially full, there is no strap running from the top back of the pack over the top to connect to the front (like on other packs). This was a problem because I was compelled to move the top lid down and forward so that it would not hit me in the had and so that I could use it to compress the empty top portion. This did not make for well cinched load when not full. Too bad it has that curved and screen set up. Having to place the water bladder there was a hassle too. How would this pack be perfect for me? Increase material of external pockets so that they are fillable when main compartment is full. Increase size of top lid and length of zipper. Add the top cinch strap for extra stabilization. Place the weight belt origins a little wider apart cuz they hug me too much. Add small daisy chain(s). Reduce the curve. Anyway, it is still a nice pack. It just depends how you plan to use and your style. Have fun with it!

Comments about Osprey Atmos 65 Pack:

I bought this pack because of its light weight for 3 to 5 day backpacks and perceived capacity. I have an old Gregory pack that has been a great friend over many years of use. Although the Osprey Atmos 65 had less capacity than my Gregory, the specs indicated that it was much lighter and the capacity would be adequate. Having fitted the Osprey in the store with weight, the suspension system seemed to be satisfactory.
After using the pack for three days on a moderate trail, 5 miles and 900 feet going in, reality struck. After a couple of miles, I found that the suspension system did not support the 28 pounds no matter how I adjusted the various straps and waist belt. Either my shoulders hurt or my hip joints hurt. The pack simply did not fit well on my lumbar area like most backs do. So, either the waist belt had to be too tight, or the shoulder straps had to be cinched down. In sort, pack weight was not carried mostly on the hips.
The pack's capacity was unexpectedly less than I expected. At 4,200 cu in, my pack was quite full - a very big surprise for a 3 day trip in mild weather. I suspect that the highly curved mesh pack significantly reduced the pack's effective capacity. Although there are two long pockets on the side of the back, they were not particularly useful.
Taking out my nalgene water bottle was a chore because the side pockets storing the water bottle were too tight a fit with the pack loaded.
I was very disappointed and returned the pack. Osprey needs further work on this otherwise innovative design.

Comments about Osprey Atmos 65 Pack:

I bought this pack right before I set out for a two week trek. It held up very well. Pack load was around 55 lb, which got lighter as the weeks went on with food decreasing. It was close to 95 degrees and the ventilation system works very well. I have had a compressed spine and the pack was still very comfortable how it distributed the weight.