Osprey Exos 46 Pack

Comments about Osprey Exos 46 Pack:

I've used this pack on 40 miles of trail thus far. Initially, I was sceptically as to it's load capacity and the comfort it could offer. After 2 separate weekend tests in freezing temps and in mid-70's early spring warmth ... I am fully convinced this is the perfect pack for lightweight backpackers who still cherish the comforts of good suspension and room for a few extra luxury items. The pack is well designed with ample storage. I found that it held everything I needed very efficiently (both for cold weather and warm).

Cons: Hip buckle seems weak and hip suspension loosens slowly while fast-packing (4mph). Also, the mesh side-pockets are very snug to the pack making it tricky to add and remove a platy-bottle (I doubt a traditional plastic bottle would function well in the mesh pockets).

This pack seems to have been designed by a backpacker as it has all the luxuries of packs twice it's weight but sheds all the hefty extras. I highly recommend this pack to gear-conscious, conservative backpackers who love to pack long - fast days with minimal weight.

Comments about Osprey Exos 46 Pack:

I've used this pack on some 3 - 5 mile dayhikes with a 20 - 25 pound load, and I've used its larger (but otherwise identical) sibling, the Exos 58, on a one-night, 10 mile trip. I ended up giving both packs to a friend who wanted to try them; I hope he has better luck than I did.

The packbag itself is very nicely done, with 3 outside pockets plus a lid; the "inside-outside" compression strap allows you to run them inside the side pocket, or across the top of the side pocket as you prefer. I always found it very handy to use the long front pocket for storing my tent and tent poles; it was perfect for a Big Agnes Fly Creek or Seedhouse solo tent; not so much for a Copper Spur 1. I didn't have to open my main pack to set up camp in the rain.

So why didn't I like it? Because, as I soon figured out, this isn't an internal frame pack. It's a high-tech makeover of an external frame pack, but it's still an external frame pack, with all the limitations of that design. As a result, you still get a slight bounce in the load as you walk, and it tends to move opposite the way you turn (unlike an internal frame, that moves with you.) The suspension didn't impress me. The shoulder straps were fine, and it does have load lifters. However, the hip belt does not wrap all the way around you; instead, there is a section of hipbelt sewn to each side of the frame. The mesh back panel (the "trampoline") is supposed to provide the rest of the wrap.

That doesn't work any better now than it did when I put webbing straps on each side of my old American Camper external-frame pack in 1980. Despite the load lifters, I could never get the Exos "hipbelt" to support a 20 - 25 pound load adequately. No matter how tightly I pulled the belt, after a mile or so, the load settled onto my shoulders and stayed there; my shoulders always were sore after I carried the pack. I thought it might be that the hipbelt was just a little too lightly constructed. So, I tried an Atmos 50 on a 3 mile hike; it has the same general design, but thicker, stiffer shoulder straps and hipbelt material. It didn't make any difference, the load still ended up on my shoulders. (Also consistent with my e-frame days: those "split" belts never carried a load as well as the full-wrap belts I eventually discovered on a succession of Camp Trails packs.)

Let me be clear: I'm not trashing the quality of the Exos pack (or the Atmos, for that matter.) It is a high-quality, well-made, creatively re-designed external frame pack, and it does have a lot going for it. However, you have to clearly understand that you're getting an external frame pack; you can't expect it to perform like an internal-frame pack.

Comments about Osprey Exos 46 Pack:

I have tried numerous packs in my effort to go as light as possible. My previous pack was an Atmos 65 and I thought that was light until I discovered Ultra light backpacking. I started with more commercial packs, Granite Gear, Go Lite etc.. and moving on to more cottage industry products like Six Moon Designs and Gossamer Gear. I just do not like unframed packs.

This pack has the perfect combination of capacity , durability and weight. The suspension back panel is the most comfortable I have ever used and it doesn't take up as much internal room as the Atmos series.

As far as the reviewer from Southern Ohio? He lists himself as a casual adventurer, and it shows. 10 whole miles, wow. I can get 3-5 days on my 46 and that is including food and water (plus trail water), for under 20 lbs (Heck my Skin-out weight is less than 25lbs). And no, this is not an external frame. Having tried externals in my younger days, as well as all manner of internal and frameless packs I can assure you he doesn't know what he is talking about. Packed properly you can't even feel this pack on your back, so yes, it does move with you naturally.

Comments about Osprey Exos 46 Pack:

Bravo to Osprey for making an almost perfect pack. I have taken it on two 3-day hikes in Sequoia National Park (which means a bear canister) and it has easily held all of my equipment with room to spare. The main compartment holds my bag, cannister, filter, stove, and spare clothing. The additional pockets make organizing the rest of your gear a breeze and finding your stuff even easier.
In addition, the suspension system on this pack makes carrying all this stuff easy on the body. I have never used a pack as comfortable as this and I have been backpacking for over 20 years.
Best money I've ever spent.

Comments about Osprey Exos 46 Pack:

This is an amazing pack. I recently got into the minimalist style and this is the perfect pack. For me, it weighs a measly 16 lbs w/o food. For the light load it actually carries a lot and has great organization qualities. Seriously, I barely feel like I'm carrying a pack when wearing it.

My only two gripes--neither of which are all that big--is a bar behind the neck that takes some getting used to and the lack of access to the bottom of the pack (from the outside) where I keep my tent and sleeping bag; it'd just be better if I could get to the tent w/o emptying the bag fisrt.

I love this pack and think it's worth every cent I spent on it.

Comments about Osprey Exos 46 Pack:

I've owned five other packs before I bought the Exos 46 and I could of saved a lot of money and frustration had this been made fifteen years ago.

If you are an intelligent packer you could make it a week with this pack. That being said this is not the pack you should be buying if you plan on traveling around Europe on a train. Grab something in the 60-80L pack department for those trips. This is a serious piece of backpacking equipment.

I LOVE THIS PACK !!!

Comments about Osprey Exos 46 Pack:

I bought this pack only a week ago and tested it this weekend on about a 10 mile hike on Mt. Rainier. The pack sits well and provides good back ventilation. Previous packs always had me holding the side straps with my hands, but this one sits so firmly that my hands were always free and my posture was much better.

The pack is lightweight and deceptively voluminous. I was able to stash a ton of stuff with plenty of room to spare. Lots of different compartments with well thought-out access. The mesh bottle holders on the sides are a bit too far back and high for me to reach without taking off the pack, but that might be my own fault for getting a small instead of a larger size. The front hip pockets are great for chapstick and other knicknacks.

I worry a bit about the exterior material ripping or getting scuffed up if I set the pack down carelessly, but after this trip, there was no damage at all.

My experience so far has been great. This is one of those items that if you treat it well, you'll have it for 10-20 years. I don't regret my purchase at all.

Comments about Osprey Exos 46 Pack:

I've been through packs like Elizabeth Taylor has been through husbands. Never could find just the right one. Now I have.

Great for winter climbing/day hikes when the pack needs to be big enough for a big puffy, crampons and extra layers. Light enough (just over 2 pounds) that it still works great in the summer. Suspension is super comfortable and keeps some ventilation on my back. The ice axe restraint works great, the outside pocket is perfect for quick access to hard shells or TP, the pocket under the lid is great for wallets and phones, the pocket on the shoulder strap is great for ready access to a camera.

Don't have any use for the hip belt pockets though.

It's seen plenty of hard use this year and last with no signs of trouble.

Comments about Osprey Exos 46 Pack:

Bought this based on a strong recommendation from the backpack guru at REI in San Francisco. I'm a lightweight gear geek. Used this for a 14 mile hike 2 day 1 night trip in Yosemite's Hetch Hetchy last weekend and it was great. Granted it only weighed 15 pounds with tent, mat, sleeping bag, and 2L water - but I was able to get all the weight onto the iliac crest (top of hips) so almost no weight at all on the shoulders. The hip belt stays tight. Also love the mesh backing. The only con is that due to the focus on lightweight construction, it seems a bit delicate - but that's a trade-off I'm willing to make. I'm 5'11", 195 pounds - the large size fits me perfectly.[@]

Comments about Osprey Exos 46 Pack:

I used this on my 2011 southbound thru-hike of The Appalachian Trail and loved it. I was downgrading from a 60 liter Deuter and consider this to be a great transition into ultralight backpacking. One of the best features is the water bottle pockets that are easily accessible while walking. I have seen people overload this pack. It's very comfortable with under 30 lbs. in it and I have pushed it to 35 once or twice, but to make this pack last and to ensure it's comfort I wouldn't do any more than that.

My only complaint? I like to use my packs as seats and really beat them up. This packs frame bends if you sit on it and you cannot throw it around as you can a ULA or granite gear, but the weight and comfort make it worth and besides Osprey guarantees for life -worst case scenario, you send it back and get a new one:)