Osprey  Eja 48 Pack - Women's

This pack is awesome! I have a small frame (4'10", 100 lbs) so finding a lighter pack that fit was a challenge. I was finally able to test out my new Eja on a 2 night, 20 mile hiking trip. Honestly, I kept trying to figure out where i was carrying all of my weight. It was never on my shoulders and I never really felt it on my hips. This pack is amazing! The side pockets took a bit to get used to, but once i did, i was able to easily access my water bottle without shifting the pack around at all. I do wish there were hip pockets to easily reach for my phone to take pics and what not, but I have a running belt that I could use in a pinch if I want. Overall, awesome pack and am happy with my purchase!

Putting my hands on this pack, I knew right away it was a great product! Osprey hasn't failed to impress me yet. Lightweight pack that doesn't scrimp on good shape for a comfortable carry. Took this pack out for a 2-night trip covering 32 miles over varied terrain in Henry Coe State Park. The pack carried my load perfectly, went solo with about 26 lbs. Easy carry, no irritation and great airflow because Osprey covered all their bases with this pack and still kept the starting weight really light. I can't wait for Spring/Summer to load it again and hit more trails. I love this pack!

This is an amazing super lightweight backpack. It hold everything for weekend trips and would work quite well for thru hikes. I’m 5’1” 115 lbs so it’s all about ounces, this pack is one of the lightest and versatile packs I have used. It rides nicely and doesn’t stress out my back. It is a great pack especially for ultra light hikers and would work nice as a travel pack.

I was so excited about this pack and loved its weight and features. It felt good in the store with moderate weight. It was my first Osprey pack as I typically use Gregory packs but I was up for the change! About 2 miles into my first 46 mile trip with this I was in extreme pain because the hip belt is separate from the frame structure and the frame structure has metal structural/support “wings” (for lack of a better word) that cut into my flesh with each step. It actually both bruised and broke my skin and I still have marks one month later. The pack could not be adjusted to fix the issue. The problem is I have a small-ish waist but curvy hips/butt (I am about a size 10 in trousers) and due to the fact that the hip belt attached to the metal frame at a set point, and the metal frame is at a set point, it curved into my body and cut into my hips/butt at each step. This is designed for smaller-bodied and/or smaller-hipped women and not for larger-bodied and/or pear-shaped women. Disappointing and painful design flaw and I promptly returned it after getting off the trail, which made me appreciate REI’s return policy!!

I thru hiked the CDT this year with this pack, and it totally stood up to the brutality of the 2700+ mile journey! Highly recommend if you’re looking for the weight suspension ability + women specific fit at half the usual weight of an Osprey (ie an Ariel 55 or Aura 50). At first I was pretty “meh” on the Eja, mainly because of the lack of hip belt pockets and the weird tentacle-y spongy material in the shoulder straps and hip belt. I didn’t trust it. But after about a month of hiking I was all in. The weird spongy material absorbed the pressure just as well as the padding in the heavier Ospreys. The weight suspended just as nicely as it did in my old Ariel. And the lack of hip pockets was no thing at all because I chose to wear leggings with big side pockets, which actually worked out better for me than fumbling with hip pocket zippers every time I needed chapstick or headphones. I believe this pack probably has 500-1000 miles left in it, which is really surprising because my Ariel was completely done after my thru hike of the AT. The Eja has however begun to make that telltale haunted house squeak just a bit, a sound I associate with an Osprey started to wear down. But to put 2700+ miles on a pack with no issues is amazing and good enough for me. My base weight was ~10lbs at the beginning of my hike in the summer and ~13 near the end in the fall, I’d say the average I carried was ~20. More if the water/food carry was longer. I did carry a super heavy camera for a section into Pie Town NM and that was probably edging up to ~27. I don’t believe I personally would go for this pack if I carried a higher weight regularly, it seems really best suited for the ~15-25lb range IMO. I found that the 48L capacity was perfect for a thru with space to spare. I did size down from a 65L Ariel so there was def a gear + packing learning curve for me, YMMV.

I bought this pack because I wanted a well ventilated pack for better airflow across my back. This pack is great for that. HOWEVER, for me, I missed the hip belt pockets, which ended up being a deal breaker. I am also used to a tube-style roll-top pack that stays upright. This design is more complex, and the pack ALWAYS rolls over onto its back when I set it down. Lastly, on multi-day trips, the bottom frame bar digs into my lower back, causing soreness and slight bruising.

I purchased this backpack for my first backpacking trip at RMNP. I did 3 nights in this pack, with nights 2 and 3 being in the back country. Within an hour of our first full day of hiking, I knew this bag was a great pick. I was able to carry all my items, the hydration pack, and our 3 person tent without feeling like I was. It kept my back extremely dry and I felt like I could have packed even more in it. I love the top detachable bag- I put a lot of the items that needed to go in and out more in here, and it fit so much stuff in it! Made getting everything out to put in the bear canister so easy. Seeing a lot of the reviews before the trip, I bought a fanny pack for the items I wanted to have quick access to, which makes up for the loss of the hip pockets. Overall, I was nervous for my first backpacking trip (had only done day trips before) and this pack made it so easy and so fun. Already planning several trips with this pack for next year!

For comparison, I also have a Lowes Alpine 55+10 pack and an Osprey Ariel 75 pack, each made within the last 10 years. My preference is for packs that can thru-hike with me, so I was skeptical of the size and durability of this little pack when I got it. Pros: - Ultra light means ultra light - even the buckles and straps are small and streamlined so the plastic doesn't add weight/bulk. Material feels durable and took some wear and abuse with no problem thus far. - Back apparatus is amazing - this pack conformed to my back better than any I've ever used. While true air venting may never be possible, this pack kept my back relatively cool and made contact with my mid-spine when I stretched and while climbing, giving me better support and control over the pack as I moved. I want every pack to have such a tailored fit. - Big exterior pockets - these do increase the pack capacity, and the side pockets do have access that enables you to get things from the sides while still wearing the pack (warning: far easier to grab larger things than smaller). - Easy to clip on - multiple straps and an easy to use/secure ax series of exterior straps. - Separate top flap from the brain - both a pro and con, but for the positives, made it very easy to detach the brain and streamline the size of the pack even more for a day trip or a day hike while on a weekend excursion. Also was easy to put a wet/damp towel on top of the flap and under the brain to store without getting other items wet. Cons: - No waist belt storage - I'm sure this will be everyone's number one complaint, because it means no easy access to small items unless you have pockets. I used a runner's belt, and while I appreciated how lightweight the back apparatus was at the hips, I think there should be a slide on/clip on belt or shoulder strap storage option. - Exterior cords are everywhere - most notably, they are inside the side pockets. While they could be useful for securing things inside, I found that they often get in the way of grabbing things and easily loading/unloading. - No front handle - for a pack this size, with front storage, it's easy to reach for the front instead of the back to pull the pack off the ground. There's an area where the front pocket clips in and a flap, which I ended up grabbing multiple times. I'm worried this will eventually rip. - Separate top flap from the brain - while helpful, the flap can get in the way when trying to pack down the pack. Also, the brain is detachable, but doesn't have a waistbelt carry option, so it doesn't seem to serve much of a purpose, except to make this small pack even smaller. Unknowns: - Small plastic clips - I haven't taken this pack out enough to ensure these are durable, but these are the smallest plastic clips I've ever had on a pack. While functional thus far, I'm not certain that these clips will hold up. Also, for people with bigger hands, these may be frustrating to work with. - Size limitations - at this size, this pack is easier to load with ultra lightweight gear. Most of my gear isn't ultra lightweight, so I had to stuff every nook and cranny to accommodate *at most* a two night trip in fair weather where I don't have to pack many layers of clothing. Beware carrying full capacity of water and trying to pack all necessities. Curious to see how the pack holds up at max capacity over time. Overall, this pack is an great alternative to the larger expedition hiking style packs. If you are looking for a lightweight option for short overnight trips where you are wearing the pack for the entire journey, this pack is very comfortable and wearable. While lack of belt storage is frustrating, the bag is easy to maneuver on and off, and the small profile of the waist belt makes it possible to wear additional storage options.

I was leery of the Eja after reading a prominent negative review regarding the hip belt rubbing, but my back isn't her back. This pack fits my back after a 2 day rugged hike with a 20 lb load. I have an Osprey Aura 65 that fits perfectly, however I wanted to cut size and weight. I tried several brands, trying to make the roll-top packs work as I like them, just didn't happen. Tried the Osprey ultralight pack, that didn't work either. This one may not have pockets, that doesn't matter as I can compensate in other ways. Fit has to be the first priority and so far, so good. It does hold a 450 bear canister, and I plan to use it on longer section hikes. One person mentioned the pack won't stand- I tie an accordion sleeping pad on the back to use for a seat at camp and the bag rests on it, remaining upright. I bought the same size as my Aura, a small for an 18" torso. I balance the load and adjust it for uneven shoulders.

I loved this backpack! One of the first things that struck me was that after I had packed it all up with my gear for the weekend and cinched everything down, the pack carried like one solid object but still felt lightweight. I suspect it’s because the design of the pack makes the weight in the pack evenly distributed because I never found it a struggle to put the pack on or take it off, and it never felt like the dreaded “monster on your back” sensation I get with so many other packs. All of the straps on the pack were confusing at first, but once I got used to using them, it was clear they were expertly designed to facilitate any number of different packing systems and arrangements, which I loved. The pack also has an amazing ventilation system that really allows for a lot of air movement, drawing a ton of heat away as I hiked. It was so effective there were moments when my sweaty back in the cold winter breeze got a little chilly. I cannot WAIT to use this in the summer when I’m really going to need that kind of airflow. This is also the first pack I’ve seen that has an extra cover over the top underneath the brain, which is brilliant. I don’t always use the brain of the pack and when you remove the brain in most other backpacks, it leaves the contents without protection from elements and the rain. This added little covering is perfect for those times. The padding on the backpack was also AMAZING. I never had to adjust the arm straps, even after miles and miles of hiking, because they never rubbed my collarbone like so many other packs do. The rare times I did need to adjust the arm straps, it was so easy! This pack is clearly designed to make on-the-move strap adjustment a breeze. The hip belt, though thin, was great, too. It sat perfectly on my hips, never once feeling uncomfortable. I LOVED this after having packs in the past rub my hipbones raw. Part of me wishes the hip belt had a small pocket for lip balm or a cell phone / camera, but I added one myself and it worked just fine. The side pockets were also a favorite of mine. They were SO EASY to use while walking. The pack comes with an internal hydration bladder pocket, but I tend not to use them and prefer using Nalgene bottles instead. This pack allowed me to easily insert and remove water bottles or trail maps on the go and without struggle – I cannot tell you how happy this made me. The front pocket was also great – it had a HUGE spaced that allowed me to shove a ton of stuff in it. Even more so I was impressed with the design of the pocket, which has an internal elastic lip that keeps materials down and inside the pocket and prevents them from popping out. This is without doubt the best design and attention to detail I’ve ever seen in a backpack. I’m seriously thoroughly impressed, and I don’t think anyone would regret buying it!