Osprey  Atmos AG 65 Pack - Men's

I recently used my new Osprey Atmos AG 65 on a trip to Cumberland Island National Seashore. In total, we did about 25 miles of hiking on the small island over the course of a weekend and the pack performed wonderfully. The larger multi-day backpack I’ve been using for the past 2 years is the 2016 Osprey Aether 70, the standard version before they introduced the Anti-Gravity suspension system to the Aether lineup. I’ve been extremely curious about the Atmos and specifically the AG system ever since then, and I have to say it did not disappoint! The pack really does feel like its floating on your back. I’ve never had any issues with my old pack; no hot spots, no back or lumbar pain after miles of hiking, nothing. Still, the Atmos AG was so comfortable it has instantly found its place as my go-to for a larger multi-day backpack. In addition to overall comfort, despite not yet testing it in hot or humid climates, I have complete confidence in the design’s ability to provide excellent ventilation. As far as features, this pack is loaded. That will be a major plus for many people and as with any Osprey pack, you can tell the features have been thought out very thoroughly. It’s the simple things that make Osprey packs so high quality. The lid detaches in seconds via two side release buckles, the trekking pole storage bungees stow away inside a fabric pocket, the webbing straps on the bottom of the backpack are attached with a tri-glide buckle and can be removed without needing to cut them off, the compression straps on the side avoid covering the water bottle pockets, and the water bottle pockets themselves have small webbing loops to help you get your water bottle into the stretch pocket without too much trouble. The list goes on… However, there are a few things I could nitpick. The hip belt pockets were difficult to open and close with one hand. The pack claims a load range of 30-50 lbs., and while I did find it extremely comfortable during my initial use, I don’t think the AG suspension would be as supportive in the upper half of this range as other packs like the Aether. I would never need to support that much weight but it’s something to consider for those backpackers who like to hike with a few more comforts and who have heavier base weights. Overall, for me personally, it’s a bit too feature heavy as I would prefer a simpler design like the Aether. The lid has two zippered compartments, which is one too many (but great if you have a ton of smaller items you need to keep organized, I guess). There are also two zippered compartments on the back of the bag, which again seems excessive. Because of the compartments on the back of the bag, I will probably remove my lid altogether and utilize the added FlapJacket instead, saving what I measured to be 6.6 ounces by not using the lid. And while the extra flaps of fabric that hide the various buckles and attachment points are aesthetically pleasing, ultimately they just add weight. I can generally forgive this because the Atmos AG 65 is a robust pack meant to carry a lot of weight comfortably and it still comes in lighter than most packs in its category. In summary, for anyone needing a high volume pack for multi-day backpacking trips (or trips in hot and humid climates where ventilation is key) this is the pack for you. It’s the most comfortable pack I’ve ever used, built with typical Osprey quality & durability, is loaded with features and to cap it all off, it looks absolutely fantastic.

Being a devout ultralight backpacker, I was hesitant to use this bag at first, but I quickly changed my mind. I love it actually, and it’s now got a permanent place in my gear arsenal. ***PROS*** AMAZING COMFORT HEAVY LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY DURABILITY CONVENIENT STORAGE ALMIGHTY GUARANTEE FROM OSPREY PRICE ***CONS*** HEAVY NOT WATERPROOF NO MAGNETIC RESERVOIR ATTACHMENT* HIP POCKETS TOO FAR BACK* *minor issues
 
For the past two years, I’ve been using an ultralight 50L cuben fiber pack and have put well over 1,000 miles on it. Weighing in at 21oz, that bag is a solid 3 pounds lighter than the Osprey Atmos AG 65. I’m also excited that Osprey recently debuted their new ultralight packs at outdoor retailer, the “Levity” and “Lumina”, both sub 2lb packs aimed at the UL community. 

So what are you getting for that added weight of the Atmos AG 65? A lot of comfort, simple and easily accessible storage, exponential durability, and the ability to carry heavier than average load which make it perfectly suited to winter backpacking, which is what I used it for this past week on several different peaks. 

The load adjustment system is pretty clever and I have to hand it to Osprey for making their packs so user-friendly. My first bag was in Osprey after all, so the brand will always have a place in my heart.

A couple of things to note is that it is absolutely critical to choose the right pack size for you on a bag like this that relies on load redistribution through it’s ‘Anti-Gravity’ system. Don’t assume that since you’re 6’2” you’re a large frame size. Get sized, and try it on with weight bags, which are available at all REI stores. 

I actually did go to an REI and spent about 15 minutes trying on the medium versus the large with varying amounts of weight inside before going with the medium instead of the large. It’s not immediately obvious, but you can actually extend the hip belt padding with a feature they call “Adjust on the fly”. This makes a huge difference when carrying heavy loads, and ups the general comfort too. 

You have to wonder about the weight versus price though. The pack is not truly waterproof, which is kind of a bummer and at $270, you have to ask why they couldn’t use a premium fabric like a heavy DCF (Cuben Fiber) or ultra-sil nylon to make the pack stronger and lighter as well as waterproof. I have no way of figuring this out without taking the bag apart piece by piece and weighing it, but I would imagine it would be possible to shave at least a pound from the total pack weight by just using different materials with the exact same design.

 Would you sacrifice cost and some durability? Certainly. 
Love the water reservoir capability, which is critical on winter hikes at altitude, but it is kind of annoying that there is no magnetic water reservoir connection point on the sternum strap. Using the reservoir from my other Osprey bag, the mouthpiece just flops around like a wet noodle, which is a bit annoying. 

Also, curiously absent from this pack are things like shoulder straps to put water bottles cell phones, and/or whatever else in to help balance the weight a little bit.

In the same vein, I wish the hip pockets were larger by at least 50% for the same reasons. They should be a bit more forward on the hip belt too, as it’s largely impossible to unzip them while wearing the bag-an annoyance. 

 The way the load in this bag carries almost pulls you back a little bit, which forces you to lean forward a touch. You would think adjusting the load lifters would solve this problem, but for some reason it only partially helps. You can fiddle with the top pack and put it back a little but I only found this marginally helpful. 

Also, of minor annoyance, is the fact that when you take the back off, the hip belt pockets ‘snap’ back towards the bag, which makes it a little annoying to put the bag back on again. This is a really just a minor negative side effect of the suspension system being so comfortable, a trade I’m assuming most would be willing to make.

 So who is this bag made for? Well, that depends, but in general, I would say this pack is best suited for anyone in these categories, in no preferential order: 

 1-Casual backpackers to prioritize comfort and convenience over weight.

 2-Backpackers who plan on rough terrain where the bag will likely encounter lots of bushwhacking, sharp rocks, mud, etc.

 3-Winter backpackers who simply need to carry heavier loads and toold like ice axes, crampons, snowshoes, etc., especially in places where a bear canister is required like the Sierra, Yosemite, etc.

 4-Ultralight backpackers who want to train without putting wear and tear on their fragile gossamer nylon or DCF/Cuben fiber packs.

 5-People who exclusively buy things at REI because of the amazing return policy, or who are comforted by Ospreys very generous “Almighty Guarantee.” I certainly know that’s a factor for me. 

Obviously, any combination of these things could be at play for someone to decide to buy this bag. As you might have surmised though, his bag is NOT for exclusive ultralight backpacking. If you plan on attempting an FKT in the High Sierra, look elsewhere. I also don’t see any reason to buy this bag if you’re planning on doing 25 miles a day in mid-summer with a total pack weight of 20lbs or less either. It’s much better suited to fall/winter trips with loads over 25lbs. 

 The storage capacity of 65L to me sounds just a little generous. I seemed to have a little trouble fitting in everything I normally fit in a 55L bag. It might be because the frame arcs the main compartment so much, or it may be that this claimed capacity is spread out over several compartments, which inherently looses some efficiency. Despite all this, it’s a fantastic pack and I’ll be happily using it for the remainder of the winter, and on any future trips that demand increased reliability, durability, load carrying capacity and comfort. Check out some photos made possible by this pack!

I purchased this pack several months ago and have held off on writing a review until I had the chance to put it through its paces. I wanted to really get a feel for this thing, because anyone reading these reviews is considering spending a significant amount of money. It was certainly a big purchase for me. Prior to this, I'd been using a cheap $50 Ozark Trail day hiking backpack from Wal-Mart for the better part of a year. It did its job well enough, but pack size was limited and after a couple of hours on the trail it grew uncomfortable. I started looking into getting an upgrade for this new hobby I'd fallen so hard for, and after a trip to my local REI I spoke with an associate who was very knowledgeable about packs. At the time I was looking at the AG 50, but he suggested I up the size to a 65 if I was intending to spend a few nights camping or going on multi-day hikes. So I went online and checked out many, many reviews for the Atmos AG 65, along with other popular packs, and ultimately settled on it. I'm so glad I did. This thing is great, albeit with a few niggling issues. We'll start with the positives. + The "anti-gravity" hip belt system is amazing. What it does is take the weight off of your shoulders and spread it around your waist, resulting in carried weight feeling much lighter than it really is. I've stuffed the pack full of supplies and barely noticed a difference compared to a lighter day-use load. When you're four hours into a hike you really begin to appreciate the fact that you don't have a bunch of weight digging into your shoulders. It's hard to put into words just how effective this system is at cutting down on felt weight. The hip belt is easily adjustable, sturdy, and fits snugly, with comfortable padding that won't dig into your hip. Once you have it and the chest strap in place you really notice a difference. + There is plenty of space for gear. Besides the roomy main compartment (with an area for a hydro pack) you've got two zippered side pouches, a dedicated space for a sleeping bag on the bottom of the pack, a mesh external pocket on the front for quick access to essentials, two small angled mesh pockets on the side for water bottles, and a detachable brain with two additional zippered storage areas. There are also a pair of small hip pockets on the belt for storing snacks, sunglasses, etc. + It's well-made and sturdy. I take care of my gear, but inevitably it'll get dirty, snag on things, take a tumble and generally get beat up through everyday wear and tear. After months of rocks, dirt, stray branches, rain and snow there isn't a single hole or sign of wear on this thing. Even if you do get a hole in it, you get that Osprey lifetime guarantee where you can send it in to have it fixed, no questions asked, forever. That alone is probably worth the price of admission. + There are compression straps *everywhere* on this thing. It's easy to get all of your gear secured and prevent jostling around, and a tight pack is less likely to get caught on branches and the like. + The included loops for ice picks and trekking poles is a welcome addition. + The suspended mesh on the back is something I didn't know I needed, but now I can't imagine hiking without it. Besides being comfortable it lets air circulate across your back, which is wonderful on warmer days or after you've been working up a sweat. No more wet, cold back when you stop to take a rest. + Easily adjustable, from the hip belt to the AG system and the shoulder straps. Everything feels solid and dependable. + It looks fantastic. I know this is a purely aesthetic sort of thing, but it really is a beautiful, sleek pack. I got mine in the dark blue color and I love it. There are, however, a few small issues I have with this pack. - The zippers are needlessly difficult to get open or closed. The zippers themselves don't feel cheap, but trying to grab something out of the side pouches is much more difficult than it needs to be. You basically have to pinch either side of the material together and pull the zipper carefully to make sure you're not going to snag it. It's something you get used to, but not quite comfortable with. The hip pockets are nearly impossible to unzip one-handed, which kind of defeats the purpose of having zippers on them in the first place. I end up just leaving them unzipped the vast majority of the time. - Some of the straps are a bit too long. The hip belt straps in particular can hang down nearly to my knees after I've adjusted them, and while I haven't had them get in the way it does look kind of silly. I wish there was an easy way to tuck them aside. It's not a big deal, but it's something to be aware of. - The pack itself is rather heavy. While the weight of your carried gear will feel much lighter, this is not an ultralight pack by any means. It's best for long hikes or backpacking trips. - No included rain cover. For how much you pay for the pack it would be nice to have one come with it instead of having to dish out more money for an accessory. - Only one loop for trekking poles. The "stow-on-the-go" loop on the left shoulder strap is nice, but depending on how you like to carry your poles you might need to find an additional loop for the other side. So what's my final verdict on the Osprey Atmos AG 65? If you're looking for a roomy pack that won't wear you out, you really can't go wrong. It's comfortable, easy to use (aside from the zippers), has plenty of space for your stuff and comes with a lifetime guarantee. At $300 it's not a small investment, but it's one that you'll more than get your money's worth out of. Highly recommended.

Took this badboy out for a test run on the Napali Coast in Kauai, HI for a week long backpacking trip carrying mine and half my girlfriends gear and it was absolutely amazing! It was so comfortable I didn't mind at all carrying my girlfriends gear and a bunch of "comfort" items. My girlfriend had the women's version of this backpack for her very first backpacking trip and also loved it. The backpack felt like a part of my body when scrambling along cliff edges, crossing rivers, and scrambling up and down muddy inclines. Can't wait to take it on a heavy duty backpacking trip.

After tons of research it came down to this or the granite crown 60. Ordered both and this pack is hands down more comfortable. Used for multiple trips, recently for OML at big bend, having to carry 5L of water put me at 36 lbs pack weight. Still very comfortable and more room than I could ever fill. Highly recommend this pack. Others have squeaking issue with AG, it can be resolved by slightly adjusting top tensioner.

I used the Atmos AG 65 over two 2-day trips locally in Southern California. I had come from a more minimalist pack, so this is a different approach to my usual backpacking style. I have typically avoided trips in winter to avoid the extra weight, but seeing how the Atmos is a step up in size and comfort, I figured I’d give it a try. I won’t go through all the features, but just a few that made the most impression. For the big 3, I carried a 3-person tent (~6 lbs.), sleeping bag (~3 lbs.), sleeping pad (~1 lbs.). I added a 3L hydration bag and a 1L bottle along with a pump filter. With all my other gear, food, and clothing, the pack weighed in at just over 28 lbs. Generally, 30 lbs. has been the limit at which I could carry with my old pack before I started feeling soreness on my hips. With the Atmos, I went through the first day without any a pain in my hips or shoulders. I did not test any bear canisters seeing how we’re in the middle of winter (they’re all hibernating right?) and I went down south to a place where there are no bears. The biggest standout feature of this bag is the suspension mesh back panel. It creates a tension with the hip strap that squeezes your midsection. This is nice, because you don’t have to tighten it nearly as much to prevent it from slipping down. It took a bit of time to adjust to this since it was also around my belt. About an hour in, it was no longer an issue. I attribute this as part of getting used to a brand new pack. I had no issues with ventilation or sweat — The mesh was worked as designed, though we are still in the middle of winter (mid 50’s the first trip, 80’s the second). This is clearly the best thing about the Atmos pack. The design lets it conform to many shapes and sizes. From a storage perspective, there is a sleeping bag compartment on the bottom, which fit my 20-degree synthetic bag. It was a bit of a squeeze getting it in and out, since I can only compress my bag so much. In the top loading compartment, I kept a down and rain jacket. It is also removable, which is nice for shorter trips when the extra space isn’t needed (kudos to Osprey for putting an additional flap to cover it). The trekking pole storage loops worked fine when I tried it out, but I tended to use my poles more often than not. There’s no snow (or rain for that matter, here in the desert of So Cal). The only thing I had any struggle with is adjusting the length. It's a little tight, but that's all. Straps do dangle everywhere, but that's a nuisance more than anything. This review is a description of my own personalized experience. Overall, I have encountered no shortcoming with the Atmos AG 65. It has performed admirably. I have traditionally leaned toward the UL side of backpacking, but this pack has given me extra capacity along with comfort. I can’t comment on long-term durability, but I have other Osprey packs which have been holding up well. It is certainly an effective pack and gets the job done.

I do a lot of hiking into rivers to Salmon fish in Alaska and needed a pack to carry gear in and fish out with. This pack was perfect for the task. REI helped get me fitted with the right size. I could wear the pack comfortably while hiking and fishing in the river! Love this pack!

I received the Atmos 65L the evening before our Venture Crew long-weekend backpacking trek through Lost Maples SP. The first two things I observed when transferring my gear from my 4 year old 70 liter pack was that the empty pack weight of the Atmos 65 was much lighter, and there was more space left in the Atmos with the same amount of gear, even though technically a few Liters ‘smaller’ than my old pack. Fit: It took several minutes and somewhat of a struggle to initially figure out the torso adjustment system, and I have yet to fully master the mechanism, but seems quick and easy to make subtle adjustments, once figured out. When properly adjusted the loaded pack was easy to hoist into place and secure. The fit was snug to hips and back, and absolutely felt like an extension of my body, making side movements or leaning over to pick objects off the ground surprisingly easy. Best of all did not create the usual ‘hot spot’ friction irritations on my hips. I was not even aware of the Fit-on-the-Fly hip belt adjustment feature until after the trek. I’m excited to see how that adjustment impacts the hip comfort! With the ventilated mesh back, I did not have to deal with a cold, sweat-soaked shirt during pack-off breaks. The trails had very steep, rocky sections, as well as several stream crossings with slippery, unstable limestone boulders. Brief losses of balance on the unstable terrain did not result in the pack shifting and pulling me further off balance, as is often the case with the larger packs. Features: After a bit of use, the zippers and strap adjusters were relatively smooth to operate, and held well. Once mastered, the draw string mechanism for the main compartment provided quick & easy access. The mesh side pockets would have held a Nalgene snuggly, but I chose to carry a smartwater bottle that stayed in place throughout the trek, and was easy to reach and replace with the pack on. My 3L reservoir fit and operated perfectly. The Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment was handy when I snapped one trekking pole in a failed stream crossing. I really appreciate the 2 individual zippered front panel pockets (vs a single large front pocket) in addition to the front mesh pocket. Takes the guess work out of what order to pack those items you may need to reach quickly (rain jacket, puffy jacket, buff, FA kit, etc) without frequent unpacking to reach the inevitably buried necessities. At 62, I have lost a bit of the strength and balance of my youth. This Anti-Gravity (AG) system really helps compensate, and makes the strenuous trail and multi-day trek fun again. I’m really excited to get back out, now that I am more familiar with the pack’s many unique features and nuances (after reviewing the Osprey & REI websites, and a number of YouTube reviews). This pack is absolutely my new go-to for multi-day backcountry backpacking. Thank you for the opportunity to test this pack!!

I recently did an eight day trip in the Sierra Nevadas. I had heard of Osprey’s incredible warranty - if anything breaks or tears, they will repair or replace it for free. This was my first real backpack, and it worked like a dream. I abused it. It was cram packed with clothes, bear can, fuel, and gear. The zippers all worked perfect. I brushed against branches and granite, not a mark. And the mesh over the back kept my back dry and comfortable. Overall I didn’t even notice all of the weight in the pack. It was really that comfortable. If this pack fits you (go to REI and try it on), then it is absolutely a great pack. If I ever buy more packs (like different sizes), I will definitely buy another Osprey.

Besides the packs that I used in the military, this is my first civilian pack I’ve bought so I don’t have much experience with other brands/styles. I purchased this pack and realized I got a small. So I returned it and got an Aether 65 because they were sold out of larges. I used it a couple times but it wasn’t as comfortable as the Atmos. So I went back up, and luckily they had a large Atmos in stock and I haven’t looked back. I can easily fit everything I need for a four day/three night camping trip and it’s just so incredibly comfortable you hardly know it’s there. The antigravity system is really impressive. Highly recommend.