User Review: Osprey Atmos 50

Osprey Atmos 50
Above: The current Atmos 50, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed August 4, 2008 by backpacker_1024

Rating:
Design: Top Loading Internal
Size: L
Number of Pockets: 5
Max. Load Carried: 45 - 50 lbs.
Height of Owner: 6' 3"
Price Paid: $160

I've had this pack for about 2 years now, logged over a hundred miles collectively with it, and have not had a lot of problems with it. I took this pack to Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico, the AT, and numerous weekenders, and would not have had any other pack.

I'll start with what I like first. Bought the pack and experienced a fleeting phase of buyer's remorse when I realized it was a challenge to pack. However, what it taught me was to stow my gear neatly and effectively in order to maximize the available space. Once you learn to pack it, it's very roomy. You cannot just dump your stuff in this pack.

Fortunately, I learned to pack it, and ever since have fallen in love with the way it packs. Even with 45 pounds of gear in it (on a 12 day trip), it still rode my back very comfortably with that much weight. Ordinarily I was carrying 25-30 pounds in it. I literally forgot I had it on at times. The airspeed (or whatever it is) suspension system is amazing, keeps you dryer than your buddies, and distributes the load correctly. Anyone who tells you otherwise, just has too much stuff in their pack and could downsize.

As far as features go, the two outside pockets are the highlight of the pack. They house so much gear; I couldn't believe what I was pulling out of them at night. I really did not use the lash points on the outside of the pack, as I'm a firm believer against what we like to call "The Bandwagon Effect", or, a bunch of nalgenes, clothes, crazy creeks, etc. hanging off your pack. But they would work if you wanted them. I only used the pad straps to hold my Thermarest Prolite 3 and it was the only thing on the outside of my pack. The stretch woven pockets work well if you pack something soft on the inside like your sleeping bag next to them, so your nalgene can compress it more and use the space. They are a little hard to use. The hip belt pockets have not busted on me yet, as some others have said, but I knew to be careful with them beforehand because of these people, so thanks to everybody who mentioned it.

Now for the bad. The pack itself does not have really stiff material boundaries. This means, when packing, if you don't pack the inside first, the stuff in the outside pockets will bulge inward and consume some of the room, making it more difficult to get stuff into the bottom of the main compartment. The same concept applies to the expansion collar and the top pocket. Stuff in the expansion collar will really shrink the size of your top pocket. I try to avoid using it where I can.

Also, the zippers do get stuck, particularly on the top pocket. It really could use no material covering the zippers, or completely covering the zippers. As it is, it's just enough to drive you crazy. The other thing I think happens to every pack. If you leave the top pocket open, open the lid, and then pack the main compartment, then shut the lid hard, stuff goes everywhere. Something I learned the hard way, but I think the only way to fix that is not leave the top pocket open. :) The airspeed doesn't work as well if you have a H2O bladder in the mesh pocket. The straps can be a little uncomfortable at times, but it is easily adjusted with the lifters or by transferring more weight to the hips.

CampSaver.com 2 purchase options:	Osprey Atmos 50 Pack 3000 cu in	$119.37	Buy Now
CampSaver.com 2 purchase options:	Osprey Atmos 50 Pack 3000 cu in	$199.95	Buy Now

Massey's 2 purchase options:	Atmos 50 Internal Frame Pack	$179.10	Buy Now
Massey's 2 purchase options:	Atmos 50 Internal Frame Pack	$199.00	Buy Now

User Review: Osprey Atmos 50

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