Osprey Exos 46

Summary

Excellent pack with some problems that may cause problems for unprepared users.

I bought this pack in 2010 for use on the Camino de Santiago. I carried it over 800 km of Spain and after that for two years in Finland and still use it regurlarly.

For my uses it is simply excellent. It fits me like a glove and is very comfortable. I can fit everything for a summer week or winter weekend into it (note: I travel very light!). On my last hike, I had to swim over a cold river in late September. I was positively surprised, when the inside of the pack remained dry despite a short immersion. Long term soaking will probably lead to wet gear.

Then the bad stuff. Though it fits me well, most of my friends despise it. The adjustability is poor so you need to make sure you have the right size of pack! There are several sizes of this pack and they all have a different back length. Find the right one!

I find the side mesh pockets to be too small to be usefull and too tight when the pack is stuffed. The straps for fastening a sleeping pad are too far back and will only hold a very light pad in place without bouncing. Also having an axe fixed to the outside causes problems as the blade will hit any affixed pad.

In short I like the EXOS a lot and would recommend it. Some thought has to be used before purchase. This is a lightweight pack with no extras, so adjustability and versatility are not as good as on a heavier pack.

If you need a pack for very long hikes between villages or general weekend use and have the time to find the right size, buy this. If you want a pack with lots of pockets and great adjustability, buy something else.

Summary

I looked at this bag because a review I read said it had a great weight transfer susupension system. I took it home and packed it up and it's true, the aluminum sub frame keeps the pack away from your back and weight is transfered to the hips. My only problem is it is a bit narrow, or maybe my sleeping bag is too big!

I am new to long distance hiking and looked at this bag because I heard it has a great suspension system. Also it is very lightweight at 2 pounds, 5 ounces. It has an aluminum frame and mesh that keep the bag away from your back.  The weight is transferred to the hip belt, which is comfortable  but not heavily padded. 

I fit all my gear in it but had trouble with the sleeping bag, as the main compartment is a bit narrow, or maybe my sleeping bag is too big. I have not been out with it yet, but the pack felt good when I tried it on. It has an extra fron compartment, and it has a removable cap piece and mesh compartments on the side and on the belt, plus loops for your hiking sticks and your sleeping pad. 

So far I am very satisfied with the pack. It came in a few sizes, I got the women's medium.

Summary

Love this pack! For a week or for just a day this pack is great. Comfortable and durable.

I have been lightening and lessening the volume of my packed items and was ready for a lighter pack, but not completely ready for a frameless pack. I had always thought that when I was ready for a smaller/lighter pack, I would buy from a cottage company, but then I stumbled upon the Exos. 

My pack weight with food, two lts of water, and gear for a week in CO this summer weighed 30 lbs — which is pushing the Exos out of the recommended comfort range — but the pack still carried comfortably. I was so surprised that my Bear Vault 500 fit INSIDE the pack! 

I have the size small so it is really only 43lts. I often have the pack stuffed, yet after a years use I have not seen any seams stressing or mesh pulling from the frame, or breakage with buckles or straps. I love the confidence of knowing Osprey has a lifetime guarantee from any type of damage. 

Just the right number of pockets to stay organized. Light enough and compresses down to use as a great day pack too.

Summary

This looks more experimental model and not the completed version for you want to buy it. Despite a lot of cons its main advantage is your dry back when in hot environments. If you will never try to load more than 12-13 kg, then its not so bad idea to have a one. But remember not to miss a screwdriver...

Advertised volume is 49 littres for size L. I think that in comparision with other brands, this may seem to be 35 + 14. This means that total volume includes all "added" volume of side mesh pockets, pushing up lid and including external back pocket.

All straps etc are very nicely designed and right in place.

Have used this pack in Ladakh for one month. Mostly mountain trekking with all self suficiency items with me. Total packed weight was variable from 10 to 14 kgs.

Summary

Absolutely love this pack. It is lightweight, spacious, and affordable. Great pack!

I bought this pack prior to a weekend outing on the Ozark Highland Trail. I was able to pack all my stuff with room to spare. I do go more ultralight and the Exos series are extremely light packs. I also got lots of compliments as well.

With the lifetime warranty you can't go wrong. The fit was comfortable and with the air suspension I did not have a huge wet spot on my back after a long day.  

Just finished an 80-mile trek with this pack at 26#. Myself dressed with commando shorts, tank top, trail running shoes and sunhat. I could practically run down the trail, and when I reached camp I some times went about other chores before taking the pack off because I wasn't worn out from it.

Only complaint is I would like water bottle holsters up front on the waist belt instead of those zipper pockets. 

this is a really nice pack, loaded with a lot features, but not a lot of weight. I own the 46 in Large and it weighed the advertised 39 oz. the pack is much larger than the 46 liters would imply - the main pack is voluminous, the top lid is large, there are two large expandable mesh pockets on the side, a zip rear pocket and a large lycra stuff-it pocket on the back. In addition it has two rather roomy mesh hip belt pockets (each large enough to easily accommodate a small camera or gps)

it also has a little "contraption" that they call a stow and go - if you use trekking poles you'll like this feature - it allows you to quickly and easily stow your poles out of the way freeing up the use of your hands- it really works slick

a pack isn't worth much though if it holds a lot of gear but doesn't carry well. I was a little skeptical when I saw the waist belt and should straps as I was used to thicker/plusher ones- I'm no longer skeptical- the pack carries like a dream- I've used it w/ loads ranging from 20-30 lbs (3-7 days) - a fair amount of it over some very difficult terrain

the compression system works very well- it can manage a pretty low volume- the top lid is also removable

the only ding I can give the pack is that a 1 liter (platy) bottle is difficult to access out of the side mesh pockets- the 0.5 liter bottle is not however- the shorter bottle allows access though a lower hole- the taller bottle has to come out of the top of the mesh

this is a really nice pack and very well deserving of its high rating.

This is one of the best "light" backpacks around. Since going ultralight I have tried several frame-less packs, Granite Gear Virga, GoLite Jam, Jam2 and litespeed etc. I have discovered that even with only 15-20 lb load I prefer a frame.

i used to have the Atmos 65. As "regular", i.e. heavy, backpacker I needed that volume for all the heavy and extraneous gear I carried. Comfortable pack, but the Airspeed suspension was too deep and ate up internal volume.

The new Exos has as many features and more and only weighs 37 oz ! plus they got the Airspeed suspension right on the Exos, deep enough to let air circulate on your back, shallow enough not to diminish the volume of the main compartment.

I am not sure what the other reviewer is complaining about when he talks about the hip belt. I am only 5' 7" and weigh 220 lbs and the belt is fine for me!

Go Strong and Go Light!

This is the best backpack ever! I finally gave up on my GoLite Jam pack. It was way light. But with no load lifters and no frame (obviously) it just wasn't comfortable. As I get older I want more comfort. yes I keep everything light, with a base weight of under 10 lbs, but since Osprey came out with this pack I can have my cake and eat it too!

Great product, just didn't fit, and the hip belt is sewed on. I think it would work great on someone with a waist under 32". Thought it would cut me in half with 25#.