Osprey Xenith

This pack has a very comfortable suspension. It is an evazote foam back with a small lumbar frame sheet, two aluminum stays, and a delrin hoop. The 75 lb load that I had in it for nearly 6 weeks felt like it was about 25-35 pounds lighter than actual weight.

The large compartment is easily accessed with the two side slash zips. The Speed-dee attachment system enables the use of many accessories, like the Shadow Fanny pack. The top pocket also converts to a fanny pack as well. The sleeping bag compartment has enough room for my North Face Snowshoe sleeping bag, as well as a Vapor Barrier liner and sometimes a bivy sack. I am able to fit in all my gear without any problems.

I have added a few non Osprey accessories to make this a great trekking pack. On the sides I have added Osprey water bottle holders, a Map Wrap and detachable wand pockets. Underneath the shoulder straps, I have added Dana Designs Wet Ribs for getting at food and additional waterbottles. And finally, I've put an Ultimate Directions FAST water bladder underneath the top pocket/fanny pack. This adds weight, but when camping in the desert, water is important.

I recently wore this pack to train for and to participate in an expedition seminar on Mt. Rainier. I bought this pack because of its workmanship and comfort. While shopping I tried a Mountainsmith, a North Face, and a Kelty Lockdown. Each was tested with about 50lb load over a period of a couple of days.

The Osprey was the most comfortable and had by far had the best workmanship. A plus is Osprey's Vector system. The Vector compression system is a line of 8 different pack attachments that act to carry gear and serve as the main compression system for the pack bag. I upgraded the standard 400 cu.in Vector 2 for a highly versitle 750 cu.in Vector Day. The day serves as a small day-bag and also will house a hydration bladder! It's a great system. I plan to purchase additional Vector components.

Another plus to the Ospery Xenith is the fact that it has slash zips and a really nice built-in sleeping bag stuffer.... which makes getting your sleeping bag into the pack a BREEZE!!

In summary, it's a well thought out and well made pack, a very comfortable pack, and the vector compression system adds tremendous functionality and versatility!

This pack is fabulous, the Vector attachments are great. Osprey claims the pack is 6400 but i believe it's a little smaller. None the less it still holds everything i could possibly need, even on long winter treks. I have only one complaint: it weighs about 2 times as much as my old Lowe Alpine. However, it makes up a thousand times that w/all the features it offers like the hybrid loading (top/panel access to gear), which is great when it's really cold and you'd otherwise have to feel around w/numb hands to find that hand warmer you swore you brought. I looked at the Mountain Smith packs, Gregory, and Dana and nothing came close to the adjustability and options available with this pack.

All and all a great pack w/a HUGE price tag ($409), but in my opinion well worth every cent of it.