As you most of you know I've been talking about Osprey backpacks a lot for years now (see full post list at the bottom), and get this question asked a lot. So here you go.
Atmos AG 65. Hands down the best backpacking backpack of all time in my opinion.
You can think of Osprey's Atmos as their main multi-day backpacking backpack line, whereas the Exos as their main light multi-day backpacking backpack line.
In summary, I think that in many cases; unbeatable comfort, organization and adjustability benefits of Atmos AG 50 and 65 outweigh the price and weight reductions you get with Exos 48 and 58.
Atmos is also considered prettier. This Abyss Grey color is especially liked by many - including me.
Differences between Exos and Atmos lines can be simplified into this:
- Atmos line is ridiculously more comfortable (especially the AG 65), much more adjustable, more durable and offers more compartments, accesses & pockets
- Exos line is MUCH (around 2 lbs) lighter (depending on the size)
...then you should not check out the Osprey Exos, but the Osprey Rook.
Most of you probably read this post to see if it's worth the price reduction you get with the Exos. As you'll see, I believe that it doesn't (at least for most of us).
This is why I recommend the Atmos AG 65 to almost anyone looking for a multi-day backpacking backpack.
To me, it is not only the best backpack in this specific Exos vs Atmos regard, but within out in the entire market of backpacking backpacks. Its optimal volume maximizes versatility: You can go on both 5+ days and 1-3 days trips.
Bold are my top picks for each group (based on trip length).
If you're planning to get either one of them, I'd also highly recommend you to check out Osprey's own PackFinder tool as well.
To see the full table and my top picks, visit my post Best Osprey Hiking Backpacks.
Rotate your phone sideways for a better table display.
| Comfort | Features & Organization | Weight (M Size) |
|---|---|---|---|
​ | Trip Length: 7+ nights [>90 L] | ||
Xenith 105 (Men's) | 10/10 | 10/10 | 5.78 lbs |
Cell | Trip Length: 5-7 nights [75 - 90 L] | ||
10/10 | 10/10 | 5.61 lbs | |
8/10 | 9/10 | 5.37 lbs | |
Cell | Trip Length: 2-5 nights [55 - 75 L] Sweet spot. Versatile picks. | ||
10/10 | 8/10 | 4.56 lbs | |
9/10 | 10/10 | 5.56 lbs | |
8/10 | 6/10 | 4.3 lbs | |
10/10 | 4/10 | 3.94 lbs | |
9/10 | 9/10 | 5.21 lbs | |
9/10 | 9/10 | 5.15 lbs | |
Volt 60 (Men's) | 8/10 | 6/10 | 4.3 lbs |
6/10 | 5/10 | 3.52 lbs | |
8/10 | 4/10 | 1.95 lbs | |
7/10 | 4/10 | 2.58 lbs | |
Cell | Trip Length: 1-3 nights [45 - 55 L] | ||
9/10 | 7/10 | 4.21 lbs | |
8/10 | 8/10 | 3.59 lbs | |
8/10 | 8/10 | 3.68 lbs | |
8/10 | 4/10 | 1.85 lbs | |
7/10 | 4/10 | 2.57 lbs | |
6/10 | 6/10 | 3.49 lbs | |
Viva 50 (Women's) | 8/10 | 6/10 | 4.02 lbs |
Cell | Trip Length: 0-1 nights [<45 L] | ||
8/10 | 8/10 | 3.40 lbs | |
8/10 | 8/10 | 3.30 lbs | |
8/10 | 6/10 | 2.44 lbs | |
9/10 | 5/10 | 2.02 lbs | |
8/10 | 4/10 | 2.48 lbs | |
If you tend to pack more or less than the average person, then shift the trip lengths accordingly.
In my opinion, it's the best backpacking backpack of for the last 3-4 years.
If you're torn between getting the 50 liter option or the 65 liter option, I also published a post comparing Atmos/Aura's 50 and 65 liter options, so you can check that out.
In summary, I'd recommend the 65 L since not needing the extra volume but having it is always better than wishing extra volume but not having it! Bonus: 2 extra front pockets.
- Anti-Gravity suspension - feels like you are...
- Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment allows you...
- Adjustable harness and Fit-on-the-Fly hipbelt to...
- Internal hydration reservoir sleeve accommodates...
- Removable floating top lid with dual zippered...
If you tend to pack lighter and/or go on shorter trips, then 50 liters becomes a more acceptable alternative - although I'd still get the 65.
- Anti-Gravity suspension - feels like you are...
- Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment allows you...
- Adjustable harness and Fit-on-the-Fly hipbelt to...
- Internal hydration reservoir sleeve accommodates...
- Removable floating top lid with dual zippered...
If you're reading this post looking for a budget multi-day backpacking pack alternative to Atmos, then I'd recommend you to check out Rook (NOT EXOS).
Now let's get to the bolts and nuts of these packs.
Comfort
As you some of you might already know, I'm a huge fan of Atmos line - especially the AG 65.
Atmos AG 50.
AG stands for "Anti Gravity" here - the most recent suspension mesh technology of Osprey.
It's basically a 3-D suspended mesh.
Contouring and corresponding the unique curves of your very body, it gets molded into it.
In the end, it's shaped in a way that overlaps with your body absolutely the best way possible.
I mean, in the end, nothing can fit the curves of your body other than the one that's literally molded by it.
This is kind of ridiculous if you ask me. I remember being blown away the first time I’ve heard about it. Backpack industry is really at a whole another level in today's world.
Harness, hipbelt, backpanel and suspension are all equipped with this AG technology.
The Exos line, on the other hand, is also pretty comfortable when you compare it to the other packs in the market, but definitely not as much as the Atmos.
Actually nowhere even near. Because, in addition to AG technology, the shoulder straps and hipbelt of Atmos line are so generously padded with a very smooth touch, it almost feels like you're not wearing the pack (OK, I'm exaggerating).
Sleeping Bag Compartments and Accesses
Another shortcoming you should take into consideration with the Exos 48/58 is that the they don't offer a sleeping bag compartment at the bottom.
Stretch mesh side pockets available in all Exos and Atmos models offer side access as well - which enables the access on the go. This is a shared feature.
Storing your sleeping bag at the bottom of your pack doesn't require a separate compartment or zipper at the bottom.
This is why some people feel like this is all gimmicks - although I disagree.
I still find it worthwhile, especially for, say, 40-45+ L packs. I have two reasons for this:
- Digging through (or worse, emptying out) your entire inventory in order to get to the bottom of your sleeping bag (or any other item for that matter) to reach an item that is stuck at the very bottom of your pack is far from ideal.
- Having a separate compartment at the bottom isn't the only objective advantage you get with Atmos packs. The divider between main and sleeping bag compartments is removable and floating, so it also grants you an additional, easy access to the main compartment from the other side (bottom) as well.
In the end, for these two reasons, a sleeping bag compartment is likely to spare you a fair amount of time and frustration.
A sleeping bag compartment & extra access wouldn't come equally useful for packs with lower volumes, such as Exos 38.
You can dig through your stuff with ease and hence you're less likely to wish having an extra access.
Pockets
My another beef with Exos line is the lack of hipbelt pockets.
The main advantage of Exos 58 is its ultralight construction.
This implicitly forces you to use the pockets of your clothing for all the items you'd like to have readily available such as snacks, smartphones, wallets, or hand warmers etc.
Becomes a real problem during winter, trips with kids and/or pets, extended trips, etc.
Atmos packs, on the other hand, do offer more storage via hipbelt pockets.
Adjustability
Two adjustments Atmos provides and Exos doesn't:
- So called "fit on the fly" hipbelt allows dialing in the right hipbelt fit when you're wearing the pack. It offers up to 6 inches of adjustment.
- Shoulder straps are also adjustable for 4 inches.
These take the already superior comfort of Atmos and bring it somewhere unbeatable.
Conclusion
Most of you probably read this post to see if it's worth the price reduction you get with the Exos. As you'll see, I believe that it doesn't (at least for most of us).
This is why I recommend the Atmos AG 65 to almost anyone looking for a multi-day backpacking backpack.
- Anti-Gravity suspension - feels like you are...
- Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment allows you...
- Adjustable harness and Fit-on-the-Fly hipbelt to...
- Internal hydration reservoir sleeve accommodates...
- Removable floating top lid with dual zippered...
If you tend to pack lighter and/or go on shorter trips, then 50 liters would be the more suitable alternative.
- Anti-Gravity suspension - feels like you are...
- Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment allows you...
- Adjustable harness and Fit-on-the-Fly hipbelt to...
- Internal hydration reservoir sleeve accommodates...
- Removable floating top lid with dual zippered...
If you're an ultralighter, then Exos is a better choice for you. You can check out my Osprey Exos 48 vs 58 post to decide the volume.
The best alternative to Exos would probably be Levity - its even lighter cousin (lightest in Osprey's entire backpacking backpacks ocean).
- Lightweight 45 liter backpacking pack built for...
- Fixed top lid with zippered pockets for organizing...
- Bellowed front fabric stores rain gear for easy...
- Internal main compartment compression strap and...
- 3.5mm Lightwire internal frame and 3D-tensioned...
I hope this post was helpful for you to learn more about the backpack(s) in your mind.
Feel free to ask me any questions or provide feedback and I'll be happy to respond in the comment section below.
- Osprey Atmos AG 50
- Osprey Atmos AG 65
- Osprey Aura AG 50
- Osprey Aura AG 65
- Osprey Aether AG 60
- Osprey Aether AG 70
- Osprey Aether AG 85
- Osprey Aether PRO 70
- Osprey Ariel AG 55
- Osprey Ariel AG 65
- Osprey Ariel AG 75
- Osprey Ariel PRO 65
- Osprey Kestrel 38
- Osprey Kestrel 48
- Osprey Kyte 36
- Osprey Kyte 46
- Kelty Redwing 50
- Teton Sports Scout 3400
Thank you for reading.
