Atom Packs: The Pulse EP50 Ultralight Backpack Evaluate

Backside Line

We completely examined The Pulse EP50 throughout 500 miles of Rocky Mountain terrain on the Colorado Path. Day after day, we dragged this factor via harsh storms and gale-force winds, and its efficiency by no means faltered.

The Pulse EP50 (additionally obtainable in a 40L model) hits that candy spot in quantity for three-season mountain climbing. It’s gentle sufficient for the dialed-in ultralight backpacker, however sufficiently big for a number of additional luxurious gadgets or an enormous resupply. The EcoPack EPX200 materials is light-weight and waterproof, however the seams should not taped, so the pack isn’t 100% waterproof.

One in all our favourite design options of this pack is the quantity and placement of exterior pockets. The simply reachable pockets scale back the necessity to unshoulder your pack and can help you get in additional miles. The high-quality development and quite a few options pack a number of bang in your buck.

The pack does embody a light-weight body, but it surely doesn’t enhance the load capability as a lot as different frames, and the hip belt is minimally supportive, which might be a draw back for some of us. Take a look at our full information to ultralight packs for extra choices to finest fit your backpacking model.

consolation

Though the Pulse EP50 is a framed pack, it’s most snug when stored beneath its most load capability. Atom Packs recommends carrying not more than 30 kilos with the EP50, however we observed it will get just a little uncomfortable round 25 kilos. 

The minimalist carbon hoop body and semi-narrow hip belt gained’t switch weight to the hips in addition to another packs, so you’ll really feel the load in your shoulders. The pack additionally lacks load lifters that might shift the load nearer to the physique. Nonetheless, we benefit from the extra ergonomic hip belt adjustment, pulling inward as a substitute of outward.

That being stated, the Pulse EP50 performs fantastically within the candy spot of 25 kilos and beneath. We by no means skilled any disagreeable rub from the shoulder straps or the hip belt. The again panel doesn’t present a lot airflow however is tremendous sturdy and dries rapidly.

The sternum strap is partially elastic, permitting the shoulder straps to flex and transfer with you as you bounce down the path. In additional technical terrain, the straps do a wonderful job of protecting the pack in place and tight in opposition to your again to not throw off your stability.

Whereas consolation with heavy masses won’t be this pack’s primary profit, it nonetheless retains up with the perfect and is adequate for many thru-hikers.

Performance

The Atom Packs Pulse EP50 is thoughtfully designed with comfort in thoughts. The pack consists of 1 45-liter inside pocket with a roll-top enclosure and eight exterior pockets, including a further 10 to fifteen liters. 

Different helpful options embody entrance and aspect elastic straps for holding trekking poles and moist gear and an ice axe loop for mountaineering pursuits.

The highest buckle strap’s tail has loads of size to connect a bear canister, and the 5-liter entrance mesh pocket makes a wonderful catch-all pocket for smaller gadgets. On both aspect of the pack are two 2.5-liter, forward-facing aspect pockets with loads of area to suit two 1-liter sensible water bottles every. Our solely gripe is that they might be a tad simpler to succeed in.

The 2 shoulder strap pockets supply final comfort. They maintain a number of snacks so you possibly can preserve mountain climbing whilst you refuel. They’ll even maintain a 750mL Smartwater bottle.

The underside pocket is an modern function we love utilizing for trash or light-weight rain gear. The trash port offers a handy and safe place to stuff away snack wrappers, slicing down on unintentional litter. 

For the ultralighters seeking to shed extra ounces, the hipbelt, carbon body, and closed-cell foam again panel can all be eliminated, reworking the pack right into a frameless, mile-crushing machine. Eradicating all of those elements decreases the general pack weight by 5.5 ounces.

Water Resistance

The Pulse EP50 is made out of Robic Extreema, a really water resistant cloth, but it surely’s not 100% waterproof. The material’s waterproofing is strengthened with an eco-DWR end, however the seams should not taped, creating potential weak spots for water to get in. In our managed water publicity take a look at, nonetheless, we observed solely minor breaching on the underside panel of the pack. 

One other draw back is the dearth of drainage holes within the aspect pockets. We’ve by no means had an actual difficulty with this, but it surely does create the potential for pooling, which might be a priority for folk who prefer to pack electronics of their aspect pockets.

Though the Pulse EP50 is exceptionally waterproof, we suggest pairing it with a pack liner. No waterproof end is everlasting, and though the material beneath is water resistant, the seams might be weak factors over time.

Development

Many ultralight packs sacrifice sturdiness to trim off as many ounces as attainable, however the Pulse EP50 strikes a wonderful stability. 

The primary physique and base are made out of EcoPak EPX200 cloth, and the aspect pockets, shoulder straps, and hipbelt are 210D Robic Extreema. Each supplies pack a considerable quantity of sturdiness in a really light-weight package deal. The again panel, which sees a few of the most contact because it rubs in opposition to your again all day lengthy, is extremely sturdy with 500D textured Nylon. 

One other widespread weak spot of ultralight packs is the mesh pockets, however not on the Pulse EP50. Each the primary entrance pocket and the underside pocket are made out of an all-but-bulletproof Dyneema Mesh. After 500 miles of use, we nonetheless have but to see any indicators of wear and tear on the mesh. The entrance mesh pocket is tighter than some mesh, which makes for a safe maintain on priceless backpacking gadgets, however it might be just a little too cosy for some folks’s preferences. 

The Pulse EP50 is a light-weight (however not loopy light-weight) pack that may absolutely fulfill most ultralighter’s weight targets. Coming in at about 23.8 ounces for a 50-liter capability, this pack has a weight-to-capacity ratio of about 0.5 ounces per liter, which is common for many ultralight packs.

Ought to You Purchase The Pulse EP50 Ultralight Backpack by Atom Packs?

The Atom Packs Pulse EP50 is a well-rounded pack for ultralight thru-hikers, bushwhackers, and light-weight backpackers on their technique to dialing of their ultralight equipment. It has loads of quantity to be suitable with a variety of mountain climbing kinds and is thoughtfully designed for environment friendly mountain climbing and shifting within the backcountry. 

The EP50 packs a ton of worth into a comparatively reasonably priced package deal, not skimping on development high quality or materials and making certain that each function is really sensible and efficient. We reviewed the usual Pulse EP50, however each Atom Pack is totally customizable with various supplies, colours, and options, so you possibly can dial-in absolutely the excellent pack.

Hikers seeking to carry giant masses in winter or on longer journeys would possibly wish to think about a unique pack. The EP50 lacks a sturdy body, huge hip belt, and cargo lifters to assist carry bigger masses.

What Different Ultralight Backpacks Ought to You Think about?

There’s a number of extra ultralight backpacks value contemplating for those who just like the Pulse by Atom Packs. Don’t fear; we examined and reviewed them for you. See our favorites in our information to the perfect ultralight packs.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40 Evaluate: That is one other considered one of our favorites as a result of backside pocket, sturdiness, and superior waterproofness. It additionally has hip belt pockets, and carries weight higher than the Pulse EP50.

Pa’Lante V2 Evaluate: The Pa’Lante V2 shares comparable options with the Pulse EP50, however is a bit smaller in quantity and is totally frameless – good for the seasoned ultralight hiker.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55 Evaluate: So as to add just a little extra quantity with out dropping the simplicity, waterproofness, and sturdiness of the Pulse EP50, try the HMG Southwest 44.