Osprey Atmos AG 65 Backpack Overview

Backside Line

The Osprey Atmos is known, delivering one of the vital snug and feature-rich pack experiences you’ll discover backpacking. We nonetheless assume it’s a terrific pack, nevertheless it’s overkill for some backpackers, particularly in contrast with lighter choices that also carry out nicely.

If somebody has a chronically sweaty again, the unbelievable air flow of the suspended mesh again panel and hip belt has no equal. We cherished how the pack match us and located the consolation glorious. All of that {hardware} does imply it’s a bit tricker to get on and off in comparison with extra forgiving packs. One other distinctive function is the flexibility to alter the torso size whilst you’re carrying it to essentially dial in a match. Add on tons of zippers, pockets, and a very good body, and also you’re left with a pack that actually delivers.

Nevertheless, all of that backpack goodness does begin to really feel a bit a lot at a sure level – particularly after we discovered we had been happier with easier backpacks that had been lighter and cheaper. We nonetheless assume this can be a nice pack, and for the proper individual, it’s going to be a dream come true. However we additionally advocate contemplating another choices earlier than selecting one of many heaviest and costliest fashions in our full backpacks information.

How We Examined

We took the Atmos on native trails in Minnesota throughout preliminary testing after we refreshed our complete backpack lineup.

Consolation

Few backpacks have pretty much as good of a status as Osprey’s legendary Atmos. Sporting just about each function below the solar, Osprey is decided to make carrying a backpack as snug as doable. 

For essentially the most half it delivers. The spotlight of the pack is the suspended mesh again panel, which affords glorious airflow and help for heavy hundreds. This mesh extends into the hip belt as nicely, being one of many few backpacks to attempt to alleviate the sweat issues which can be widespread amongst most backpack designs. All of that ties right into a remarkably strong and stable feeling body that ought to hold the consolation expertise constant.

Nonetheless the Atmos’s most rated load is a bit odd contemplating the pack’s weight. It boasts a 40 pound restrict, which is barely 5 kilos greater than a lot lighter packs. For our testing, we loaded it up with 30 kilos to match its consolation to different packs on this class. As anticipated, the Atmos dealt with this weight nicely. We discovered that the hipbelt did a terrific job carrying the load, with glorious load switch throughout your entire again area as nicely. We did discover the expertise a bit “stiff” in some methods. The strong hip belt and again panel actually lock you into place. That is largely good but additionally gave our tester the impression he was tied right into a system. 

This additionally interprets to a relatively cumbersome on-off expertise. For the reason that hip belt is so stiff, it’s essential to get your hips lined as much as get into place. It will trouble some folks and be a non-issue to others. Nevertheless, it’s value mentioning right here that each one this consolation comes at a little bit of a price.

Options

The Atmos sits almost in a category of its personal for what number of options it manages to cram into its body. A few of the most notable ones apply to consolation. Specifically, the Atmos permits customers to regulate their torso size on the fly as they’re carrying the pack. It is a distinctive function that may be a little difficult to tug off for the reason that straps are slightly brief, however when it really works it really works nicely. 

As well as, each the hip belt and the shoulder straps embody extension items, so you possibly can add or take away sections of help on every space. In observe these options sound actually fantastic, however most customers will find yourself setting them at their most popular limits after which not touching them once more. The exception to that is if over the course of an extended through hike your physique form adjustments – during which case, the adjustable hip and chest strap system can be very good.

We’re additionally an enormous fan of the way in which that Osprey does water bottle pockets. That includes a vertical opening with a pull loop, we discovered we might match each a sensible water bottle and a bigger one liter Nalgene into them with out situation. The fast trekking pole storage system can be a favourite function of ours, permitting us to retailer our trekking poles rapidly to have a hands-free second on path. That being mentioned, we’re capable of replicate it on different packs, so it’s not a function that will make us particularly purchase the Atmos.

The listing of options go on – and we’ve to credit score Osprey for executing all of them nicely. Each the aspect inner entry zippers and the aspect pocket zippers are low profile and work easily. The inner entry zipper is sort of nicely hidden however permits for almost your entire aspect to be opened up. We preferred the twin ice axe attachment system as a result of it has a very good shock wire toggle mechanism to maintain the deal with in place. For those who’re on the lookout for a pack that has the kitchen sink, the Atmos just isn’t going to disappoint.

Sturdiness

As one of many heavier backpacks in Ospreys lineup, sturdiness is a precedence right here. Fabricated from thick 210D and 500D nylon, the Atmos impressed us with its general construct high quality. It shouldn’t come as that large of a shock – Osprey makes among the finest backpacks round. Even so, we discovered it to be improbable. It is a pack that we’d confidently tackle a path with bushwacking and rock scrambling with out fear or lend to a good friend figuring out they gained’t injury it.

The restricted use of mesh helps right here. Earlier variations of this pack used mesh extra liberally on the again stretch pocket, so we had been happy to see that Osprey changed a few of that with stable face material. The one different place we see mesh getting used are on the aspect bottle pockets. Although we would desire to see stable material right here for improved sturdiness, it’s a minimum of thicker and extra strong mesh than what most producers use. 

Within the background to this complete sturdiness dialogue is the truth that Osprey has a superb guarantee. Any injury to the pack is roofed. It’s nice to see an organization deal with its customers and stand by their merchandise, fixing gear and getting it again out into the world as a substitute of forcing folks to purchase new stuff. 

Osprey’s consideration to sustainability can be value noting. The primary physique material of the Atmos makes use of recycled, Bluesign-approved materials, and the DWR remedy is PFC/PFAS free.

Ease of Use

This isn’t the best pack to make use of, merely due to the daunting quantity of options it affords. That being mentioned, every part of it does work nicely. It’s actually simply the multitude of choices right here that turns into barely overwhelming in comparison with extra easy backpacks. 

For a lot of packs, the most important stumbling block is water bottle entry. Fortunately, Osprey has lengthy used vertical water bottle entry factors, so we’re completely satisfied to see them within the Atmos. We had been capable of get our water bottles out with out a lot bother. Though, we’ll be aware that taller 1 liter sensible water bottles are probably lengthy sufficient to intrude together with your elbow place. 

The remainder of the backpack works nicely. All of the zippers are easy and simple to make use of, the clips are prime quality and sturdy, and even the multitude of consolation changes had been easy as soon as we understood what all of them did.

Ought to You Purchase the Osprey Atmos AG Backpack?

For those who’re somebody who needs each function below the solar, you then’ve in all probability heard of the legendary Atmos. We are able to affirm that it is a wonderful pack with glorious consolation, options, and sturdiness. That being mentioned, many backpackers merely don’t want the extent of options that this pack offers. As well as, this pack is heavy however doesn’t carry far more weight than a lot lighter backpacks. This doesn’t make it a nasty product, however potential patrons ought to know what they’re getting and what they’re paying further for. Our gear analyst prefers lighter packs. Nevertheless, backpackers who worth consolation and sturdiness over weight financial savings ought to undoubtedly think about the Osprey Atmos AG 65.

What Different Backpacking Packs Ought to You Take into account?

To see backpacks that may haul extra gear or trim down the load, take a look at our full Backpacking Backpack Gear Information.

Gregory Paragon 58 Overview – For many individuals, we predict that the Paragon affords a greater stability of options, worth, and weight than the Atmos. Each of those packs are nice, however for the value and weight, we predict that the Paragon is a wiser selection.

Osprey Exos 58 Overview – For those who preferred the general really feel of the Atmos however thought that it was slightly overbuilt, the Exos is perhaps precisely what you’re on the lookout for. It’s a extra stripped down and light-weight Osprey backpack. 

REI Flash 55 Overview –  If the value tag of the Atmos is a shock, the Flash is a backpack that may evolve out of your very first weekend journey all the way in which to a multi-month through hike.