Osprey Exos 58 Backpack Evaluate

Backside Line

With a superb steadiness between light-weight consolation and options, the Exos 58 continues its reign as some of the common packs on path. In comparison with extra conventional packs, the Exos strips down just a few options to realize a lighter weight. Nonetheless, it retains many key choices that ought to attraction to traditionalists, too. We beloved the trekking pole fast attachment system, the comfy hip belt pockets, and particularly the trampoline mesh again panel, which saved our again cool and cozy throughout testing.

In comparison with different backpacking backpacks, the Exos is about common in worth and sturdiness. Bolstering each metrics is the superb Osprey guarantee, which supplies backpackers much more peace of thoughts. Ultimately, the Exos is a little bit of a jack of all trades, interesting each to traditionalists and backpackers inquisitive about lightening their pack weight. We expect it’s a superb possibility for through hikers who like its characteristic set and weekend warriors who need one thing decently light-weight that can ship a top quality expertise.

How We Examined

We examined the Exos throughout our refresh of all backpacking backpacks, conducting preliminary testing on native trails within the midwest throughout winter. We’ll replace this evaluation with extra three season circumstances as testing progresses.

Consolation

As some of the common backpacks on any path, the Osprey Exos will need to have one thing particular going for it within the consolation class. We will affirm that this can be a tremendous comfy pack. Quite a lot of the magic right here is Osprey’s suspended mesh again panel, generally known as a “trampoline” again. For a lot of the again space, the one half that’s involved along with your physique is that this mesh part, which promotes wonderful airflow and luxury. The draw back is that it does push the pack farther away out of your physique. This makes the general pack really feel barely heavier than if it had been cosy in opposition to your physique. For most individuals, this tradeoff will likely be price it to cut back a sweaty again.

Placing the pack on with 30 kilos of weight makes it clear this pack has invested in consolation. The suspended mesh panel does a terrific job hugging the physique and maintaining issues comfy. Like a whole lot of Osprey packs, the strong hip belt offers a way of safety when scrambling over rocks or uneven terrain.

One factor we’ll be aware from our expertise with earlier variations of the Exos is gluteal consolation. The body extends near the highest of the glute muscle, and over repeated days of carrying the pack, we observed persistent ache start to develop on the prime of those muscle groups from contact with the body. Your physique adjustments over the course of a hike, ft swell, and muscle groups can as nicely. Our glute finally started to contact the body an increasing number of as the times went on. We had a second particular person with this similar challenge after further days of testing. 

Word that this isn’t a particular challenge with the Exos, it’s a call-out that when becoming backpacks, bear in mind that any a part of your physique that comes near contact with the body could be a possible ache level. Different folks utilizing the Exos don’t report this challenge. It’s only a reminder that everybody’s physique is totally different and a pack is a really private consolation alternative.

Options

With a lighter weight than many conventional packs, the Exos makes just a few sacrifices in options. Nonetheless, it manages to cram in a formidable quantity. Making a triumphant return is the presence of hipbelt pockets, which the second era of this pack had eliminated. We’re glad to see them again and higher than ever – with clean zippers, sturdy face cloth (versus mesh, and an honest dimension. We usually maintain our cellphone, sunscreen, earbuds case, and snacks in our pockets for fast use all through the day and located these to carry all the things we want simply. They’re not the most important we’ve seen however large enough that we’re not complaining. 

One other characteristic we love is the built-in trekking pole fast attachment system on the left shoulder strap. It’s a system ok that we emulate it on different packs utilizing some shock wire. Once we’re crushing miles however want a snack, utilizing this technique frees our palms to open a package deal of pop tarts. The twin opening water bottle pockets are additionally a favourite characteristic on the Exos. This second vertical opening on the water bottle pocket permits for simpler entry to water bottles.

Sturdiness

Using 100D nylon for a lot of the luggage development and 400D for areas with reinforcement, the Exos is solidly within the center in the case of sturdiness. In comparison with beefier packs sporting thicker materials, the Exos received’t maintain up as nicely to tough therapy, but it surely ought to final a complete through hike with correct care. The weak factors on this pack have traditionally been the material edges across the body (which obtain a whole lot of abrasion) and the mesh. Swapping to strong cloth for the hipbelt pockets will do so much to cut back the mesh weak level, leaving the again and water bottle pockets as the one different locations to make use of mesh.

Sturdiness is partly helped by Osprey’s wonderful lifetime guarantee on all of their packs. They’ve been identified to ship new packs to through hikers on lengthy trails who expertise put on and tear that hinders the usability of the packs. That’s a part of Osprey’s reputation with backpackers. We additionally need to give a shout out to Osprey’s efforts in direction of sustainability right here. The primary physique cloth is Bluesign-approved and constituted of recycled materials. Additionally, the DWR therapy is PFC/PFAS free. We’d prefer to see enhancements right here to all Bluesign-approved cloth, but it surely’s nonetheless progress we need to commend.

Ease of Use

The Exos follows Osprey’s conventional, trail-tested backpacking format: a big prime mind with inside and out of doors pockets masking a drawstring into the principle compartment. The compression straps on the surface and a reverse pull hip belt cinch are simpler to tighten than a typical buckle system. Every little thing works nicely right here. It’s a system that hasn’t been modified a lot for the reason that authentic Exos debuted.

What we like most is the benefit of entry to the water bottles and that nice trekking pole attachment system. For individuals who want a drawstring to a roll-top opening, the Exos system is straightforward to make use of and quick. We additionally respect the big mesh again pocket, which is useful for stashing our quick-access gadgets. We regularly use such a pocket for storing our puffy jacket on chilly mornings after we heat up sufficient to take it off.

Ought to You Purchase the Osprey Exos 58 Backpack?

For a pack with as broad reputation because the Exos, it’s clearly doing one thing proper. It is a nice pack for many individuals – a type of packs that manages to drag off being a jack of all trades in some methods. It’s light-weight sufficient to attraction to folks involved about weight but additionally characteristic wealthy to attraction to conventional backpackers as nicely. Osprey’s wonderful development and guarantee sweeten the deal, and all that’s left is the affordable worth to make issues even higher. This isn’t a finances backpack, but it surely’s additionally not as costly as a extra conventional pack, falling nearly common within the general class.

In case you’re a through hiker not able to make the leap to an ultralight pack however nonetheless need one thing fairly light-weight, this can be a good selection. Regardless of the domination of ultralight packs on lengthy through mountain climbing trails, there’s a cause the Exos nonetheless ranks up there in reputation. Moreover, weekend warriors can even love this pack for its considerate steadiness of options and weight that can make occasional adventures simpler.

What Different Backpacking Packs Ought to You Contemplate?

Learn our full information to Backpacking Backpacks in the event you’re searching for one thing totally different from the Osprey Exos.

Osprey Eja – The ladies’s model of the Exos is functionally equivalent however has totally different colour choices and options torso sizing right down to 13in slightly than the 17in minimal of the Exos.

REI Flash 55 Evaluate – For a similar weight, the Flash manages to undercut the Exos considerably in worth whereas delivering a largely comparable expertise. 

Gregory Paragon Evaluate – For a rise in weight however not worth, the Paragon provides a barely extra comfy expertise and some extra options that general make us want it over the Exos. 

ULA Circuit Evaluate – The Exos is common with through hikers, however the ULA Circuit runs circles round it for thru-hiking functions. Not solely is it lighter, but it surely’s way more sturdy and might match a horizontal BV500 internally with ease.