That is an in-depth evaluation of the Osprey Exos Professional 55L Via-Mountain climbing Backpack 2023. That is the most recent improve to the highly regarded Exos collection of backpacks from Osprey. It’s now lighter than ever and nonetheless probably the most snug thru-hiking backpack in the marketplace.
In case you are on the lookout for an ultralight backpack that’s nonetheless very snug and has house for an inner hydration pack, and sufficient room within the facet pockets to hold a 4L water bladder on all sides then there may be nothing else on the market that’s higher.
I just lately took the brand new Osprey Exos Professional 55L backpack out to check it and was very impressed. I’ve extensively used and examined the older Osprey Exos fashions having used them on a mixture of 4 thru-hikes totaling greater than 10000 miles. And this new mannequin has the identical stage of high quality however is lighter.
The Osprey Exos Professional 55L just lately took out the award for probably the most snug thru-hiking backpack within the evaluation of the greatest ultralight backpacks in the marketplace in 2023.
Preserve studying to seek out out extra in regards to the Osprey Exos Professional 55L Via-Mountain climbing Backpack.
In-Depth Evaluation of Osprey Exos Professional 55L Backpack 2023
Weight: 33.2 oz / 942 g (S/M dimension) Professionals: > Ultralight > Giant capability 55L > Nice for thru-hiking > Giant facet pockets > Bearvault 500 matches horizontally which makes this completely suited to locations such because the JMT and PCT. Cons: > Not waterproof, wants a pack cowl or inner pack liner > The detachable lid is just additional weight and never that useful for many ultralight hikers
The Osprey Exos and Osprey Eja backpacks have been a number of the hottest light-weight backpacks in the marketplace for a few years. The newly launched Exos Professional and Eja Professional are lighter in weight, simply as useful, and are simply probably the most snug light-weight backpacks in the marketplace in 2023.
I’ve used the common Exos for greater than 10000 miles / 16000 km of mountaineering and backpacking all over the world and the brand new Osprey Exos Professional is all the things that the outdated mannequin was however in a lighter weight and with a few helpful upgrades.
I like the brand new silicon part on the again of the hipbelt which retains the pack locked in place higher than earlier than. The continued use of hipbelt pockets after eradicating them a number of years again is nice. They’re large enough for many giant smartphones, snacks, and extra.
The Osprey Exos Professional is without doubt one of the few light-weight backpacks that also supply a hydration sleeve on your hydration bladder which I like. And the facet pockets are nonetheless the very best in school for storage and accessibility. Whereas some backpacks want the hiker to be double jointed to entry a water bottle when mountaineering, the Osprey Exos Professional makes it very simple with the twin entry facet pocket. I ponder why different producers haven’t tried to repeat or emulate this superior design! It’s the greatest on the market for the time being.
The outer material is lighter than earlier fashions and constructed from recycled supplies. You’ll nonetheless want a water-proof backpack cowl or inner pack liner to maintain issues dry when the climate turns nasty because the pack is just waterproof. To maintain issues dry and accessible there may be the detachable lid which I’m not a fan of. Throughout testing, I eliminated it and located the backpack works properly by simply utilizing the small lid flap to maintain the backpack closed and dry.
The ventilated body does an incredible job and permitting air circulation round your again. And the adjustable shoulder straps, load lifters, and comfy harness all mix to make this an excellent snug backpack. If it is necessary so that you can have a light-weight backpack that could be very snug, then look no additional that is the very best one on the market. Certain, different packs are lighter, and others are extra snug, however this gives the very best stability of consolation and weight. I’m positive this shall be a highly regarded thru-hiking backpack.
General, the Osprey Exos Professional is probably the most snug light-weight backpack in the marketplace for 2023. Preserve studying to study each little element about this backpack.
Body
The Osprey Exos Professional 55L is without doubt one of the few ultralight packs which have a ventilated body design. The body has a sturdy mesh panel that enables air to flow into between your again and the backpack. The body is supported by steel poles alongside the facet of the pack and throughout the highest and backside of the pack.
After I examined this pack in scorching circumstances, I discovered the air flow to work fairly properly, particularly when there was a little bit of wind to maintain the air circulating. Not like another packs that function a ventilated again system, the principle physique of the pack is way sufficient away so {that a} poorly packed backpack doesn’t lead to objects poking you within the again similar to cook dinner pots and stoves. Throughout testing, I attempted to pack the backpack as poorly as potential to attempt to get the sharp objects on my again and however the design of the backpack prevented this from occurring. Effectively achieved Osprey on this small however essential function.
General, the Osprey Exos Professional body is an enchancment over earlier fashions they usually managed to do all this and hold the load down. I ponder what a carbon fiber body and using Extremely Cloth would appear to be on this backpack!
Harness
The shoulder straps on the Osprey Exos Professional Backpack are mild, breathable, and dare I exploit the phrase once more, snug. The harness might be adjusted up or all the way down to make it longer or shorter in again size. In addition to having a sternum strap and cargo lifters.
The harness comes with a few additional particulars that come in useful. There’s a breathable panel on the high of the shoulder straps to permit air from round these notoriously sweaty sections of the physique. Talking of breathable, the again panel is a high quality mesh materials that enables air to flow into across the again. All that is held type by steel body stays that additionally type a part of the adjustable shoulder straps mechanism.
There aren’t any shoulder pockets or water bladder hose clips on the shoulder straps which might be a pleasant addition, however as it is a minimalist backpack it is sensible to not load up the options an excessive amount of.
There may be not a lot to be important of, apart from the dearth of shoulder strap pockets or water bladder hose clip. The entire harness and shoulder strap system work in concord collectively.
Hip Belt
The hip belt is snug and works as it’s purported to. There may be sufficient padding to maintain issues pain-free and the addition of a silicone pad on the rear serves to help with preserving the hipbelt and pack in place relatively than permitting it to slide round when mountaineering.
There are pockets on either side which might be large enough for smartphones, snacks, lip balm, and so forth. One of many pockets comes with a zipper and the opposite has a flap to maintain issues in place. Backpacks with hip belt pockets will all the time rating properly as a desired function when in search of out a backpack.
The Hip Belt pockets are giant sufficient for large-sized smartphones
Weight
The Osprey Exos Professional 55L is the lightest backpack in the marketplace that could be very snug to put on. Weighing underneath the metric one-kilogram and across the two-pound mark makes them very mild. However what’s spectacular is that the consolation of the backpack truly appears to make it really feel lighter than it truly is. Undecided what sort of phantasm is happening right here however when you strive it on for your self you’ll know what I imply.
And they are often made even lighter than the official specs by eradicating the highest lid. By doing so it can save you a few ounces.
Weight Specs:
Exos Professional 55L – 33.2 oz / 942 grams (S/M)
Exos Professional 58L – 34.6 oz / 982 grams (L/XL)
Carrying Capability and Dimension
The Osprey Exos Professional is just out there within the 55L dimension for the time being. There is no such thing as a phrase from Osprey to verify if some other sizes shall be made out there sooner or later, however I believe they’ll have a look at increasing the dimensions vary in some unspecified time in the future.
The dimensions shall be good for thru-hikers and anybody who has trimmed their backpacking gear listing to incorporate light-weight and compact gear. Meaning most individuals could have no concern carrying a number of liters of water and sufficient meals for a few days of backpacking. If you wish to carry extra gear there may be room within the exterior rear pocket, and there are webbing loops to clip additional gear if wanted. If you end up carrying excessively heavy masses and having to strap issues to the skin of the pack, then perhaps think about one other backpack that’s bigger and heavier on your wants. Nonetheless, it’s good to know that it’s there if wanted.
The 55L Exos Professional will match a standard-sized bear canister horizontally contained in the pack. So if you end up on the Pacific Crest Path or John Muir Path then this pack shall be possibility for you.
Materials and Sturdiness
The brand new Osprey Exos Professional makes use of an upgraded light-weight material referred to as Nanonfly. It’s 100 denier and relatively mild and tender to the contact. Excessive-wear areas use a heavier 200 denier material, and there may be mesh on the facet pockets and elements of the rear pocket. And I ought to point out there are 2 Ice Axe Loops must you want them.
The Osprey Exos Professional is mild and sturdy
Water Resistance
The Osprey Exos Professional 55L is waterproof, and identical to the common Exos and the older mannequin the Levity, it’s fairly good at preserving the water out. However it is suggested that you simply use a backpack cowl or waterproof inner stuff sack on your gear. The material is coated with a DWR end however don’t count on it to final very lengthy as the damage and tear of use will trigger it to put on off fairly shortly.
Sizes and Match
The Osprey Exos Professional 55L is out there in 2 back-length sizes, specifically a Brief to Medium torso size of between 17-21 inches / 43-51 cm, and a Giant to Further Giant which is for lengths between 19-23 inches / 48-58 cm.
I examined the small-medium dimension and located it to suit completely and have stage of adjustment.
Osprey Exos Professional 55L is available in two sizes and could be very adjustable
Carrying Water and Facet pockets
The facet pockets on the Osprey Exos Professional are the very best of any ultralight backpack.
When testing the backpack I used to be in a position to carry a 4L water bladder in every pocket, which is 8L in whole. Whereas most individuals would by no means think about doing this, it’s good to know the chances. For regular use, I used to be in a position to match a complete of 4x1L smartwater bottles, a mountaineering umbrella, tent poles, and trekking poles into the 2 facet pockets with ease. Solely the brand new Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L was in a position to come shut, however it lacked the convenience of entry of the Exos Professional. If desert mountaineering you’ll love these pockets. Via-Hikers on the Pacific Crest Path will particularly love this function.
The Osprey Exos Professional has a hydration bladder sleeve inside the principle physique of the backpack. The sleeve incorporates a loop that you need to use to hold your bladder. It additionally incorporates a clip that can work with Ospreys’ personal model of water bladder. The exit port is on the high of the sleeve and permits you to select if you would like the hydration hose to be on the left or proper. A cool enchancment may very well be a hydration hose clip however perhaps that’s asking an excessive amount of.
General, the facet pockets work properly for water carrying and the rest you may need to carry within the facet pockets. They merely work higher than the rest in the marketplace at this weight restrict.
Giant capability twin entry facet pockets and inner hydration sleeve means nice carrying capability, pictured right here carrying a 4L water bladder and consuming from an inner 2L hydration bladder.
Osprey Exos Professional Backpack vs The Relaxation
The Osprey Exos Professional 55L is probably the most snug ultralight backpack in the marketplace in 2023. In comparison with the opposite light-weight packs from Zpacks, Hyperlite Mountain Gear, and extra this pack gives noticeably extra consolation. This additional consolation comes at the price of weight as it’s heavier and it lacks the waterproofness of packs made with Dyneema.
Wish to know extra, learn the complete in-depth comparability evaluation of the Finest Backpacks 2023.
Worth
The Osprey Exos Professional 55L is available in at a really affordable value in comparison with the competitors within the ultralight backpack vary. There are cheaper choices on the market however not many shall be as light-weight as this and in a position to carry as much as 40 lb in weight. Though I’d advocate that you simply hold your pack base weight under that.
Conclusion
The Osprey Exos Professional is an ultralight backpack that’s the good mixture of sturdiness, light-weight, and comfy. There may be merely no different pack in the marketplace that’s as light-weight and comfy. If these are qualities that you simply worth in a backpack then this would be the good alternative for you.
General, that is probably the most snug ultralight backpack. Should you select to get one make sure you attempt to hold your base weight of lower than 13 lb / 6 kg, and make sure you carry lower than 40 lb / 18 kg in whole to maintain this pack tremendous snug. If are ready to do that, then the pack shall be good for you.
Often Requested Questions
Is the brand new Osprey Exos Professional backpack any good?
The Osprey Exos Professional is the most recent ultralight thru-hiking backpack from well-known backpack model Osprey. Not solely is it very mild however it’s sturdy and really snug.
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The writer, Brad McCartney from BikeHikeSafari is a small impartial adventurer and out of doors gear tester who owns and runs BikeHikeSafari.com.
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The writer, Brad McCartney is a really skilled triple crown thru-hiker, adventurer, and bike tourer having spent 1000s of nights sleeping in a tent and sleeping bag (Learn extra). He was a supervisor of an outside retail retailer and could be very skilled in what’s essential when utilizing and testing gear for critiques like this.
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