Osprey Atmos AG 65 Backpack Overview

Backside Line

The Osprey Atmos is famous, delivering one of the crucial comfy 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 effectively.

If somebody has a chronically sweaty again, the unbelievable air flow of the suspended mesh again panel and hip belt has no equal. We beloved how the pack match us and located the consolation wonderful. 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 characteristic is the flexibility to alter the torso size when you’re carrying it to essentially dial in a match. Add on tons of zippers, pockets, and a superb body, and also you’re left with a pack that actually delivers.

Nonetheless, all of that backpack goodness does begin to really feel a bit a lot at a sure level – particularly after we discovered we have been happier with less complicated backpacks that have been lighter and cheaper. We nonetheless assume it is a nice pack, and for the precise particular person, it’s going to be a dream come true. However we additionally suggest contemplating another choices earlier than choosing one of many heaviest and most costly 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 whole backpack lineup.

Consolation

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

For essentially the most half it delivers. The spotlight of the pack is the suspended mesh again panel, which provides wonderful airflow and help for heavy masses. This mesh extends into the hip belt as effectively, being one of many few backpacks to try to alleviate the sweat issues which can be widespread amongst most backpack designs. All of that ties right into a remarkably strong and strong feeling body that ought to maintain 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 simply 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 effectively. We discovered that the hipbelt did a terrific job carrying the load, with wonderful load switch throughout your entire again area as effectively. 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 good to get your hips lined as much as get into place. It will trouble some individuals and be a non-issue to others. Nonetheless, it’s value mentioning right here that every one this consolation comes at a little bit of a price.

Options

The Atmos sits practically in a category of its personal for what number of options it manages to cram into its body. A number 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 characteristic that may be a little difficult to tug off for the reason that straps are a bit brief, however when it really works it really works effectively. 

As well as, each the hip belt and the shoulder straps embody extension items, so you may 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 well-liked 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 – through which case, the adjustable hip and chest strap system can be very good.

We’re additionally an enormous fan of the best way 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 short trekking pole storage system can be a favourite characteristic of ours, permitting us to retailer our trekking poles shortly to have a hands-free second on path. That being stated, we’re in a position to replicate it on different packs, so it’s not a characteristic that might make us particularly purchase the Atmos.

The record of options go on – and we’ve to credit score Osprey for executing all of them effectively. Each the facet inside entry zippers and the facet pocket zippers are low profile and work easily. The interior entry zipper is kind of effectively hidden however permits for practically your entire facet to be opened up. We preferred the twin ice axe attachment system as a result of it has a superb shock wire toggle mechanism to maintain the deal with in place. When you’re on the lookout for a pack that has the kitchen sink, the Atmos will not be going to disappoint.

Sturdiness

As one of many heavier backpacks in Ospreys lineup, sturdiness is a precedence right here. Made from thick 210D and 500D nylon, the Atmos impressed us with its general construct high quality. It shouldn’t come as that massive of a shock – Osprey makes a number of the finest backpacks round. Even so, we discovered it to be implausible. It is a pack that we’d confidently tackle a path with bushwacking and rock scrambling with out fear or lend to a pal understanding they received’t harm 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 have been happy to see that Osprey changed a few of that with strong face material. The one different place we see mesh getting used are on the facet bottle pockets. Although we’d choose to see strong material right here for improved sturdiness, it’s at the least 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 harm 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 an alternative of forcing individuals 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 therapy 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 provides. That being stated, every part of it does work effectively. 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 largest stumbling block is water bottle entry. Fortunately, Osprey has lengthy used vertical water bottle entry factors, so we’re glad to see them within the Atmos. We have been in a position to get our water bottles out with out a lot hassle. Though, we are going to observe that taller 1 liter good water bottles are doubtlessly lengthy sufficient to intervene together with your elbow place. 

The remainder of the backpack works effectively. 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 have been easy as soon as we understood what all of them did.

Ought to You Purchase the Osprey Atmos AG Backpack?

When you’re somebody who needs each characteristic below the solar, then you definitely’ve most likely heard of the legendary Atmos. We are able to affirm that it is a wonderful pack with wonderful consolation, options, and sturdiness. That being stated, many backpackers merely don’t want the extent of options that this pack gives. As well as, this pack is heavy however doesn’t carry way more weight than a lot lighter backpacks. This doesn’t make it a foul product, however potential patrons ought to know what they’re getting and what they’re paying further for. Our gear analyst prefers lighter packs. Nonetheless, backpackers who worth consolation and sturdiness over weight financial savings ought to positively contemplate the Osprey Atmos AG 65.

What Different Backpacking Packs Ought to You Think about?

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 expect that the Paragon provides a greater steadiness of options, value, and weight than the Atmos. Each of those packs are nice, however for the value and weight, we expect that the Paragon is a wiser alternative.

Osprey Exos 58 Overview – When you preferred the general really feel of the Atmos however thought that it was a bit overbuilt, the Exos is likely to be 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 best way to a multi-month through hike.