Osprey Exos 58 Backpack Evaluation

Backside Line

With steadiness between light-weight consolation and options, the Exos 58 continues its reign as one of the vital in style packs on path. In comparison with extra conventional packs, the Exos strips down a number of options to realize a lighter weight. Nonetheless, it retains many key choices that ought to attraction to traditionalists, too. We cherished 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. In the long run, the Exos is a little bit of a jack of all trades, interesting each to traditionalists and backpackers focused on lightening their pack weight. We predict it’s choice for via hikers who like its function set and weekend warriors who need one thing decently light-weight that may 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 overview with extra three season situations as testing progresses.

Consolation

As one of the vital in style backpacks on any path, the Osprey Exos should have one thing particular going for it within the consolation class. We are able to verify that this can be a tremendous comfy pack. Quite a lot of the magic right here is Osprey’s suspended mesh again panel, typically known as a “trampoline” again. For many of the again space, the one half that’s in touch together 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 towards your physique. For most individuals, this tradeoff can be price it to scale 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 an amazing job hugging the physique and protecting issues comfy. Like quite a lot of Osprey packs, the strong hip belt offers a way of safety when scrambling over rocks or uneven terrain.

One factor we’ll word 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 seen persistent ache start to develop on the prime of those muscle tissues from contact with the body. Your physique adjustments over the course of a hike, ft swell, and muscle tissues can as nicely. Our glute ultimately started to contact the body an increasing number of as the times went on. We had a second individual with this identical situation after further days of testing. 

Observe that this isn’t a selected situation with the Exos, it’s a call-out that when becoming backpacks, remember that any a part of your physique that comes near contact with the body may be a possible ache level. Different folks utilizing the Exos don’t report this situation. 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 a number of sacrifices in options. Nonetheless, it manages to cram in a powerful 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 material (versus mesh, and a good measurement. We typically hold our telephone, sunscreen, earbuds case, and snacks in our pockets for fast use all through the day and located these to carry all the pieces we want simply. They’re not the most important we’ve seen however large enough that we’re not complaining. 

One other function 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. After we’re crushing miles however want a snack, utilizing this method frees our palms to open a package deal of pop tarts. The twin opening water bottle pockets are additionally a favourite function on the Exos. This second vertical opening on the water bottle pocket permits for simpler entry to water bottles.

Sturdiness

Using 100D nylon for many of the baggage building and 400D for areas with reinforcement, the Exos is solidly within the center in terms of sturdiness. In comparison with beefier packs sporting thicker materials, the Exos gained’t maintain up as nicely to tough remedy, however it ought to final a whole via hike with correct care. The weak factors on this pack have traditionally been the material edges across the body (which obtain quite a lot of abrasion) and the mesh. Swapping to strong material for the hipbelt pockets will do loads to scale 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 recognized to ship new packs to via hikers on lengthy trails who expertise put on and tear that hinders the usability of the packs. That’s a part of Osprey’s recognition with backpackers. We additionally wish to give a shout out to Osprey’s efforts in the direction of sustainability right here. The primary physique material is Bluesign-approved and created from recycled materials. Additionally, the DWR remedy is PFC/PFAS free. We’d wish to see enhancements right here to all Bluesign-approved material, however it’s nonetheless progress we wish 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 skin and a reverse pull hip belt cinch are simpler to tighten than an ordinary buckle system. All the things works nicely right here. It’s a system that hasn’t been modified a lot because the unique Exos debuted.

What we like most is the convenience of entry to the water bottles and that nice trekking pole attachment system. For individuals who desire a drawstring to a roll-top opening, the Exos system is simple to make use of and quick. We additionally recognize the big mesh again pocket, which is useful for stashing our quick-access gadgets. We often use this kind of 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 recognition because the Exos, it’s clearly doing one thing proper. This can be a nice pack for many individuals – a type of packs that manages to tug off being a jack of all trades in some methods. It’s light-weight sufficient to attraction to folks involved about weight but in addition function wealthy to attraction to conventional backpackers as nicely. Osprey’s wonderful building and guarantee sweeten the deal, and all that’s left is the affordable worth to make issues even higher. This isn’t a price range backpack, however it’s additionally not as costly as a extra conventional pack, falling nearly common within the general class.

If you happen to’re a via hiker not able to make the leap to an ultralight pack however nonetheless need one thing moderately light-weight, this can be a sensible choice. Regardless of the domination of ultralight packs on lengthy via mountain climbing trails, there’s a motive the Exos nonetheless ranks up there in recognition. Moreover, weekend warriors can even love this pack for its considerate steadiness of options and weight that may make occasional adventures simpler.

What Different Backpacking Packs Ought to You Contemplate?

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

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

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

ULA Circuit Evaluation – The Exos is in style with via hikers, however the ULA Circuit runs circles round it for thru-hiking functions. Not solely is it lighter, however it’s much more sturdy and may match a horizontal BV500 internally with ease.