Australian Hiker

Rating

Osprey Atmos AG 50L Pack Review

Since 2016 I’ve been progressively trying to minimise the weight I carry when I hike and that includes using a lightweight pack; to this end I’ve been using the Osprey Exos 48 as my main pack. So why then would I want to use the Osprey Atmos AG 50L Pack that weighs in nearly 800 grams heavier?

While the Osprey Atmos AG Pack has been available in Australia for around two years, the AntiGravity (AG) suspension system has made this pack (and it’s female counterpart, the Osprey Aura AG Pack) one of the most sought after packs on the market. It is one I am seeing more and more as a pack choice on the longer trails that we do; here’s why.

Firstly lets talk about the Osprey AntiGravity suspension system (AG). Osprey has taken its already excellent harness system and integrated a webbing mesh that makes it feel like the pack is hugging your whole torso. I used this pack on the Hume and Hovell Track for an extended period and found the AG system very comfortable; it just felt right. The length of the suspension system is adjustable within the given size range which means you can tailor this pack to meet the exact length of your torso.

The hip belt is also well padded and adjustable and includes two very well endowed pockets that I sorely missed on my Exos 48 Pack.

The rest of the harnessing system including the comfortable shoulder straps which in all honesty doesn’t seem to be much more luxurious than my Exos 48 but when combined with the AntiGravity system, the pressure comes off the shoulders on this pack even loaded with 22 kg (which is more than Osprey recommends). For me this was the main reason in wanting to try this pack because at the end of a multi week thru-hike I usually lose so much weight (around 3-4 kg per week and in particular off the upper body) and my pack digs into my shoulders as I lose padding.

The suspension system is also the ‘trampoline style’ that creates an air gap on the back and minimises back sweet on hot or hard days.

Moving to the more traditional aspects of this pack there is the standard top opening like many other packs now being sold and also has a removable Pack Brain. I own a number of packs with a removable Pack Brain and have never removed this handy little feature finding it much too useful.

Down the base of the pack is a separate access point which allows you to access all your bits and pieces from both ends of the pack. For many people this is where the tent will live but for me this is a feature I don’t use as I tend to go overboard on the waterproofing due to the electronics I carry. As such, I use an internal pack liner that blocks off the use this access point.

Like many of the Osprey packs there are a number of standard features including:

• A large stretch pocket on the back which is very useful and for me as its where I store my shelter
• ‘Stow on the go’ trekking pole storage which while this feature works well with the telescoping style of tracking poles but isn’t something I use with my compact folding trekking poles
• Internal hydration reservoir sleeve that accommodates up to a 3 litre reservoir
• Well thought out side pockets that fit water bottles or a number of other pieces of equipment
• Dual ice tool loops
• Removable sleeping pad straps
• A sternum strap with integrated safety whistle.

Colour choice is limited but it does come in Grey, Red and Dark Blue so there is enough choice to suit most people’s needs.

The other difference I noticed with this pack was in the overall dimensions. This pack tends to be bit narrower and taller than the Osprey Exos packs but I actually find this works well and doesn’t interfere with arm movement. Gill noticed when walking behind me that the pack was long rather than wide and even when loaded with enough food to last me eight days, the top of the pack was still below the top of my head. As a hiker that first started out with an external frame pack, I greatly appreciate this aspect as it provides better centre of gravity as well as presenting less of an obstacle when bush bashing.

Price wise at $360AUD this pack is loaded with features and is great value for money – it will last most hikers many years.

For me there are really no great negatives on this pack. If I’m being really picky I would lose the lower access pockets on the main pack and potentially reduce some of the thicker material to lighten the pack weight but that’s just me.

After using the Osprey Atmos AG 50L Pack over 310 km on the Hume and Hovell Track I really came to appreciate all the features on offer. While this pack also comes in a 65 litre size which is the likely choice for many hikers, for me the 50 litre pack (which is the large size has a 53 litre capacity) is more than adequate. It allows me to carry everything I need for an eight day period including all my food. So even though this pack does have an additional weight penalty it’s one I’m happy to accept for the additional comfort on those longer hikes.

With so many packs on the market these days including the large range from Osprey, the Atmos AntiGravity 50 litre Pack (or 65 litre for those wanting more space) is well worth considering.

We like

This pack has lots of features that make this a very versatile choice:

• The AntiGravity suspension system that make this pack feel so good even when fully loaded with 22 kg
• Removable items such as floating lid with top and under-lid zippered pockets
• Plenty of compression strap options to tighten this pack as you want
• Large versatile mesh side pockets
• Removable sleeping pad straps
• Zippered hipbelt pockets so you can conveniently store all your frequently used items such as snacks, phone etc
• Integrated FlapJacket for lidless use to protect your gear from the weather and to further lighten your weight
• Cord tie-off points so you can make sure your gear is secure and handy
• Rear stretch mesh pocket which expands to store lightweight bulky items such as your tent, your rain gear etc
• An ice tool attachment loop – just because your ultralight hiking doesn’t mean you have to leave the essentials behind
• ‘Stow on the go’ trekking pole storage that allows you to store your poles when not in use and keep on walking at the same time

We don't like

This pack has so much on offer the negatives here are me just being a bit picky:

• The internal water bladder pocket means you need to pretty much unpack all equipment to remove and fill up the bladder
• I would love to see more colours in the range
• I wouldn’t mind some of the robust material being paired back to help reduce the weight a tiny bit

Best Uses

Hikers who carry a loads up to around the 22 kg mark and want to do so comfortably from day 1 to week 5

 

Investment

$359.95 AUD

Buy One

You can purchase the Osprey Atmos AG 50L Pack online from Wild Earth or Wildfire Sports

Please note that our affiliations do not influence, in any way, the independence of our gear reviews

If you have used the Osprey Atmos AG 50L Pack or if you have questions, we’d like to hear from you. Post your comment or question below

Other Versions

• Osprey Atmos AG 65L Pack

Osprey Atmos AG 50 litre in red

Osprey Atmos bottom access point

Osprey Atmos top flap. This flap can be used to close up the pack if you don’t want to use the removable Pack Brain

Osprey Atmos Pack Brain which contains two separate compartments

The Pack Brain can be removed if you don’t wish to use it and a simple flat closure is built in as an alternative

Atmos waist belt pocket – so big you’ll have room for everything

Internal water bladder pouch will comfortably hold a 3 litre bladder

Hydration point that allows the drinking tube to access the internal bladder pocket

Side pocket

Stretch pocket at the back of the pack

Hip belt adjustment that allows the user to customise the belt length

Top section of trekking pole stow on the go system. I have used this system in the past to store my trekking poles

Rear adjustment that allows the user to adjust the length of the pack suspension to suit the user (within the chosen size)

AntiGravity suspension hugs the body and spreads the pack weight making this a very comfortable pack

Tim and pack on the Hume and Hovell Track

Disclaimer

This review was done with product supplied by the Australian Importer of Osprey Packs

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