I recently bought the Exos 38, and have the older Exos 46 and 58. I don't really disagree with Anton about anything he said, but will throw in my own perspective.
1. I had the same initial impression. Have to play with it some, as the decreased shoulder strap padding length and increased load lifter height give the new models a different fit, but it does ride higher, regardless. Quite noticeable when going from one pack to the other and comparing how they line up with a horizontal seam or rear pocket on my pants. Whether that's good or bad is subjective, I suppose. I can't say I have a particular preference. It rides more like my Mystery Ranch Dragonslayer and Dana Designs Astralplane OK than my other Osprey packs. Not necessarily a bad thing to me
2. I like not having free-hanging straps. No opinion yet on the single strap vs. double on the old models, but the buckle sure is a huge improvement. I don't think the belt will loosen like the previous ones, either.
3. The padding length isn't a problem for me. Another thing that's not an issue for me unless it's true with a very thin top in summer, but anyone who wears this thing with a tank top or shirtless is probably not going to appreciate that open design that has a collection of holes on the underside of the harness and shoulder straps scrubbing them.
4. Agree on the strap, though I like the flap itself. That was poorly thought out, IMO. Makes the top strap useless for anything except compressing the load at the top of the pack, which the flap will do, anyway. I'm already debating cutting that strap out. A removeable buckle to use with the lid removed, attaching to the centered loop above the harness where the lid does, would have made more sense to me. I don't see hauling climbing rope or other heavy stuff with a pack like this, but don't like them having done away with the ability to lash a shelter, pad, etc. there.
5. Agree wholeheartedly. I bought the 38 because I wanted a 34 that had no zippered pockets there, anyway, but those vertical pockets on the 58 are a big deal to me, and I like the single one on my 46, too. I hope they come back with them, or I'll be shopping for a different model pack when it comes time to replace my old 58.
The frame rides further off the back in the middle, and is more open on the sides. This should give some serious ventilation, but it also intrudes more noticeably into the packbag. In the little 38L version, even a 1L Platypus Hoser wrecks the access to the lower part of the bag, and putting a 2L Hoser in there was a bad kind of funny.
Since the pack works for me, and I don't intend to put anything in the bladder pocket, I'm ok with it, but this will not appeal to anyone who prefers to keep a bladder inside the pack.
I'm actually liking my 38 a lot, but I think the new design is going to exclude some people who have particular ways of doing things, and have a less universal appeal, making the Exos series even more of a niche item than being so fit-specific already had before.
