I think I’m going to pull the trigger on a 40 liter Atom+ Pack
I currently have an MLD Core 28 and a Gossamer Gear Kumo. The latter works well for me but it’s overstuffed when I carry my Bearicade Scout. Also, I’m thinking about going back to a hammock setup from time to time and that is not possible in the Kumo with more than a little bit of food.
I’m very tempted to pick up a Prophet. It’s an excellent size and I love MLD’s shoulder straps and waist belt. The problem is that I didn’t find the Prophet comfortable with a load in excess of 20# and I liked it a lot more at 18#. I think a minimal frame like the inverted U on the Atom+ will give me a couple of extra pounds of carrying capacity due to improved load transfer. I doubt I would ever carry more than 22, maybe 23# in it. I’d like to be able to have the ability to carry 20 or 23# comfortably.
I will probably order the stock model (ships in 3 weeks) but I’m considering a custom version.
Questions:
- Do people like Atom’s shoulder strap pockets? I have only used stretchy shoulder pockets on a LiteAF pack and did not care for them. I usually carry my phone on my left strap using a pocket from Justin’s UL and a small Gatorade bottle for drink mixes in a Zimmerbuilt pocket on my right shoulder. Ordering the Atom+ without shoulder strap pockets requires going with a custom pack (ships in 8 weeks and adds $45 to the price). I’m not excited about the extra wait and expense to delete the shoulder pockets. Maybe the stock pockets are ok with a small Gatorade bottle?
- I’m pretty sure I want the 40 liter size which is supposed to have 35 liters of capacity in the main compartment. That should be enough since I’m comfortable with my Kumo which holds 28 in the main compartment. I’m wondering if anyone has experience with the Atom+ 40 liter and can compare it to other packs for relative size? Comparisons to a Prophet, Burn, Ohm, or Kumo would be particularly helpful because I know those packs well.
- I’m not thrilled about Atom’s move to EPX fabrics. I appreciate that they have a better environmental footprint but I’d rather the durability of Ultra 400/200 or a 210 Gridstop like MLD/ULA uses. If I go with a custom pack and ask really nicely maybe Atom would make me a 210 Extreema pack (they still use it for their harnesses and side pockets and used to make full packs from it). Any thoughts on the EPX fabric? It’s so new… Any thoughts?
- I suppose I’d be interested in suggestions of other packs to look at it if I’m missing something obvious. I don’t want anything that is particularly heavy or has a very structured hipbelt. I’m pretty sure I want a minimal frame.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts people share.
