Backpack advice for son please

I have taken my four granddaughters (age 14 – 16) on many trip each using  the KIDS ULA ADJUSTABLE CIRCUIT BACKPACK (35.5oz) on 10 – 13 day trips, carrying 20 – 21 lbs on the trips. The girls had no issues or complaints. I would think an ULA Circuit with weight reduction (use a scale for each item he places in the pack) should be able to fit ALL his needs!

Maybe going through the steps in the REI doc below you can resolve your immediate issues with the Osprey Exos 58,  AND if not, I also suggest heading to a outdoor store that deals in packs with the Osprey Exos 58 to seek out the guidance of a experienced individuals that fit packs to see what can resolve the present issue.

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacks-adjusting-fit.html

Well he’s an average size adult. 40 pounds is too much for the Osprey and certainly any ULA pack will not be comfortable.

40#, well packed, should be fine (aside from the fact that 40# is just to much).

Take him to a shop that knows how to fit that pack, watch and learn.

Even though it’s at it’s “maximum weight”, I doubt a properly fitted Exos would cause welts on his shoulders. Sounds like he grew out of it (perhaps his shoulders are more broad now.)

As Greg said, you could bring him into a shop, and let them see if it can be better fit. If not, let your son decide what he (and his back) prefer. Given where he is right now in his life, a UL pack may not really serve him in the long run.

(Fwiw, my 17y.o. scout uses a vintage 50 ounce Arcteryx pack. While it’s not “UL”, it’s quite durable, and fits him very well.)

My 17 year old is 6′ 2.5″ and 135 pounds. The kid eats non-stop and doesn’t gain weight. I went with a GG Mariposa in Large with a small hip belt for him to get the right torso to waist size so the weight was on the hips instead of shoulders. His base weight is about 14 -16 pounds for 3 season use  and with 5 days of food and consumables comes in under 25 pounds plus water so within the weight range for the pack. The 2 items he has that I would consider expensive are the pack and his Lightheart Gear tent so light(er)weight is not necessarily expensive as long as shopping clearance sales and doing things like using a $6 cook pot with an $18 stove for 2 people works. Could have saved $200 and added 2 or 3 pounds to his weight by going with a cheap tent and still come in under 20 pounds baseweight.

Personally I don’t like the new Mariposa pack compared to my older 2011 version but it works for my older son. For my 6′ 140 pound 14 year old I may go with a ULA Ohm if he keeps getting taller without a significant increase in waist size, to replace his REI Flash 62, which also can be ordered with a large torso and small hip belt to be able to tighten the belt enough for comfortable use.

Both of them know how to take care of their gear even if it is less durable than big box brands.

I have an Osprey 58 that I have used for the last 2 years and wouldn’t carry 40 pounds in it. It’s comfortable at 16 pounds of bulky hammock gear plus 10 pounds of consumables and water but I wouldn’t go over 30 pounds with it.

So a cottage manufactor with more torso to waist size options in conjunction with reducing base and consumable weight.

With Scouts there is usually group gear to split which adds some weight but even that should not add much if it’s well thought out and each buddy pair has a complete lightweight gear kit between them.

A trip with an overloaded pack can sometimes just be what a kid needs to start listening to advice on packing and avoiding duplicate gear. Like taking a canoe trip with lots of portages, next time maybe the Scouts will decide that not everyone needs a water filter, saw, hatchet, stove, cook pot, and large first aid kit.

Torso length is the like culprit, but I don’t know that pack.  Given it’s a mainstream brand there should be experienced fitters near where you live.  Just be careful of the upsell.

40 lb is a lot for anyone, but there are packs that carry this and more.  Seek Outside for one. Traditional external frame packs – if you can find a used one it may be a bargain.  I would look at larger Gregory packs too if you want to stay mainstream.

I would first put more effort into lightening the load.  What does his big 3 weigh?. At 17 he should appreciate the benefits of a lighter weight pack.  Being part of the BSA it surprised me there aren’t others that would have pushed this as he was coming up the ranks.  Frankly it’s his job now to show the younger scouts how it can be done with a lighter pack.  With patrol methods it would be tough to need that much stuff unless you are snow camping, mountaineering or the like.  I’ve probably assumed too much already, so sorry if this sounds preachy.  My son is 15, but was happy to start carrying a Costco down throw for sleeping and an MLD Duomid instead of his REI half dome.  He*s given up larger knives and embraced freezer bag cooking.  YMMV.  SoCal conditions are pretty predictable, but we do carry a lot of water.