Tried an Exos 48 hated it… What next?

Arc blast 45 or 52L with adjustable torso length.

I’ve used a Circuit for two years. I’ve tried the Exos 48 at REI last spring with ~25# in it and found it quite uncomfortable. I feel like the suspended back forces the pack away from your body throwing off CG.

The materials felt cheesy on the Exos. The shoulder straps are thinner and felt less substantial to me.

ULA Ohm 2.0.  I have that and the circuit, but haven’t used the circuit lately.  I tried some Exos at REI before buying either.  I couldn’t get it to fit, and the REI guys said that was sometimes a problem with that pack.  Nothing I’ve tried at REI was as good as the ULA packs I now own.

I’ve got an Exos 48, and I like it…except when I do need to carry a heavier load, so I’m also interested in alternatives.

For most of my trips, I’d probably stick to the Exos, since it works for me (unless I found something else I fell in love with). Actually, there’s really only one time I felt it pushed the limits, and that was on a week long trip in the Sawooths with my fiancée. She was struggling a bit, so I took most of the food (which, in truth, we overpacked). I’m such a great guy.

So that’s the main reason I’m also looking at an alternative to the Exos: to take on more of the pack mule role so she’s less burdened, so we can cover a bit more ground.

But this isn’t about my next pack. It’s about your next pack. Perhaps if I share my thoughts, though, it might help you, since we’re starting from the same place: we’ve realized the limits of the Exos.

Because I do, in general, like the Exos, the Atmos AG caught my eye. But that’s about two pounds heavier.

The Zpacks Arc Haul interests me, too, and seems to be well liked on BPL and elsewhere. But it seems like a leap of faith. I had two other packs before I settled on the Exos, both purchased form REI. One I returned, one I sold, but I liked the flexibility of REI’s return policy.

Which brings me to my next consideration: the new REI Flash 65.  It weighs in between the Exos and Atmos. But is it any more supportive than the Exos? That, I don’t know.

I’ve got an Exped Lightning 60 and have found it handles heavier loads well. It seems to be a love it or hate it design. Adjustable torso length is nice if you are in between sizes on a lot of standard packs. Mine weighes in at 38oz, mfg specs it at 41oz.

I love my Katabatic Helios.  Favorite pack ever.  FOR ME.

I also hated my exos.

Thanks folks. I tried the Atmos AG and it is night and day vs the Exos in carry comfort from my short demo it was instantly better feeling and obviously heavier. The harness system is much more structured and robust so thats not surprising I suppose. Thanks for the heads up on the Exped they have a dizzying number of pack models I’m amazed that can maintain that kind of inventory, looks like an interesting pack. Re the Katabatic that also looks like a nice pack. I guess I’m a bit gun shy given the generally positive reviews of the Exos I was surprised at how uncomfortable it was… However it is really the only pack in its weight class available for me to actually try on everything else will have to be purchased site unseen… :(

Michael – purchasing a piece of gear as important and expensive as a backpack sight unseen can be disconcerting. However, many of the cottage manufactures have a great return policy if you’re unhappy with the pack, so definitely contact them about their return policy. I can personally attest to the excellent customer service of Gossamer Gear when I bought their 2016 Gorilla.

Like you, I has very hopeful that the Exos would fit well given how much I liked other Osprey packs for traditional backpacking. However, the lack of lower back support (waist belt wings instead of full wrap band), backward-pulling center of gravity and padding on the belt and shoulder straps that did not extent far enough made it feel quite uncomfortably to me, despite it’s nice features, reasonable weight and price and the pack’s popularity.

I ended up trying on and later buying an REI Flash 45, and I was fairly happy with the fit, comfort and load carrying on a few backpack trips. The Flash was the only pack in that weight range and volume that I could find that I could try out first before buying. However, after “taking a chance” on the GG Gorilla sight unseen, I could not be more happy with the pack. While I’ve only had it on one packpack trip so far, the Gorilla is much better all around than the REI Flash 45 for slightly less weight.

I tried on an Exos 48 and also hated it. I currently own an Exped Lightning 60 and Katabatic Gear Artemis 55; I used to own a ULA Circuit some years ago. The Artemis is my go-to pack now. I’ve used it on day-hikes, 7-day trips, water-hauls, etc. Always carries well. I’ve never gone above 40lbs though

In terms of comfort, I would personally rate from least to most: Exos 48, ULA Circuit, Exped Lightning, Katabatic Artemis

If you are okay with the weight of the Atmos AG and like how it carries, then maybe it’s simplest to stick with that. Otherwise, you may have to order some packs online, try them out, and possibly return if you don’t like them. You can find positive and negative reviews of almost every pack

I will join the many that tried on the Exos and didn’t like it. I had purchased an Atmos AG50 and was lightening my load at the same time so looking for a lighter pack. Was sure the Exos would be the perfect compromise but I was wrong. Ordered a GG Gorilla and that’s all she wrote. Love this pack so much. Eat the shipping charges and start ordering some packs .Just return the ones you don’t want within the same credit card billing cycle.

However it is really the only pack in its weight class available for me to actually try on everything else will have to be purchased site unseen… :(

Michael,

Not sure where you are located, but if you are in the Socal area you are welcome to give my Lightning 60 a go to see if it works for you. I picked mine up used on here after reading a lot of reviews on the pack and coming to the conclusion that it would probably work for me. Fortunately it did and I was able to replace an older deuter 65L pack that weighed about 3x as much.

I agree with the idea that you may need to order a couple of packs and then pay the shipping back.

I didn’t try on the Exos but looked at it on the way to an Elemental Horizons Kalais which I really like.  I agree that the other good choice are the Katabatic Packs.  The lightest in this group of packs that can theoretically carry up to 35# is the Arc Haul but I still have some reservations about it even though much of the design is intriguing.

The bottom line is some packs just don’t work for some people and work great for others, it is all about fit like shoes.

Yeah, I hate to say it, but you’re going to have to choose 2-3 different packs and just order them.  Try them on, send back the bad ones.

You will end up spending less money in the long run I’d say, rather than forcing yourself into something right away without trying several.

I tried the Exos 58, didn’t like it either once it had weight in it.  I ended up getting a Leopard 58 from granite gear and really like the fit

HUH?? ” EXOS 48 too large”?? “…shoulder straps and waist belt inadequately padded & structured”??

I have and EXOS 58 WITH side pockets and it’s very good even overloaded at 45 lbs. It’s the most comfortable pack I’ve ever owned including my old Dana Designs Terraplane. We must either have very different physiology or pain thresholds.

Oh well, HYOH…

The older versions of the Exos 48  fit great. One time I loaded the up the Large with weight at REI Paradise Valley and walked around the store for awhile. Almost bought it. Went back last year and found out Osprey changed the design. Wouldn’t you know they’d have to mess up a good thing?

With the likes of Gossamergear,  ULA, ZPacks, MLD and SMD, why go mainstream?  USPS First Class shipping doesn’t cost a fortune, so if you have to try on 4 or 5 packs before finding the right one, no big deal.  Like someone said earlier, packs are like shoes.

Driving around looking for second rate packs costs more for gas, time, and wear and tear on the vehicle than what all the shipping would run you..

The Osprey packs HATE ME. They seriously do. Atmos, Exos, whatever, they hate me. PAIN. SUFFERING.

I have a ULA Circuit that I am wearing out. Bear cans can round out a load, and longer trips mean bigger bear cans, so I’m happy rolling it down to fit the load, or filling it out with stuff for trail work trips.

No need to order several packs and returntheme. The zpacks now have adjustable torso lengths and you can really dial it in. Consider these packs are already highly rated and it’s a no brainier to me.  The only real drawback is cost but they are quality and you get what you pay for.

Thanks for the offer to try on your pack Jake I’m in Victoria BC so wouldn’t be able to take  you up on it, unfortunately.

Thank you everyone for the great feedback. As a Canadian doing the multiple purchase thing does come with a significantly higher cost particularly now with out dollar in the toilet. I suspect however that’s just something I’ll have to do to find something that meets my weight and comfort requirements. Re the zPacks I’ve seen the video on that unit and I’m concerned by what appears to be a lack of any structure in the hip belt. Are there bits in there that help connect it to the frame or is it all based on it simply sliding over the sleeve in the back?

Off to window shop.

Michael, I didn’t like the fit of the Exos but am quite happy with my Osprey Talon 44 (and the 33).  It comes in a S/M (42L) and mine has adjustable torso height (not sure about the new ones).  It’s listed at 2.3 lbs on the Osprey site.

I don’t see the 44 listed at Valhalla.  Robinson’s might have it.

Or maybe Atmosphere in the Hillside Mall or the Canwest Mall.  If they don’t have it, they might be able to order one without you having to commit to the purchase.

Michael – if you are interested in checking out a GG Gorilla (2016 model, med/med) and you have business on the Olympic Peninsula (I live in Port Townsend), then you’re welcome to try on my Gorilla. The Gorilla would likely carry your base weight and food for 8 days no problem (provided enough volume). It would also give you an idea of the fit and features of the larger volume GG Mariposa too. FYI, I will be in Port Angeles next Sunday for the kayak symposium. PM me if interested.

I also hated my Exos. Wasn’t made for me! I recently switched to frameless packs, and love my MLD Prophet. It has serious shoulder cushioning, which is where Osprey skimped on the Exos. I would highly suggest that but I think your load might be a little heavy and you’re leaning towards a framed pack too. That said, I still have my Osprey Talon 33 and love the way it rides. I assume the 44 is similar. As someone else also mentioned, a similar pack to the Osprey Talon IMO is the Gossamer Gear Gorilla. Plus it has removable stays if you eventually go lighter! Good luck!

The new version of the Arc Blast and Haul have a new hipbelt design. The original blast was sewn into the pack. The current version is attached to the frame and also has dual attachment points for belt webbing/connector. Sorry, not sure what to call it. Same as SMD and Elemental Horizon packs. Hard to get a better load transfer than directly attaching the belt to the frame.

packs are such a personal thing, but i can say that:

i tried an exos on a 20 mile overnighter last year and it was *not* comfortable for me.

i have a circuit and love it.

(amazing customer service too – if you go the ula route, chris will work with you until you are happy.)