Osprey Exos 34

I recently used this pack on a bonsai weekend summit of Cloud Peak in the Big Horn mountain range in northern Wyoming. Overall the pack performed very well distributing weight evenly across my hips and shoulders. To be honest, after coming down from the summit I was dreading filling it up with the rest of my gear and putting it on, however, when I put it on it felt like it wasn't even there which was a welcome relief. My gear list included the following: Sierra Designs pyro sleeping bag, Sierra Designs Lightyear 1 tent, JetBoil, Katadyn Pocket water purifier, food, water, clothes, etc. Compared to my normal bag (Osprey Aether 85) the Exos carried well, ventilated better, and was obviously much lighter. As others have said it is certainly not meant for heavy loads and I wouldn't consider my list of gear to be in the "ultralight" category but I can say that the lighter weight helped me bust out 9.5 miles in 4 hours to make camp before sunset. Some people have said that they feel the 25 pound mark is the limit for this bag but I think you could carry 35. Obviously you have to take care when shouldering and tightening straps down but I believe it will hold up to many years of use. Overall Pros of the bag in my opinion are the following: light weight, small straps, ventilation system, hipbelt pockets, stretchy front pocket and the top lid (I like how when you tighten down the main straps the lid does not become unopenable). The only thing I wish it had was a bottom compartment access as there are certainly times when one wants to get something on the bottom and not unpack the whole bag. The only other thing that I don't like is the stow and go trekking pole attachment........I never use it, it's a good design I just don't like it. Overall another great product from Osprey, they have certainly earned my business with their superior products and thoughtfulness that goes into each and every item that they sell.

I bought the Exos 34 specifically to use in long day hikes, foul weather, remote areas, etc, where you would bring more gear for safety. The capacity is definitely as advertised, and it was very satisfactory on several recent long day hikes and hut trips.
Best features:
1) A top lid with pockets on top and underneath - (too many day packs lack top pockets, which are super for fragiles like sunglasses, lunch and first aid items)
2) Pack rides away from back mesh, so air actually gets onto your back. Very, very nice.
3) Generous belt pockets so you can actually carry powerbars in them without cramming.
4) Stuff pocket for helmet or rain gear on back of pack, could be slightly more generous, but a super feature.
5) Side mesh pockets which can be used outside or left underneath the compression lacing. Access from top or side is excellent. Could be slightly more bellowed, - when pack is full, hard to cram a water bottle into them.
There's a tiny skinny pocket on the left shoulder strap which is too small for a cell phone - how about just a bit larger, and waterproof? This is an ideal place otherwise for this item. Ipods could go there as is, but would be hard to adjust without pulling them all the way out.
The color is weird. Something calmer would be nice.
This pack fit very well, rode very well, and despite the "busyness" of all the cordage and pockets, they are extremely useful.

I initially got this to use as a day hiking pack. While 34L is a bit on the large side for a day pack, I figured the pack is so light it wouldn't matter if i carried a pack with more capacity. This pack is ultralight and serves as a great day pack or ultralight overnighter. It is essentially a scaled down version of the 58L. There are 2 sets of side compression straps which really allow you to cinch the pack down if you need to. The pack is virtually weightless and the back panel provides nice air flow when you're on the move.
One thing I would note, the straps are thin around the whole pack and the hip belts don't have any padding. This is how they were able to shave weight. But the hip belt pockets are a great feature and if you are packing gear that requires stronger straps than the Exos, you're probably using the wrong pack to begin with.
As a note, I have the Talon 22 for a day pack also and that is a great pack, and I have the Atmos 65 for backpacking. All are similar packs in many ways and I would highly recommend them to anybody. Just be cognizant of how much space (liters) you will need.

This is a really good bag. I debated forever on what to get, but finally decided to go this route. I was looking for a day pack, but not something super tiny.
I think the 34 is really a great balance for a good day hike. It can hold quite a bit, but shrinks down nicely when you don't have a full load.
The bladder storage is way better on this than on my old Stratos 40, I'm happy to see that. I don't think you can easily stick one in the vented backpanel like on the Stratos, but I'm must less likely too as putting it in the bag doesn't seem to kill storage like it did on the Stratos.
Inside out compression is cool - I can still stick stuff in the side pockets when I have things compressed well.
The other commenter mentioned weight - yes, don't plan on a heavy load with this. But it does do really well in 20ish pound range. And it feels so good on your back!
If there is anything I'd like to change - I'd really like this more like the Atmos line with more durable straps, slightly more padded belt, etc. I also miss the zippered compartment access on the Stratos 40. But all in all, quite happy.

This pack is really breathable, very light, and has enough space to fit a week's worth of ultralight gear and food. I carried it for 4,700 miles this year and I was able to use the same shirt the whole time. I never had any problems with chafe because I hardly sweat at all with it on. That's right- no hip hickies, no neosporin in my ass crack, no problems at all! The downfall of this pack is that it is only rated to 25 lbs. I pushed it over the weight limit and busted the hipbelt stitching a few times. Osprey was really good about replacing the pack each time it blew, but I wish it was just a little more durable. To be a good thru-hiker pack it needs to be able to hold the weight for an 8 day carry or a big waterless stretch through the desert. I'm not saying it needs to be comfortable with 35 pounds in it, but it shouldn't fall apart. This pack is more than perfect for what it's made for (day hiking and light weekend pursuits) and is my pack of choice for wandering long trails.

My new #1 backpack for extended outings (I have many, many packs)
Have used this extensively over the last 6-8 months on long mountain bike and hiking expeditions, great pack. It has relegated my previous #1 pack (Osprey Talon 33) down the pecking order. Two front pockets are nice and large, the mesh is a bonus as so you can now see what is in the pockets. Nice large rear side pockets, easy access for a water bottle (I tied up the one side pocket so it could hold easily accessable bars, gels etc).
Great for the lower back, as it sits nicely on the lower back with the external frame (I never thought I would get an external frame again).
I would give it 5 stars but two things are missing, there is no quick access to the main storage area - side zip, zip from the back would be good. The other is there is no external access to the water bladder (one thing that made the Talon series great).

I found this on clearance . It felt great and I was able to cram a ton of things into it in the store and walk around. The was balanced perfectly. The frame worked wonderfully. I am 5'3" and 125 lbs. It worked great. Loved thr mesh pockets in the belt. Perfect for putting u need during hike. Lip chap,pills and other things. I hooked bottle to straps and used mess pockets for snacks and small items I wanted within east reach. By filling thr hydration system with ice and water my back was very comfortable and I had cold h2o all day. Pack road great and put no weigh on shoulders or lower back. I used it for 12 mile hike in smokes in summer. Loved the detachable floatable top.it was perfect for money and valuables. I just wish I had had it when hiking the Grand Canyon. I have it now and have taken it on airplanes even with sterick guidelines.