Osprey Atmos 50

I wrote a review of this pack maybe 4 or 5 years ago, when the first version originally appeared, and pretty well trashed the suspension: the padding was too flimsy, the frame rubbed on my shoulders, and the pack bounced around; I called it an updated external frame pack.

When Osprey added the adjustable shoulder straps this year, a friend convinced me to give it another look. While it may, technically, still be an external frame (it has a trampoline backband, and a perimeter frame to which the bag is attached), this isn't the old Kelty pack we all remember. (Well, some of us remember it.) I've had it on a few weekend trips so far, and it is the most comfortable pack I've ever owned.

Osprey has taken the best features of the internal frame pack (well-designed pack bag, frame just barely buried in the pack bag) and combined them with the best features of an external frame pack (ventilation and load carrying comfort) to acheive something that is truly a hybrid - I'm not sure you can really put it in either the internal or external classification, and I'm not sure that it matters anyhow.

I was using a Kestrel 48 pack, which is also adjustable. I could get the right shoulder strap length, but the frame itself was too short. That meant that the point at which the load lifters connected to the frame was too low to give the necessary angle (usually 30-45 degrees) to let you take the load off your shoulders. In my case, with the shoulder straps correctly adjusted, I would get a zero (or even negative) angle, and end up with tired shoulders at the end of the day. (Not painful, but tired.)

The Atmos has a slightly longer frame, and the load lifter angle is perfect - I can move the load completely to my hips, if I choose. The extra frame length also solves the problem that I had with the original version: the frame rubbed my shoulders badly. On the current, adjustable version, the frame doesn't touch me anywhere.

The tensioned, trampoline backband is incredibly comfortable, and considerably cooler than a true internal frame back pad. You'll still get a wet back on a hot, humid day, but at least some air can get to your back. You would think that the tensioned pad would hold the load too far away from your back, but the sculpted packbag (which others describe as annoying to pack) allows the load to snuggle up to you, just like an internal frame pack does. The result is that the load doesn't bounce, or move in the opposite direction when you turn (like the old-style externals did.)

The bag itself is a clean, uncluttered design: two side pockets that will hold a 1-liter platypus bottle well, leaving only about an inch or so of the bottle above the top of the pocket. (On other packs, the pockets were too short, leaving half the bag exposed and causing it to flop over when half empty.) The shove-it pocket on the front (back? I'm never sure what to call it) is roomy and very functional. But my favorite feature is the long zippered pockets on the front, under the shove-it pocket. They are perfect for my rain gear and (in cold weather) a warm jacket - things you want to get at easily during the day. The interior of the pack is plenty roomy; since I don't use a stuff sack for my down bag, and don't use a hydration system, I don't have the loading issues others mention.

The lid pocket is roomy and functional, fully floating, and detachable (great for minimalist summer trips.) The mesh pocket on the underside allowed me to eliminate the small stuff sack my first aid and repair kit used to occupy.

The hipbelt and shoulder straps are much stiffer than the original version of the pack, and very comfortable and supportive (the hipbelt doesn't collapse, like the initial version used to.) The hipbelt pockets are a bit small, but OK. The ability to adjust the length of the padding on the hipbelt is really nice; the belt fits well regardless of your waist size.

The only complaint I have is that the nylon webbing (the moving part) on the shoulder straps and hipbelt is way too long. I could easily cut a foot off each and still have plenty of adjustability.

I'd very much recommend that you look at this pack if you're in the market - and that we start leaving our pre-conceived notions about internal versus external frames at the door.

I recently completed a six day hike on Isle Royale and this pack performed awesomely! I have been steadily lightening up my load and tried a Go-lite Jam to save even more weight but I just missed all of the creature comforts of a full-featured pack. I cannot believe how many features Osprey has jammed into this pack while still keeping it extremely light. For me it is well worth the extra pound or so to have places for all of my stuff. As for the suspension, it truly is amazing. I started with about 35 lbs total and I could barely tell it was there. I will say the hip belt was a little stiff at first. I have about a 31" waist and 35" hips so I could use more of a taper in the hip belt but it loosened up after a few days and didn't bother me any more. (One word of warning, if you are a stockier build the suspension might not work well for you. My nephew (football player build) tried this pack on and the corners of the frame were setting on his hips instead of being off to the sides like they are for me.) I was with a scout troop on Isle Royale and we had a few injuries and equipment failures so I ended up packing some extra equipment for a couple of days. I would estimate that I had between 45 and 50 pounds at one point which really pushed the limits of this pack but I can't say it got any more uncomfortable than any other pack would with that much weight. I also did not use a hydration bladder so I did not have the loading issues that some other reviewers have mentioned. I just used a couple of 1 liter Powerade bottles that I threw in the top of my pack and then some 20 oz Gatorade bottles in the side pockets. The side pockets are amazing! They have both a top and side opening so you can put small bottles in them and pull them out on the go. And the stow-n-go feature is absolutely great for holding trekking poles when you need your hands free. And the stretchy back pocket just keeps on stretching and is a great place for all of the miscellaneous stuff you need access to on an extended outing. Sorry to go on and on but I really can't say enough good things about this pack. I looked at and tried out several other packs in the process of deciding on this pack and I am extremely satisfied with my decision. Thanks Osprey for a great piece of gear!

I bought this specifically for use on the Camino de Santiago in September/ October 2013. I wore it many times while training prior to going on the trip. The pack is easily adjusted and very comfortable. I especially liked the waist belt. When it is properly packed, it really floats on your waist! Many have said it is hard to pack due to the rounded shape of the back, and I somewhat agree. It is a little bit awkward, but not so much that it is something to worry about. I used lightweight packing cubes, which I felt made it very easy to pack.

My shoulders do not have a lot of mobility when reaching backward, so for me personally, it was hard to use the outer pockets on the sides of the pack (where most would keep their water bottles).

There was more than enough room in my pack for this trip. Since I had a hard time reaching bottles on the side of my pack, I instead bought a bladder and put it in the top pocket behind my head. It worked like a charm, and was easier than using the dedicated water bladder pocket inside the pack.

I added some small outer pockets to the straps for my camera, music, and snack. I also used lots of carabiners on the back to attach things like sandals, etc.

I strapped my sleeping bag to the outside of the backpack instead of putting it inside the pack. Keep that in mind if you get a rain cover for this backpack!

Overall, I thought this pack was great. I saw more of these packs on the Camino than any other brand/ style. Many (most?) people probably would not have the problem that I had reaching the back pockets, because I think that is just due to my quirky body. Try one on in the store and see how it works for you.

I use the pack to carry my gear when performing trail work for the USFS. I carry heavy, dense items like tools and fuel in addition to safety gear, food and extra clothing. When shopping for a pack I am not looking for volume but for the ability to correctly carry a load. Frequently I perform trail work swinging tools or clearing debris while wearing the pack.
This is a great pack that distributes the load through a series of easily adjustable points. It has one of the best hip belts I have ever owned. The pack does not overly restrict movement or chafe my neck. The comfort is probably due to the correct size frame for my body in addition to the assistance in getting the correct size. Take the time to do it right. The form of the pack body keeps the pack free of my back and promotes air flow. Its not perfect but its much better then other packs I have tried.
The pack is a bit on the heavy side as it has a full suite of compartments. For me this is a small price to pay for the ability to keep the 2 stroke fuel separate from my lunch and my felling wedges separate from my hydration bladder.

Cant say much about the durability of the pack as this is my first season with the pack but I can say that the Osprey Kestrel I retired when I purchased the Atmos held up for 10 years doing the same duty. I note that it wasn't the stitching that finally gave up the ghost but the fabric lost both its coating and its ability to hold shape At the end it was basically a ruck sack. I look forward to 10 years with the Atmos

I finally found the pack that works best for me. I have many packs, from a large capacity external framed pack to a minimalist pack that weighs about 1.5 pounds. I prefer the open air and back dryness of an external framed pack but until I got the Osprey Atmos 50 I could not find an internal framed pack that carried like an external. This pack is right-sized for 3-season multi-day excusions if you pack light (without going to extremes). I actually found it to be roomier than my 62 liter pack.

The key to going with a pack of this size is to get a down sleeping bag and a small shelter. Together with a lightweight camp stove everything fits inside quite easily. Lots of room for clothes, food, water bladder, fiter, etc. Once you get down to this size and weight you won't go back. And this pack, although a little heavier than the lightest ultra light packs, puts its extra ounces to good use. The suspension easily carries loads to 35 - 40 pounds in comfort. Something that most ultra lights cannot do.

Very good build quality and it is way more adjustable than anything else I have owned or used. I am 6'1" and weigh 175 pounds, and the large size fit me well (at its shortest setting).

It has only one place to load from (the top) but I don't find that to be a significant inconvenience. The pack is small enough that you can get to anything you really need quite quickly.

I have four good backpacks, but this is the one I will be using most often.

I broke this backpack in during my first solo backpacking experience for four nights in south western Iceland. The back is extremely comfortable and fits very well. Overall I was very pleased and surprised with 50 liters I had enough space to get through four nights traveling alone. The many compartments on this bag make things accessible and easy to get to (except for the lowermost part of the bag).

The comfort of this pack is incredible. Aside from normal fatigue one would feel traveling four four days the pack hugs you. It doesn't feel like you're carrying a pack but rather the weight just sits on you. It made hiking up steep inclines very easy and manageable.

However here were some issues I ran into:
The bus driver must have laid my backpack with the straps up on the bus because when I received it back after a five hour bus ride the front elastic pocket had a finger sized hole in it. It's something that can be easily fixed though. Because of my improper backing, the zipper to the right side of the back busted, but was easily fixed by using a fingernail to straighten out the teeth. I think these issues could have been easily prevented, but I just wanted to share my experiences with this pack.

Overall I thought this pack was EXTREMELY comfortable, lightweight, and well worth the investment. Had I not jumped the gun I would gave probably bought the larger 65 liter Atmos, but I do not regret this purchase.

Happy hiking!

I have only used this pack once (that's my disclaimer). That said, it was the most comfortable pack I have ever used. And I've owned a lot of packs over the years. I think I currently have 6 packs? I've never been compelled to write a review for any other pack.

I steer towards the light and fast / minimalist style of backpacking. With this pack I don't sacrifice comfort in an effort to save weight. It's so comfortable and lightweight. Its a little bigger than many other packs I have used and seems to just swallow up the gear. Its easy breezy to pack.

There are these two use outer pockets. In one pocket I put my tent (Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2) and in the other pocket I put my shell, a beanie and water filter. This constricts the inside of the pack some, however I place my sleeping bag at the bottom and food in the middle. As I consume my food I am able to tighten the outer compression straps, pulling my tent / rain jacket closer to my back. This was a super awesome way of packing.

It was raining and snowing during the four days I was out with this pack, and not having to dig through my backpack to pull out the tent was really convenient. Also, having the water filter and a jacket so readily at hand really sped up our transitions so we were able to cover more ground.

Buy this backpack, the competition doesn't compare!

Disclaimer: This was my first bag and until recently my only bag.. (I got a much larger Arcteryx bag for longer journeys.

I've taken this thing with me all over the place in the past year, Colorado for 3 months of backpacking, Yosemite, Yellowstone twice, Grand Tetons twice, Banff NP, Glacier NP, All over Norway, all over Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, etc etc. All I can say is that I'm extremely surprised it still works flawlessly. The fabric seemed so soft and flexible when I first got it, I didnt think it would last. But after over 400 miles of trails, here it is, still in great shape, no stuck zippers, no tears, no rips.. Nothing.

I think the pack is darn near perfect.

I use this thing for shorter trips like 3-5 days max.. After that I want more comfort and that require a bigger pack for more food, extra stuff. If you pack it for 3-5 days you will realize that you have to put sleeping bag in first before you put the filled hydration bladder in it, or else it won't fit thru. This is just part of owning the pack, I dont see it as a downside.

I'm just getting into this so I don't feel qualified to give 5 stars yet. That being said, this is a great pack. Very comfortable, and more than enough room for my gear. My gear is pretty descent (small pack size) stuff so I'd suggest taking this pack home and sticking your gear in it before deciding that it's big enough for you. However, once you get a feel for the pack there's lots of room to be had than appears at first glance.

One tip is to pack the inside cavity first. That will give you enough room to pack the outside pockets without overfilling. I wouldn't put small objects in the side pouches, they have a hole for strap access that could lead to small things falling out of it if you don't strap it down tight. They are better for a towel or something bulky enough to not fit through the hole.

I don't plan on doing too much winter backpacking (yet ;) so 50L is enough for me, but if you're in the market for a 50L bag, You can't go wrong with this one.