BackpackGearTest.org - Osprey Atmos 65 Test Report by Mike Curry

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OSPREY ATMOS 65 PACK
TEST SERIES BY MIKE CURRY
LONG-TERM REPORT
» Recent
Reviews
INITIAL REPORT - May 25, 2009
FIELD REPORT - July 28, 2009
LONG TERM REPORT - September 29, 2009
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Mike Curry
thefishguyAThotmailDOTcom
39
Aberdeen, Washington
M
5' 11" (1.80 m)
220 lb (99.80 kg)
Mailing List
Links
I've been backpacking, climbing, ski-packing, bushwhacking, and snowshoeing
throughout the mountains of Oregon and Washington for the last 25 years. I'm an
all-season, all terrain, off-trail kind of guy, but these days (having small kids) most
of my trips run on the shorter side of things, and tend to be in the temperate
rainforest. While I've carried packs (with winter climbing gear) in excess of 70
pounds (32 kilos), the older I get the more minimalist I become.
INITIAL REPORT
PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS
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Manufacturer: Osprey
Year of Manufacture: 2009
Manufacturer's Website: www.ospreypacks.com
MSRP: None Listed
Size Tested: Large
Listed Weight: 3 lbs 12 oz (1.70 kg)
Measured Weight: 3 lbs 11.5 oz (1.69 kg)
Color Tested: Green Apple
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
General:
Upon first look, the Osprey Atmos 65 pack appears to be a well-designed and
attractive pack. The green apple color, I'm pleased to report, is slight darker than it
appeared to me on their website or their print materials and is a very nice color.
The overall design is very good looking and gives the initial impression of having
a lot of features without appearing cluttered. The pack is clearly filled with a lot of
innovative features, yet its appearance isn't overly complex. Workmanship is
clearly of the highest quality. Despite having looked over every visible stitch and
seam in the pack I was unable to find so much as a loose thread end.
Atmos 65 on log
Materials/Components:
The Osprey Atmos 65 pack uses a variety of your standard nylon materials
(webbing and fabric, for example), including 210D Twill Velocity Cordura and
160 x 210 Window Ripstop. In addition to these, however, there are a wide variety
of innovative components. The harness system, for example, uses Osprey's
BioStretch mesh covered perforated foam. This appears it will improve comfort by
breathing better and being lighter weight than more traditional systems. Even some
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of the more mundane elements of a pack, such as webbing buckles and other
hardware, are improved on the Atmos 65. Aside from the integrated whistle in the
sternum strap buckle (which has become fairly commonplace), Osprey uses an
interesting bungee tie-off for ice axes that use Osprey's exclusive Y-clip,
something purported to make looping handles quick and easy (something I'm
anxious to try out). Even Osprey's zipper pulls, with plastic loops that keep them
open, show innovation and attention to detail.
Features/Configuration:
The first thing I noticed about the Atmos 65 pack was the AirSpeed Suspension
system. Everything about this seems focused at both keeping air flowing around
your body and keeping weight light. At the heart of the system is an aluminum
hoop frame that seems basically to be little more than a tensioned wire that
supports a tensioned panel that rides against my back. Twin cross struts keep the
pack itself away from my back about 1.5 in (4 cm). The material that connects the
pack to the tensioned panel runs the perimeter of the panel, and has openings along
both sides allowing air to flow freely between the back and my back. Even the hip
belt and shoulder straps contain a perforated foam material that not only improves
airflow, but likely reduces weight over other materials.
After looking at the
suspension system,
the next major
feature that caught
my eye was the
hydration
configuration. In
addition to the
traditional
hydration sleeve, I
have the option of
unzipping a zipper
inside the pack to
access the void
between the
tensioned panel of
the harness and the
pack, where a
Close-ups of features
hydration reservoir
can be hung. My immediate thoughts were that a reservoir would flop around in
this space, but on good trail I might not mind that, especially if the water was cold
against my back, or better yet, was forming lots of condensation to keep me cool.
During the winter months, I imagined myself stuffing an extra fleece in the void to
reduce ventilation and slightly increase storage. I look forward to experimenting
with this feature.
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10/13/09 12:47 PM
One interesting feature of the pack is Osprey's stow-on-the-go attachment system
for trekking poles. This system is supposed to allow me to attach my trekking
poles in a cross-body type configuration while on the move. Given that I often
backpack in off-trail locations, I appreciate the idea of such a feature when I reach
a section that requires some scrambling. I look forward to trying this out.
The overall configuration of the pack seems quite good. The main compartment is
divided top and bottom with a divider that can be disconnected to drop out of the
way. The lid is detachable and has a mesh "map compartment" underneath. And
there are two vertically-zippered outside compartments on the back, with a stretch
panel over them that provides additional storage. I look forward to seeing how the
stretch panel holds up under rough conditions. One interesting compartment
feature is the side "water-bottle" pockets, which are made of the same stretch
material as the panel on back. These pockets can not only be accessed from the
top, but also from the side closest to my back. I look forward to seeing if this is
something I like, or something that makes me more prone to lose things. The real
uniqueness, however, is in the "Inside/Out Compression" system. The compression
straps for the main compartment can be configured either inside these pockets or
outside them. If I am using them to hold a water bottle, I can configure the straps
inside the pocket so the water bottle doesn't interfere with them. If I'm hauling
something I want secured in those pockets, I can configure the compression straps
outside those pockets so they are holding those items in place.
The final feature I
find particularly
innovate is the
Ergo pull belt. The
webbing straps that
tighten this belt
loop from the pack
to the buckle and
back, so that
tensioning is done
by pulling the loose
ends forward. Also,
the belt contains a
mesh pocket on
each side, which I
look forward to
trying out with
small pieces of
gear.
Zipper access to space behind tensioned backpanel
READING
THE INSTRUCTIONS
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The instruction manual identified all the primary features of the pack along with
basic instructions for how to use them. The instructions seemed clear, and while
they referenced the website for information on the warrantee, they provided no
care information, which surprised me.
TRYING IT OUT
To give the pack a try, I placed about 15 lbs (6.8 kg) of gear in the main
compartment and put it on. After taking a few moments to adjust the harness
straps, I clipped together the Ergo Pull belt and tightened it up. I was immediately
pleased with the fit and comfort of the pack, and was particularly impressed with
how easy the Ergo Pull belt was to operate (it was not only easier to pull the loose
ends forward, but the tension of the belt seemed more evenly spread across my
hips).
Tensioned mesh backpanel
I wore the pack around for a
walk, making some
adjustments to straps as I
went. I was amazed with the
stability of this pack. With
other packs I find myself
frequently loosening straps to
gain some ventilation while
on good trail, then tightening
them back down to stabilize
my load for scrambling. Wit
the AirSpeed suspension on
the Atmos, I had a very
secure and stable load with
constant ventilation around
my back. I can't wait to see
how it performs under real field conditions.
Overall, I found all the features of the Osprey Atmos 65 pack easy to operate and
fairly intuitive, and was very impressed while trying it out.
SUMMARY
At first look, the Osprey Atmos 65 pack appears to be an attractive,
well-engineered, well-made, and innovative pack. While I question how a few of
the features will perform under real-world conditions, the primary systems (the
harness system and pack itself) look as though they will function well. I look
forward to seeing how the pack will perform under the rigors of real-world use.
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10/13/09 12:47 PM
FIELD REPORT
FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
I have used the Osprey Atmos 65 pack
on three trips totalling five nights during
Field Testing. All trips were in the
southern Olympic mountains of
Washington State. I have also used the
pack for 3 day hikes where I was
needing to carry extra gear.
Weather conditions included
temperatures ranging from 65-95 F
(18-35 C) while wearing the pack, and
included both sunny and overcast days,
but no rain. Winds were generally light,
from a light breeze to 10 mph (16 kph).
Loads varied, ranging from 15 to 40 lbs
(6.8 to 18 kg) before water. These
included trips up to two nights in
duration.
PERFORMANCE IN THE
FIELD
Atmos 65 loaded for weekend trip
Comfort:
The Osprey Atmos 65 pack is one of the most comfortable packs I have ever used.
One of the primary reasons for this is the ventilation. On the hottest day I used it,
my back (indeed, my entire body) was sweating profusely. After about 20 minutes
on the trail, I thought my hydration reservoir had sprung a leak, as my back
suddenly felt cold and wet. I took off my pack, and while my shirt was sweaty I
didn't find any sign of a leak. After repeating this several times I finally realized
that the cold, wet sensation across my back was actually caused by a breeze
between my back and the pack. Every time there was a slight breeze, the air
movement across my back cooled my sweaty shirt so much it felt like someone
was pouring cool water on my back. My hiking buddies were envious.
In addition to the ventilation, the general design of the suspension is also quite
comfortable. I find the shoulder straps to be most comfortable when worn slightly
wider than I usually wear them, but the sternum strap is more than long enough to
accommodate this. I find the load most comfortable when I wear the hipbelt
slightly higher than I normally would, but the design of the hipbelt makes this pack
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10/13/09 12:47 PM
more comfortable than other packs I own when worn high on my hips.
The curvature of the frame also impacts my comfort. While I initially tried wearing
the pack very high so that the frame perfectly matched the curvature of my back,
I've found that by wearing it slightly lower it transfers the weight more effectively
to my hips, making it more comfortable for long days on-trail. I still wear it high
when off-trail, though, as the load feels more stable this way.
Volume and Configuration:
The volume and configuration of this pack allow me to use it in a wide variety of
conditions. I have used it for several day hikes where I was carrying a good deal of
bulky items (extra fleeces for the family, etc.). The compression straps allow the
volume to be reduced significantly, making it an acceptable choice for my highervolume day hikes. For my typical lightweight overnighter, I find the pack to work
well when compressed to it's minimum volume. For a mid-weight two-night trip, I
begin to let the straps out some. I believe, based on my experiences to date, that
the volume and configuration would make this pack more than acceptable for a
typical 5-7 day lightweight summer trip for me.
While I love the overall volume and configuration of this pack, there is one thing
that I'm not so fond of regarding the pack configuration. The curvature of the pack
makes it very difficult to stand the pack upright on the ground. While I love this
curvature while wearing it (it adds to the comfort of the pack), it can make it a pain
to load sometimes.
Features:
Several key features really stood out to
me during the test period. Topping the
list is the suspension and ventilation
system. Not only is it incredibly cool
and comfortable, it is easy to adjust, and
offers what I consider a perfect balance
between durability and light weight as
well as between simplicity and
functionality. The hip belt transfers
weight more comfortably than any other
pack I have ever used. The perforated
waffle foam straps not only provide
good ventilation, they conform better to
my body than other suspension systems
I have used, and have resulted in no
noticeable hot spots or chafing.
One interesting observation relates to
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10/13/09 12:47 PM
the integrated whistle in the sternum
Atmos 65 loaded for heavy overnighter
strap buckle. While I own several packs
with this feature, the whistle on this pack is much louder than any other that I own,
and requires less blowing force to achieve a given volume. I'm not sure if that is
due to a design difference or manufacturing variations, but it makes it even easier
to annoy my hiking buddies (and would probably come in handy in an emergency,
too).
The dual vertical zip front pockets have proven to be very useful. I generally use
one to keep my raingear handy (though I haven't needed it yet this summer), and
the other to keep any clothing layers I have removed. The elastic panel
compartment has been used to carry a fleece jacket once, and a small hydration
pack/summit sack once. I've found I prefer not to use that compartment if I can
avoid it because when I've stuffed it full it has a tendency to hang up on brush
when travelling cross-country, though it hasn't been a problem on trails.
The InsideOut compression straps have been very useful, indeed. I have found
them to work well inside (when using the pocket to carry my camera or a water
bottle) as well as outside (when carrying items like tent poles). The pockets are
very secure in both configurations, and I have found it to be an excellent place to
store my camera, which can be pulled out through the opening that faces my back.
The hydration sleeve works perfectly with my favorite hydration reservoir, which
has a capacity of 2.5 L. I have not tried deploying the reservoir in the void between
my back and the pack, but hope to during long-term testing.
The Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment is something I haven't used much,
but playing with it initially it seems to function quite nicely. I hope to gain more
experience with this feature during long-term testing.
Finally, the mesh pockets on the hipbelt have been an interesting feature for me. I
find them too small for most of the items I want to put there. I can fit my small
digital camera in one, but not if the camera is in its case. I find myself using them
generally to carry my cell phone or another small item and my inhaler (for
asthma).
SUMMARY
The Osprey Atmos 65 pack is one of the most comfortable packs I've ever used,
due in large part to its ventilation and load bearing characteristics. While it can be
difficult to stand upright for loading due to its curvature, that is a drawback I'm
willing to accept for the exceptional comfort provided by that curvature and the
pack's other features. I find it to be useful as an oversized day pack for long
gear-heavy day hikes and scrambles as well as overnighters and two-night trips. I
would not hesitate to take it on trips of up to a week based upon my experiences so
far.
8 of 10
10/13/09 12:47 PM
LONG-TERM REPORT
LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
I have used the Osprey Atmos 65 pack for an additional five nights of overnight
use and on two additional day trips during long-term testing. With the exception of
one day trip to Mt. Rainier National Park, all use was in the Olympic Mountains of
Washington State. Overnight use included one two-night trip and three one-night
trips.
Daytime high temperatures ranged from 60 F (16 C) to 95 F (35 C). Load weights
ranged from a bulky 15 lbs (7 kg) on a day trip to 40 lbs (18 kg) on my two-night
trip (which is much heavier than normal for me).
PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
The Osprey Atmos 65 pack has continued to perform exceptionally well during
long-term testing. On hot days, I honestly wonder how I ever suffered along with
some of my other packs. The ventilation this pack offers between my back and the
pack, and the ventilated waffle-foam straps, are truly incredible.
In terms of durability, I have not noted any failures or significant wear so far. Other
than some light soiling and scuffing, due mostly to off-trail use, the pack looks
much like it did when I received it. It continues to be as comfortable as ever.
I did, during long-term testing, get the opportunity to use the Stow-on-the-Go
trekking pole attachment several more times. It is a feature that I'm not quite as
excited about as I thought I might be. The feature works well, and it is quite easy
to get the poles in and out after a little practice, but I don't find it quite as useful as
I thought I would. I usually want to stow my poles when I reach an area where I
am doing some scrambling and need to the use of my hands, and this usually
occurs in locations that are brushy. When stowed across my body, the poles tend to
hang up on the brush. That said, the feature is very useful when I'm having to
scramble up a washout in a trail, and saves a great deal of time over taking off my
pack and securing the poles in a more traditional way.
I also experimented with hanging my hydration reservoir in the void between the
mesh suspension and the body of the pack during long-term testing. This did free
up a fair amount of space in the main body of the pack, and the reservoir didn't
swing as I walked (which I was concerned it might). The reservoir did shift a few
times as I climbed over obstructions in the trail, but I didn't find it particularly
bothersome (though I probably wouldn't do this on a serious scramble).
I also experimented (in cooler weather) with stuffing extra clothing in the void
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10/13/09 12:47 PM
between the mesh suspension and the body of the pack. This stopped the
ventilation, though I would say the pack was still cooler to wear then most others
that I have used. I was quite surprised at just how much clothing I could cram in
the space, and how much space in my pack it freed up.
SUMMARY
The Osprey Atmos 65 pack is an extremely comfortable and versatile pack with
incredible ventilation that makes is a top performer in hot weather. It is loaded
with features that are innovative and useful, and is appropriately sized for a wide
range of trip lengths, ranging from heavy day trips to multi-day adventures. It is
one of my favorite packs.
CONTINUED USE
I believe the Atmos 65 pack will be the first pack I reach for in hot weather, and it
will also be one of my first picks for any trip of 1-3 days due to its incredible
comfort. It is, without a doubt, my favorite pack in this size range.
I would like to thank Osprey and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test
the Atmos 65 pack. This concludes my report series.
This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1.5 Copyright
2009. All rights reserved.
Read more reviews of Osprey gear
Read more gear reviews by Mike Curry
Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Osprey
Atmos 65 > Test Report by Mike Curry
All material on this site is the exclusive property of BackpackGearTest.org.
BackpackGearTest software copyright David Anderson
10 of 10
10/13/09 12:47 PM

BackpackGearTest.org - Osprey Atmos 65 Test Report by Mike Curry

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