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Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Osprey Atmos 65 > Test Report by Greg McDonald
OSPREY ATMOS 65 BACKPACK
INITIAL REPORT - May 08, 2009
TESTER INFORMATION
I have been camping for 17 years, 12 of them have been spent hiking in the backcountry. My hikes are almost exclusively in Florida and generally range between one and three nights. My all-time favorite hike was a 10 day expedition in the Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. I consider myself a lightweight but comfortably equipped hiker, with a pack averaging between 25 and 30 lb (11 and 14 kg). Product Information & Specifications
Model: Atmos 65 MSRP: Not Listed Initial Size Received: Large Listed Capacity: 68L (4200 cu in) Listed Weight: 3 lb 12 oz (1.7 kg) Measured Weight: 3 lb 12.7 oz (1.72 kg) Listed Dimensions: 30 x 14 x 12 in (77 x 36 x 30 cm) Initial Color Received: Green Apple (Also available in Graphite Grey and Aspen Gold) Product Design and Features
The Atmos 65 is a lightweight pack from Osprey's "Ventilated Backpacking" series. The basic design of the pack is pretty standard: a top-loading pack with a floating lid and a sleeping bag stuff compartment in the bottom. From this angle, it isn't all that different from the first internal frame pack I ever used about 10 years ago. Something that I've noticed over the years is that more often than not basic designs stay the same - the difference is in the details. A big detail of the Atmos is the suspension system. The Atmos utilizes Osprey's AirSpeed suspension. Basically, AirSpeed uses a curved backpanel on the pack's body with a tensioned mesh "trampoline" style backpanel. This creates a space between the pack body and the backpanel which allows for airflow across my back. I've used a similar system, Gregory's JetStream suspension, with excellent results in warm weather and I am very excited about the prospect of testing Osprey's take on the design. The image below probably explains the design far better than I ever could. The primary concern that I have with designs like this is that the curved backpanel shifts the weight further from my body, therefore changing my center of gravity. Theoretically this could cause me problems by throwing off my balance while moving and scrambling, so I will be paying close attention to the shifting of my pack load. On the topic of a shifting pack load, I am a bit concerned and was initially a bit baffled by the fact that the Atmos does not have a lumbar pad. On most packs I have used in the past, the lumbar pad has been crucial for transferring the load from my back to my hips and also maintaining stability. The Atmos seems plenty large to serve as a multi-day pack. The majority of my trips are simple overnighters, but I also have a handful of two and three night trips in store for the Atmos. During my test packing, I had no problem getting all my usual gear into the main compartment of the pack. As I mentioned before, the Atmos is a top loader so I have to pack and unpack everything through the top opening. There is no front or side access to the main compartment because Osprey instead opted to put two vertical zippered pockets on the front for items that might need quicker access. I packed things like my rain gear, pack cover, food, water filter, and other miscellaneous but important items in there so I can get to them easily. I'm also a fan of the divider in the bottom of the pack and separate access to the sleeping bag compartment. This was a feature that I had on my first internal frame pack that I lost with my most recently used pack that I truly missed. While exploring the pack I was able to get both my Big Agnes Lost Ranger into the compartment without a problem and more than easily fit my Mountain Hardwear Ultralamina 45, so there is plenty of room for both of my bags. The floating lid up top is deceptively large on storage space as well. The stretch pocket on the front of the pack (between the two vertical zippered pockets) stows a fleece well, which I like because it should keep it nice and handy so I can slip it on and off as temperatures vary. The only pockets I wasn't too thrilled with are the hipbelt pockets, which weren't quite as big as I had hoped for. Still, I was able to comfortably store my GPS on one side and my compass, knife, and small flashlight on the other. One feature that I've started to look at very carefully recently is compression straps that can be routed both inside and outside the stretch water bottle pockets on the side of a pack. Osprey calls their system "InsideOut" compression straps. The straps are easy to route and re-route as necessary, and the stretch-woven pockets are the perfect size for my 1L Nalgenes that I pretty much always carry. Fit and Comfort
I must admit that I made an error when ordering this pack that has affected my ability to report on the fit and comfort of the Atmos at this stage. I'm a bit of a sizing anomaly when it comes to packs, in that I tend to need a size medium in terms of torso length but a large in terms of harness and hipbelt size. Because I am a bit close to Osprey's maximum threshold for size medium on torso length, I opted for a size large for this test. Unfortunately, this turned out to be an error in judgment and I will need to request an exchange to move me down to a size medium. Down the Trail
The Atmos seems to be a very nice pack that is loaded with lots of cool and useful features. I'm excited about the prospect of getting the pack into the field and seeing how she handles... right after I get it exchanged and get the sizing all sorted out. Fortunately, my Field Report should feature a good look at Osprey's Customer Service as I'll get to see how they respond to my issues. Testing Conditions and Locations
The first two months of my testing were a little different from my usual stomping grounds in Florida. My summer travels brought me up into Massachusetts and Maine which provided me a bit of relief from the oppressive Florida heat and a new testing opportunity for the Atmos. The Atmos hauled my gear on a two-night trip in Southern Maine around Folly Pond in addition to a short overnighter on the Florida Trail. Field Observations and Performance
At this point I have mixed feelings about the Atmos that are pulling me in different directions when it comes to forming an opinion on the pack. On one hand, I really like the features and most of the design elements that the Atmos offers. On the other hand, there are one or two design issues that are effecting the fit and physical comfort of the pack. The suspension and I, just like the sizing, have a bit of a love-hate relationship. When I've had my pack weight under 30 lb (13.6 kg), even for long hours and high miles, I've really liked it. At these lighter weights the AirSpeed suspension with the curved frame and mesh backpanel have really been a blessing in warmer weather. Ventilation across my back has been very good overall. Additionally, the waffle pattern hip belt and shoulder straps seem to me to have a positive experience in terms of ventilation and moving fresh air across these normally restricted areas. Problems with the suspension for me do not start to arise until I creep up above 35 lb (15.9 kg) or so. At this point I start to feel additional stress in my shoulders combined with awkward pressure on my hips. In my opinion, the issue for me here is the lack of a lumbar pad in the design. At certain angles and under certain conditions part of the suspension starts to push directly on my hips which can be very uncomfortable. The photo to the left is the problem "area" of the suspension that starts riding on me. I suppose that getting up over 35 lb (15.9 kg) is really climbing away from the purpose of an "lightweight" suspension, but it's still worth mentioning. Regardless of the weight I've been hauling, one thing I haven't had any issues with is being off-balance. I have had no problems adjusting to the shift in my center of gravity due to the curved backpanel, which was one of my original concerns. Down the Trail The Atmos 65 is a mixed bag of features that I really love weighed against one or two design issues that are effecting the fit and physical comfort of the pack. I really feel like I need to spend more time in the pack before I can start to draw any real conclusions about the Atmos. I must say that I feel like the features and overall design are very well thought out and executed. For lack of a better term I think I'd call it "user friendly". However, even this early on I know there are two things I'd really like to see changed. I'd like to see the addition of a lumbar pad to improve the fit up against my back and prevent rubbing on the pack body under heavier loads and more adjustment to the suspension of the pack itself so I could customize it to fit my unique shape a little better. Testing Locations and Conditions
Over the final two months of the test series the Atmos has seen three overnight trips totalling four nights in the field as well as one day used as a picnic-hauler for the family. My overnight trips have been in the Ocala National Forest, Myakka River State Park, and the Florida Trail between Lake Okeechobee and the Atlantic Ocean. Field Observations and Assessment
The Atmos and I continued our love-hate relationship over the final few trips of the test series. I mentioned in my Field Report that discomfort with the suspension started at around 35 lb (15.9 kg) for me, but after my last trip I think I'd like to amend my statement to indicate the problems really start in the 30 - 32 lb range (13.6 - 14.5 kg). I narrowed down the "maximum comfort" range to about 28 lb (12.7 kg) for me. Once I start to carry loads any heavier than that I begin to notice the previously-mentioned rubbing of the pack frame against my body which flat out does not work for me. Final Thoughts
My overall opinion of the Atmos remains pretty much unchanged from my original thoughts. On one hand the Atmos has a lot of features that I find very useful and really enjoy. On the other hand, however, I have some sizing problems and a relatively low top-end maximum weight capacity that cause me some pretty serious comfort issues. Read more reviews of Osprey gear Read more gear reviews by Greg McDonald Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Osprey Atmos 65 > Test Report by Greg McDonald |