Guest - Not logged in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Osprey Packs Atmos 35 > Test Report by Jason BoyleOsprey Packs, Inc.Atmos 35 LTest Series by Jason BoyleInitial Report – September 24, 2009Field Report - December 9, 2009Long Term Report - January 30, 2010
Tester Information:
Backpacking Background:
Product Information:
Product Description:
The pack also has several other cool features like “Stow on the Go” which allows the user to stow trekking poles through a bungee attachment on the left shoulder strap and a bungee attachment on left bottom corner of the pack. The pack also has “InsideOut” compression for the lower side straps which allows the user to either compress the bottom side of the pack over the elastic stretch side pockets or to reroute the straps under the elastic stretch side pockets. In addition, there are two tool attachments on the back of the pack and large glove friendly zipper pulls. The frame of the pack is Osprey’s “AirSpeed Suspension with LightWire alloy frame and 3D tensioned breathable mesh backpanel with side ventilation”. In layman’s terms this means that there is a couple inch (centimeter) gap between the frame that rests against my body and the actual body of the pack. The shoulder straps and hip belt are perforated foam with “gender specific BioStretch mesh on the face.”
Initial Impressions:
I also like this intermediate pack size. Our test season is going to be fall to winter here in Kodiak for which this pack will be perfect. I anticipate being able to easily fit my ten essentials in this pack with plenty of layering and shelter options. I can also use a pack this size for fast and light summer overnight trips. Per Osprey’s sizing chart, I requested a medium size pack. I also went to REI and had a pack fitter measure my torso and fit me for this pack and he also concurred that I needed a medium. When the pack arrived, I placed some gear in the pack and tried it on. The pack fits very well and felt comfortable with the approximately 10 lbs (4.5 kg) I had in it. I received the Gold colored pack and to be honest that was the one color offered on the website that I didn't like. However, as I have been writing and inspecting the pack the color has grown on me and isn’t nearly as obnoxious as I thought it would be. It is actually quite nice and blends in well to the foliage we have here in Kodiak. There is one feature that I am not sure what the function is, and I was not able to find it in any Osprey literature. At the top of the main compartment there is a zipper that runs the along the seam that allows access to the area between the pack bag and frame. It provides access to this area but there doesn’t seem to be any reason to enter this part of the pack. I will continue to investigate this feature.
Field Report – December 9, 2009 Summary:
Field Conditions:
Report:
I evaluated the pack on three characteristics – fit, durability, and usefulness over the last couple of months. The fit of the pack has been great so far. I wasn’t sure how the perforated shoulder straps and hip belt would perform while the pack was stuffed full, but they did a good job of distributing the weighted pack and provided plenty of cushioning. The most impressive feature I think though is the mesh backpanel of the pack. It is the best ventilated pack that I have ever used. While hiking in our stiff fall winds, I could feel the wind flowing between the pack and the back of my shirt. Awesome! I did some scrambling on Mt. Jumbo out of Juneau and the pack didn’t restrict my freedom in any way while moving up the mountain. There have been no durability issues with the pack thus far. I don’t intentionally try to do anything to damage the pack, but I have been known to be a klutz from time to time. While descending Mt. Jumbo via headlamp on a damp trail, I managed to fall multiple times on the way down where the pack cushioned my falls. I can gladly report that I only suffered some bruises – physically and to my ego! However, other than some dirt on the pack it still looked new. I was concerned that the mesh pockets might snag on things and rip easily, but thus far it has not been a problem. I was also concerned with the durability of the perforated shoulder straps and hip belt, but have had no issues. The third characteristic that I evaluated the pack on was how useful it is. The main compartment swallows gear easily. I was able to fit my shell top and bottoms, a large fleece, and assorted miscellaneous gear in this compartment. I used the smaller compartment to store gloves, my first aid kit, and food. I used the shove-it pocket to store anything that I needed quickly. This is usually where my fleece ends up after starting out in the main compartment. The side pockets were another great feature. The pocket has access at the top and the side closest to the user. The opening on the side closest to the hiker is designed so that the he can reach his water and replace it without taking the pack off. I have used another Osprey pack with this feature but because of the shape of the pack I couldn’t return my water bottle to the pocket. However, I can replace my water bottle on this pack and I like this feature! The weather has been chilly so I have been using water bottles instead of a hydration bladder, and now that the bears have started to hibernate I tend to hike alone. I like not having to take off my pack to get a drink. Continuing on the theme of the side pockets, I really like the “InsideOut” compression strap feature. I have been able to cinch the pack tightly when I did not need maximum capacity, but didn’t have to cinch my water bottles in place too!
I mentioned the hip belt pockets earlier. They are quite large and can easily hold an average sized digital camera, two flip style cell phones or several food bars. Nothing is perfect though. The hip belt pockets are hard to zip because the mesh is flimsy, a minor annoyance at this point. I have not had the opportunity to try out the stow-and-go feature to store trekking poles yet, but now that snow is on the ground I will be using trekking poles as I snowshoe and it should allow me to have the opportunity to test this feature.
Summary:
Field Conditions:
Report:
Durability has also continued to be good. There is a little bit of abrasion damage to the bottom of the pack where the hip belt meets the body of the pack. It is very minor and cosmetic only. The scratches probably resulted from me setting the pack down on rough surfaces like the rocky beaches on the way to Termination Point or at Fort Abercrombie versus the falls mentioned previously. I have also been pleased with the elasticity of the shove-it pocket. I am able to easily shove gear into this pocket and the elasticity of the pocket holds the gear solidly in place. I would caution on putting anything that has sharp edges in this pocket. I used the pocket to carry a pair of traction devices and I could see the points on the traction devices pushing into the outer material, but they never poked through. I have continued to enjoy the great organizational features mentioned in the Field Report. I still am a bit frustrated with the floppy zippers on the hip belt pockets and I learned that not all water bottles are created equally. During my field report, I was using a standard sized one liter Powerade bottle as my drink bottle of choice. I was able to easily remove this type of bottle from the side pockets on the pack. The bottles are fairly tall and skinny. However, during the last couple of months, I switched to standard wide mouth one liter Nalgene bottles and experienced vastly different results. I was able to remove the bottles from the side pockets, but could not get them back into the pockets. I have examined this from various angles and it seems like the larger diameter and shorter Nalgene bottles don’t fit into the pocket as well as a skinner bottle. Not a huge issue, I just need to make sure I grab skinnier bottles or use a hydration system if I am going to be hiking solo. Overall this is a great day pack for all day adventures. This concludes my Long Term Report. Thanks to Backpackgeartest.org and Osprey Packs for allowing me to participate in this test.
Read more reviews of Osprey gear Read more gear reviews by Jason Boyle Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Osprey Packs Atmos 35 > Test Report by Jason Boyle |