Atom Packs: The Pulse EP50 Ultralight Backpack Assessment

Backside Line

We completely examined The Pulse EP50 throughout 500 miles of Rocky Mountain terrain on the Colorado Path. Day after day, we dragged this factor by harsh storms and gale-force winds, and its efficiency by no means faltered.

The Pulse EP50 (additionally accessible in a 40L model) hits that candy spot in quantity for three-season mountaineering. It’s mild sufficient for the dialed-in ultralight backpacker, however large enough for just a few further luxurious gadgets or an enormous resupply. The EcoPack EPX200 materials is light-weight and waterproof, however the seams are usually not taped, so the pack isn’t 100% waterproof.

One in all our favourite design options of this pack is the quantity and placement of exterior pockets. The simply reachable pockets cut back the necessity to unshoulder your pack and can help you get in additional miles. The high-quality development and quite a few options pack a number of bang on your buck.

The pack does embody a light-weight body, however it doesn’t enhance the load capability as a lot as different frames, and the hip belt is minimally supportive, which could possibly be a draw back for some people. Take a look at our full information to ultralight packs for extra choices to finest fit your backpacking model.

consolation

Though the Pulse EP50 is a framed pack, it’s most comfy when saved underneath its most load capability. Atom Packs recommends carrying not more than 30 kilos with the EP50, however we seen it will get a bit uncomfortable round 25 kilos. 

The minimalist carbon hoop body and semi-narrow hip belt gained’t switch weight to the hips in addition to another packs, so you’ll really feel the load in your shoulders. The pack additionally lacks load lifters that might shift the load nearer to the physique. Nonetheless, we benefit from the extra ergonomic hip belt adjustment, pulling inward as a substitute of outward.

That being mentioned, the Pulse EP50 performs fantastically within the candy spot of 25 kilos and underneath. We by no means skilled any disagreeable rub from the shoulder straps or the hip belt. The again panel doesn’t present a lot airflow however is tremendous sturdy and dries rapidly.

The sternum strap is partially elastic, permitting the shoulder straps to flex and transfer with you as you bounce down the path. In additional technical terrain, the straps do a superb job of holding the pack in place and tight in opposition to your again to not throw off your stability.

Whereas consolation with heavy masses won’t be this pack’s primary profit, it nonetheless retains up with the most effective and is enough for many thru-hikers.

Performance

The Atom Packs Pulse EP50 is thoughtfully designed with comfort in thoughts. The pack consists of 1 45-liter inside pocket with a roll-top enclosure and eight exterior pockets, including a further 10 to fifteen liters. 

Different helpful options embody entrance and facet elastic straps for holding trekking poles and moist gear and an ice axe loop for mountaineering pursuits.

The highest buckle strap’s tail has loads of size to connect a bear canister, and the 5-liter entrance mesh pocket makes a superb catch-all pocket for smaller gadgets. On both facet of the pack are two 2.5-liter, forward-facing facet pockets with loads of area to suit two 1-liter good water bottles every. Our solely gripe is that they could possibly be a tad simpler to achieve.

The 2 shoulder strap pockets supply final comfort. They maintain plenty of snacks so you possibly can hold mountaineering whilst you refuel. They are going to even maintain a 750mL Smartwater bottle.

The underside pocket is an progressive characteristic we love utilizing for trash or light-weight rain gear. The trash port gives a handy and safe place to stuff away snack wrappers, reducing down on unintended litter. 

For the ultralighters seeking to shed extra ounces, the hipbelt, carbon body, and closed-cell foam again panel can all be eliminated, reworking the pack right into a frameless, mile-crushing machine. Eradicating all of those elements decreases the general pack weight by 5.5 ounces.

Water Resistance

The Pulse EP50 is constituted of Robic Extreema, a really waterproof cloth, however it’s not 100% waterproof. The material’s waterproofing is bolstered with an eco-DWR end, however the seams are usually not taped, creating potential weak spots for water to get in. In our managed water publicity check, nonetheless, we seen solely minor breaching on the underside panel of the pack. 

One other draw back is the shortage of drainage holes within the facet pockets. We’ve by no means had an actual difficulty with this, however it does create the potential for pooling, which could possibly be a priority for people who wish to pack electronics of their facet pockets.

Though the Pulse EP50 is exceptionally waterproof, we suggest pairing it with a pack liner. No waterproof end is everlasting, and though the material beneath is waterproof, the seams could possibly be weak factors over time.

Building

Many ultralight packs sacrifice sturdiness to trim off as many ounces as attainable, however the Pulse EP50 strikes a fantastic stability. 

The primary physique and base are constituted of EcoPak EPX200 cloth, and the facet pockets, shoulder straps, and hipbelt are 210D Robic Extreema. Each supplies pack a considerable quantity of sturdiness in a really light-weight package deal. The again panel, which sees a few of the most contact because it rubs in opposition to your again all day lengthy, is extremely strong with 500D textured Nylon. 

One other frequent weak point of ultralight packs is the mesh pockets, however not on the Pulse EP50. Each the principle entrance pocket and the underside pocket are constituted of an all-but-bulletproof Dyneema Mesh. After 500 miles of use, we nonetheless have but to see any indicators of damage on the mesh. The entrance mesh pocket is tighter than some mesh, which makes for a safe maintain on helpful backpacking gadgets, however it might be a bit too comfortable for some individuals’s preferences. 

The Pulse EP50 is a light-weight (however not loopy light-weight) pack that can absolutely fulfill most ultralighter’s weight objectives. Coming in at about 23.8 ounces for a 50-liter capability, this pack has a weight-to-capacity ratio of about 0.5 ounces per liter, which is common for many ultralight packs.

Ought to You Purchase The Pulse EP50 Ultralight Backpack by Atom Packs?

The Atom Packs Pulse EP50 is a well-rounded pack for ultralight thru-hikers, bushwhackers, and light-weight backpackers on their solution to dialing of their ultralight package. It has loads of quantity to be suitable with a variety of mountaineering kinds and is thoughtfully designed for environment friendly mountaineering and shifting within the backcountry. 

The EP50 packs a ton of worth into a comparatively reasonably priced package deal, not skimping on development high quality or materials and guaranteeing that each characteristic is really sensible and efficient. We reviewed the usual Pulse EP50, however each Atom Pack is totally customizable with various supplies, colours, and options, so you possibly can dial-in absolutely the excellent pack.

Hikers seeking to carry massive masses in winter or on longer journeys would possibly wish to take into account a unique pack. The EP50 lacks a strong body, broad hip belt, and cargo lifters to assist carry bigger masses.

What Different Ultralight Backpacks Ought to You Think about?

There’s just a few extra ultralight backpacks price contemplating when you just like the Pulse by Atom Packs. Don’t fear; we examined and reviewed them for you. See our favorites in our information to the most effective ultralight packs.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40 Assessment: That is one other one among our favorites because of the backside pocket, sturdiness, and superior waterproofness. It additionally has hip belt pockets, and carries weight higher than the Pulse EP50.

Pa’Lante V2 Assessment: The Pa’Lante V2 shares related options with the Pulse EP50, however is a bit smaller in quantity and is totally frameless – good for the seasoned ultralight hiker.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55 Assessment: So as to add a bit extra quantity with out dropping the simplicity, waterproofness, and sturdiness of the Pulse EP50, try the HMG Southwest 44.