Backside Line
The Osprey Atmos is famous, delivering one of the comfy and feature-rich pack experiences you’ll discover backpacking. We nonetheless suppose it’s an awesome pack, but it surely’s overkill for some backpackers, particularly in contrast with lighter choices that also carry out properly.
If somebody has a chronically sweaty again, the unbelievable air flow of the suspended mesh again panel and hip belt has no equal. We beloved how the pack match us and located the consolation glorious. All of that {hardware} does imply it’s a bit tricker to get on and off in comparison with extra forgiving packs. One other distinctive function is the flexibility to alter the torso size when you’re carrying it to actually dial in a match. Add on tons of zippers, pockets, and body, and also you’re left with a pack that actually delivers.
Nonetheless, all of that backpack goodness does begin to really feel a bit a lot at a sure level – particularly after we discovered we have been happier with easier backpacks that have been lighter and cheaper. We nonetheless suppose this can be a nice pack, and for the precise particular person, it’s going to be a dream come true. However we additionally suggest contemplating another choices earlier than choosing one of many heaviest and costliest fashions in our full backpacks information.
How We Examined
We took the Atmos on native trails in Minnesota throughout preliminary testing after we refreshed our whole backpack lineup.
Fast Specs

Osprey Atmos 65 / Aura AG 65
Backpacking Backpack with the Greatest Options
CleverHiker Score:
4.4/5.0
Worth:
$340
Weight:
4 lb. 10 oz.
Quantity:
65 L
Max Weight Rec.:
40 lb.
Professionals
- Can comfortably maintain heavier hundreds
- Breathable & well-padded body
- Above-average sturdiness
- Sturdy body transfers weight to hips properly
- Very comfy suspension
- Loads of room for further/cumbersome gear
- A lot of group
- Very simple to entry water bottles

Consolation
Few backpacks have pretty much as good of a repute as Osprey’s legendary Atmos. Sporting just about each function underneath the solar, Osprey is set to make carrying a backpack as comfy as potential.
For probably the most half it delivers. The spotlight of the pack is the suspended mesh again panel, which gives glorious airflow and assist for heavy hundreds. This mesh extends into the hip belt as properly, being one of many few backpacks to try to alleviate the sweat issues which can be frequent amongst most backpack designs. All of that ties right into a remarkably strong and strong feeling body that ought to preserve the consolation expertise constant.
Nonetheless the Atmos’s most rated load is a bit odd contemplating the pack’s weight. It boasts a 40 pound restrict, which is barely 5 kilos greater than a lot lighter packs. For our testing, we loaded it up with 30 kilos to check its consolation to different packs on this class. As anticipated, the Atmos dealt with this weight properly. We discovered that the hipbelt did an awesome job carrying the load, with glorious load switch throughout all the again area as properly. We did discover the expertise a bit “stiff” in some methods. The strong hip belt and again panel actually lock you into place. That is principally good but additionally gave our tester the impression he was tied right into a system.
This additionally interprets to a slightly cumbersome on-off expertise. For the reason that hip belt is so stiff, you want to get your hips lined as much as get into place. This can trouble some folks and be a non-issue to others. Nonetheless, it’s value mentioning right here that each one this consolation comes at a little bit of a value.

Options
The Atmos sits practically in a category of its personal for what number of options it manages to cram into its body. A number of the most notable ones apply to consolation. Specifically, the Atmos permits customers to regulate their torso size on the fly as they’re carrying the pack. It is a distinctive function that could be a little difficult to drag off for the reason that straps are somewhat brief, however when it really works it really works properly.
As well as, each the hip belt and the shoulder straps embody extension items, so you’ll be able to add or take away sections of assist on every space. In follow these options sound actually fantastic, however most customers will find yourself setting them at their most well-liked limits after which not touching them once more. The exception to that is if over the course of a protracted through hike your physique form adjustments – wherein case, the adjustable hip and chest strap system could be very good.
We’re additionally a giant fan of the way in which that Osprey does water bottle pockets. That includes a vertical opening with a pull loop, we discovered we might match each a wise water bottle and a bigger one liter Nalgene into them with out situation. The fast trekking pole storage system can be a favourite function of ours, permitting us to retailer our trekking poles rapidly to have a hands-free second on path. That being stated, we’re in a position to replicate it on different packs, so it’s not a function that might make us particularly purchase the Atmos.
The listing of options go on – and we have now to credit score Osprey for executing all of them properly. Each the facet inside entry zippers and the facet pocket zippers are low profile and work easily. The interior entry zipper is kind of properly hidden however permits for practically all the facet to be opened up. We appreciated the twin ice axe attachment system as a result of it has shock twine toggle mechanism to maintain the deal with in place. When you’re in search of a pack that has the kitchen sink, the Atmos just isn’t going to disappoint.

Sturdiness
As one of many heavier backpacks in Ospreys lineup, sturdiness is a precedence right here. Fabricated from thick 210D and 500D nylon, the Atmos impressed us with its total construct high quality. It shouldn’t come as that massive of a shock – Osprey makes a number of the greatest backpacks round. Even so, we discovered it to be implausible. It is a pack that we’d confidently tackle a path with bushwacking and rock scrambling with out fear or lend to a pal figuring out they gained’t harm it.
The restricted use of mesh helps right here. Earlier variations of this pack used mesh extra liberally on the again stretch pocket, so we have been happy to see that Osprey changed a few of that with strong face material. The one different place we see mesh getting used are on the facet bottle pockets. Although we would want to see strong material right here for improved sturdiness, it’s not less than thicker and extra strong mesh than what most producers use.
Within the background to this whole sturdiness dialogue is the truth that Osprey has a superb guarantee. Any harm to the pack is roofed. It’s nice to see an organization handle its customers and stand by their merchandise, fixing gear and getting it again out into the world as a substitute of forcing folks to purchase new stuff.
Osprey’s consideration to sustainability can be value noting. The principle physique material of the Atmos makes use of recycled, Bluesign-approved materials, and the DWR remedy is PFC/PFAS free.

Ease of Use
This isn’t the simplest pack to make use of, merely due to the daunting quantity of options it gives. That being stated, every part of it does work properly. It’s actually simply the multitude of choices right here that turns into barely overwhelming in comparison with extra simple backpacks.
For a lot of packs, the largest stumbling block is water bottle entry. Fortunately, Osprey has lengthy used vertical water bottle entry factors, so we’re comfortable to see them within the Atmos. We have been in a position to get our water bottles out with out a lot bother. Though, we are going to word that taller 1 liter sensible water bottles are doubtlessly lengthy sufficient to intrude together with your elbow place.
The remainder of the backpack works properly. All of the zippers are easy and straightforward to make use of, the clips are prime quality and sturdy, and even the multitude of consolation changes have been simple as soon as we understood what all of them did.

Ought to You Purchase the Osprey Atmos AG Backpack?
When you’re somebody who needs each function underneath the solar, then you definately’ve most likely heard of the legendary Atmos. We are able to affirm that it is a wonderful pack with glorious consolation, options, and sturdiness. That being stated, many backpackers merely don’t want the extent of options that this pack offers. As well as, this pack is heavy however doesn’t carry way more weight than a lot lighter backpacks. This doesn’t make it a nasty product, however potential patrons ought to know what they’re getting and what they’re paying further for. Our gear analyst prefers lighter packs. Nonetheless, backpackers who worth consolation and sturdiness over weight financial savings ought to undoubtedly take into account the Osprey Atmos AG 65.

What Different Backpacking Packs Ought to You Contemplate?
To see backpacks that may haul extra gear or trim down the load, take a look at our full Backpacking Backpack Gear Information.
Osprey Aura AG – The ladies’s model is functionally similar to the Atmos, with the one distinction being colour choices and a shorter minimal torso size of 13 inches vs 17 inches on the Atmos.
Gregory Paragon 58 Overview – For many individuals, we expect that the Paragon gives a greater stability of options, worth, and weight than the Atmos. Each of those packs are nice, however for the value and weight, we expect that the Paragon is a better selection.
Osprey Exos 58 Overview – When you appreciated the general really feel of the Atmos however thought that it was somewhat overbuilt, the Exos is perhaps precisely what you’re in search of. It’s a extra stripped down and light-weight Osprey backpack.
REI Flash 55 Overview – If the value tag of the Atmos is a shock, the Flash is a backpack that may evolve out of your very first weekend journey all the way in which to a multi-month through hike.
