Gear

Its seemed to have a lot of interest a year or so ago, but one of the lightest framed rucksacks available on the market, someone must have bought and used one.

I like the features of the rucksack, apart from the lack of side pockets. I'm going to try one on next week and maybe make the plunge, but I would like to know what its like long term.

Also it's my first rucksack with very little padding (I'm using a Vaude Triset 35 +8 and its great but I could do with 5 - 10 more litres of space for a three day trip and the exos 46 is lighter), so I'd be interested in peoples views on low padded rucksacks and any problems with converting to them.

I've got the Exos 58 and it is a very good sack.

Don't worry about padding - the Exos relies on a kind of steetched mesh over a lightweight frame and only the mesh is in contact with your back so it is extremely comfortable and keeps your back dry.  I was wearing mine all afternoon yesterday over an Event jacket and I wasn't aware of my back sweating at all.  The hipbelt and shoulder straps look thin but are more than adequate.

With a reasonable load - say 11kg - it doesn't feel quite as stable as some other sacks but that may be down to my packing skills.

I've also got a Vaude Triset 35+8 and I was reasonably happy with it but the Osprey is in a different league - much better fit, lighter, more comfortable, extremely well-designed and very practical features.   

I've got an Exos 58 as well (not easy to get in the UK in Large when i bought it - hit lucky).

Dont worry about padding,  its really comfortable, i use it with usually a 10-12kg 1or 2 day load.

The Exos has 2 zip pockets on the bag which go the full lenghth and i find them really useful. They also have 2 stow mesh pockets for water bottles on the sides. I like side pockets and dont miss them.

There are a number of small design changes on the exos from the similar atmos (like the frame doesnt arch as much meaning its much easier to pack).

I looked for ages and compared it the usual suspects, OMM etc, i just dont think you can beat a framed ventilated pack.

Probably the best piece of kit i've bought.

El Manana wrote (see)

I've got an Exos 58 as well (not easy to get in the UK in Large when i bought it - hit lucky).

Outside.co.uk only had medium and small so i emailed them about Large stock availability and they replied saying they had only 1 in stock so couldnt list it on the website! Excellent service as well.

I'll second the praise for the Exos 58. Bought one last year and it came with me to New Zealand for 4 weeks over Xmas where I walked about 200 km with it- don't know if that counts as long term yet.

As with all packs you preferably need to try it on. For me that was the point when I decided I had to buy one because I found it so comfortable to carry. The outward curves in the lower frame transfer the weight amazingly well onto the hips. I've had about 15kg in mine and still found it comfortable and stable.

There is one little caveat I have: the materials used are generally pretty sturdy. The only vulnerable place I found was the bit where the curve of the frame extends below the bottom of the pack. Someone must have dragged my pack along the floor in one of the many airports on the journey to NZ and the material covering the frame at that point got chafed away. Next time I'll stick some duck tape over the bottom of the frame which should solve that problem.

Lack of side pockets: I wouldn't worry about that because you have the two mesh side pockets, one (for the 46) or two (for the 58) zipped pockets along the front of the pack, and the stretch pocket. For someone who has always used very simple alpine style packs before like the Macpac Pursuit, I've grown quite attached to those outside pockets of the Exos.

Got the Exos 46 about a year ago here in UK shortly after it became available.

I've used the Osprey Aether 75 on winter camping hikes for years and always considered it the canine's cohones, but the padded back, although comfortable, did get rather damp at times.

30 odd years ago I had a CampTrails frame pack (US company with products made in Ireland) which made use of widish strapping stretched horizontally across the frame, and although crude compared with anything around nowadays, it kept the back reasonably well aired.

The Exos packs are a much more sophisticated version of this concept so I was pleased to find how well it performed (so far for three week-long bothy/wild camping trips and a couple of winter days in Scotland) and, more important, how extremely comfortable the pack is, even when fully loaded.

Maybe partly thanks to the Paramo tops I wear, my back now stays dry in all the conditions I've encountered so far.

Although incredibly light, it's very well made. The shoulder straps and belt (which are also well ventilated) are easy to adjust en route and the quick access carrying loops for walking poles work well too.

It's easily the best pack I've ever had.

Hi Stumbler

This is hot off the press. I bought a 46 large last week from The Outdoor Shop £117 as carrier for a 2 week Welsh coast to Coast in May. It is to replace my Golite which tortured my shoulders last year on the TGOC.

I cannot fault it. This weekend we walked from Trawsfynnydd south for 2 days down to Barmouth(almost) in all kinds of weather with full backpacking kit 22lbs and food. It was a dream provided you go through the right ritual when packing and putting it on. There is no leaning forward, no aches - the Rhinogs is treacherous ground in the wet but this did not affect my balance at all.The weight transfers beatifully to the hips and you cannot feel it on the shoulders. It is complicated and their are straps everywhere but you get to know its ways after a day. I got home at midnight and was in for work at 8am and feel great for the slob that I am. I agree about the Paramo tho  and am tempted to bankrupt myself  as my mate in his Velez and ULA was dryer than me due to water getting in via neck and badly worn mitts. 

Hi,

My wife has an Exos 34 and I have the 46, we both find it an incredible comfy pack, also both wear Paramo / Cioch