Osprey Atmos 50- for winter use?

Hi Jerome.

I'm not an Osprey fan myself but I know folk who've used the Atmos 35 as a winter daysack, and also the Talon 33 (there is a 44 model) perfectly successfully.

My own choice in that sort of capacity would be the POD Black Ice (comfortable and bomb-proof and available in different back lengths). Or I'd look at the larger OMM models like the Villain or Mountain Mover - but they only come in a single back length (and it doesn't fit me!), plus I think they're thin on the ground right now until new stock hits the shops.

Whatever though, make sure you try it on fully loaded - packs are almost as individual as boots when it comes to fit.

I dont know the Atmos, but the Kestral 48 works remarkably well. Side pockets I can get into on the move. Hip belt pockets for compass/buff/treats/etc. Hydration sleeve between the back and bag. Two sizes, adjustable to fit. Only downside is the weight of the extras, but I find it so comfortable and easy to shift weight around between my hips and shoulders as needed it seems to disappear - till next time I need to heave it back on!

Hi Jerome
I use the Aura 35 (female version of Atmos) as a winter daysack, and took my Aura 50 on the OM Winter Skills course, both years. The 50 took all the winter stuff, incl. crampons, harness, helmet, ice-axe, assorted bits of hardware, flask etc. etc. etc. with no problem and was very comfortable. I certainly didn't feel it couldn't cope with the weight of the kit. The compression straps on the 50 mean you can squidge it down quite a lot if you're just doing a winter day-walk rather than serious stuff you'd need hardwear for.

I tend to use an OMM 32L Classic which is lightweight and takes my winter kit (but not a rack) with ease. For something a little bigger (a whole 3 liters) I have used my Crux AK37 (big) L - if that is not enough the AK47 (my winter backpacking sack) is great.

Yet as said above - fit is all.

My friends uses his Atmos 50, however, the problem he finds is that with all the winter gear in, the load can be quite far away from the back. Meaning your put off balance, which may not turn out so well. The best winter pack i have seen/had is the osprey exposure 50.

It is a absolute dream, custom moulded hip belt, nice comfy back system, aswell as being pretty bomb proof. I cannot fault it what so ever, that would be my recogmendation! 

Hello Half Viking / Jerome Conreen et al.,

 Many thanks for all the interest in Osprey packs.

If I'm honest, I wouldn't suggest the Atmos 50 to be the most perfect pack for full-on winter adventures or winter climbing / mountaineering etc, as the Atmos series is designed to be a lightweight, fully-ventilated pack for the high-end trekker / walker / light mountain user who is looking to save every gram more than scale the north face of the Ben etc!

It could be said that using a ventilated pack (where the load is purposefully held away from the body) could potentially be detrimental to balance etc. whilst climbing, however this is a very subjective issue and not one I'm about to take a hardline stance on! I am however going to steer your attention towards our new climbing / alpine packs, the Mutant 38 and the Variant series, as possible solutions to the original question of recommending packs for winter use.

The Mutant 38 is a dedicated climbing pack design for all-round 'vertical' and mountain use, being equally at home summer scrambling in Scotland / the Alps, to cold winter climbs in Alaska. With it's floating lid, the Mutant 38 will comfortably swallow ~another 8 to 10 litres of gear (for when you need that extra fleece or rack of gear!) and includes climbing-specific design features such as a reverse-wrap hipbelt, 3-point haul loops and a gear-racking system on the hipbelt.

Alternatively the new Osprey Variant series comes in three sizes (28, 37 & 52ltrs) and could be considered to be the most direct 'replacement' for the Exposure series, in that the Variant packs are vey winter-focussed climbing packs. With crampon pouches, ski-loops and fixtures for modern modular ice-tools, the Variant packs would be another good possibility for a winter-specific pack.

I would definitely recommend the above packs for winter / climbing use over-and-above the Atmos 50. For more info on the above packs, feel free to visit the Osprey website at www.ospreypacks.com. You could also take a look at the link below which is a recent review for the Mutant 38 by Jon Doran right here on OM:

 http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/news/article/mps/uan/5500

I hope the above info is useful!

Thanks guys,

Martin

Osprey Packs

Thanks for the responses.  Had a look at some packs this weekend in Betws-y-Coed and Llanberis.  The Mutant looks like a good pack but is not quite big enough.

Matt, Pod stuff is very well built but I'm not sure if I can use my hydration bladder.

 I will certainly check out the OMM stuff and the new Osprey Varient series when I see them in the shops.

Thanks Again

Jerome

However I have in recent years become addicted to my hydration bladder would be useless unless I cut holes in the pack.

No: stow the bladder against the back, outside of your internal liner just in case there's a leak, and loop the hose out of the top of the snowlock and down over the shoulder.  There's no need for special holes or pockets to use a bladder: I've used them with no bother on packs that aren't "hydration enabled".

Pete.

 

Jerome Conreen wrote (see)

Matt, Pod stuff is very well built but I'm not sure if I can use my hydration bladder.