View Full Version : Any experience with Osprey Atmos 65 or Aether 60?
Considering one of these two packs, and was wondering if anyone here has experience with either. Thanks!
I've got a few hundred miles on a 65. So far so good. Replaced the clip on the top cord. Other then that it is stock. The pockets on the hipbelt are just a wee bit small for my liking. Rides well.
Yep, used the atmos 65 on my entire thru hike. Bombproof (except for the old style mesh hip belt pockets) and comfortable to boot.
You may also want to consider a ULA pack depending on your base weights. The Catalyst and Circuit models always get high marks.
MkBibble
05-31-2012, 16:18
Use an Atmos 65 and have no issues. Of course, there are lots of good packs and I'm sure several that are lighter. The pockets on the hip belt are nice; it would be okay with me if they were a LITTLE larger, but the current size is fine too.
hikerboy57
05-31-2012, 16:19
got the atmos with a few hundred miles on it. great pack.
I'm heading to my local REI after work to take a look at the Atmos. We'll see how it fits and looks. Seriously considering the ULA circuit as well. Looks to be about 1.5 lbs less than the Atmos. Thanks for the input. Keep em coming if you have any.
hikerboy57
05-31-2012, 17:28
the ventilated back on the atmos is great for summer, probably the only advantage over the circuit.
Sherpa Master
05-31-2012, 19:00
Love my Atmos 65
I'm heading to my local REI after work to take a look at the Atmos. We'll see how it fits and looks. Seriously considering the ULA circuit as well. Looks to be about 1.5 lbs less than the Atmos. Thanks for the input. Keep em coming if you have any.
If you are heading to REI take a look at the flash. I considered the Atmos and it is a good pack but settled for a flash.
I finished my thru hike with an Atmos. Started with a Exos 58 but it fell apart. Swapped it out in Hanover for the Atmos, which is heavier but still as comfortable.
I'm heading to my local REI after work to take a look at the Atmos. We'll see how it fits and looks. Seriously considering the ULA circuit as well. Looks to be about 1.5 lbs less than the Atmos. Thanks for the input. Keep em coming if you have any.
I'm a big fan of Osprey in general but I'm looking at REI specs and seeing ultralight: no
I'm think you could probably go lighter. REI has some packs marked ultralight, my girlfriends a fan of granite gear. Personally I used and like the ULA circuit, just don't overload it.
They don't call it The Cadillac for nothing. LOVE mine!
stranger
06-01-2012, 03:57
I'm heading to my local REI after work to take a look at the Atmos. We'll see how it fits and looks. Seriously considering the ULA circuit as well. Looks to be about 1.5 lbs less than the Atmos. Thanks for the input. Keep em coming if you have any.
I have a ULA Circuit and Osprey Aether 60, the Osprey is by far the better pack all things considered, in my opinion. But for straight ahead trail hiking, non-technical, I don't really see a big benefit to the Osprey considering the weight difference.
The simplicity of the Circuit is nice, the pack has grown on me after putting 1000 miles on my Aether, have about 400 on my ULA and although not without faults...it's a solid, simple, well made and lightweight pack.
House of Payne
06-01-2012, 05:33
I have the atmos 50 and I use it mainly for weekends on the trail. Great pack with many great features. Since I'm in planning for an upcoming thru in 14 I'd like to consider lighter packs soley for weight.
Well, I went with the Atmos. Was able to try on both the Atmos and Aether, and they were both pretty comfy, but in the end, the Atmos won out. It's a few ounces lighter than the Aether, yet 5 litres larger. Although the ULA was tempting, it was hard for me to justify with not being able to try it on before buying, and the fact that their return policy stated it had to be in new condition. Therefore, if after a weekend of wearing it I wasn't happy, I wouldn't be able to return it for a full refund if it happened to sustain a scuff or two. It's the little things like that that help me make my decisions.
I appreciate everyone's input. Thank you!
riverine17
06-20-2012, 15:59
I was in this situation recently and decided on the Aether 60, although i havent used it in the field yet, i have loaded it up and treked around a bit and it feels great. The quality is amazing and I doubt you can actually go wrong with an Osprey pack
prepcore
06-22-2012, 23:07
I was in this situation recently and decided on the Aether 60, although i havent used it in the field yet, i have loaded it up and treked around a bit and it feels great. The quality is amazing and I doubt you can actually go wrong with an Osprey pack
I thought the same until I got an Exos. Worst pack I've ever worn. Sold it and put the money towards a ULA Circuit without ever looking back. The mesh back panel does nothing either. I'm not a sweaty person in the least but I sweat with the mesh panel just an much as I do with any other pack. My Kestral on the other hand has been nothing but a joy to carry. I wasn't too happy with Osprey's customer service either. ULA on the other hand has been amazing to work with.
Whack-a-mole
06-23-2012, 20:37
I had an Aether 70, and I only used it for one trip and took it back to REI. There were things that were awesome about the pack. The suspension system worked really good. The zipper pulls worked really good. It was comfortable and easy to carry, but the deal breaker for me were the lower side pockets. They are so tight that you can't hardly get water bottles in or out. If they are tight to hold small gear, why do they have big vent holes in the side of them for stuff to fall out of? Kind of silly to me. I am very picky about my packs, and for the price, this one just didn't measure up. I hated that too because I liked the suspension system so much. Oh well....
SloHiker
07-01-2012, 10:58
They're both good packs, but the Aether will carry more weight due to a better suspension system. If you're pack weight stays above 30 lbs. you'll likely find the Aether a better choice.
I thought the same until I got an Exos. Worst pack I've ever worn. Sold it and put the money towards a ULA Circuit without ever looking back. The mesh back panel does nothing either. I'm not a sweaty person in the least but I sweat with the mesh panel just an much as I do with any other pack. My Kestral on the other hand has been nothing but a joy to carry. I wasn't too happy with Osprey's customer service either. ULA on the other hand has been amazing to work with.
What did you dislike about the exos?
Hiking with the circuit last year the back pad would suck my sweat into the pack and I found that I had to use a trash bag liner or my stuff would end up soaked on sunny days.
Does that happen with the exos?
Hairbear
07-06-2012, 23:23
my 65 works really well for me and i love the comfort.if i could change anything it would be the side pockets they are hard to get into while wearing the pack,and the pack gets a little uncomfortabe around the small of your back when you move the weight up.my complete gear water food and all is around 26 lbs and it does that very well.four and one half stars,bought dirt bag style last years model 179 dollars.
I have the Atmos 50. I thought I liked it until I got the ULA Circuit.
I doubt I'll ever use the Osprey again.
The Osprey has some wasted space due to the curved design.
Besides being lighter, the ULA is so much easier to pack!
prepcore
08-13-2012, 11:12
What did you dislike about the exos?
Hiking with the circuit last year the back pad would suck my sweat into the pack and I found that I had to use a trash bag liner or my stuff would end up soaked on sunny days.
Does that happen with the exos?
That's a lot of sweat! Haven't had that problem with the circuit, my back sweats the same. I don't know how many times I took my exos off and laughed with my hiking partners about the "ventilation" because my back would be covered in sweat. That wasn't my beef with it though, I figure my back is going to sweat no matter what and that's certainly no exception with my circuit, I just found it poorly made. It just looks and feels like it will break if you touch it wrong. The hip belts would slide terribly no matter how tight I made them, which I also saw in a lot of other reviews. I also didn't like how the curvature affected packing, it makes it difficult to put anything down to the bottom and same when taking things out. I just wasn't impressed for an Osprey. I expected more. Like I said I LOVE my kestrel and did like the Atmos 50 I had. It carried well, but got rid of it again because of how the frame curves in on the storage. It's just me though. The exos may be the perfect pack for someone else. Packs are a very individual thing and that's why there are so many choices. We're very spoiled this day in age. We could all be carrying canvas ruck sacks or the old weaved pack baskets. So to each his own.