This is an in-depth assessment of the Osprey Exos Pro 55L Thru-Hiking Backpack 2023. This is the newest improve to the very fashionable Exos sequence of backpacks from Osprey. It is now lighter than ever and nonetheless essentially the most comfy thru-hiking backpack in the marketplace.
If you might be searching for an ultralight backpack that’s nonetheless very comfy and has house for an inner hydration pack, and sufficient room within the aspect pockets to hold a 4L water bladder on all sides then there’s nothing else on the market that’s higher.
I not too long ago took the brand new Osprey Exos Pro 55L backpack out to check it and was very impressed. I’ve extensively used and examined the older Osprey Exos fashions having used them on a mix of 4 thru-hikes totaling greater than 10000 miles. And this new mannequin has the identical stage of high quality however is lighter.
The Osprey Exos Pro 55L not too long ago took out the award for essentially the most comfy thru-hiking backpack within the assessment of the greatest ultralight backpacks in the marketplace in 2023.
Keep studying to seek out out extra in regards to the Osprey Exos Pro 55L Thru-Hiking Backpack.
In-Depth Review of Osprey Exos Pro 55L Backpack 2023
Weight: 33.2 oz / 942 g (S/M dimension) Pros: > Ultralight > Large capability 55L > Great for thru-hiking > Large aspect pockets > Bearvault 500 suits horizontally which makes this completely suited to locations such because the JMT and PCT. Cons: > Not waterproof, wants a pack cowl or inner pack liner > The detachable lid is just additional weight and never that purposeful for many ultralight hikers
The Osprey Exos and Osprey Eja backpacks have been among the hottest light-weight backpacks in the marketplace for a few years. The newly launched Exos Pro and Eja Pro are lighter in weight, simply as purposeful, and are simply essentially the most comfy light-weight backpacks in the marketplace in 2023.
I’ve used the common Exos for greater than 10000 miles / 16000 km of mountaineering and backpacking all over the world and the brand new Osprey Exos Pro is all the pieces that the previous mannequin was however in a lighter weight and with a few helpful upgrades.
I like the brand new silicon part on the again of the hipbelt which retains the pack locked in place higher than earlier than. The continued use of hipbelt pockets after eradicating them just a few years again is nice. They are large enough for many massive smartphones, snacks, and extra.
The Osprey Exos Pro is without doubt one of the few light-weight backpacks that also supply a hydration sleeve on your hydration bladder which I like. And the aspect pockets are nonetheless the most effective in school for storage and accessibility. While some backpacks want the hiker to be double jointed to entry a water bottle when mountaineering, the Osprey Exos Pro makes it very straightforward with the twin entry aspect pocket. I ponder why different producers haven’t tried to repeat or emulate this superior design! It is the most effective on the market in the mean time.
The outer cloth is lighter than earlier fashions and constructed from recycled supplies. You will nonetheless want a water-resistant backpack cowl or inner pack liner to maintain issues dry when the climate turns nasty because the pack is just water-resistant. To preserve issues dry and accessible there’s the detachable lid which I’m not a fan of. During testing, I eliminated it and located the backpack works effectively by simply utilizing the small lid flap to maintain the backpack closed and dry.
The ventilated body does an ideal job and permitting air movement round your again. And the adjustable shoulder straps, load lifters, and cozy harness all mix to make this a brilliant comfy backpack. If it is necessary so that you can have a light-weight backpack that may be very comfy, then look no additional that is the most effective one on the market. Sure, different packs are lighter, and others are extra comfy, however this presents the most effective steadiness of consolation and weight. I’m certain this can be a very fashionable thru-hiking backpack.
Overall, the Osprey Exos Pro is essentially the most comfy light-weight backpack in the marketplace for 2023. Keep studying to find out about each little element about this backpack.
Frame
The Osprey Exos Pro 55L is without doubt one of the few ultralight packs which have a ventilated body design. The body has a sturdy mesh panel that enables air to flow into between your again and the backpack. The body is supported by metallic poles alongside the aspect of the pack and throughout the highest and backside of the pack.
When I examined this pack in sizzling circumstances, I discovered the air flow to work fairly effectively, particularly when there was a little bit of wind to maintain the air circulating. Unlike another packs that characteristic a ventilated again system, the principle physique of the pack is much sufficient away so {that a} poorly packed backpack doesn’t end in objects poking you within the again comparable to cook dinner pots and stoves. During testing, I attempted to pack the backpack as poorly as attainable to attempt to get the sharp objects on my again and however the design of the backpack prevented this from occurring. Well completed Osprey on this small however necessary characteristic.
Overall, the Osprey Exos Pro body is an enchancment over earlier fashions they usually managed to do all this and preserve the load down. I ponder what a carbon fiber body and the usage of Ultra Fabric would appear like on this backpack!
Harness
The shoulder straps on the Osprey Exos Pro Backpack are gentle, breathable, and dare I exploit the phrase once more, comfy. The harness will be adjusted up or right down to make it longer or shorter in again size. As effectively as having a sternum strap and cargo lifters.
The harness comes with a few additional particulars that come in useful. There is a breathable panel on the prime of the shoulder straps to permit air from round these notoriously sweaty sections of the physique. Speaking of breathable, the again panel is a top quality mesh materials that enables air to flow into across the again. All that is held kind by metallic body stays that additionally kind a part of the adjustable shoulder straps mechanism.
There aren’t any shoulder pockets or water bladder hose clips on the shoulder straps which might be a pleasant addition, however as this can be a minimalist backpack it is sensible to not load up the options an excessive amount of.
There isn’t a lot to be important of, apart from the dearth of shoulder strap pockets or water bladder hose clip. The entire harness and shoulder strap system work in concord collectively.
Hip Belt
The hip belt is comfy and works as it’s alleged to. There is sufficient padding to maintain issues pain-free and the addition of a silicone pad on the rear serves to help with conserving the hipbelt and pack in place reasonably than permitting it to slide round when mountaineering.
There are pockets on each side which are large enough for smartphones, snacks, lip balm, and many others. One of the pockets comes with a zipper and the opposite has a flap to maintain issues in place. Backpacks with hip belt pockets will at all times rating effectively as a desired characteristic when in search of out a backpack.
The Hip Belt pockets are massive sufficient for large-sized smartphones
Weight
The Osprey Exos Pro 55L is the lightest backpack in the marketplace that may be very comfy to put on. Weighing below the metric one-kilogram and across the two-pound mark makes them very gentle. But what’s spectacular is that the consolation of the backpack truly appears to make it really feel lighter than it truly is. Not certain what sort of phantasm is occurring right here however if you happen to strive it on for your self you’ll know what I imply.
And they are often made even lighter than the official specs by eradicating the highest lid. By doing so it can save you a few ounces.
Weight Specs:
Exos Pro 55L – 33.2 oz / 942 grams (S/M)
Exos Pro 58L – 34.6 oz / 982 grams (L/XL)
Carrying Capacity and Size
The Osprey Exos Pro is just out there within the 55L dimension in the mean time. There isn’t any phrase from Osprey to substantiate if every other sizes can be made out there sooner or later, however I think they’ll take a look at increasing the scale vary in some unspecified time in the future.
The dimension can be excellent for thru-hikers and anybody who has trimmed their backpacking gear checklist to incorporate light-weight and compact gear. That means most individuals can have no challenge carrying a number of liters of water and sufficient meals for a few days of backpacking. If you wish to carry extra gear there’s room within the exterior rear pocket, and there are webbing loops to clip additional gear if wanted. If you end up carrying excessively heavy masses and having to strap issues to the skin of the pack, then perhaps think about one other backpack that’s bigger and heavier on your wants. Nonetheless, it’s good to know that it’s there if wanted.
The 55L Exos Pro will match a standard-sized bear canister horizontally contained in the pack. So if you end up on the Pacific Crest Trail or John Muir Trail then this pack can be a very good choice for you.
Material and Durability
The new Osprey Exos Pro makes use of an upgraded light-weight cloth known as Nanonfly. It is 100 denier and reasonably gentle and comfortable to the contact. High-wear areas use a heavier 200 denier cloth, and there’s mesh on the aspect pockets and components of the rear pocket. And I ought to point out there are 2 Ice Axe Loops must you want them.
The Osprey Exos Pro is gentle and sturdy
Water Resistance
The Osprey Exos Pro 55L is water-resistant, and similar to the common Exos and the older mannequin the Levity, it’s fairly good at conserving the water out. But it is strongly recommended that you simply use a backpack cowl or waterproof inner stuff sack on your gear. The cloth is coated with a DWR end however don’t anticipate it to final very lengthy as the wear and tear and tear of use will trigger it to put on off fairly rapidly.
Sizes and Fit
The Osprey Exos Pro 55L is out there in 2 back-length sizes, particularly a Short to Medium torso size of between 17-21 inches / 43-51 cm, and a Large to Extra Large which is for lengths between 19-23 inches / 48-58 cm.
I examined the small-medium dimension and located it to suit completely and have a very good stage of adjustment.
Osprey Exos Pro 55L is available in two sizes and may be very adjustable
Carrying Water and Side pockets
The aspect pockets on the Osprey Exos Pro are the most effective of any ultralight backpack.
When testing the backpack I used to be in a position to carry a 4L water bladder in every pocket, which is 8L in complete. While most individuals would by no means think about doing this, it’s good to know the chances. For regular use, I used to be in a position to match a complete of 4x1L smartwater bottles, a mountaineering umbrella, tent poles, and trekking poles into the 2 aspect pockets with ease. Only the brand new Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L was in a position to come shut, nevertheless it lacked the benefit of entry of the Exos Pro. If desert mountaineering you’ll love these pockets. Thru-Hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail will particularly love this characteristic.
The Osprey Exos Pro has a hydration bladder sleeve inside the principle physique of the backpack. The sleeve incorporates a loop that you need to use to hold your bladder. It additionally incorporates a clip that can work with Ospreys’ personal model of water bladder. The exit port is on the prime of the sleeve and lets you select if you’d like the hydration hose to be on the left or proper. A cool enchancment could possibly be a hydration hose clip however perhaps that’s asking an excessive amount of.
Overall, the aspect pockets work effectively for water carrying and anything you would possibly wish to carry within the aspect pockets. They merely work higher than anything in the marketplace at this weight restrict.
Large capability twin entry aspect pockets and inner hydration sleeve means nice carrying capability, pictured right here carrying a 4L water bladder and consuming from an inner 2L hydration bladder.
Osprey Exos Pro Backpack vs The Rest
The Osprey Exos Pro 55L is essentially the most comfy ultralight backpack in the marketplace in 2023. Compared to the opposite light-weight packs from Zpacks, Hyperlite Mountain Gear, and extra this pack presents noticeably extra consolation. This additional consolation comes at the price of weight as it’s heavier and it lacks the waterproofness of packs made with Dyneema.
Want to know extra, learn the complete in-depth comparability assessment of the Best Backpacks 2023.
Price
The Osprey Exos Pro 55L is available in at a really cheap value in comparison with the competitors within the ultralight backpack vary. There are cheaper choices on the market however not many can be as light-weight as this and in a position to carry as much as 40 lb in weight. Although I might suggest that you simply preserve your pack base weight under that.
Conclusion
The Osprey Exos Pro is an ultralight backpack that’s the excellent mixture of sturdiness, light-weight, and cozy. There is just no different pack in the marketplace that’s as light-weight and cozy. If these are qualities that you simply worth in a backpack then this would be the excellent alternative for you.
Overall, that is essentially the most comfy ultralight backpack. If you select to get one make sure to attempt to preserve your base weight of lower than 13 lb / 6 kg, and make sure you carry lower than 40 lb / 18 kg in complete to maintain this pack tremendous comfy. If are in a position to do that, then the pack can be excellent for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the brand new Osprey Exos Pro backpack any good?
The Osprey Exos Pro is the newest ultralight thru-hiking backpack from well-known backpack model Osprey. Not solely is it very gentle however it’s sturdy and really comfy.
BikeHikeSafari won’t ever obtain any cash for evaluations and they don’t settle for sponsored evaluations on this web site. All the feedback in regards to the gear evaluations are from the creator based mostly on his years of expertise. Hope this unbiased assessment was useful for you.
