Osprey Exos Pro 55L Review [2023] BikeHikeSafari

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Osprey Exos Pro 55L Review [2023] BikeHikeSafari


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This is an in-depth overview of the Osprey Exos Pro 55L Thru-Hiking Backpack 2023. This is the most recent improve to the very fashionable Exos sequence of backpacks from Osprey. It is now lighter than ever and nonetheless essentially the most snug thru-hiking backpack available on the market.

If you’re in search of an ultralight backpack that’s nonetheless very snug and has area for an inside 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 mixture of 4 thru-hikes totaling greater than 10000 miles. And this new mannequin has the identical degree of high quality however is lighter.

The Osprey Exos Pro 55L not too long ago took out the award for essentially the most snug thru-hiking backpack within the overview of the finest ultralight backpacks available on the market in 2023.

Keep studying to search out out extra in regards to the Osprey Exos Pro 55L Thru-Hiking Backpack.


In-Depth Review of Osprey Exos Pro 55L Backpack 2023

Osprey Exos Pro 55L Review

Osprey Exos Pro 55L Thru Hiking Backpack Review

Weight: 33.2 oz / 942 g (S/M measurement)
Pros:

> Ultralight
> Large capability 55L
> Great for thru-hiking
> Large aspect pockets
> Bearvault 500 matches horizontally which makes this completely suited to locations such because the JMT and PCT.
Cons:
> Not waterproof, wants a pack cowl or inside pack liner
> The detachable lid is simply further weight and never that purposeful for many ultralight hikers

The Osprey Exos and Osprey Eja backpacks have been a few of the hottest light-weight backpacks available on the market 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 snug light-weight backpacks available on the market in 2023.

I’ve used the common Exos for greater than 10000 miles / 16000 km of climbing and backpacking all over the world and the brand new Osprey Exos Pro is every thing that the outdated mannequin was however in a lighter weight and with a few helpful upgrades.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 a couple of 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 provide a hydration sleeve on your hydration bladder which I like. And the aspect pockets are nonetheless the very best in school for storage and accessibility. While some backpacks want the hiker to be double jointed to entry a water bottle when climbing, the Osprey Exos Pro makes it very simple with the twin entry aspect pocket. I’m wondering why different producers haven’t tried to repeat or emulate this superior design! It is the very best on the market in the meanwhile.

The outer cloth is lighter than earlier fashions and constructed from recycled supplies. You will nonetheless want a water-resistant backpack cowl or inside pack liner to maintain issues dry when the climate turns nasty because the pack is simply water-proof. To hold 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 nicely by simply utilizing the small lid flap to maintain the backpack closed and dry.

The ventilated body does an excellent job and permitting air stream round your again. And the adjustable shoulder straps, load lifters, and cozy harness all mix to make this a brilliant snug backpack. If it is vital so that you can have a light-weight backpack that could be very snug, then look no additional that is the very best one on the market. Sure, different packs are lighter, and others are extra snug, however this affords the very best stability of consolation and weight. I’m certain this might be a very fashionable thru-hiking backpack.

Overall, the Osprey Exos Pro is essentially the most snug light-weight backpack available on the market 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 permits 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 scorching situations, I discovered the air flow to work fairly nicely, particularly when there was a little bit of wind to maintain the air circulating. Unlike another packs that function a ventilated again system, the principle physique of the pack is much sufficient away so {that a} poorly packed backpack doesn’t lead to objects poking you within the again resembling cook dinner pots and stoves. During testing, I attempted to pack the backpack as poorly as potential to attempt to get the sharp objects on my again and however the design of the backpack prevented this from taking place. Well finished Osprey on this small however essential function.

Overall, the Osprey Exos Pro body is an enchancment over earlier fashions and so they managed to do all this and hold the load down. I’m wondering what a carbon fiber body and using 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, snug. The harness may be adjusted up or right down to make it longer or shorter in again size. As nicely as having a sternum strap and cargo lifters.

The harness comes with a few further particulars that turn out to be 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 permits 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 are not any shoulder pockets or water bladder hose clips on the shoulder straps which might be a pleasant addition, however as it is a minimalist backpack it is smart to not load up the options an excessive amount of.

There just isn’t a lot to be essential of, aside from the shortage 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 snug and works as it’s imagined to. There is sufficient padding to maintain issues pain-free and the addition of a silicone pad on the rear serves to help with maintaining the hipbelt and pack in place moderately than permitting it to slide round when climbing.

There are pockets on either side which are large enough for smartphones, snacks, lip balm, and so forth. 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 all the time rating nicely as a desired function when searching for out a backpack.

The Osprey Exos Pro Hip Belt pockets are large enough for large sized smartphones
The Hip Belt pockets are massive sufficient for large-sized smartphones

Weight

The Osprey Exos Pro 55L is the lightest backpack available on the market that could be very snug to put on. Weighing beneath 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 happening right here however for those who 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 simply obtainable within the 55L measurement in the meanwhile. There is not any phrase from Osprey to verify if another sizes might be made obtainable sooner or later, however I believe they are going to take a look at increasing the scale vary in some unspecified time in the future.

The measurement might be excellent for thru-hikers and anybody who has trimmed their backpacking gear record to incorporate light-weight and compact gear. That means most individuals can have no problem 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 further gear if wanted. If you end up carrying excessively heavy masses and having to strap issues to the skin of the pack, then possibly contemplate 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 might be possibility 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 moderately gentle and smooth to the contact. High-wear areas use a heavier 200 denier cloth, and there’s mesh on the aspect pockets and elements of the rear pocket. And I ought to point out there are 2 Ice Axe Loops do you have to want them.

The Osprey Exos Pro durable fabric
The Osprey Exos Pro is gentle and sturdy

Water Resistance

The Osprey Exos Pro 55L is water-proof, and similar to the common Exos and the older mannequin the Levity, it’s fairly good at maintaining the water out. But it is strongly recommended that you simply use a backpack cowl or waterproof inside stuff sack on your gear. The cloth is coated with a DWR end however don’t anticipate it to final very lengthy as the damage and tear of use will trigger it to put on off fairly rapidly.


Sizes and Fit

The Osprey Exos Pro 55L is offered in 2 back-length sizes, specifically 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 measurement and located it to suit completely and have degree of adjustment.

Osprey Exos Pro 55L comes in two sizes and is very adjustable
Osprey Exos Pro 55L is available in two sizes and could be very adjustable

Carrying Water and Side pockets

The aspect pockets on the Osprey Exos Pro are the very best of any ultralight backpack.

When testing the backpack I used to be capable of carry a 4L water bladder in every pocket, which is 8L in whole. While most individuals would by no means contemplate doing this, it’s good to know the chances. For regular use, I used to be capable of match a complete of 4x1L smartwater bottles, a climbing umbrella, tent poles, and trekking poles into the 2 aspect pockets with ease. Only the brand new Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L was capable of come shut, but it surely lacked the convenience of entry of the Exos Pro. If desert climbing you’ll love these pockets. Thru-Hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail will particularly love this function.

The Osprey Exos Pro has a hydration bladder sleeve inside the principle physique of the backpack. The sleeve encompasses a loop that you need to use to hold your bladder. It additionally encompasses a clip that can work with Ospreys’ personal model of water bladder. The exit port is on the prime of the sleeve and means that you can select if you’d like the hydration hose to be on the left or proper. A cool enchancment might be a hydration hose clip however possibly that’s asking an excessive amount of.

Overall, the aspect pockets work nicely for water carrying and anything you may wish to carry within the aspect pockets. They merely work higher than anything available on the market at this weight restrict.

Large capacity dual entry side pockets and internal hydration sleeve means great carrying capacity
Large capability twin entry aspect pockets and inside hydration sleeve means nice carrying capability, pictured right here carrying a 4L water bladder and consuming from an inside 2L hydration bladder.

Osprey Exos Pro Backpack vs The Rest

The Osprey Exos Pro 55L is essentially the most snug ultralight backpack available on the market in 2023. Compared to the opposite light-weight packs from Zpacks, Hyperlite Mountain Gear, and extra this pack affords noticeably extra consolation. This further 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 total in-depth comparability overview of the Best Backpacks 2023.


Price

The Osprey Exos Pro 55L is available in at a really affordable worth in comparison with the competitors within the ultralight backpack vary. There are cheaper choices on the market however not many might be as light-weight as this and capable of carry as much as 40 lb in weight. Although I might suggest that you simply hold 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 solely no different pack available on the market that’s as light-weight and cozy. If these are qualities that you simply worth in a backpack then this would be the excellent selection for you.

Overall, that is essentially the most snug ultralight backpack. If you select to get one make sure you attempt to hold your base weight of lower than 13 lb / 6 kg, and make sure you carry lower than 40 lb / 18 kg in whole to maintain this pack tremendous snug. If are ready to do that, then the pack might be excellent for you.


Frequently Asked Questions

Is the brand new Osprey Exos Pro backpack any good?

The Osprey Exos Pro is the most recent ultralight thru-hiking backpack from well-known backpack model Osprey. Not solely is it very gentle however it’s sturdy and really snug.



Osprey Exos Pro 55L Thru Hiking Backpack Pinterest Pin

BikeHikeSafari Gear Review Process

The creator, Brad McCartney from BikeHikeSafari is a small impartial adventurer and outside gear tester who owns and runs BikeHikeSafari.com.

BikeHikeSafari just isn’t half of a big weblog community and is proudly impartial. All critiques on this website are impartial and trustworthy gear critiques of outside merchandise by the creator.

The creator, Brad McCartney is a really skilled triple crown thru-hiker, adventurer, and bike tourer having spent 1000s of nights sleeping in a tent and sleeping bag (Read extra). He was a supervisor of an outside retail retailer and could be very skilled in what’s essential when utilizing and testing gear for critiques like this.

BikeHikeSafari won’t ever obtain any cash for critiques and they don’t settle for sponsored critiques on this web site. All the feedback in regards to the gear critiques are from the creator based mostly on his years of expertise. Hope this impartial overview was useful for you.

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