Osprey Packs Atmos 50 Backpack - 2800-3200cu in - 2009 BCS

29" x 17" x 14"

I've used the ladies version--the Aura--and the only wear and tear you can see on the pack after 5 years is on the mesh pockets on the hipbelt. There aren't any tears but you can tell that they have snagged. If you ever did have a tear, you could always send the pack into Osprey and they'll repair it no charge to you.

Bill, I have snagged the mesh on the hip belt but it has never torn.

Saying that the pack is made in Vietnam and understanding that Osprey is committed to maintaining their product's integrity are two different things. Here is an excerpt from their website:

"By 2000, manufacturing in the U.S. became increasingly challenging. As domestic fabric mills closed, sourcing quality materials became more difficult. [...] There were issues with capacity. As Osprey signed on with distributors around the globe, the company was missing deadlines and business opportunities. Moving manufacturing overseas was crucial to the company’s survival.

Osprey began working with Korean manufacturers that owned and managed facilities in Vietnam. Distance didn’t dilute Mike’s (Osprey's founder) incessant desire to ensure that his packs were built with the utmost quality and according to his design specs, which meant he was spending months traveling between Cortez and Vietnam. The trip alone took two days.

In 2003, Mike and Diane relocated their family to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and set up a design center where Mike could more closely manage production. Intending to live there for two years, they stayed for four. Mike recalls, “We visited the factories almost daily to make sure production was running smoothly and that our designs were produced accurately and faithfully.” Mike hired a Vietnamese designer to create the prototypes and samples. Then he hired another local to manage quality assurance. Now, Osprey’s fully-staffed product development office continues to ensure face-to-face relationships with the factory technicians as well as transparency with the company’s suppliers."

Osprey now employs +20 people out of their Vietnam office and is really involved with the factories and production there. They are committed to quality products and quality lifestyles for their people...

There aren't any other companies I know who's owner would move to southeast Asia to personally observe such a huge transition. Sorry for the long answer.

Viet Nam

For reference to any other women looking at this pack, my wife is 5'6" and 125 and she carries this pack fine in the size medium.

No. For petite ladies, go with the Aura 50. I am petite and the small men's isn't small enough for me, but the small women's version (the Aura) fits like a dream!!!

Hope this helps.

it depends on how light you pack, but if you stay fairly light it should be good. I used a 40L pack to go around Europe for 3 weeks, and was fine. Just be prepared to limit yourself.

For Philmont, ultrlight is definitely not an option, but if you pack it tight, you can make it work. The 65 is probably what your going to want to go with, but I still recommend the Atmos. It is a top of the line bag no matter what size you get

If you can go ultralight it definitely can. However, because you're a boyscout, ultralight probably isn't on the table. Look at something a bit bigger. In particular, look at packs that don't have an elevated back panel. The trampoline panel on a pack like this takes up a lot of room in the bag and makes it a lot smaller than the 50L size suggests. Check out some mountaineering specific packs. They'll have a few features you don't need like Axe loops and such, but they're already lighter as a general rule than backpacking bags, and they're designed to carry big, heavy loads comfortably. Hope this helps.

You know, Ian, pack size is about torso length, not how tall you are. So, do this: Get someone to measure you from the bump on the back of your neck (the C-7 vertebrae. It protudes when you bend your head down.). Once you locate it, then put your head up, and draw a line down your spine to measure. The "end point" will be above your butt. Specifically, take your thumbs and put them on your side, locating the TOP of your hipbone. This is called the "crest." Literally, I want your thumbs on the side, NOT in front of your side... Once you find the top of your hipbones, in the same lateral line, come around to your spine. THAT'S the end point. Make sense? Measure that distance from your C-7 vertebrae to that bottom point that you just identified. Then, Ospreypacks.com gives you the sizing on their website.

My guess is that at 5'1", you are probably a small, but the official way to find out is to do what I listed above.

Hope thyat helps!

I'm 5'11 and I have a medium pack so i'd go with a small. Packs are just like shoes, a size 10 in different brands may fit you differently. Your best bet is too find one at a store and try it on.

They're both good packs. A big part of a pack is how well it fits you. Try them both on, with weight, and see which feels better.

Tyler, I have a Talon pack with a similar material and it gets bruised, but no performance issues. The best this is that Osprey has an All Mighty Guaranty, meaning that they will repair any issue for any reason on any pack, no matter when you bought it. If they can't perform a quality repair they will replace the pack at no cost to you! Best warranty in packs in the business!

i dont have the 50, but i have not had that problem with the 65. i wouldnt be too worried about it anyway, because osprey covers that kind of thing.

Hey there - there IS a subtle difference, not in the frame, but in the cushioning / thickness of the harness and hipbelt. To make the larger Atmos 65 carry more comfortably with heavier loads, Osprey increses the thickness of the harness and hipbelt by 2mm to make it more comfy on your body.

I have both packs and if the frames are not identical they are very close. I can't tell any difference between them other than the larger size of the 65.

I can pack a full weeks worth of gear in the atmos and be a little over 35lbs...I like the numbers for the the granite gear, except where you say it can only carry 30lbs. for some people thats hard to achieve even for just a weekend pack...

My husband and I just got back from a day hike and I carried the Atmos 50. You can cinch it down to fit your load and it carries well.

Ya, I basically just discovered the discontinued Osprey Atmos 35 the other day and wish there was a current option just like it. I like the ability of it to carry heavier loads, the double gear loops, the more durable materials, and yet the continued use of the mesh airstream back of the Atmos. I feel like I would be compromising and being forced into buying a lesser quality pack if I purchased a Manta or Stratos series pack.

If others agree that using an Atmos 50 for a day hike doesn't seem like complete overkill and the pack can be super-tightened down for minimal gear, I may choose this over the Manta 30 or Stratos 36. I am definitely hoping to hear more response to this thread though. Thanks! (And thanks for the recommendation of Granite Gear but I really enjoy the "trampoline" suspension offered by Osprey).

Hey there, The size will depend on what you are carrying,but you can totally cinch down the Atmos 50. The comfort is awesome and it has no durability issues. I wouldn't consider the Granite Gear pack that Jason lists above, unless you would like to go ultralight. And in THAT event, go with the Exos 46 by Osprey. The other thing to always consider is the warranty by the vendor. Osprey has an "All Mighty Guarantee" that they stand by 100%. Your fault, Osprey's fault or the "bear's" fault, Osprey will repair or REPLACE your pack for any reason. That is my kind of warranty!

I have a smaller backpack but I use my Atmos 50 most of the time for short day hikes. I can carry what I want for day trips and it is a very comfortable pack. My back stays dry because of the mesh back panel.

Although the Osprey Atmos Series of packs are good, I would encourage you to check out the Granite Gear Vapor Day Pack. It's lighter, more comfortable, and more durable than the Osprey. Lighter, because it doesn't have the complicated frame of the Osprey. More comfortable because of the 2 layers of foam in the backpanel, wastebelt, and shoulder straps (vs. the die-cut, single layer foam of the Atmos), and more durable based on the stretch woven (think Schoeller Dynamic) material on the backpanel (vs. mesh on the back of the Osprey), 100% Cordura branded materials used (Osprey uses a variety of materials not all of which are made from Cordura threads), and very good construction (Osprey does a great job at this as well).

The Granite Gear Vapor Day Pack is arguably the best day pack available. It can carry up to 30lbs comfortable and weighs in at 2lb 2oz. (full lb. lighter than the Atmos 50). It's also $50 less! Check it out here: http://www.granitegearstore.com/Vapor-Day-P115C29.aspx.

I think the Atmos 50 is a great pack, but Osprey has better ones for what you are taking about. The mesh ventilated backpanel on the Atmos 50 is not designed for the rigor of climbing and all the abuse that goes with it! for a pack more oriented to climbing, try the Varient 52. For a pack more oriented to backpacking, maybe the Aether 60. Let me know if you have any more questions!

I use my Atmos 50 for up to 7 day climbing trips in the High Sierra of California. It's comfortable, durable, and extremely well made. i have never had anything go wrong with it, and i liked it so much, i bought 2 more!

THe Exos fit way better, now I am stuck with the dilemma of the 46 or the 58? Any thoughts out there?

Bobby, the only reason to go with the Exos is if you are counting grams. If you are not that guy, than go with the Atmos because the hipbelt and harness are more comfortable - thicker. If you do want the lightest possible, than you cannot get a better carry than the Exos for light loads. But keep the Exos loads between 30-35 pounds. Still, with the Atmos harness and hipbelt being more cushioned, that's the direction I go.

Bobby- Make sure you try them both on if possible. I was looking at the same decision, but the Atmos felt much better on my hips in the store, and consequently on the trail. Either will carry a 3-day load if you pack well.

Bobby, they are both very good packs that will handle 3 nights and carry well. I have the Atmos 50 and have been very happy with it but you can't go wrong with either pack.

They both have excellent reviews as most Osprey packs do.

Dave, my wifes torso is about 18 inches and the Small was just a bit snug so we exchanged it for a Medium. Agree with SCO, a Small should work great for you.

Osprey recommends "small" Atmos 50 for torso length less than 18.5". My son has 16" torso length and small Atmos 50 fit very well. Osprey fit guide:

http://www.ospreypacks.com/PackTech/SizingandFitting

James, I have been very happy with the way this pack utilizes space. You will lose some area because of the shape of the back panel but that is the perfect place for your reservoir if you use one. I have nothing but good things to say about this pack and the way it carries. Hope this helps.

To throw another baseline in here, I am 5'9" and 195 pound weightlifter build and the Medium fits me perfectly. I have a 33" inch waist and there is plenty of adjustment left on the lower strap.

Sizing is based more on your torso length than your overall height. I'm fairly tall (nearly 6 foot), but usually go with a medium - or even small - because I have a short torso length (18") and long legs.

If you're spending a fair amount on a pack, it's worth making sure it fits great (when an Osprey is well fitted, it can be the best pack on the market). If possible, I'd recommend going in to a local REI or other outdoor outfitter. If one isn't available, you can learn more about measuring your torso here:
http://www.ospreypacks.com/PackTech/SizingandFitting

Yes, totally different style packs, comparing them is not a good idea. A backpack is a large investment and I have learned that it is cheaper to buy a quality item first instead of the 2nd or 3rd try. Osprey makes the best packs IMO and are worth the extra money.

Modified on 1/1/11

I agree with Mike, the two bags are worlds apart. It really depends on what you want to use it for. I wouldn't trust a book-bag company to provide the correct support and comfort for a multi-day trip. The materials, construction, frame, small features, etc. are all going to be better on the Osprey.

You're more than welcome. Gardner Foss has some good info on the Atmos 65, but he's putting the comfortable weight at about 40-45lbs. I would defer to him for that one. Osprey does make an Aether 70 that you should find comparable to the Atmos in comfort, but it's generally described as a "moderately" sized pack. In Osprey's various models, the Aether 85 is going to give you a comfortable fit and carry, as well as plenty of room under the broadest variety of circumstances. I like to carry an 80L pack for a week at a time. Sometimes it's crammed to the gills to it's max at 92L and requires some effort to load correctly, other times I can almost stand back and randomly toss in my gear. All depends on what, when and where...but it's nice to know that it can handle it either way. Right now, freaky, mind-numbing swarms of mosquitoes at about 7000ft. You start praying for rain or cold just for a little bit of relief. Sure does make you walk faster though.

Hope that helped.

The atmos 50 falls under the category of an ultralight pack. If you use ultralight gear you shouldn't have a problem but it can get expensive fast. Plenty of advice above on good packs so ill just give you some on how to use this one. When i go hiking i usually leave behind cooking gear and if im going to bring any i find a coke can stove with a canister of alcohol works fine and take up little space/weight. I mostly just bring ready to eat foods with high calories such as power bars and cliff bars. Pop-tarts are are also good with 410 calories a pack. The gels are good for on the go but if you like food this might not be the best option to go with as it is also pretty hard on your system.

Other than that make effective use of layering. I have been in 0 degree weather with a shell, light fleece jacket, and thermal layers. This significantly cuts down on the amount of space taken up in your pack. Not much you can do about the rest of the essential gear such as a first aid kit, water purifier, and other emergency gear. Not much room for pleasantries, but it will get you through a week on the AT if you pack right.

Yes...too small, in my opinion. i thru-hiked the AT with an Aether 60 and it was perfect for going a whole week without picking up drop boxes or re-supplying. i would go for the Atmos 65 or Aether 60 if i were you.

Still too small for what you're describing, as the Atmos 65 is best suited for a couple-few days and less weight. Since you found the fit and comfort of the Osprey to be to your liking, I would first suggest either the Aether 85 or the Argon 85 to see if that will hold all your anticipated gear (it should). You might also consider the Argon 110 if you're really planning to haul a load like that (I sometimes use this one, and recommend it as a real heavy duty week-long+ load hauler that will carry more than I can). Is there any way for you to set up a couple food drops and/or resupply along the way? I can pull a week straight through with about 50-60lbs, and would urge you to do whatever you can to lighten up as much as possible. Unless you've trained excessively for many months under that kind of load, 80lbs is going to make for an absolutely miserable trip. I can also venture a pretty good guess as to where you got the Atmos, so when you return it, ask them to load you up with about 60lbs and walk around the store for as long as possible with the various packs you're considering to test them. It'll be a couple hours well spent. Then, if you have more than a few days before you leave, come back and buy it from Backcountry...and don't forget to save room for LOTS of mosquito repellent this year. Hope that helped. Have a great trip.

Yeah, it's called a spinnaker or spindrift top depending on the sobriety of who you are asking, and it's generally for improving the water resistance of your pack, or the ability to overstuff. This bag isn't waterproof and doesn't overstuff well, so, no extra top!

get the Osprey...better made pack in my opinion

Diver, it comes down to how much you're going to be carrying, how long you'll be carrying, and what weather you expect. Firstly, how much you carry with both packs is important because if overloaded the pack will never fit you correctly and the straps will slip and you will be readjusting two times for every one step you take. It's no fun and even though I wasn't overloaded, the Deuter slipped the straps way too much. Two pals thruhiked the AT with the Atmos and loved it because of all the features it had including the mesh panel on the back which kept the actual backpack from making too much contact with their back so they would stay cool in the hot hot months. If you are going a long distance, you will shed packweight and want something small and manageable, which in this case, is the Atmos. If this pack made it through the AT, did well in the hot, hot heat, and is lighter than the Deuter, I think the answer is obvious which one you should choose. I personally still haven't gotten over a 3-day hike in which I had to readjust my Deuter pack 10 times every mile. The Atmos is also tougher, that Cordura is the bomb.

Honestly they are both Very good packs i think that i would take Osprey because i have owned one and love their packs. That being said you should probably find a way to load both up and try them out. Lots of times it comes down to how they fit on you and how they feel walking around the house or the store.

hi jordan.

Will you be carrying a tent sleeping bag/ pad clothes food cookware etc? If you are just carrying clothes and toiletries this is more than big enough. I will be using the atmos 50 to thru hike the AT soon. I have all of my gear ready (besides food) and everything fits wonderfully. I have ample room actually. I think it may be a bit large for a carry on even when compressed but you could get away with it. If you plan on using it later for more extensive hikes then definitely go with this. As far as comfort goes, I only know from short test runs that it feels really light weight and really seems to balance all of the weight on your hips. Hope this is helpful.

You can also look into the Atmos 65 which has bottom access through the sleeping bag compartment and as mentioned previously the Gregory z55 or z65 have nice side and front access respectively. I found the Osprey to be more comfortable when loaded in the store and some of the minor components like zipper pulls to be more to my liking on the Osprey as well.

Top loader access only. If you want more access points Granite Gear and Gregory are the way to go. Cheers!

I would get the Exos 46. Still plenty of room in that to branch out to overnighters and weekenders (or longer, given the season and gear), but light enough to justify taking it as your long day pack or overnighter.

This is more of a multi-day pack. The Atmos 35 35 Liter would a good overnight size.

I just purchased the Atmos 35 (L) a month or so ago. I have used it as a day/overnight pack and like the size so far. I haven't had the chance really test it out but 38L is a good size for many things if you pack right.

Anywhere between 40L and 50L should do depending on how light or heavy you pack. Can't go wrong with osprey packs.

I have been skiing 2 seasons with it. Skins and extra pair of gloves fits perfectly in the front zipper pockets. The front open pocket can fit a standard shovel but the material is not strong enough and my shovel's corner is piercing a hole through it- I duct taped the inside corners of the pocket and that fixes it. The hydration system has no insulation sleeves so you will have to be creative if you use a water bladders- I use bottles to prevent freezing. The mesh back is nice and keeps your back dry but you can 't really sit on to take a break. The hipbelt pockets are nice for small tools, bad for snacks- it will freeze! In general this pack doesn't carry weight very well, unless you pack light(25lbs and under). The suspension tends to transfer the weight to your shoulders more than your hips. I like it much better for backpacking than a ski pack.
I think it is still a very lightweight and high quality pack that I like but these are just some issue that I am aware of for BC skiing.

I was thinking the same thing. I have the Atmos 65 (2009) and was thinking of using it to hike & alpine ski Mount Washington (6000 footer in the northeast). I assume I could put the skis (with boots clipped in) to asend to the base of the bowl, drop extra weight, put the ski boots on and climb the bowl. I just don't want to destroy such a nice pack with too much weight on the side. What does everyone think?

Yeah, I know it is big, but my normal daypacks probably aren't strong enough for skis and not sure I want to buy a specialty pack (yet, at least). Also would be big enough if I decided to camp on the way up.

It's probably fine, but it doesn't have ski carry and 50L is huge for a ski pack. Make very sure you need that much before you buy it.

I second what Greg said. The Atmos 50 is great for a multi-day (2-3) minimalist hiker, but if you want to carry a few more bells and whistles, I would go with the Atmos 65. I personally own the Atmos 50 and think the pack performs beautifully. I would expect the same from the Atmos 65. You can't go wrong with Osprey.

Hey Jason,

Osprey makes great packs, but for trips up to 3 nights, for a more "non-minimalist" approach, I would probably recommend a pack more in the 4000 - 4500 cu in range. If you are comparing this pack to the Atmos 65, I'd recommend the Atmos 65 due to it's size. You would probably find the packs are equally as comfortable, but the Atmos 65 has 1000 more cu in space.

I have done a lot of long weekend trips with my Gregory Baltoro as well:

http://www.backcountry.com/store/GRE0059/Gregory-Baltoro-70-Backpack-4149-4638cu-in.html

While I prefer lightweight backpacking, I use this pack when I want to pack more stuff to be comfortable (ie bigger tent, bigger sleeping pad, more clothes). The Gregory Baltoro is a little bigger, can hold more weight than the Atmos 50 and 65, and is a little heavier at 5 lbs+, but it is very comfortable and has a lot of pockets to keep well organized. It does cost $100 more than the Atmos series, however.

Let us know if you have any other questions... hope this helps!

I dont own either of these models, but from looking at both of them in person, the only real difference besides the frame and harness/hipbelt change is that they made it out of what feels like slightly less durable materials, particularly the various straps that keep everything together and compact.