Description
Behold! Osprey has actually gifted us with a true ultralight backpack! The Exos/Eja Pro 55 series ( shop now ) are slimmed down versions of their forebears, and combine ultralight materials and a slightly smaller chassis to achieve nearly a full pound of weight savings; right on the ultralight bullseye. Read more in our full-length Osprey Exos Pro 55 Review . Weight: 33.2 oz Price : $290 Materials: 100D recycled nylon ripstop with DWR Frame : 3.5mm alloy peripheral frame with adjustable suspension and tensioned mesh back panel Load Capacity: 30 lbs Internal Volume: 46 External Volume: 9L lid + pockets Pros: Ultralight. Comfy. Excellent weight transfer. Sustainable. Aerated back. Osprey guarantee. Adjustable fit. Cons: Bulky and tall. Delicate stretch mesh. Strap salad. Modest frame durability. Construction & Features Most notably, this is a full frame backpack, meaning a 3.5mm alloy frame suspends the back panel and transfers weight from shoulders to hips like a charm. And like it’s predecessors, the Exos Pro 55 & Eja Pro 55 have top notch aerated foam and spacer mesh to maximize surface breathability for the hip belt and back panel, reducing sweat. The frame itself is quite flexy, and we would describe it as durable-not-rugged. It is also adjustable to fit your torso height. Because the frame is rather tall and bulky, we recommend sizing down if you fall in between sizes. The pack is made with a UHMWPE ripstop, DWR-treated nylon. Strong and ultralight and water resistant! As ultralight backpacks go, the Osprey Exos Pro 55 & Eja Pro 55 are about as fully-featured as one can hope for. They have a full size detachable lid that fits 9L of storage for frequently accessed items, as well as massive side and rear external pockets. We don’t love the side pockets though, as they’re made of delicate stretch mesh which is prone to tearing, and all of their storage is derived from stretch, rather than slack material. What’s more, they’re crisscrossed by static compression straps which can interfere with access. Underneath the lid is a cord cinch, compression strap, and top cover for when you want to use the pack without the lid. The hip belt pockets are interesting. One has a zipper closure as per usual – only we wish it were slightly boxier/larger – and the other has an elastic envelope closure, which is very convenient for accessing frequently needed items and/or items that don’t require zipper security. Verdict This is likely one of, if not the best Osprey brand backpack that they’ve ever produced, and at just over two pounds, it is also the lightest. It is better than the original, comfy, does an excellent job of transferring weight, and comes with lots of external storage. Our biggest complaint is the bulkiness, and height of the frame, and the use of stretch mesh instead of more durable materials on the external storage.
