Hey there, I'm new here, excited to join your community.

I'm looking for some advice on the Osprey Exos 58 pack. I've done my research and it seems like a quality pack to me, but the one thing that I questioned was the fact that it didn't have a bottom access point or sleeping bag compartment.

I've never had a pack that didn't have a sleeping bag compartment, so I just wanted to ask some more experienced users how much of a nuisance this is, if at all? I would assume, since I keep my sleeping bag in a sack in the bottom of my pack, that I will have to remove most things from my pack whenever I want to get it? Is this usually a lot of trouble or is it not too big of a deal?

Right now I have the Osprey Atmos 65 AG, which does have a compartment for the sleeping bag, and it is very convenient. That being said, I'm looking for a lighter weight pack and the Atmos doesn't fit me well anyway.

Any advice or comments on the matter will be appreciated, thank you for your help!

I went for decades without a sleeping bag compartment and found it not too much of a bother. By the time I was ready to set up, almost everything had to exit the pack anyway, and it generally meant the bag came out last to complete my shelter. I recently purchased an Atmos 50, after the 65 felt like it was pulling me over backwards in the store. I disliked it, but love the 50. I was glad I gave it a second try. Might be psychological or the way I adjusted the 50, rather than a difference in the harness. . I've also talked to others that disliked the fit of the 65. The only time I felt the lack of a separate SB compartment was carrying a bear can. Sometimes, I'd want to access food before setting up, and would have to re-arrange the pack to do so. I learned to just take out food to eat on the trail in the morning and stash it an outside pocket or at the top. I bought the Atmos to haul water to dry camps and handle lots of weight with ease, not because it had the separate compartment. If the Exos fits you well, I think you'll adjust to it quickly. Welcome, and hope this helps. I'm sure you'll get recommendations for other packs besides the Exos, numbers of people here use packs from cottage mfg.s.

Thanks so much for the reply! I think you are right, I will be able to get used to it. I know there are a lot of other packs for me to consider, but I basically have to buy one from REI, because I am going to exchange my other Osprey for the Exos using their one year return policy thing. I can't afford a second pack right now unfortunately, so my options are limited to what REI carries.

The separate bottom compartment is one of those things that gets quickly ditched when a pack maker slashes features to meet a weight goal while retaining strength. To work well they need a stout zipper and/or closure lock straps, plus rain flaps and of course there's a lot of extra fabric. All that comprises many ounces shed when it's deleted, plus the resulting plain compartment is stronger.

My only issue with a single large compartment is since my bag goes on the bottom, it delays packing unneeded items the evening before and even the next day if I'm drying out the bag before stuffing it. Panel-loaders can ease this a bit.

Last Exos I carried was really comfy, hopefully that's still the case.

Cheers,

Thanks for the info! I assumed the pack lacked the bottom compartment for weight reasons. The only packs I've ever owned have been pretty big and bulky so I'm hoping I am pleasantly surprised by the impact the weight reduction has. I think I'll be picking up the Exos in the next couple days!

I mostly use the Exos 48, but have a 58 for bulkier loads (longer trips or winter.) I really, really like them both. As mentioned above, I have no problems with a single compartment - my tent, kitchen and pad live on top of the sleeping bag. When I hit camp, I set up the tent and pad, put the kitchen beside the tent, and pull out the bag, so it's a logical packing order. I never need the bag during the day, so there's no need to access it. Besides, as someone else mentioned, I view zippers as potential weak points.

I tried an Atmos 50, but found it too heavy and overbuilt for the lightweight loads I carry (16-18 pounds, including food and a liter of water, for a weekend.) I replaced it with Exos 48, and couldn't be happier with my choice.

I find the Exos packs have just enough outside pockets to hold everything I need during the day, and no gimmicky features I don't need (except for a hydration sleeve and the goofy little stow-on-the-go loops. Unlike Nolte and Redford, I use my poles for walking, not pack decoration. )