Glad to have that review on the Exos. I can't abide a pack that won't properly transfer weight to the hipbelt. I agree, the Ospreys are now using a true external frame, regardless of its shape.

I currently own both a Dana Terraplane (for winter camping) and an REI Cruise UL 60, the predecessor to the Flash 65. I just came back from a 5 day, 43 mile backpack in the southern Sierra Nevada where I had to carry a bear can in the Cruise. Worked fine B/C I had a WM Megalite down bag and TT Contrail tent & both took up very little room in teh pack.

My pack has a Velcro adjustable harness and the Flash 65 is a fixed harness so be sure you get the correct torso length if you get that pack. REI makes very durable packs with some nice features.