Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#199398 - 10/29/17 09:40 PM Osprey or REI Backpack
DanielShunn Offline
newbie

Registered: 10/27/17
Posts: 3
Loc: Midwest
Searching around but a newbie so what do you all like better?
Both feel pretty good.
Thanks

Top
#199401 - 10/29/17 11:58 PM Re: Osprey or REI Backpack [Re: DanielShunn]
OregonMouse Offline
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
Backpack fit is almost as individual as shoe fit. I therefore would never recommend a backpack brand/model for someone else, any more than I would recommend a make of shoe.

Just as an example, while lots of folks love Osprey packs, their hipbelts and my hips do not get along--every Osprey pack I've tried causes pain.

Most important: The pack must fit your body, fit the load you're putting inside, and be comfortable for you with your gear inside (which should include the equivalent in weight and bulk of a week's food and a day's water). In other words, take your gear with you when trying on packs. Sandbags and weights are just not the same.
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top
#199403 - 10/30/17 01:23 AM Re: Osprey or REI Backpack [Re: OregonMouse]
toddfw2003 Offline
member

Registered: 01/08/16
Posts: 369
Loc: Texas
I have both. I haave REI Flash 62. Its a nice pack. I havent used it in white. My only problem with the flash is the metal frame pops out if the pack is empty. My friends use it now when I take the backpacking. I also have an Osprey Exo 38. They make it in the 48 and 58 liter packs. Same suspension. I absolutely love it. Its the most comfortable pack i have ever worn. I tried on the Atmos and hated it. It wasnt comfortable at all. Take all your gear to REI and try on packs with your gear in it. Dont do the weighted bean bags. The weight isnt distributed correctly with those. Be sure to choose a pack for the amount of weight it can handle. The exo is an awesome pack but if you arent ultralight you will not like it

Top
#199421 - 11/03/17 10:40 AM Re: Osprey or REI Backpack [Re: OregonMouse]
HPD Offline
member

Registered: 12/22/16
Posts: 75
Loc: Colorado High Plains
Originally Posted By OregonMouse
Backpack fit is almost as individual as shoe fit. I therefore would never recommend a backpack brand/model for someone else, any more than I would recommend a make of shoe.

Just as an example, while lots of folks love Osprey packs, their hipbelts and my hips do not get along--every Osprey pack I've tried causes pain.

Most important: The pack must fit your body, fit the load you're putting inside, and be comfortable for you with your gear inside (which should include the equivalent in weight and bulk of a week's food and a day's water). In other words, take your gear with you when trying on packs. Sandbags and weights are just not the same.


Agree 100%! Try on as many as you can. Load em up and walk around the shop. Some will just not feel right while others may feel more comfy. If you're lucky, one of them will feel better than the rest-That's the one to get!

Top
#199443 - 11/08/17 08:48 PM Re: Osprey or REI Backpack [Re: DanielShunn]
billstephenson Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
I've beat up an Osprey I was given pretty good for a few years now and I've mostly done cold weather bushwhacking in thick forests with it loaded tight, so I'll vouch for the durability.

It's not what I'd call "comfortable", but it wasn't fitted for me and I don't generally do a lot of miles so it's not been a problem for me.

Aside from that, what OM said...
_________________________
--

"You want to go where?"



Top
#199487 - 11/12/17 06:54 PM Re: Osprey or REI Backpack [Re: DanielShunn]
Adventurejus Offline
member

Registered: 11/11/17
Posts: 15
Loc: NC
Both are excellent brands and have quality products. Buy what fits and feels the best to you. No one but yourself can help you in that department. If you're buying from an REI store the good thing is you can still return a product after backpacking with it if you find a problem with it.

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
MSR Recall
by balzaccom
02/24/24 11:13 AM
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Yosemite Winter Rangers
by balzaccom
12/21/23 09:35 AM
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 58 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum