So i'm sitting here trying to plan out how i want to pack my exos 58.

I was wondering if i would be out of line to ask other exos users to post pictures of their packs fully loaded.

It's not out of line, but (given my computer illiteracy) you're out of luck in my case.

My Exos 58 forms a nicely rectangular shape when fully packed with the gear I'd carry for a four-night cold weather trip. My summer load, despite tightening the various straps, tends to assume a rucksack (pearish) shape. So, I just ordered an Exos 46 to use for smaller loads.

In the 56, I use the two outside vertical pockets to hold my tent and poles; this means the tent can be unpacked (and repacked) without having to open my main pack in the rain. My water bottle and water filter go in the side pockets; map, snacks, and small first aid kit go in the lid pocket (which can be removed; I've never done it.) That only leaves kitchen, rain gear, food, spare clothes (a pair of socks in summer; down jacket and down pants, and long johns if I'm not wearing them, in winter), sleeping bag, and sleeping pad to store inside. In summer, I stuff my bag into the pack very loosely, to fill up the lower pack and hold heavier items a little higher; they usually end up compressing the bag and gradually working their way to the bottom, creating the rucksack effect.

Hope this helps a little.

that's along the lines that i was thinking. still wouldn't mind seeing some people's pictures.

anyone have a good way of securing all the extra strap webbing?

I have owned many packs that had too much webbing. The best way to secure it requires sharp scissors and a lighter to melt the edge.

Of course, it helps to be *certain* that you won't need that webbing in the future <grin>.

I tend to fold it over on itself, then tuck the little bundle under the strap where it tightly contacts the pack. (Or, if there's an opening I can stuff it into, like the strap crossing over the top access to the main pack, I simply stuff it into that.)

After I've had sufficient experience with a pack, I'll cut the straps to the longest length I'll need, plus one inch - that's usually the second year I use the pack, so I've had a chance to really know what my bulkiest load is.