Thanks for all the replies! Still hope to find someone that has gone out with an Osprey Exos & Atmos, AND the Blaze for a three way comparison!

But it’s sounding like the only real way, since I can’t check them out in stores, is to cough up, buy all three, try them out extensively, (carefully!) and return the other two. With the Ospreys, no problem, get them from REI, but for some reason REI is no longer carrying the Blaze, which I would have to get elsewhere, and possibly have return issues.

I’m actually headed out on another backpacking trip this week, totally nursing my old Talon, which is totally duct taped together, with holes, and bottom straps that don’t work anymore due to years of use – they are tearing off.

Thanks again for any, and all future replies on the differences between these packs.