Osprey Atmos 65 AG rucksack review

The new Osprey Atmos is loaded with impressive features but there’s one in particular that makes it stand out among the best rucksacks available today, the Osprey “anti-gravity” system.  The Atmos 65 has a “trampoline suspension system”, a large span of mesh which separates the back panel of the rucksack from your back, allowing airflow, thus stopping your back from becoming as sweaty as it would be if there was direct contact with the back panel. The trampoline suspension system has been about for a while but it’s something that’s only really been seen on small capacity day sacks. The Atmos has a maximum capacity of sixty five litres and has a fully adjustable back system providing a custom fit, this is what makes the Osprey Atmos and other larger capacity Osprey packs with the anti-gravity system something special.

 

The Atmos 65 AG has all the usual features seen on an Osprey pack, load adjusters above the shoulder straps and adjustable sternum straps with a functional emergency whistle, a fully adjustable “fit on the fly” hip belt is included and the whole back system is adjustable to provide that quality custom fit. The Osprey “Stow and Go” can be found in its usual place for quick and easy access to a walking pole along with more elasticised straps and loops for securing similar items. There are some other features on the Atmos that should be mentioned, this pack comes supplied with a rain cover and they’ve had to put a sleeve inside the main compartment for a water reservoir since the anti-gravity system doesn’t allow for an easy access back panel pocket like that seen in some of the other Osprey packs, however the space between the back panel and the trampoline mesh hasn’t been made completely redundant and can be accessed if need be and used for additional storage space. As for secondary compartments there are the usual two on the lid in addition to two either side typically seen on an Osprey pack. A sleeping bag compartment can be found on the bottom of the pack and has the usual divider on the inside separating it from the main compartment, removable straps for carrying a sleeping mat or similar bulky kit can be found on the outside of the sleeping bag compartment. Mesh pockets are located on both sides of the Atmos with entry points that allow you to reach a water bottle or such while still carrying your pack, the hip belt compartments are there too, these are sometimes considered too small for any practical use but in my opinion those found on this version of the Atmos are more than adequate as is the front mesh pocket which is large enough and ideal for storing items such as wet gear which my need accessed quickly.

 

There is another new innovative feature unique to the Osprey, the lid of the rucksack can be completely removed and a secondary panel called a “Flap jacket” used to cover and close the main compartment enabling you to drop weight and bulk if required.Removable top compartments are something that are not new to Osprey rucksacks, packs such as “Aether” and “Xenith” have removable lids with a small hip belt incorporated into them so they can be used as a small bumbag/fannypack style daypack.

 

Sometimes other Osprey rucksacks have a small mesh pocket located on the underside of the top compartment, there are neither of these on the Atmos 65 ,obviously this isn’t a major issue or problem with the pack but being able to use the lid of the Atmos as a daypack is an option I would love to have and having that extra mesh pocket for your wallet ,keys etc is always nice.

As for actually carrying the Atmos I found what Id heard about the previous generation applied to this one as well it really hugs the contours of your body for a really close, snug fit .The anti-gravity system and the fact that the pack is the correct size and adjusted for a custom fit means it sits perfectly, on average I have been carrying around 14kg with the Atmos and it sits perfectly and if it wasn’t for the fact you can feel the weight of what your carrying in your legs you’d hardly know you were carrying that weight at all.

 

Overall I found the Atmos 65 ag  a superb piece of kit, it has all the quality features expected to be seen on an Osprey product and the anti-gravity system is an amazing innovation in rucksack design that I cant praise enough. It really does what its supposed to do. When first using the Atmos on a longer hikes I noticed my walking partner removing his pack which was soaked with sweat to the point where he had to change his t-shirt. I on the other hand had to do no such thing the Atmos AG had done its job and I was perfectly dry .

The materials used in the Atmos are all of the highest standard expected in an Osprey rucksack, lightweight yet durable and strong. If you do have an incident where your Osprey pack becomes damaged, Osprey have something called “The Almighty Guarantee” which means if they are unable to perform a quality repair on your pack they will replace it with a brand new rucksack, I’ve already used this service on another Osprey rucksack and found the work done and customer services to be excellent.

All in this pack comes highly recommended!