Osprey Exos 58 Review (Large)
The Osprey Exos 58 is a feature-rich lightweight pack for thru-hikers and multi-day backpackers who don't want to sacrifice comfort for weight savings.
Overview
The Exos 58 is designed for experienced backpackers looking for a capable pack with a minimal carry. It’s not a true ultralight pack — think of it as the sensible middle ground: its design splits the difference between the ultralight and traditional backpack categories, offering a Goldilocks level of support and padding for loads up to 35 pounds, simple fit adjustments, and enough storage options for all but the pickiest packers. If you’re stepping down from a burly 4-plus-pound expedition hauler, or stepping up from a minimalist frameless sack, the Exos 58 is the lane you’re probably already eyeing.
Key Specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1185 g (2 lb 9.8 oz) — Large |
| Volume | 61 L / 3,700 cu in (Large) |
| Max Recommended Load | 40 lb |
| Frame | Internal aluminum perimeter |
| Back Panel | AirSpeed™ suspended mesh |
| Torso Adjustability | 4 in (injection-molded ladder system) |
| Sizes | S/M, L/XL |
| Women’s Version | Osprey Eja 58 |
| Materials | 100D nylon body, 400D reinforced base; 100% recycled |
| Price | $280 |
Note on weight: Several reviewers weigh the S/M at around 2 lb 13 oz (1,276 g). The Large reviewed here comes in lighter at the manufacturer-stated 1,185 g — an unusual reversal worth confirming on your own scale before loading up.
Performance
Comfort & Suspension
The AirSpeed suspended mesh back panel is the heart of this pack, and it earns its reputation. Osprey’s suspended mesh back panel — sometimes called a “trampoline” back — means that for most of the back area, the only thing in contact with your body is mesh, which promotes excellent airflow and comfort. Unlike ultralight packs with simple foam back panels, the Exos’ trampoline-style mesh backpanel and streamlined yet padded hipbelt really up the comfort game, and the added rigidity of the lightweight metal perimeter frame makes carrying loads up to 35 pounds a breeze.
That said, the trampoline design comes with a real trade-off. It does push the pack farther away from your body, which makes the overall pack feel slightly heavier than if it were snug against your back. At 30 lbs or under, this barely matters. Push into the upper 30s and it becomes more noticeable. One reviewer found that while Osprey rates the pack for 30 to 35 pounds, it carried surprisingly well even above that — it simply felt too heavy without making any one body part bear the burden painfully. A few days in, once weight had dropped to around 35 pounds and under, it felt much better even on consecutive 17-mile days.
One recurring comfort issue worth flagging: the frame extends close to the top of the glute muscle, and over repeated days of wearing the pack, some testers noticed persistent pain develop at the top of those muscles from contact with the frame — a problem that got worse as the body changed over the course of a multi-day hike. It’s not universal, but it’s frequent enough to come up across multiple independent testers. Try the pack on before committing, and if the frame hits anywhere near your hip bones, size down or up accordingly.
Fit & Sizing
The updated pack features a torso adjustment that easily raises and lowers the shoulder straps to five different heights, with Osprey claiming 4 inches of total adjustment. In practice, this is one of the better-executed ladder systems I’ve encountered — no need to unpack the bag to readjust mid-trip. The adjustable torso length is easy to toggle and ensures a just-right fit across a wide range of body types, which is especially useful since the pack comes in only two sizes.
Organization
The Exos 58 has a floating top lid pocket that can be removed if you don’t need the extra storage. Unlike most ultralight packs, it’s configured with a floating top lid rather than a dry-bag style roll top — with two zippered pockets, the lid lets you sandwich extra gear between the lid and the top of the main compartment. Remove the lid entirely and the medium drops 4.4 ounces, bringing it down to a more respectable carry weight. When you pull the lid, a permanently attached nylon FlapJacket covers the drawstring opening of the main compartment in its place.
The main compartment is spacious and easy to load from the top thanks to a wide opening with a one-handed drawstring cinch — testers fit a two-person tent, 15-degree sleeping bag, and sleeping pad in the base and still had room for food, layers, and personal items for a three-day shoulder-season trip. A BV500 bear canister fits horizontally inside the Exos 58, which is a meaningful practical advantage if you’re heading into canister-required wilderness.
Hip belt pockets are back in the current generation after a controversial removal in a prior version. They’re functional but imperfect: the pockets are on the small side and hard to zipper closed when wearing the pack — barely large enough to fit an iPhone X. The overall verdict from users is that the hip belt pockets are almost impossible to zip and don’t hold much. Usable for snacks and lip balm; not great for a modern smartphone or anything rigid.
Durability
The Exos uses 100D nylon for most of its construction and 400D for reinforcement, putting it solidly in the middle when it comes to durability. Compared to beefier packs with thicker fabrics, it won’t hold up as well to rough treatment, but it should last an entire thru-hike with proper care. The historically weak points are the fabric edges around the frame, which receive a lot of abrasion, and the mesh panels. Multiple long-distance hikers have reported mesh wearing through after 1,500–2,000 miles. The warranty backstops most of this: after 2,000 miles on assorted trails, one Exos 58 had mesh that had worn through, and Osprey decided to simply send a free new pack rather than repair it — the warranty includes complete replacement if you’re able to actually wear one out.
Sustainability
Osprey has placed higher priority on sustainable materials; the Exos features a DWR finish made without harmful PFC/PFAS chemicals, and the pack’s fabrics are 100% recycled and bluesign-approved.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- AirSpeed suspended mesh panel delivers genuine back ventilation and comfort for multi-day loads
- 4-inch adjustable torso system fits a wide range of bodies in just two sizes
- Removable lid and compression straps let you strip ~5 oz when going lighter
- Bear canister (BV500) fits horizontally — a real advantage in regulated zones
- Large, stretchy external mesh pockets accessible on the move
- Osprey’s All Mighty Guarantee covers repair or full replacement for life
- 100% recycled, bluesign-approved fabrics
Cons
- At 1,185–1,276 g, it’s heavier than true UL alternatives like the Gossamer Gear Mariposa (~895 g) or Hyperlite 3400 Southwest (~890 g)
- Trampoline suspension moves load away from center of gravity — efficiency drops noticeably above 35 lbs
- Hip belt pockets are small and difficult to zip one-handed with gloves
- Frame-to-glute contact can become a chronic pain point on multi-day trips for some body types
- Z-style side compression straps make attaching bulky external gear (snowshoes, foam pads) awkward
- 100D nylon main body is moderately durable, not bombproof — mesh panels are the first to go under heavy use
Who Should Buy This
The Exos 58 is the right pack if you’re a three-season thru-hiker or weekend warrior who wants genuine carrying comfort without the bulk of a traditional 4-lb hauler, and who typically keeps pack weight in the 25–35 lb range. Highly experienced backpackers will appreciate industry-leading comfort and ventilation — without the weight it often adds — making it a strong choice for committing thru-hikes and trails like the AT or Colorado Trail. It’s also a natural choice for hikers who need to fit a bear canister horizontally or who want a removable top lid for flexibility. If you’re already running a sub-12 lb base weight and just need a stuff sack with hip transfer, skip it — you can save a lot of weight in the UL pack market, with competitors like the Hyperlite Southwest and Gossamer Gear Mariposa coming in under 2 pounds.
Verdict
The Osprey Exos 58 is one of those packs that has genuinely earned its spot as a trail staple, and the 2022 revision — with adjustable torso length and hip belt pockets restored — is the best iteration yet. It won’t satisfy dedicated weight-weenies, and it’s not the right tool for heavy expedition loads either. But for the hiker who wants a properly suspended, well-organized, and Osprey-warrantied pack in the low- to mid-carry range, it remains one of the most well-rounded options at this price point. Rating: 7.5/10.