Osprey Exos 38 Review

Overview

For the ultralight-committed backpacker who needs more than a sack with shoulder straps, the Exos 38 is Osprey’s answer at the smallest end of the Exos line.

It pairs a genuinely impressive suspended-mesh back system with a feature set that punches well above what most “lightweight” packs offer at this price point.

It’s a natural crossover pack between the ultralight and lightweight backpacking worlds

, though it performs best when you’ve already trimmed your kit down to fit comfortably within its 20–25 lb sweet spot.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	1,190 g (42 oz)
Volume	38L
Carrying Capacity	20–25 lbs / 9–11 kg
Frame	4mm powder-coated LightWire
Torso Adjustability	4 inches (injection-molded ladder system)
Dimensions	30h × 13w × 12d inches
Main Fabric	Bluesign® recycled 100D high tenacity nylon ripstop, PFC/PFAS-free DWR
Accent Fabric	Bluesign® recycled 400D high tenacity nylon, PFC/PFAS-free DWR
Sizes	S/M, L/XL
Comparison	See how Osprey Exos 38 compares to similar gear

Performance

The AirSpeed Back Panel — The Whole Point

If you’re buying an Exos 38, you’re largely buying it for its back system, and it delivers. The AirSpeed system is perhaps the most impressive feature of the pack — a “trampoline suspended mesh” that sits against the length of your back and is springy, strong, and very well ventilated. The clearance between the netting and the back panel varies from 2 to 5 cm, a design that ensures optimal ventilation — moisture transfer is genuinely excellent, and you essentially “dry” as you continue walking. One tester who had hiked extensively in ultralight packs and always ended up with a sweat-soaked back tested the Exos in the Mojave Desert and had an “ah ha” moment — he found it comfortable and could feel a breeze against his back, and while it didn’t mean his back wasn’t sweaty, it was the coolest he’d felt with a backpack. If you run hot or hike in warm climates, this ventilation advantage is real.

Load Carrying — Good in Its Lane, Soft Outside It

The hip belt does a decent job dispersing weight, but this is not a traditional Osprey hip belt. The Exos 38 has a soft belt that is not designed to carry the entire load — some weight must be supported by your shoulders.

That’s a deliberate design choice, not a defect, but it has real consequences:

the Exos 38 is not recommended for heavier loads, and pushing past 30 lbs significantly and negatively affects comfort.

Stay within the manufacturer’s 20–25 lb recommendation and the pack carries well. Push beyond that and the lightweight suspension starts working against you.

On the flip side, some find the tensioned frame feels almost like a turtle shell with light loads, but this same structure is what makes it carry medium loads so well.

Fit and Adjustability

The updated AirSpeed suspension features a new ladder adjustment system offering up to four inches of torso adjustability, and the pack is available in two split sizes: S/M and L/XL.

The torso fit nails it for a wide range of bodies, though it’s worth noting

the main structural frame is a critical component of fit — no amount of strap adjustment will compensate if you’re in the wrong size.

Try it on in person if you can, or measure your torso carefully before ordering online.

Storage and Organization

Unlike a lot of other “ultralight” packs that strip out pockets to save material and weight, the Exos 38 still has pockets that are very handy — the shoulder straps have small mesh pockets, and the hip belts have a decent-sized pocket on each side that can fit a smartphone or other small electronics.

The large front stretch mesh pocket is a useful place for stowing excess layers, maps, or wet gear.

The main compartment is packed from the top only, keeping things simple and light.

That top-load-only design does require intentional packing — anything you’ll need mid-day should live in a pocket or near the top, not buried at the bottom.

Lid, Weight Savings, and Modular Features

If you want to slim things down even further, the lid comes off completely and you can use an extra flap that comes with buckles to cover the top of your pack instead.

The removable lid weighs around 285g, which is a meaningful shed for a dedicated ultralight setup.

Additional features include dual strippable side compression straps, removable sleeping pad straps, dual ice axe loops with bungee tie-off, a trekking pole attachment, and a sternum strap with integrated safety whistle.

Durability

One recurring user complaint: the mesh side pockets don’t hold up as well under heavy abrasion — holes developed in the first year for at least one owner who saw heavy use.

The first signs of wear typically appear along the bottom and on the front mesh pocket from dragging through brush — patch or sew them early to prevent further fraying.

The 100D main fabric is reasonably durable, but it’s not built for scrambling through granite or tight brush.

Osprey’s All Mighty Guarantee covers any damage or defect free of charge — if they can’t perform a functional repair, they’ll replace it.

How It Compares

According to independent volume tests from Outdoor Gear Lab, the Exos 38 minus its lid would be weight-competitive and similar in total volume to the Gossamer Gear Gorilla.

Where the Exos wins is comfort and back ventilation; where the Gorilla wins is pure weight and the option to remove the framesheet to sleep on.

There are lighter options for a 38L pack, but they’re mostly made of much more expensive and much less durable materials — the Exos 38 strikes a solid balance for most hikers.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• AirSpeed suspended mesh back panel delivers class-leading ventilation and comfort in its load range
• Meaningful feature set (removable lid, front mesh pocket, hip belt pockets, trekking pole storage, ice axe loops) without sacrificing too much weight
• 4-inch torso adjustability via injection-molded ladder system provides a dialed fit
• Built from 100% recycled Bluesign® fabrics with PFC/PFAS-free DWR
• Osprey’s lifetime All Mighty Guarantee has your back
• Removable lid (~285g) offers a clean weight-reduction option

Cons

• 1,190g is solidly “lightweight” but not truly ultralight — cottage industry alternatives in this volume (e.g., GG Gorilla, ULA Ohm) are meaningfully lighter
• Soft hip belt is not designed for full load transfer; comfort drops noticeably above 25–30 lbs
• Top-load-only access demands intentional packing
• No rain cover included — a separate purchase adds cost and weight
• Mesh side pockets can develop holes under heavy abrasion
• AirSpeed frame is not practically removable (don’t try)

Who Should Buy This

The Exos 38 is the right choice for three-season backpackers who have their kit reasonably dialed — say, a 14–22 lb base weight — and want a genuinely comfortable framed pack with excellent ventilation without spending cottage-industry prices. It shines on 1–3 night trips in warm or hot conditions where back airflow matters, and for hikers making the jump from a traditional 3 lb+ pack who aren’t ready to commit to frameless or semi-frameless designs. For folks who are new to ultralight travel in the backcountry and still transitioning from a full backpacking kit, the Exos is a great option. If you regularly carry heavier loads (30+ lbs) or want the absolute minimum grams-per-liter, look elsewhere — at the Exos 48 for the former, or a Gossamer Gear or cottage-industry option for the latter.

Verdict

The Osprey Exos 38 does exactly what it promises: a comfortable, well-ventilated, feature-rich pack at a reasonable price for hikers who have trimmed their kit to fit within its load range. The AirSpeed back panel is the real deal, and Osprey’s build quality and warranty hold up in the field. Where it falls short is for true ultralight obsessives — at 1,190g it’s not going to satisfy gram-counters who can get similar volume out of a lighter frameless or semi-frameless option, and the soft hip belt means you’ll feel it if you push past 25 lbs. Rating: 7.5/10.