Twenty years ago my first “technical backpack” was a beast. A massive, lunky external frame pack, it swaggered and swayed like a ship at sea, constantly striving to move opposite my every direction. Thankfully, times have changed. The new Anti-Gravity suspension system from Osprey makes antiquated backpacking experiences a definitive thing of the past. From this point forward the Atmos AG and Aura AG ensure that you’ll be crushing the miles in serious comfort.
On Performance and Design…
We took the Atmos AG deep into the heart of California’s Desolation Wilderness and knocked out countless backcountry miles. Then we headed out to the Eastern Sierra and did it all over again. While we aren’t quite sure exactly when it happened – perhaps somewhere near mile 5, or maybe halfway through the first set of switchbacks – it was out there in the wild where we fell in love with this pack.
Available as the Atmos AG (for men) and the Aura AG (for women) this pack comes in 50 and 60-liter versions ranging from $230-$260. Both the Atmos AG and Aura AG, feature the same quality material and build elements that have made the Osprey brand a beloved name for outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. From an array of exterior pockets to Fit-on-the-Fly hipbelt and a floating top lid, the multi-day 60-liter version offers plenty of backpacker-friendly features and organization.
And while these features make for a tremendous pack on their own accord, none of them are what sets the Atmos and Aura apart from the pack. The difference lies within the unique “AntiGravity” back system and the world’s first fully ventilated hip belt. In an industry often overrun with hype and hyperbole, the new AntiGravity system truly represents a paradigm shift in the way people think about backpack suspension systems.
The entire back panel of Osprey Atmos AG is a single piece of suspending webbing that floats away from the pack itself distributing weight evenly over every contour of your body. Imagine the feeling you get when laying in a hammock. As you lay back the hammock hugs your body with an almost custom molded type fit. Now imagine that same experience in a backpack’s suspension system and you have an idea of what it feels like to wear the Atmos AG.
The benefits of this new design are clear: more cushion, industry leading breathability, and a pack that works with the body through dynamic movements. So whether we were scrambling through boulder fields, or delicately tracing exposed ridgelines, the pack never shifted or disrupted our balance. Simply put, in twenty-five years of backpacking, not a single pack has offered a more comfortable backpacking experience.
Notes from the Field…
With a load range of 30-50 pounds, the Atmos AG 65 is perfectly suited for extended weekend treks, and even significantly longer journeys for those who pack wisely. The only minor issue we had with the pack was that it does not come with an integrated rain cover.
Bottom Line…
Innovative, ventilated, body contouring fit that will change the way you experience backpacking.
*Gumption Gear Review received the items featured in this review from Osprey at no cost and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review. The items featured were provided solely in return for our honest views and opinions.