Osprey Atmos 65 Review

Osprey has been manufacturing high-quality backpacks since 1974, so perhaps it isn’t surprising that their packs are some of the best currently on the market. It’s also dedicated to sustainable practices and has one of the best warranties around – its ‘Allmighty Guarantee’ replaces any broken product for free for a lifetime.

Osprey produces a range of backpacks for all walks of life, but right now we just can’t get enough of their anti-gravity (or AG) line. All backpacks in this line feature Osprey’s unique, award-winning Anti-Gravity^TM suspension system that distributes weight so well that you’ll hardly know that you’re wearing a pack at all (well, almost).

We recently reviewed the Osprey Aura AG 50 backpack designed for women, but now it’s time to explore a slightly larger male counterpart, the Atmos AG 65.

Renowned for its comfort and breathability, the Atmos AG 65 has hit the marketplace by storm. In this review, we’ve weighed up some key performance considerations to find out what makes this backpack so special – enjoy!

Materials and Durability

The Osprey Atmos AG 65 is designed for the outdoors, but how well does it really perform when you’re out in the wilderness?

Materials

You’ll be pleased to know that the main body of the bag is constructed from nylon – one of the most popular choices for outdoor clothes thanks to its resistance to water and tears.
More specifically, Osprey has used a unique ‘nylon dobby’, which means that 100D nylon fibers have been carefully combined with 630D nylon fibers to maximize overall robustness.

But what do these D numbers actually mean? Well, ‘Deniers’ (D) is the term we use to refer to the thickness of individual fibers, and the greater the denier the tougher the fabric is overall. Typically, high-end outdoor backpacks are constructed from 600D nylon, so the Osprey Atmos AG 65 certainly doesn’t disappoint in terms of fabric quality.

And in case that wasn’t enough reassurance for you, the bottom of the bag has been strengthened even further with 420HD nylon packcloth and a 210D High Tenacity nylon accent fabric.

Water-resistant?

So, we mentioned that nylon is favored for outdoor products because of its water-resistant properties, but how dry can the Atmos AG 65 really keep your gear?

The water resistance of nylon is pretty good, and we certainly wouldn’t worry about getting caught out in a bit of rain, but it won’t keep your gear bone dry in a monsoon. Lucky for us, the Atmos Ag 65 comes with an integrated rain cover that you can detach entirely if you’re lucky enough to get a great forecast for your weekend of outdoor exploration.

Overall, the water resistance has you covered for the odd shower and, for anything more serious, the raincover has your back – so you can say goodbye to wet gear for once and all.

Carrying Comfort

Whether you’ll be hiking up mountainsides or traveling the globe, having a comfortable backpack is of the utmost importance. After all, there’s nothing worse than waking up on day two of a trip and heaving your pack onto already-aching shoulders. So, how well does the Osprey Atmos AG 65 perform in terms of comfort?

Sizing

As much as we love faffing around with our straps to find that perfect fit, there’s one thing that makes finding it a lot easier – choosing a bag that’s the right size for you in the first place.

This might sound incredibly obvious, but many hiking and traveling bags, even lots of the most popular ones, take a one-size only approach. We love that Osprey is committed to proving a range of sizes for their packs, and the Atmos AG 65 is no different – choose from either small, medium, or large.

Suspension System

Hands down, the best thing about the Atmos AG 65 is its award-winning suspension system. The mesh covers the entire frame of the back panel, but it doesn’t stop there – it continues along the entire hip belt and the shoulder straps even feature the same mesh material. But what purpose does it serve?

The suspended mesh back panel allows an unprecedented amount of airflow between your back and the bulk of the pack, helping to keep you cool when you’re struggling up a hill or heaving your pack around in a hot climate.

Plus, the continuity of the mesh from the back panel to the hip belt takes the weight of the pack and spreads it over your hips, which is where you want it to be (i.e. not all on your shoulders). This, combined with a sculpted backplate, makes wearing this bag a dream, hence its ‘anti-gravity’ namesake.

A selection of sizes, great weight distribution, and an adjustable hip belt, sternum strap, and shoulder straps make this one of the comfiest bags currently on the market. Plus, mesh along with the back panel, hip belt, and shoulder straps minimizes sweat.

Exceptional comfort and fantastic ventilation – what more could you want from a backpack?

Organization and Accessibility

If you’re out in the sticks, there are some items you need in an easy-to-access location, such as your phone, first aid kit, and rain jacket, just to name a few. Similarly, if you’re traveling around, you want to make sure that your phone, passport, and sunglasses are readily available. But how well organized is the Atmos AG 65? And will you be able to find what you need when you need it?

Compartments

The Atmos AG 65 makes use of a triple compartment combo to help keep your gear in order – the main compartment, bottom compartment, and a removable top lid.

The main compartment is nice and spacey (although if you want less volume, you can opt for the Atmos AG 50), and it has a compartment for a hydration bladder, which is great for letting you stay hydrated while you’re on the move. Our only gripe is the lack of side entry access, which can be super handy sometimes.

The bottom compartment is sleeping-bag-sized, but it’s also a great place to stuff smelly gear or anything else you want to separate from the rest of your belongings. However, if you don’t have a need for it, simply remove the divider to merge the bottom and main compartments into one cavernous compartment.

The removable lid is a quirky feature that we love – it’s great to have the option to downsize your bag when you’re traveling light instead of buying a smaller one – and when it’s removed the FlapJacket does a great job of protecting your gear.

Pockets

The most notable pocket of the Atmos AG 65 has to be the large mesh pocket on the front. Surprisingly durable, and able to fit in items as large as a climbing helmet, this is a great way to keep extra layers and gear close at hand.

The dual mesh side pockets are also unique thanks to their access point facing forwards (towards you) instead of upright, making it way easier to reach back into them without removing your pack.

On top of that, there are two zippered pockets behind the large mesh pocket, dual pockets in the hip belts (although they’ll only fit a slim smartphone), and dual pockets in the lid.

With a trio of compartments and a plethora of pockets, you can definitely keep yourself well organized and your essentials close to hand.

Extra Features

In case you weren’t already sold by the durable materials, exceptional comfort, and range of pockets, the Atmos AG 65 is packed full of extra features that we love.

The sleeping pad straps are great for stowing your pad externally, but they can be removed too so you don’t need to worry about them breaking off in transit, making this a great bag for checking-in if you need to.

There’s also an internal key clip, web attachments on the lid for extra gear, twin loops for trekking poles or ices axes, compression straps, and an emergency whistle on the sternum strap in case you’re ever lost out in the wilderness.

Value For Money

Overall, we love the Atmos AG 65 backpack. But with its tough materials, great comfort levels, and clever extra features, it’s not surprising this bag doesn’t come cheap.

However, it’s great for traveling as well as hiking, can be downsized if you need to, and even makes a good check-in bag for flights, so we think it’s very reasonably priced overall. Plus, it’s covered by a free lifetime replacement service, so if you take the plunge and purchase one of these bags, it really will last you a lifetime.

Rating

With an overall rating of 96, the Atmos AG 65 has performed very well against our rating system.

If there was a side entry point to the main compartment and it was slightly more affordable, it would have scored top marks!

Verdict

This bag is pretty much your perfect hiking bag – it’s durable, super comfortable, well-ventilated, and comes with heaps of thoughtful extra touches. Plus, it can be downsized by removing the lid and makes a good travel bag too.

Although we do wish it was slightly cheaper, its versatility means you won’t have to buy a separate smaller bag or travel bag. On top of that, it comes with a lifetime warranty so, if you do take the plunge and invest in the Atmos AG 65, it will be a bag for life. Go on… you won’t regret it!