Osprey Exos Pro 55 Review

Looking to dive into ultralight backpacking without getting rid of all the creature comforts you're accustomed to in your more draft horse-like pack? The Osprey Exos Pro 55 may be your ticket to ride. Featuring design and features borrowed heavily from Osprey's more conventional lineup, this pack utilizes much more bantam materials. It's effortless to start using while also having the ability to grow with you after you've got some serious trail miles under your feet.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

It's hard to compete with the comfort of the Osprey Exos Pro 55, thanks to Osprey's signature tensioned mesh back panel that takes the pack's weight directly off your back, pulls it down on the hip belt, and allows for better air circulation.

If you're familiar with Osprey's more conventional packs, this uses a similar solution that the designers somehow slimmed down to fit into this ultralight category. The hip belt is also far more integrated into the pack than others in this roundup, which may help get that feeling of the pack “hugging” your whole body rather than just resting on your hips.

Load lifters on the shoulder straps help adjust the pack when food stores dwindle. The manufacturer claims 30 pounds is the Exos Pro load limit, but we went far over this in our lab testing and our multiday trips with little in protest from our backs. The tensioned back panel solution to the comfort problem does come at a slight cost of weight, as this pack is a little heavier than its closer to cottage-company brethren.

Ease of Use

“Welcoming” could be a good adjective for the Osprey Exos Pro 55. Hip belt pockets and side pockets are easily accessible for taking things out of the pack without having to take the pack itself off, which can speed up snack time. The top lid reveals the main pack body with a few buckle removals, and the main pack body itself has a simple cinch to keep things securely enclosed. The rigidity of the back helps keep the main pack body in place as you rummage through looking for your puffy.

The lack of modular components that can be removed from the pack — only the lid is removable — means that there are fewer things to worry about having to tweak. The only detail we are puzzled over is the main pack body's lash points around the center pocket that are oriented at an angle rather than horizontally.

These lateral straps work great if you have gear attached via a carabiner but aren't as useful if you want to lash larger items, like snowshoes, an extra stuff sack, or a bear canister over the center pocket.

Weight-to-Volume Ratio

With so many features and creature comforts, we were intrigued to determine the total weight and weight-to-volume ratio for the Osprey Exos Pro 55.

We measured weight at 30.4 ounces or 862 grams. We measured the volume of the main compartment at around 33 liters. Over ten additional liters of gear can fit into the 2.8-ounce (or 79 grams) removable lid. Unlike many other packs in this roundup, the hip belt, the back padding, and the frame cannot be removed from the Exos Pro to cut down pack weight.

The weight-to-volume ratio of the main compartment alone comes to 0.89 ounces per liter. That ratio drops to just 0.6 ounces per liter when considering all storage pockets available. In the cutthroat world of ultralight backpacks, these aren't frontrunning numbers — the Exos Pro 55 is one of the heavier packs for its volume in our roundup.

Along with the main compartment and lid, the Exos Pro 55 offers even more with extremely generous side and center stretchy mesh pockets and one zippered and one zipperless hip pocket. We were able to stuff each side pocket with five 700-milliliter Smartwater bottles or with our camp stove, 1-liter pot, and two 8-ounce fuel canisters. Each hip pocket held about 0.5 liters or around four Clif Bars.

Although the weight-to-volume ratio is higher than other packs in this roundup, the features and creature comforts are as well. It will be up to you to decide if those extra grams are worth it.

Adjustability

We rated Osprey Exos Pro 55 well for adjustability. Two sizes are available, and a “women's body style” model, the Osprey Eja, is also available — one of the few ultralight packs to be available in different body styles. Torso length is highly adjustable on this pack and takes only a few minutes to dial in. The shoulder straps also feature load lifters. Unlike many of the packs in our roundup, the hip belt, harness system, and internal frame are not removable.

The single feature that is removable is the top lid. You'll save a few ounces and lose a few liters of volume when removed. Given the many features that can't be removed from this pack, it makes it less attractive to use for lighter loads or as a day pack than many other packs in our lineup. You'd be better served with a smaller pack for such adventures.

Lash points are available on the pack's exterior around the center pocket and on the top of the lid. Ice axe loops are also attached to the back. A bear canister can fit between the top of the pack and the lid if you prefer not to stow it within the pack itself.

Should You Buy the Osprey Exos Pro 55?

For those counting ounces — but not grams, this is an excellent option for a new ultralight pack for multiday trips. Those who require good back ventilation will cheer that Osprey makes this breathable pack as an option for the ultralight crowd. If you don't require the ability to remove parts of your pack for absolute adaptability for day hikes, give this pack a serious look.

What Other Ultralight Backpacks Should You Consider?

The Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 is another great starter pack with the legs to take you several thousand miles further once you've graduated from your Padawan status. The Granite Gear Crown3 60 is a worthy contender, with ample back padding, a removable lid, and many features you can use or remove as you dial in your trail system. The Six Moon Designs Swift V is another solid choice, especially if your gear isn't yet optimized to all fit into the main compartment and you need a little more capacity.