Today I had the pleasure of meeting with a few industry leaders for a sneak peak at the new and improved Osprey Atmos AG™ 65. As an Osprey fan I was excited to see what this company had come up with to improve an already phenomenal pack.

Enter the Atmos AG™ 65. This is coming from a company that has been at the top of the game for 40 years. Osprey’s customers have grown to expect top quality and fully featured products that are truly ground-breaking. The redefined Atmos is no exception. Note, this pack is also available in a women’s specific model the Aura AG™ 65.

Now the first thing to catch my eye is the new color scheme made available for 2015. This Absinthe Green offers an appealing new palate to complement the existing Oxide Red and Graphite Gray options. However blue lovers may lament that Absinthe Green has replaced the Glacier Blue from older models.

Now, the soul of this pack has remained true to its prior itterations. It still features an adjustable harness, fit on the fly hip belt, and the pocket placement is still very much the same.

Note, the following images have been taken from the Osprey website. I do not own them, nor did I produce them

Adjustable harness:

Allows a 3 inch adjustment to accommodate different sized torsos within a given size range

Fit on the Fly Waist-Belt:

Allows for adjustment of waist-belt to accommodate differences in waist size and layering

Now here are a few new features that really beef up the usability and comfort from previous models:

Internal Compression straps:

These serve to really stabilize the contents of your pack and prevent rattling while trekking. It also allows the user to compress the bags contents to create the most secure, comfortable fit possible on the user’s back.

Removable Hood and Additional Flapjacket:

Now this is a feature that will appeal to the minimalists among us. The hood of the pack is completely removable shedding about 4 oz from the net weight of the pack. Now just behind the cinch channel is an integrated lid that allows the user to the contents of the bag without any frills or added weight.

Now for where things get really interesting. So far things have been a modest improvement, but Mike and the design team have really put in a lot of work to redesign key features that make this product line the most comfortable backpack of all time. Let me reiterate that. This is the most comfortable pack this reviewer has ever worn bar none. This is thanks to Osprey’s new Anti-Gravity™ suspension system. Let’s take a look.

What’s the first thing you notice? Well, the entire back of the pack running from the shoulder straps all the way down to the hip belt is… Mesh! Now this has a whole host of benefits starting with breathability. What other pack allows for so much airflow for the user’s back? The second, what better way to create a perfect fit than to allow the pack to mold itself to the user’s own body? The weight of the pack allows it to conform to the body creating a custom fit for anyone who wears it. The seamless design from shoulder to hip belt not only perfectly concentrates pack weight to the body’s natural “shelf,” but it also allows the pack to spread the load throughout the shoulders, hips, and back, to create an incredibly comfortable ride. The engineering that went into this system is clearly visible, but they’re not done yet.

Osprey has also revamped the harness adjustment system to be readily adjustable while still on the user’s back. The lever lock system, visible behind the crossbar of the back panel, allows for easier adjustment of saddle height. The combination of the new features described above with Osprey’s tried and true technology creates a custom fit that feels like the pack is molded specifically to the user’s body allowing for quick and easy adjustments if ever necessary.

Unfortunately all of this comfort and added technology does come at a price. The Atmos AG™ 65 is up from 3lb 9oz in its previous version to 4lb 6oz in the new AG™ version. This is a whole 13 oz. Unfortunately this bumps the Atmos line out of the lightweight category. Rest assured though, that 13 oz is all but unnoticeable due to such incredible improvements in pack weight distribution and the groundbreaking Anti-Gravity™ suspension. It’s a Cadillac ride in a Subaru construction.

This is a phenomenal offering from one of my favorite outdoor brands. No, I was not paid to write this, no I am not sponsored by Osprey (Achem… but I sure wouldn’t complain), I am simply an outdoor enthusiast writing about a product I truly believe in provided by a company who does the same.

Summary:

The Atmos AG™ 65 is a wonderful revamp of my favorite backpacking pack. The new suspension system offers immense comfort and fit while providing a breathable and sleek back panel. The bag is as functional as ever if not more so, but at a considerable weight penalty. Even for those who own the previous generation this pack is worth a look for such great leaps in features and comfort. The Atmos 65 AG™ hits retailers as early as next week making it a great late valentines day present to the adventurer in your life. You really need to feel it to believe it. Get into your local retailer and try it on!

http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/mens/atmos_ag_65