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Osprey Exos 58

Bob Hummel

Member
Time of past OR future Camino
April 2017
Hello All!
Right now, I intend to use an Osprey Exos 58 in my first Camino.
Being 62, I'm a little concerned that I might be trading some needed comfort, for light weight.
Have any of you used this pack on the Camino? If so, how did it work out for you?
As always, any feedback is much appreciated.
Thank you!
Bob
 
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A 58L pack is a bit larger than most people use, but if it fits you well, is comfortable, use it.
Only advice I can give is don't be tempted to load it to capacity. Keep it light. My personal test is that if the pack is too big to fit in the overhead bin (all the airlines have max size specs) of a commercial airliner, then it's overloaded. Time to dump stuff.
 
Why would you be trading comfort for light weight? Are you saying that the bag does not fit you very well? If that is the case I would suggest you keep looking for one that does, and ideally of lesser volume. 35 liters is summer is plenty (no sleeping bag). I use a 40 to fit my sleeping bag.
 
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Thank you!
Right now, it looks like my pack will be about 15 lbs.
Bob
 
I just finished my first Camino, the Frances from St JPdP to Santiago. I am 67 years old, not an athlete at all. I selected an Osprey Kestrel 48 based on recommendations here and the fact that I was spending a week in Morocco before walking in Spain, then going to Paris and Istanbul afterward.

I am already planning my next Camino and I will go down to a 40ish liter pack, preferably one I can carry-on aircraft. I sent stuff to Ivar (Thank you for that service!) from St Jean and again more stuff from Pamplona. I did buy a few things along the way - it got cold and I needed a windbreaker to make my layers work and I bought some socks.

So, while I'd go for smaller your needs may be different. Everyone I walked with had smaller packs and sometimes had to hang stuff on the outside, but it all worked out. There are some long, steep hills along the way and you will feel the extra weight most are tempted to put in the bigger pack. Also, I found putting it on and off was harder due to the size. I lived, and in fact, I ended the walk healthier than at any time I can remember, so maybe the extra weight was my conditioning.

Whatever you do, smile, keep an open heart and enjoy. If the pack is too much you can always send it ahead for 5-8 Euro. There are a lot of opinions that you can learn from on the forum. Feel free to ask more questions, including the months you are traveling might help as well.

Ron
 
April is still a pretty wet and cold month on parts of the Camino so you may need a somewhat warmer sleeping bag, jackets, rain gear, etc so the the larger size sounds like an easier job of dealing with your gear and would help you keep your gear inside your pack instead of dangling things on the outside. I would echo Mark in that you should try not to stuff it full but given the (ever growing) restrictive nature of airlines, shooting for carry-on size and weight may be a challenge (on top of that, you'd not be able to bring trekking poles if you are carrying-on). But back to your original question, yes, it's a quality pack that I've seen numerous Pilgrims wearing and would likely do well for you on the Camino. Buen Camino!
 
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I did most of the Portuguese in 2015 with an Osprey 58- I was 65 and had no problems. It was bigger than I needed and this Spring I did the Frances with an Osprey Farpoint 40 which was just right to carry everything, including a sleeping bag. My weight this year was under 16 lbs even with the slightly heavier bag. I am taking the Farpoint with me this coming year to Le Puy with an attachment for extra water. One feature of the Farpoint is the internal sleeve which I used to store books, pamphlets, etc. that I acquired so they would remain dry and unbent. I gained weight as my Camino progressed!
 
Thanks for all the great advice!
I might drop down to the Exos 48 at 2.3 lbs., or stick with my 58 at 2.4 lbs. Both are pretty light.
Either way, I will be very aware of the overall weight and avoid overpacking.
As Jozero mentioned, I thought I might need a little extra room for wet weather gear, and to keep everything inside.
I can fit my pack inside my large suitcase. So that's how I plan to transport it. I can put my pack, boots, trekking poles, etc., all in the suitcase, and check it at the airport.
Thanks again for the input!
Bob
 
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Hola Mark -whilst this is a useful measurement all overhead bins are not created equal - so our OP may not (in fact) be overloaded, by your criteria. Some airlines - the budget ones I suggest ask you to insert your bag into a sizing frame - if its to big (long??) then has to go as checked baggage.
Additionally other factors need to be consider, if you are carrying a knife with a blade over 50mm then your whole back has to go into the checked baggage. My Osprey Atmos 50 (purchased in March 2013) will not go in some of the economy class bins and its not overloaded (in my opinion) and as I am the one carrying it that really is the only opinion that counts. Cheers
 
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Thank you! That's exactly what I was looking for.
My Exos 58 feels great on the training hikes I have done so far, but the waist band and straps do seem a little thinner than those on slightly heavier bags. So I was unsure if it would still feel great after wearing it all day. That's what I meant by possibly trading comfort for light weight.
Bob
 
Please see my response to Jimmy's post.
Thanks!
 
Yeah, I always go to the airline's website prior to the flight and check their maximum dimensions for carry-on luggage and then compare that to my loaded pack with all the straps pulled down tight and tucked in. They all seem to be pretty much the same when it's a 737 on up sized airplane. I've noticed they usually run in the neighborhood of 20-25 x 35-45 x 55-56 centimeters. The airplanes smaller than that have smaller dimensions, of course, and a couple of times I had to check-in the pack when riding those as they have very small overhead bins. I would say always be flexible and prepared for that to happen. I have a small, cloth type drawstring pack tucked in my backpack that I can put some stuff in from my main backpack in the event I have to check it in.
I've never packed a knife on the Camino, or trekking poles (bought them in Puente la Reina and donated them in Santiago). So my pack only contained clothes and a few toiletries such as soap and toothbrush, small tube of toothpaste, etc. Nothing carry-on bag restriction sensitive (liquids). I figure I can buy that stuff in Spain when I arrive.
 
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Bob Hummel said:
My Exos 58 ... the waist band and straps do seem a little thinner ...
Click to expand...
For three straight years of pilgrim walks, I have used the Exos 48. It was my third pack - and you'll notice I haven't replaced it. My usual total pack weight, including groceries and 2L water, is 20-22 lbs. The Exos 48 is an extremely comfortable pack, with plenty of room for winter or wet gear for walking. I could have been very happy with an Exos 38, if they made such a thing. But I love the 48. It's very durable (survived some nasty falls) and well laid out.

The major point about walking with a much larger pack than you need: you'll need to carefully manage the process of snugging up the retention straps, so that the weight stays concentrated along the back, rather than sliding down to a pile at the bottom. So there are significant advantages to using a pack that's closer to the 35-40L size you actually need.
 
I switched to the Exos 48 a couple of caminos ago.

The padding in the hip belt and shoulder straps is actually better than many other much heavier packs. It is a very comfortable fit for me in all respects.
I am happy with it have no reason to consider replacing it.

Starting with a pound less dead weight is a big incentive to me.
 
Bob Hummel said:
Thank you!
Right now, it looks like my pack will be about 15 lbs.
Bob
Click to expand...
Would you like to borrow a smaller pack? Our Ospreys' are guaranteed and even after six Caminos I feel confident to share mine. It doesn't know any specific route better than another as it keeps wanting to try new ways..... Ultreya...... Willy/Utah/USA
 
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Today I returned my Exos 58 and ordered a 48. After reading all the comments, I think that size will be better for me!
Thanks for all the great advice!
Bob
 
Okay, I received my Exos 48! I believe this pack will limit what I can bring, which is probably a good thing. I think this will be a better size for the Camino.
Now I'm focusing on the weight of the items I put in it.
Thanks again for all the great advice!
Bob
 

Bob,

I used a Gregory Savant 58 that my son recommended a few years ago. Many suggest a pack in the 35-40 liter range. I did a little research on weight and found that the smaller packs were only a couple of ounces less than mine, so I couldn't justify spending another $150-$200. The benefit of the larger pack is that everything (except trekking poles) easily fits inside, including my lightweight sleeping bag. FYI, I'm 65 and didn't regret the larger bag, as I added equipment during my Camino and had space for it.

Buen Camino!
 
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Right now I have almost everything loaded into my 48, including a pair of Crocs, and it seems to fit fine.
I didn't think about picking up more stuff along the way. I suppose if I buy something Incan have it shipped back to the US, or to my Son in Paris. That's where I'm leaving my suit cases.
Bob
 
If the backpack fits YOU well and carries comfortably all your necessary gear (but not more!) - it is the right backpack. Buen Camino, SY

PS I am using an Exos 58 at the moment for my winter camino and am very happy with it.
 
I see you've already got your 48 liter pack, but FWIW I'm 65 and used an Osprey Stratos 36L on both the CF and the Portuguese, weighing in at around 17 pounds. Required some careful packing, but it worked for me. You should be fine with the amount you say you expect to carry and the 45L will give you plenty of room for any incidentals you pick up along the way.
 
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