We’ve read the reviews on the web for Osprey Packs Exos Backpack and summarize the results below:
Universal Ranking
Peak Score: 84 (out of 100)
User Rating: 4.3 stars 
Expert Rating 4.2 stars
Learn more about Peak Score and Ratings.
Pros & Cons
Reasons to buy:
User Reviews
- Very lightweight – sub 3 pounds!
- The perfect mix of carrying capabilities and ultralight design
- Good placement of water bottle pocket next to hips
- Shoulder harness and back breathe well
- Comfortable
- Can be used as a backpacking pack or a daypack (if you carry a lot of gear for your family on day hikes)
Expert Reviews
- Lightest backpack with a frame
- Lightweight perimeter frame provides great load transfer and control
- Great pockets and features
- Lots of external attachment points all around the pack
- Close to half the weight of many tradition backpacking packs
- Even with the extreme lightweight, it gives up little when it comes to performance and comfort
- Best at carrying loads under 30 lbs and not bad in 35-40 lbs range
Reasons NOT to buy:
User Reviews
- Hip belt is small compared to other packs and the adjusters extend beyond the hip pad so they can dig into your abdomen and pelvis
- I want to like it, but the shoulder harness and hip belt keeps hurting me!
- This is an ultralight pack, so beware that the materials can cut and rip if abused
- This is a smaller pack, so using a compression sack for your sleeping bag is helpful
Expert Reviews
- Average durability
- I recommend you don’t bushwack with this pack in order to keep the pockets from tearing
- Heavier than true “ultralight” packs, but a lot more comfortable
- Hip belt is not adjustable
- No hip belt or shoulder strap pockets
- If the pack doesn’t fit you off-the-shelf, give it a pass
Summary:
The Exos family of packs are ultralight, versatile and intuitively designed. The Exos is shockingly lightweight for a pack with a frame and doesn’t sacrifice much when carrying low to medium loads. Some recent updates may not be for everyone, so take a look at our review to see for yourself.
Product Updates:
For the 2018 model, hip belt and shoulder strap pockets were removed, thicker materials were utilized, and the harness system was optimized.
User rankings were reviewed on backcountry.com, rei.com. Expert rankings were reviewed on outdoorgearlab.com, sectionhiker.com.