[Rhana]

Hi!
I am going to start this conversation/discussion! I am currently using an Osprey Auro AG 50 litres, which I like very much. For me comfort is key, and I have tried on several backpacks but this one was so far the nicest. However, I am looking for a backpack that is smaller (e.g. around 40 litres) which I can take on trips when I do not have to bring my full gear like tent, sleeping pad etc.

Preferably, I want a comfortable and spacious pack that is not too bulky or heavy, but does have enough pockets to store things haha. Any thoughts/suggestions? 🙂

[Jannik]

Very good, you should always try on a pack before buying it. At least for bigger packs and multi-day trips.

Ok tough one because I do not want to recommend too onesided 😀 but if you look for something around 40L and maybe suitable for a hut to hut trek etc. I would recommend the Zulu/Jade line from Gregory and specifically Jade 38. Other brands have similar lines obviously (For Osprey should be Sirrus/Stratos, for Deuter Futura) but I can tell you that Zulu/Jade offers the best comfort and feature set (that’s what editorial tests say).

Main features:

• ventilated suspension with dynamic comfort
• adjustable toso length
• top loader with top pocket and inside pocket
• trekking pole attachment
• Mesh pocket with reinforced fabric panel
• two side mesh pockets

Hope that helps! 🙂

[Rhana]

Hi Jannik!

Thanks for the nice reply – and ignore my late response!
At the moment I am leaning towards the Jade 38 (also because I like the dark blue colour, haha), but I was just wondering. What’s the difference with the Facet? Except for the size (35 vs. 38L)? Is it only the weight differences or are there any other important things to consider?

[Jannik]

Hi Rhana,

Facet 35 is the lightest pack for trekking. For example Elmar uses the Focal 38 as he has very small and light equipment. It offers a really good suspension but no extra features. Pretty solid and easy pack.

Jade 38 offers the same suspension but with more features and pockets. You have a U-zip on the front for more organization and thicker materials/buckles.

Hope that helps! 🙂

[Katie]

I’ve been using the Jade 38 for all of my euro trails w/o sleep system and adore it! I’d used the Osprey Tempest 34 prior to it and the Jade blew it out of the water. Plus, I adore the U-Zip on the front. Makes organization so much easier 🙂

[Jannik]

Love to hear that, Katie! The Jade is one of the hero packs in our assortment. But maybe you are just doing better with ventilated backpanels instead of close-to-body. Tempest has a breathable backpanel if I remember correctly.

[Rhana]

So, I tried my new Gregory Jade 38 for the past 3 days in Luxemburg and I have to say; love the backpack! Very comfortable, enough space & very light whilst wearing. So thanks for all your insights & recommendations 🙂

[Craig]

Hi Jannik

I used the Exped Lightning 60 on the AT last year, but found that it struggled with the weight, despite carrying well under the recommended limit. The frame was noisy and the shoulder straps kept slipping.

I’m now using the Gossamer Gear G4-20 which so far is performing well. Will be using it on the Colorado Trail in August. I like the larger side pouch that can hold a tent and the fact it’s only 700g. There’s definitely a balance between weight and comfort. This might be the pack that delivers.

[Jannik]

Hi Craig,

interesting, thanks for your feedback! Definitely a special and more niche category and for advanced hikers I would say. True, it is all about finding the sweet spot between weight and comfort!

[Djilan]

Hi!

I bought the Osprey Aura AG 65 for my backpacking trips and my planned TMB trip.
I want a pack that is comfortable even when it weighs a bit more and has room for all my stuff. Some stuff can be bulky, so I choose the 65ltr to be sure it would fit.

I don’t think I brought unnecessary stuff, but I still had 16,5kg on my back during the TMB 2 weeks ago. Not what I had planned. I trained with 14-16kg in the months before and hoped to have max 14kg with me on the TMB. But I made it to the end without problems because the pack was comfortable enough 🙂

For the future I want to buy a 2nd more lightweight pack and lower my total baseweight. So I was thinking about the Osprey Eja or Eja Pro. Then I can decide which pack to bring depending on my destination and the stuff I need to bring.

There are of course more UL packs, but I’m not sure I can get my baseweight só low that those would feel comfortable.

[Carry]

I am using the Osprey Eja 48 (without the upper part so it’s more like 40). I really love the pack because it’s light (approx. 1 kg), it’s quite comfortable and it has the mesh frame which transports the sweat quite good. I really don’t like my back to be to much sweaty. 😀 I can really recommend it. I currently planning my TMB trail as well and will bring the pack to. My current base weight is around 8-9 kg (without food and water).

• This reply was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by  Carry.

[Djilan]

The TMB was great! I am sure you will have a wonderful time!
And thanks for sharing your experience with your Eja.
PS. I just gave you a follow on Instagram 🙂

[Mikhael]

Hi Jannik,

I’ve used the Osprey Atmos AG 65 for like a year or so (I hike mostly multi- day hikes somewhere in Europe under different weather conditions) and had to return it because it was very squeeky and it already showed signs of wear and tear on the sides and top.

Osprey told me I had lifetime guarantee on their products and they sent me the Aether Plus 60 (because the Atmos was out of stock). Been loving that backpack since the start. It’s big, bulky and weighs about 2.8kg but that’s no problem for me. The convenience and roughness is amazing on this one.

With this whole experience a couple of things are important to me (and which I will take into consideration when buying another backpack):

– Guarantee (I want to have a “no questions asked” return/guarantee policy)

– Sturdiness (It needs to be able to take a beating or a scrape against a rock)

– Price (Backpacks are expensive in my opinion, especially the UL ones. So I try to pick the most bang for my buck)

– Padding/ support (I always hike with a total weight of about 23-26 kilograms on my back and a good, breathable padding/ support is vital for me)

– Pockets/ layout (I really like it when the brand puts some thought into where and why they place certain pockets etc on the backpack. It’s a big convenience for me to have a logical layout in which I can organise all my stuff intuitively)

Hope this was a little bit helpful 🙂

[Lucia]

Hi!

I have 2 backpacks, an Osprey Aura AG 65L, and a ULA Circuit.

The Osprey was my first backpack, I got it when I was 16, and I used it for shorter trips (max a week).

My second backpack was a ULA Circuit with X-pac material. It was customizable, and I added a few things, including a Y-strap at the top, and bottom straps. I also chose for it to have S-straps for the shoulder straps. I used this backpack to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail, and it might be my favorite piece of gear.

ULA Circuit:
+ Easier to keep balance (feels like a part of you)

+ A lot lighter than the Osprey

Osprey

+ Stays comfortable with heavier loads

+ Loads of different pockets/ways to store stuff

+ Less sweaty

Right now, I have a clear preference for the ULA Circuit. My gear is light enough that it is comfortable at all times (base weight ~7kg), and I don’t need all the storage options that the Osprey has. The main reason I like the ULA Circuit more is because the hiking is easier, it sits closer to your body, and on trails that are a little bit more technical, the backpack allows for more control than the Osprey, which can feel unstable at times. However, the Osprey was a great backpack to start with, especially as the rest of my gear was heavier as well back then, and I’m not sure the ULA would still have been comfortable with the heavier load.

If anyone has questions, let me know!

(I added some pictures of me with my ULA, and of a friend of mine with the Osprey (without the brain))