Osprey Exos 58 Hiking Pack – Reviewed & Tested

Fitting somewhere between an ultralight pack and a bigger, more traditional pack, we sent Explorer Tom to find out if the Osprey Exos 58 is the jack of all trades or the master of none.

Backpacks aren’t like every other piece of gear you take hiking – like your tent, they’re your home away from home, carrying everything you need for adventure. If your pack breaks or has a problem, your entire trip will change. Osprey has built a reputation for creating packs that balance comfort, durability, and innovation. And it was my job to find out if that remained true with the Exos 58 hiking pack.

Why am I the right person to do this review?

I’ve done plenty of hiking over the years, using an array of packs. I’m always looking to buy gear that does its job well, is versatile across multiple uses, and is as light as possible – in that order.

I’ve recently become interested in ultralight hiking, from an ‘interesting concept, not sure if I want to be a part of it’ kind of place. I’ve also been in the market for a backpack, hoping to find one that fits the above criteria. I did some research, took some recommendations, and here I am in the perfect place to find out if the Osprey Exos 58 does what it says on the tin.

In the same boat? How to Choose a Hiking Pack

Quick Specifications

Weight: 1.288kg (S/M) and 1.334kg (L/XL)
Capacity: 14 to 16kg
Size: 58L (S/M) and 61L (L/XL)
Colours: Blue or grey

Performance

Out of the box, this pack was super comfortable. Even though I was more towards the medium size, it took very little adjustment to get my S/M pack feeling like I’d done plenty of trips in it already.

Read more: Why You Should Get Fitted Before You Buy A Hiking Backpack

And I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like the colour blue, nice choice there

The flexible back panel moulds to your back and is supported by a metal frame which feels impressively solid considering its low weight. The straps and hip belt are both super comfortable with a thin but wide layer of foam in each.

While the pack only has fairly basic options for organisation, this never became a problem and keeping things accessible was surprisingly easy. The main compartment is only accessible from the top with a drawcord to secure it.

The lid has internal and external zip pockets which allow plenty of storage options, including a key clip on the inside.

You’ll spend a fair bit of time bent over finding things, but you can also lay it down if you’re gassed

There are two large side pockets, accessible from both the top and front, large enough for two 1L Nalgene bottles in each. The front pocket is large and the mesh allows it to expand around just about anything. The hip belt also has zip pockets, although it was such a struggle to fit my phone in that I gave up on those.

The lid is removable, meaning you can lose some storage and weight if you’re going for a shorter hike, although I find the pockets on the lid so useful I can’t imagine ever wanting to take it off unless it was to stuff inside the pack to reduce the volume.

The brain of the pack has a zip both on the outside and inside for maximum storage potential

Durability

The body of the Osprey Exos 58 is made from 100D nylon ripstop with a reinforced base and stronger 400D nylon ripstop accents.

This pack has only made it on two trips with me so far, but I flew with it as my checked bag followed by nine days of hiking in all kinds of conditions (I was in Tassie – so you know it got a workout) and there’s no apparent wear. Consider me impressed so far.

Items stored in the outside mesh pockets will heat up in the sun so keep the choccy bar deep inside the pack (away from your back!)

Comfort

Comfort is where this pack impressed me the most. Firstly, I was immediately impressed that it just seemed to fit me. It was already good the moment I first shrugged it on, but over the next couple of days I played with the straps more and it kept getting better.

For such a lightweight frame, I’m impressed by how balanced the bag feels.

However, ventilation is where this pack excels. The airspeed suspension is super impressive, allowing your back to be suspended off the pack, guaranteeing airflow between the two. Don’t get me wrong, you’ll still be sweating on a hot day, but this felt like it made a massive difference.

In fact, I noticed when I was wearing my daypack that I was sweating much more compared to when I was wearing the Exos.

Another favourite feature is the dual access side pockets. Being able to pull my water bottle out without having to ask my hiking partner or take the pack off is a godsend.

Design

This isn’t Osprey’s first backpack, and it’s clear that they’ve perfected this design over many years and models.

Other than the hip belt pockets being a little small for my liking, the design of this pack was pretty spot on for my needs.

There are some features that I personally don’t need, such as the sleeping pad straps, dual ice axe loops, and trekking pole attachment, but they don’t add much weight, are either removable or can be cut off, and they make the pack significantly more versatile for Explorers who do need them.

Every part of the bag screams quality, and the fabric and toggles feel strong too

Sustainability

Osprey has not only used 100% recycled bluesign®-approved recycled fabric to make this pack, it’s also entirely PFC/PFAS-free, instead using a DWR finish to keep it water-repellant.

Read more: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of PFCs

Sustainability was clearly a priority when producing the Osprey Exos 58, and its versatility across many applications also means that provided you buy the Exos, you won’t need multiple packs to do multiple activities anymore.

Osprey also offers its ‘All Mighty Guarantee’, a policy that repairs or replaces damaged Osprey packs free of charge, no matter what year model or make. Initiatives like this mean gear can last significantly longer, and we all know the best way to be more sustainable is to consume less.

Price

At $429.95 RRP, you can certainly find a cheaper pack, but similarly, you can spend upwards of $600 for an ultralight pack that doesn’t have half the features of the Osprey Exos 58.

Considering all the features and low weight, as well as the refinement Osprey has done over the years on this pack, I think the price is very reasonable. Plus, it can often be found on sale at sites like Wild Earth and Ultralight Hiker, so it’s worth shopping around.

Osprey has ultralight packing cubes if you want to optimise your organisation of the main part of the bag

Final Thoughts

This pack has really impressed me. Its low weight, comfort, and capacity are plenty for the main kind of overnight hiking I do (between two to six days). If you like to keep your pack weight low without compromising on comfort and features, I highly recommend the Osprey Exos 58.

All my gear, plus an ache-free Tom, equal an excellent hiking experience

FAQs Osprey Exos 58 Hiking Pack

Is the Osprey Exos 58 suitable for multi-day hikes?

Absolutely! With a 58L capacity, lightweight design, and excellent ventilation, the Exos 58 is perfect for multi-day hikes lasting two to six days (or more if you’re an ultra-lightweight packing genius).

How much weight can the Osprey Exos 58 comfortably carry?

The pack is designed to handle loads between 14-16kg, making it ideal for ultralight and lightweight hikers.

What makes the Osprey Exos 58 stand out from other hiking packs?

Its combination of lightweight materials, excellent ventilation, and smart design features, like dual-access side pockets and incredible comfort from the moment you shrug it on, all combine to make it a great choice for the trail.

Is the Osprey Exos 58 hiking pack environmentally friendly?

Yes! It’s made from 100% recycled bluesign®-approved fabric, is PFC/PFAS-free, and is backed by Osprey’s ‘All Mighty Guarantee’ repair policy.

Is the Osprey Exos 58 hiking pack unisex?

Nope. The Exos is designed for the guys, and the Osprey Eja 58 is the equivalent pack for the girls. Like the Exos, the Eja is lightweight and designed for multi-day hikes, with features tailored to fit females better, including contoured shoulder straps, a narrower back panel, and a shorter torso length.

Can the Osprey Exos 58 handle rough terrain and weather?

Definitely. Built with durable 100D and 400D nylon ripstop fabrics, the Exos 58 is designed to withstand tough conditions while keeping your gear protected. It easily handled Tassie’s Overland Track, Three Capes Track, and two trips with baggage handlers underneath planes without so much as a scuff mark.

More Osprey Hiking Pack Review

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• Osprey Lumina 60 Review – Best Ultralight Backpack
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