The new Exos/Eja Pro from Osprey builds on the success of the original Exos/Eja with features aimed at thru-hikers and ultralight fans.

 

Thru-hiking is having a bit of a moment in Australia. The word, which is kind of hard to define, basically means hiking a really long way – so far that you have to resupply in towns (or with food drops you plan ahead). In a way it’s a form of travel, and many walkers take ‘zero days’ where they don’t hike at all, or even go off and do other activities, visit landmarks, or hitch hike into town.

Australia has a few thru-hikes that are gaining popularity, and there’s always hiking the length of New Zealand to think about, but even new routes like the 13 day Grampians Peaks Trail are starting to veer into ‘thru-hike’ territory.

When you’re hiking or bushwalking for that long, you’re going to want to optimise everything and get your pack as light as possible. Which brings me to the Osprey Exos/Eja Pro. Osprey have recently created this pack in response to the demand from hikers for ruthlessly-efficient kit.

We Need to Go Lighter

As an owner of the Exos 48 backpack, I’m floored that Osprey have managed to shave 380 grams off the Exos/Eja Pro, making it 20% lighter. They’ve done this by using lighter materials for the fabric, frame, and harness.

The large/extra large men’s has a capacity of 55 litres, weighs 980 grams and is rated for up to 18kg loads. Those are niiice numbers.

The body of the pack uses NanoFly, which has an ‘ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene ripstop grid’. Woah. Seriously though we’re looking at 200D material with 100D nylon – in other words – ‘tough as’.

 

 

The frame is a pared-back 3.5mm LightWire construction that creates a lightweight version of the signature Osprey AirSpeed suspension, one that’s designed for lighter loads. AirSpeed allows the frame to include heaps of mesh and a gap between most of your back and the pack, which makes it super nice to wear in warmer weather.

Still too heavy? You can remove the compression straps and even the lid compartment if you like! There’s a ‘FlapJacket’ that prevents weather getting in, but you’ll sacrifice nine litres of storage.

What about the features?

You want features? Oh we got features:

  • Four webbing lash points on the top lid
  • Internal hydration sleeve with hose port and Osprey Hydraclip for easy reservoir hanging
  • Internal compression strap to keep loads stable
  • Large front fabric compression pocket with stretch side panels to accommodate overloads
  • Multiple front panel lash points for securing extra gear
  • Lower side compression straps designed to capture sleeping pad on front panel
  • Deep, dual access stretch mesh side pockets
  • Dual ice axe loops
  • Zippered and open pocket on the hipbelt

In addition, the pack has a PFAS-free (environmentally friendly) DWR coating that sheds water, and the main body fabrics are bluesign approved.

The pack doesn’t come with a rain cover, but with my gear in a lightweight pack liner I found that it wasn’t necessary in pouring rain. The material’s so light there’s nothing to soak up the water!

Learn more: You can learn more about the Exos/Eja family of packs over at Osprey’s website.

The Comfort of Big Words

Lightweight injection-moulded ladder, ventilated mesh yoke, reverse spacer mesh with die cut EVA Foam. Yeah, there’s a lot going on in the comfy department. This ain’t your Grandpa’s backpack.

But if my Exos 48 is anything to go by, the Exos/Eja Pro is going to be a masterclass in lightweight comfort – Osprey have simply trimmed and swapped out materials and upgraded where they can to save weight.

 

 

The Exos is the men’s pack while the Eja is the women’s. I’m personally not a huge fan of the dual naming system, because the packs are pretty damn similar.

The Exos Pro/Men’s comes in small/medium and large/extra-large, while the Eja Pro/Women’s comes in extra small/small and medium/large, with slight size and weight differences depending on the model that fits you.

When can I buy an Exos/Eja Pro backpack?

The pack’s in stores now so you can go in and try it on (something we always recommend). At $419.95 RRP it’s by no means a cheap hiking pack, however it’s only $40 more than the standard Exos/Eja 58 for a significant weight saving without compromise. It’s also feature-packed, something that many ultralight packs quickly do away with in the quest to shave grams.

Osprey have a Store Locator on their website so you can find one near you and try the Exos/Eja Pro for yourself.