I need some advice on winter packs. I was trying out the granite gear nimbus meridian, but just didn't like the fit so I need a different pack for winter use. I'm mainly looking for 1-3 day trip capacity w/ice axe, crampons, helmet, snowshoes, etc. Most the trips will be 1-2 days in SoCal mountains. I'll be around 30 lbs. more or less for a two day trip (including consumables and all winter gear).

I have a golite quest on the way but would like to find something a little lighter if I could. The pinnacle is an option, but I'm not sure how I'll like the fit of a frameless pack when carrying more weight than usual. I remember reading a thread where someone used their exos 58 for winter trips. Does anyone else, and if so, could you share your experiences?

I went through very similar considerations as you.. I first bought the Exos 46. It was very comfortable loaded to 30 lbs. But the whole backpack seems delicate enough (warning: I'm new to UL and my last pack was a bomber weighing 5 lbs) that I wouldn't want to stuff it tight with anything hard or that has edges. It would never be enough for my winter camping (esp. solo) and wouldn't be enough even for me for the summer with a bear canister.

So I just traded up for a Exos 58 .. only 3 oz more. I'm not sure how it'll feel with more than 30 lbs or so though.. but I'm 5' 11" and 140 lbs, tall and skinny and 30 lbs is very comfortable on the shoulders and back.

As for space, I obviously haven't taken it on a winter trip yet but it'll hold all of my gear for 2 - 3 days for sure.. but I don't have a helmet / ice gear.. Winter gear to me just means bulkier sleeping system, more clothes, more food etc. The exos does have ice axe loops. Snowshoes will attach to the outside as well but I'd be careful with the fabric.. all straps on the Exos are skinny, just so you know. (I mean that in relation to other packs almost twice as heavy, not in relation to UL gear in the Exos weight range.)

I'll sell yu my 7 1/2 lb. Dana Designs Terraplane. :)

LOTS of room (6500 cu. in. W/ spindrift collar down)
Plus 900 cu. in. w/ 2 spare side pockets.

I find the Exos 58 to be an excellent winter pack.

I have used mine in winter a lot. The only problem I had was when it was snowing and windy as I got snow inside the mesh back.

http://tinyurl.com/yca9ren

> the whole backpack seems delicate enough (warning: I'm new to UL and my
> last pack was a bomber weighing 5 lbs)

Actually, that summarises the problems a lot of people have with going light-weight. So much is a matter of perception from the past rather than reality, as ij what is needed. Thus:

> all straps on the Exos are skinny,
Yeah, but try breaking one. Just how strong does a strap on a pack NEED to be?

The biggest problem with the Exos in the winter is the breeze blowing past your back: great in summer heat, a bit cool in winter!

Cheers

i had my hands get really cold during a semi-frightening winter experience with the exos and the small hip belt buckle was a bit hard to get on and off. it's something that requires a bit of dexterity and is really, really small (imo). it is my only "complaint" about the pack...

Do you all think it has enough capacity for the types of trips I want to use it for? I think the medium is 58L, but from what I've read Osprey doesn't include the side pockets in that calculation. I'm thinking it will be enough, but thought I'd ask those of you that have the pack.

the tiny hip buckle is actually sturdier than it seems.. I've not TRIED to break it but it's not bad.

Anyway, you can get request an extra buckle from Osprey through their website (parts replacement) if you want.. or just replace it with a less critical buckle from elsewhere on the backpack.

Jeffrey,
The Exos should suit you well. Its light, but durable, and has a lot of room. I took mine through the desert- lots of overgrown paths, and EVERYTHING is sharp, pointy, and tough. My Exos didn't look a day older after 4 days through that scrub.

I replaced the hip buckle on mine with a slightly beefier one from MEC. Weight's almost identical. The original didn't seem like it would necessarily break, but it would snap loose under pressure every now and then. The new one doesn't. Also more comfortable to unsnap with cold fingers.

The hip buckle is my biggest issue with the Exos too. The tiny straps are plenty beefy enough, but that buckle is small and fiddly to undo with gloved fingers.

You can easily fill the mesh gap with clothing, raingear, pad etc...to stop the wind blowing behind it. You can even put a platy full of water there to keep the wind off and keep your water from freezing. Or wear a poncho.

The Exos 58 is indeed a lot larger than 58 litres. That's 58L for the main pack volume on a size medium (61 l size large), PLUS all the extra pockets (six not counting the platy sleeve and small credit card pocket). The top pocket is huge, as are the hipbelt pockets, and the kanga pocket can accommodate quite a lot too. The outer zip pockets are not huge, but handy to put stuff you want quick access to. That's all before you even need to think about using all the extra straps provided to attach stuff to.
the outside of the pack.

Thanks for the advice. The Golite quest arrived today. I like it, but it may be more room than I need for winter trips. I'm a novice when it comes to winter hiking/camping and will likely just start out with day hikes and overnighters. Then again, it would seem to me that with winter gear you want all the extra space you can get. I don't know...I'm going to pick up an exos 58 tomorrow so I can compare the two packs.

I'm guessing with the exo 58 the crampons, ice ax, and snow shoes would need to be latched onto the pack rather than stuffed inside due to the limited pack space. Will it carry alright with all that gear attached to the exterior of the pack?

Edited by catalyst81 on 05/07/2010 00:28:56 MDT.

> ice ax, and snow shoes would need to be latched onto the pack rather than
> stuffed inside due to the limited pack space.

I don't think I have ever seen crampons carried inside a pack! As for trying to get snowshoes or an ice axe inside ... hysterical mirth!

Yes, it should carry OK, as long as the stuff on the outside isn't too heavy.

Cheers

Lynn,

I tried a 2 l platy with the exos 46 and it felt a bit awkward to me.. with the platy 3/4 full, it'd bulge against my back. maybe a smaller platy works or it works better with the exos 58. i returned both the platy and the 46 and got a 58. not really sold on using a platy vs soda bottles..

Here is my brother-in-law Dave at the start of a trip to climb Mt San Gorgonio a month or so ago His snowshoes are strapped in front of the stuff-it pocket of his new-style Talon 44. His helmet is on them. His crampons are in a crampon sack under the top lid. You can see the ice axe is in the tool loop.

Edited by rayestrella on 05/07/2010 16:22:47 MDT.