I LOVE my exo pack from Zpacks. I don't see how anyone could be disappointed with this pack.

Manfred,

Thanks for completely unpacking your Exo at the GGG to make it possible for me to try to stash my Bearikade Weekender inside it horizontally. As we observed, the Weekender fits vertically, but not horizontally. The way I arrange my gear inside my pack, I really would prefer to carry my bear can horizontally.

Still, I'm intrigued by the possible weight savings of the Exo, and I look forward to reading about your impressions when you've put more mileage on yours.

One thing of particular concern to me was your following comment:

"my back gets way sweatier compared to the mesh panel on the Exos 58." It would greatly appreciate hearing more about this issue as you start using the Exo in hotter weather.

Just finished 42mi 3days using the Exo pack and here are a few impressions (averaged 12-13 lb total pack weight, ranging from 15 to 10) :
Compared to the Exos 58 I used before, this pack was better fitting (for me) and the ability to play with the frame length was great. The weight difference is huge obviously. Moreover, I did not miss any of the Osprey features. Size is also very comparable, but the Zpacks Exo sits better/ feels tighter.
The padded belt is great, very easy to transfer weight to hips.
Had no hint of discomfort on shoulders, hips or anywhere else.
Could not feel the frame once the pack was packed.
I do not have the pad holder, but packed an open sleeping bag, with no bear canister there was no pressure on my back.
The material feels very solid, very little bushwhacking on this trip, but not a scratch. Sawing looks impeccable.
I did not feel ventilation was much different than the Exos since I would release the shoulder straps and let the pack lean backwards slightly mostly supported on my waist. This provided excellent ventilation.
The side pockets are wonderfully designed, I am not very flexible and could easily reach both. 2L platy full fits easily.
Load lifters did not do much for me, but did not bother me either.
The added belt pouches are huge, really huge, they were not in my way, but I kept trying to figure out what else I can put there beyond lunch, snacks, phone, sunscreen, mosquito replant, lip balm...
Summary: I think this is as close to a perfect pack I could think of. Every aspect is well designed, super light and feels very solid at the same time. Still have to try it with a bear canister, but given that I could not feel any discomfort on long days, I expect 4-5 more lbs would not be an issue on longer trips (with usually less daily average miles).

Diana,

I have now used the Exo in warmer weather and on longer trips. Here is a trip report for a 60 mile weekend with my daughter. In one of the last photos you can see that I'm now carrying my water in bottles in the shoulder strap pockets.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=63814&skip_to_post=546004#546004

That is the one major change I have made between the GGG and now. Not using a water bladder any longer, saves me additional weight and it works suprisingly well. Unlike Yossi - who commented above - I'm pulling the pack as close to my back as possible. The issue of my back sweating has stayed the same. It is not any worse in warmer weather or on longer hikes. But there is clearly a noticable difference to the mesh panel on the Osprey. Nevertheless I prefer the Exo and will take it on the JMT this summer.

Best Regards,

Manfred

Edited by Orienteering on 05/14/2012 22:58:44 MDT.

"Still have to try it with a bear canister, but given that I could not feel any discomfort on long days, I expect 4-5 more lbs would not be an issue on longer trips (with usually less daily average miles)."

Zpacks says the Exo can handle up to 30lbs. Do you feel that would be too much weight for the pack or shoulders to handle?

Edited by TRAUMAhead on 05/14/2012 23:57:01 MDT.

I'm also interested to know for the Exo:

- How do the shoulder strap attachments work? Do they slide freely across the attachment bar? How does that feel?
Generally I like to have load lifters. Does anyone have one with loadlifters and do they serve a purpose with this pack?
Does the cross part of the frame the shoulder straps fix to dig into your neck or shoulders?

Christopher,

I can carry a full Bearikade Expedition (which gets my pack to 30+ lbs) just fine. With that weight I notice that the shoulder straps loosen over time and I need to pull them down once in while.

Jim,

The shoulder straps don't slide on the horizontal bar. There is a piece on the bar (in the middle) that prevents the straps to slide towards the middle. My load lifters don't really do anything for me. Right next to each load lifters is the end of the vertical bar. So the bag is already close to the bag and you can barely pull it closer.
I use the pad holders. The pad protects my back from the bear can. The pad also keeps the frame covered, so no part of the frame touches me. When I tried the pack without the pad, I noticed the vertical bars, but had no issue with the horizontal bar digging into my neck.

Manfred