Conversations
New (2022) Osprey Atmos/Aura AG backpack
Quote from MaxineM on October 25, 2022, 3:29 amI have a slightly-older Osprey Aura AG 65 backpack, which I mostly like just fine (in my limited experience.) I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the new 2022 version has zippers that allow you to access the main compartment from the sides, instead of having to tunnel down from the top.
But then I realized that it appears that this new version no longer has the "Flap Jacket" -- an attached square of fabric that, if you decide to detach the removable "brain" of the pack, can be stretched across the cinched drawstring opening of the main compartment and then buckled down, providing excellent rain protection for the inside of the pack.
šĀ new zipper access = good; loss of flap jacket = not so good . . . guess I'll stick with my slightly-older version. I'm guessing Osprey was worried about weight -- ??Ā Adding the side-access zippers would have added to the weight of the pack, which now maybe is offset by there being no flap jacket.
I have a slightly-older Osprey Aura AG 65 backpack, which I mostly like just fine (in my limited experience.) I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the new 2022 version has zippers that allow you to access the main compartment from the sides, instead of having to tunnel down from the top.
But then I realized that it appears that this new version no longer has the "Flap Jacket" -- an attached square of fabric that, if you decide to detach the removable "brain" of the pack, can be stretched across the cinched drawstring opening of the main compartment and then buckled down, providing excellent rain protection for the inside of the pack.
šĀ new zipper access = good; loss of flap jacket = not so good . . . guess I'll stick with my slightly-older version. I'm guessing Osprey was worried about weight -- ??Ā Adding the side-access zippers would have added to the weight of the pack, which now maybe is offset by there being no flap jacket.
Quote from dadDale on October 25, 2022, 3:24 pmThat does seem like a odd trade off and would be a deal breaker for me also, as I often use the pack without the "brain" when I need a smaller pack.
That does seem like a odd trade off and would be a deal breaker for me also, as I often use the pack without the "brain" when I need a smaller pack.
Quote from nathanu on October 26, 2022, 2:41 pm@maxinem I've got an Osprey Atmos 65 AG that is my go-to pack, absolutely love the anti-gravity.Ā I also have a Gregory Paragon 58 with the side access zipper and love the zipper but, in most cases, not enough to make me opt for the Gregory over the Osprey.Ā I'm with @daddale that that does seem like a strange trade off, potentially leaving the very top of the pack open to rain and elements (in addition to rain, I'd be a little concerned about critters [ticks]) finding their way into my camp clothes.Ā Would definitely be a deal breaker.
Any chance you've reached out to Osprey to ask why they did away with the flap?
@maxinem I've got an Osprey Atmos 65 AG that is my go-to pack, absolutely love the anti-gravity.Ā I also have a Gregory Paragon 58 with the side access zipper and love the zipper but, in most cases, not enough to make me opt for the Gregory over the Osprey.Ā I'm with @daddale that that does seem like a strange trade off, potentially leaving the very top of the pack open to rain and elements (in addition to rain, I'd be a little concerned about critters [ticks]) finding their way into my camp clothes.Ā Would definitely be a deal breaker.
Any chance you've reached out to Osprey to ask why they did away with the flap?
Quote from MaxineM on October 28, 2022, 3:31 pmI haven't tried to ask Osprey about the change. From poking around on the interwebz, I gather that the new model has an "integrated" (but apparently still removable) rain cover, so maybe they think the flap jacket is no longer strictly necessary. I've also seen a few references to a design change in the brain, such that it is no longer as easily removable as it was before.
Dunno, maybe they did some market research that showed them few people were using it with the brain detached, and that more people would like the side-access zippers.
I've used it with and without the brain; I liked the shorter height when brainless (HA!!!!) but I also likeĀ the organizational setup/easy access to those two brain compartments for lightweight things I want to get to quickly, even if I didn't really *need* the extra space provided by the brain.
I haven't tried to ask Osprey about the change. From poking around on the interwebz, I gather that the new model has an "integrated" (but apparently still removable) rain cover, so maybe they think the flap jacket is no longer strictly necessary. I've also seen a few references to a design change in the brain, such that it is no longer as easily removable as it was before.
Dunno, maybe they did some market research that showed them few people were using it with the brain detached, and that more people would like the side-access zippers.
I've used it with and without the brain; I liked the shorter height when brainless (HA!!!!) but I also likeĀ the organizational setup/easy access to those two brain compartments for lightweight things I want to get to quickly, even if I didn't really *need* the extra space provided by the brain.
by nathanu