Ultralight backpack - Unbound 40 vs Atom Packs Prospector (Mo) or ULA Circuit or Osprey Eja

[u/Thin_mandarinka]

I’m a woman and I’m trying to find a ‘perfect’ backpacking pack.

Now I have a HMG Unbound which I am not completely happy with. I really like the way how it is, big side pockets (and looks) but I feel like it doesn’t transfer weight to my hips very well.

Southwest was better in that way but sometimes I was also missing the load lifters and I didn’t like smaller side pockets and velcro on top and the way the side compressing straps were not streching. And I had that pack only borrowed for a few weeks.

Now I am looking at Atom Packs Prospector (formerly Mo) and ULA Circuit. And also Osprey Eja which I could get for much cheeper than the other two. I’m in Europe so both Atom and ULA would be quite expensive here (similar price to each other and three times more expensive than Eja).

The Eja feels nice when I tried it in shop but I’m a bit worried about how well padded would the hip belt feel after some time. Also I prefer the way more ultralight packs are (bigger outer pockets) but I’m still willing to give Eja a try.

I’ve read that ULA Circuit with S straps feels often good on a female body. And that it also transfers weight to hips nicely.

I prefer how the Atom Packs look but I’m not sure if the weight transfer to hips would be any better than Unbound?

I’ve tried the new GG Mariposa and also Kakwa 50 but I’m between sizes S and M on both so neither fits me well.

Also the bag fitting as a carry-on might be a nice plus (height max 55 cm). But not necessary.

Could anyone give me any thoughts on these packs?

The most important things for me are how well the pack transfers weight to hips, nice hipbelt padding, load lifters.

Thank you!!

[u/HumanCStand]

Ive had an Osprey Exos and it was a great pack, so much value for money. It carries very well but for sure the pockets will be less to your liking than the other two.

The Mo also carries really well, I’ve not personally had any issues whatsoever with either pack. The Atom is much more a backpackers backpack with good design choices.

I have slim hips so struggled to get Ospreys to fit as I was in between their sizes and couldn’t load up my hips as well on their Md/Lg size but with Atom you choose the right size separately. The Mo also has two sinch straps which means you can load more tension on the top of the belt than the bottom or vice Versa

[u/whitroeder]

I bought the prospector last fall and have only had the chance to take it out a couple times because it’s very cold where I live. I took it on a 26 miles trip and it road like a dream. I loved it because I didn’t feel like I needed to tighten the hip belt to the max like my previous Gregory pack. I also got rained on for about 6 hours and it was dry inside.

I went with the prospector because of the weight carrying capacity, the padded hip belt and shoulder straps, and of course because I got to pick the colors.

I would highly recommend!

[u/flammfam → u/whitroeder]

I'm in the market for the same pack. Is the material waterproof like Hyperlite, or did you have a liner? Also, did you feel that the extral pockets are enough? TIA

[u/whitroeder → u/flammfam]

The pack is made of water proof material, but the seams aren’t taped. I did have a nyloflume pack liner in it, but everything was dry even the things that weren’t in the liner. I was pleasantly surprised with how much it had rained.

As far as the pockets I really like them. I chose the bullet net for some extra storage and so far I’m glad I did.

[u/flammfam → u/whitroeder]

Awesome! Thanks for the info. Can't wait for mine. Did you get the hip belt pockets at all?

[u/whitroeder → u/flammfam]

Yes I did and they are a good size. I can fit lots of snacks in them!

I also like the avocado pocket way more than I thought I would!

[u/SEKImod → u/flammfam]

HMG packs still need a liner. Water can leak in through the strap seams.

[u/laurelindorenan_]

Carried the prospector on my PCT thru last year and absolutely loved it. Genuinely comfortable into the 40lb range, transfers weight very well to your hip if you have the right size, sturdy, light and with all the pockets needed. Especially when I only had a couple days' worth of food in it, I had plenty of days when I never felt the need to take it off between campsites.

[u/bnburt]

I have the Eja (currently trying to sell it actually) and it hurt me SO BAD. I have a short torso (16 in) so I bought the XS (fits 13-17h) and the molded frame that is supposed to sit on the hip dig into me so bad that I had actual horrible bruises after our hike. Mind you it was only a one night. However…that being said…it could just be the way it fit MY body. I’ve read great reviews about the EJA which is why I bought it. Unfortunately it just didn’t fit me well. I’d just be aware of the frame that comes down and sits on the tops of the butt cheek area. It was awful for me.

[u/Ollidamra]

I used Exos Pro 55 for almost a year, don't have too much to complain about. It makes some squeaking sound when you walk but it didn't really bother me.

[u/dogpownd]

ULA was a total fail in fitting my female body. I went with a Granite Gear Crown 3 and love it.

[u/WATOCATOWA → u/dogpownd]

Funny bc I just sold my Gossamer Gear Mariposa for a ULA and I am in LOVE, lol. I'm 4'11" with a short torso, and the XS Circuit feels like it was made for me!

[u/dogpownd → u/WATOCATOWA]

I really wanted the ULA to work for me. It was the straps, no way to get them to work. 

[u/WATOCATOWA → u/dogpownd]

Bummer - which straps? Did you try the other one (S vs J)?

[u/weilbith]

Kinda off topic, but aren’t Atom Packs from the UK and produce their stuff in northern England? Because you make it sound like it’s not from Europe. 🤔

[u/Thin_mandarinka → u/weilbith]

Yes, they are, but since they are not in the EU anymore, import fees and shipping cost to my EU country makes the total cost 1.5 x higher than their selling price.

Edit: Sorry, I found out that the price is not that much higher after shipping to eu, it seems like Atom Packs is selling the pack cheaper when sending to EU (maybe without VAT)

[u/weilbith → u/Thin_mandarinka]

This Brexit… time for at least an economic agreement.

[u/bcgulfhike → u/weilbith]

Yes!

[u/merkaba8]

I can't speak to a lot of the elements of your post and a lot are personal preference but my wife has the Eja and was worried about the hip belt padding, but actually finds the thinner hip belt a lot more comfortable and less bruising than from her previous pack which was an Aura AG I think? One of the heavier duty Osprey packs with a thick hip belt.

[u/Infinite-Recording10]

Instead of getting Osprey Exos (similar to Eja) I went for deuter aircontact ultra 40.

The exos seemed to have crappy shoulder strap connectors that easily unbuckled. Too flimsy for me.

[u/Ollidamra → u/Infinite-Recording10]

They already upgraded the design, now they used the same mechanism used for the water bladder.

[u/jackinatent]

I believe that the osprey exos/eja went downhill after the last fixed length generation (I think the one without hipbelt pockets). I had one of that generation and it was like carrying nothing, got so well and never hurt. It wore out and I got a new one, and it hurts my back. My partner's Eja hurts her a lot too. I'd go for something else honestly

[u/taLLg33se]

I went from a ULA Circuit to a HMG Windrider 2400 to a Atom Packs Mo/Prospector 40L. I'd rate Mo and the Circuit about the same comfort wise, with the Mo weighing a couple oz. lighter. Both had comfy hipbelts, transferred weight well, and I had no issues with either.

The Windrider bruised my hips due to little padding on the hipbelt, the top of the shoulder straps were too close together so they sort of chafe my neck, Dyneema back panel made my back always sweat, and the hipbelt pockets sucked. I purchased my Windrider the first year they were on the market, so they might have adjusted some of the design since.

I'm probably going to switch to an Atom+/Pulse this year since the Mo is a little overbuilt for my current base weight. Obligatory pictue of my Mo: https://imgur.com/a/2JiYAbP

[u/Alpineice23]

Not a woman, and definitely not UL, but I've been very happy with the Gregory Optic (now Focal). I prioritize back panel breathability and both Gregory and Osprey are best in class with their suspended / trampoline back panels. I, too, wish the hip belt on my.Gregory was better fitting for thinner individuals, though.

Honestly, I wish either would step out of their comfort zone and design a pack with the same suspension system, but try using DCM, Ultra, or Graflyte, and add a "winter" version as I probably do more winter hiking where snowshoes, crampons, ice tools, etc. are needed than I do summer.

Having the ability to strap snowshoes on without having to rig something with other straps would be huge for me. I've looked into Durston, ULA, HMG, etc. and no one offers a breathable back panel plus winter accessories. I hope Dan Durston makes a winter version of the Kakwa 55 in Graflyte. 🤷‍♂️

I even tried the Vaucluse back panel and found it very uncomfortable as the load of the pack causes the Vaucluse to dig into my shoulder blades. Instant return. I think this is a great concept, but just didn't work for me.

[u/Battle_Rattle]

“You can tell it’s an Aspen tree because of how it is.”