Scored on 311 verified owner verdicts, from 1,265 comments read across 4 communities
TL;DR
Owners overwhelmingly praise its comfort, ventilated mesh back, light weight, and load-carrying, though it grows uncomfortable above roughly 35 lbs and the lightweight fabric and frame can tear or squeak over time.
77% of 311 verified owners recommend the Osprey Exos 58, based on real owner verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube.
1,265 comments reviewed · scored on the 311 clearest verdicts
77%
Recommend
239 owners
10%
Neutral
32 owners
13%
Don't recommend
40 owners
Source
Breakdown
Score
N
Counted in the score
Reddit
78%
268
YouTubeiOrdinary owner comments (not the reviewer). They line up with what owners say on Reddit and forums — within a few points — so we count them here. When YouTube comments skew too far from other trusted sources, we leave them out.owner comments
73%
40
Other forums
33%
3
Reviewed, but not counted — and why
Affiliate blogsiThese blogs earn a commission when you buy. Across our data they rate products ~35 points more positively than actual owners — shown for transparency, never counted in the score.paid commission
60%
5
No clear verdictiGood-to-know notes — setup, tips, and things to watch for. We use them for the pros, cons, and who it's for, but they don't reflect a definitive opinion on the product, so they're never counted in the score. See the 'Good to know' section below the quotes.Setup, tips & quirks
—
25
Affiliate blogs here say 60% recommend, while the owner-based score is 77%. They earn a commission on every sale — so we show them for transparency but never let them move the score.
The headline score reflects owners (Reddit, enthusiast forums), independent lab tests, blogs with no affiliate links, and YouTube owner-comments when they line up with owners. Affiliate blogs is shown for perspective but kept out here — hover the i for why.
What owners like
Exceptionally comfortable carry · 110 · 35%
Lightweight for a framed pack · 55 · 18%
Ventilated mesh back, less sweat · 45 · 14%
Carries loads well onto the hips · 40 · 13%
Spacious, fits a bear canister · 30 · 10%
What owners flag
Uncomfortable above roughly 35 lbs · 24 · 8%
Mesh and fabric tear over time · 16 · 5%
Fit is hit-or-miss, try before buying · 12 · 4%
Frame squeaks or creaks under load · 10 · 3%
Who it's for
A great fit if
Multiday and thru-hikers wanting a light framed pack
Hikers who sweat and want a ventilated mesh back
Those carrying moderate loads up to about 35 lbs
Backpackers needing bear-canister capacity
Look elsewhere if
Hikers regularly hauling loads over 35 lbs
Rough users who are hard on their gear
Anyone who can't try it on for fit first
Synthesized from what Osprey Exos 58 owners say — not a spec sheet.
Retailers' own star averages, for comparison — separate from our vetted owner-verdict score above.
Top quotes, sourced
1,265 reviewed · 224 shown
Sentiment
Community
Sort
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“Yep, Osprey Exos 58 bruised and rubbed raw a half dollar+ size spot on each hip bone. No amount of adjusting stopped this.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“For the past 2 years I've been using an Osprey Exos 58. It's lightweight, but can handle a good sized load.”
Reddit— neutral
“I'd been using an Osprey Exos 58 for a while and I really enjoyed it.”
Reddit— neutral
“I own an osprey exos 58 which I love using as well as other packs without a trampoline style backwhich I also love using. The trampoline definitely helps keep your back less sweaty but that's about the only benefit.”
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“I just replaced my 2017 osprey exos 58 with a levity 45.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“If you like Osprey, an Exos 58 L is about 2.5 lbs., has the nice suspension and ride, carries weight well when you have to, and a bear can will fit.”
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“Its a great pack, but the side pockets are made of a stretchy, elastic-y material that loves to get caught and rip on thorny branches. I had to sew mine up a few times.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“Ive used one for years. it fits (me) great is super comfy and handles loads over 35 without a problem (for me). Theyre fairly cheap and wicked durable”
YouTube— neutral
“I wish Osprey would make the mesh on the pockets with VERY strong material. Sacrificing some stretch for durability is a good tradeoff.”
Reddit— neutral
“Currently have an Osprey Exos 58. I haven't used it on a long trip, but I do like it overall. But i'd like to cut down a little on the weight/bulk if I can”
YouTube▲ recommend
“Incredibly comfortable and the ventilation on the back is crucial for me”
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“an Osprey Exos 58, simply did not fit me very well. I've had it for like four years and have always been somewhat uncomfortable when hiking”
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“You know that you can’t carry on the Exos 58, right? It fails on 3/3 dimensions. Notably it is way too tall.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“I started with an Osprey Exos 50L and then, when it became too big for overnight walks, I bought a Wilderness Threadworks Sonder 36L”
Reddit— neutral
“none of the other lightweight backpacks Ive tried carry weight as well for me”
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“Changing from my Osprey Exos 58 to my ULA Ohm 2.0. Went from carrying a pack to carrying a pillow”
YouTube▲ recommend
“I have the Exos 58L and LOVE IT!”
YouTube— neutral
“Wish they could put bottle holders on the front straps”
Reddit— neutral
“the padding in the shoulder straps is minimal: if you've got more than 20-25lbs in there, make sure your shirt offers a little padding of its own, otherwise it rubs uncomfortably.”
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“The frame digs into my lower back at two points, and the hip belt just barely doesn't get tight enough for me, found myself having to readjust it every half mile or so.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“the one I stuck with is the Osprey Exos 58 liter bag. I could have easily gone with the 48 liter bag and had enough room.”
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“One thing though, I came from an osprey exos 58 and the back sweat is a bit worse with the ks50 and pad sitting flush against my back but not a deal breaker for me.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“I've been pleased with my Osprey Exos 58 after a few hundred AT miles. It's Just over 2 lbs.”
Reddit— neutral
“I bought an Osprey Exos 58, and it's a large, heavy pack compared to others in this subreddit. Still, I can use it compressed as a comfortable day pack or stuff it for a week-long hike.”
Practical notes owners raise — setup, quirks, and issues to watch for. They don't say whether the person likes the product, so they're not counted in the score, but they inform the pros, cons, and who it's for.
Redditⓘ good to know
“I used the Osprey Exos 58 before this one. For $280, this brought weight from 2.68 lbs down to 2.02 lbs.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“The Exos was decent at keeping water out with a pack cover but it wasn't perfect”
Redditⓘ good to know
“The most I ever carry is around 28-30 pounds and use an Osprey Exos 58. It's not high end by any means, but it's light and has been doing the job for 3 years now.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“I'm currently sitting at 12.2-13.2 pound base weight, using an osprey exos 58 pack. Definitely find that there's lots of spare room in the pack”
Redditⓘ good to know
“I use Exos during winter and trips where I use double wall tent and other heavy/voluminous gears. Will replace Exos for Silverback.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“I completed rayado with an osprey exos 58L, and even that volume was overkill for my loadout.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“I'm hiking with an Osprey Exos 58 and didn't change anything about my packing strategy.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“My old Osprey Exos 58 did, Ute that’s all I can think of that has.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“A bear can fits sideways in an Exos58 (which is why I bought one).”
Redditⓘ good to know
“I took my Osprey Exos 58 (without the brain, so minus a few liters) on a 6-day trip with no resupply last summer. It was a tight fit with all of my food, so I'd personally lean on the larger side.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“I have the Exos 58, but depending on how light your pack is, and how much clothes gear etc you bring, it might be small. But its quite light.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“I carry a 2L Camelback in my osprey Exos 58 hiking on the southern AT. My only complaint is I can't see how much water I have left.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“I owned before it, Rei Flash 62, Granite Gear Blaze, Ula Ohm, Ula Circuit, Osprey Exos 58 and 48. By far the most comfortable.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“It doesnt have the same comfort features as the atmos or aether but weighs 2.65lbs compared to the 4.56lbs of the atmos 65.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“I have an Osprey Exos 58. It is good for about 5-6 days in the winter, and I could probably go 7-10 in warm summer months.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“The exos 58 is huge.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“My girlfriend sometimes carries her Osprey Exos 58 on the plane, and that's a big pack with metal frame (though not ultralight). However, she can't do this when it's full.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“My old Osprey Exos 58 holds more than my Kakwa 40, but only a little over one fleece jacket more. The Kakwa 55 definitely holds more than the Exos 58.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“the biggest bearikade is not going to fit well into my Osprey Exos 58. The medium, Weekender, may not hold 9 days...”
Redditⓘ good to know
“I have both the Exos 58 and the Levity 60 and I use the latter when I want to save 400g in rucksack weight.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“I currently have an osprey exos 58, but I tore the top pouch in the sierras over the summer.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“I purchased the exos 58 large at REI so I have the option to go back and recalibrate.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“I have the Osprey Exos 58 for long trips but it is just over 1kg min weight.”
