Osprey Exos 58 & Eja 58 Backpack Review

osprey exos backpack

A high performance sustainably designed backpack. 100% recycled materials, only 2.8 lbs. Comfy.

The Osprey M’s Exos 58 & W’s Eja 58 are reliably great modern day classics in the backpack design space. For most of the last decade, they were the only ultralight-ish option from a mainstream outdoor brand, and consistently the lightest weight backpacking backpacks sold at REI.

And thus they flourished.  We’re willing to bet it’s the best selling backpack in this buyers guide, and for many of our readers, this was their launching off point into ultralight gear.

You make Adventure Alan & Co possible. When purchasing through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Here’s why you can trust us.

  • Weight: 45 oz
  • Price: $260
  • Materials: 100D & 400D Recycled high-tenacity nylon ripstop
  • Frame: 4mm aluminum, adjustable suspended mesh back panel
  • Load Capacity: 35 lbs
  • Internal Volume: 49L
  • External Volume: 9L lid + pockets
  • Pros: Sustainable. Lightweight. Comfy. Adjustable. Airy. Tried and true.
  • Cons: Some find that frame digs into upper hips/glutes; Heavy end of ultralight. Delicate mesh pockets.

Features

Considered extremely innovative for it’s time, and still high tech today, the AirSpeed suspension mesh back panel is famously breezy, while still keeping packed gear lumps from jabbing into one’s back.

Most people find this to system be very comfortable, and that it does an excellent job transferring shoulder weight to hips. However, we have seen the bottom of the frame create uncomfortable pressure points on some wearers hips and/or upper glutes. But an overwhelming majority of wearers will enjoy the comfort an airy back with zero consequences.

Including the lid and litany of user friendly external pockets, the packs weighs just under 3 lbs. Ten years ago, that was top tier. Now though, this is a just another above average backpacking backpack worth choosing.

One minor flaw we should call out is the mesh back panel. We prefer durable flat faced fabrics because they don’t tear as easily, and the Exos/Eja’s have been known to rip.

But in its most recent update, the Osprey Exos 58 & Eja 58 backpacks are made with 100% recycled bluesign approved fabrics, which makes it our pick for the best performance sustainable backpack on the market. We feel this justifies the product beyond a pure performance perspective, which is important considering how many more ultralight backpacks there are to choose from now.

Verdict

As of 2023, Osprey has launched the new M’s Exos Pro 55 and W’s Eja Pro 55, which shave nearly a pound off of the total weight of the originals, and offer a product that is competitive with other premium ultralight backpacks from the cottage industry.

However, the original Osprey Exos 58 and Eja 58 are still great backpacking backpacks that have served hikers very well for many years. With a decade of real world testing, we can now say this design is officially tried and true, and you can feel good knowing its production minimized harm to the environment.

Compare this to more great options in our guide to the best ultralight backpacking backpacks of the year.