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UOG TOP PICK - Osprey Exos rucksacks - newly updated and the hipbelt pockets are back! The previous model was let down only by that big omission. It’s now firmly back in our Top Picks list due to being great value, comfortable and ideal for slightly heavier base weights.
The Womens Eja 38 Rucksack is a great backpacking rucksack that has all the features you would expect to see on a much heavier technical pack. It has a rigid harness with a substantial airflow gap and its weight can be reduced further by removing the floating lid.
Osprey says
For the perfect women's pack to carry when every ounce matters but you still need to count on your backpacking pack for a supportive carry, the Eja is just the ticket. The Eja 38 is a formidable featherweight when it comes to overnights, with a minimal capacity yet the same capable feature set as its larger siblings. Highly experienced backpackers will appreciate industry-leading comfort and ventilation—without the weight it often adds—making it the perfect pack for committing through-hikes and ultralights. Still need to slim down your carry? Remove the floating lid and use the integrated FlapJacket for a super-svelte set-up. Plus, our refined AirSpeed suspension keeps you cool with maximum airflow between you and your pack, so each mile stays as comfortable as the last. Made with 100% recycled materials.
Our Verdict
Osprey's Womens Eja 38 Rucksack, have always been the lightweight workhorses of the Osprey range and one of their bestsellers, yet over recent years successive refinements have made them ever lighter while still retaining the rich feature set of the original packs. We love them and believe they now fit the ultralight profile although in the case of the 38Litre version there's a lot of competition at this weight, its when you look at the 58Litre and 48Litre models that the weights really start to look attractive.
We weighed the 38Litre pack in at 1177 grams but you can reduce this by 120grams by leaving the lid at home, Osprey expect some people to do this so they've built in a waterproof flap to cover the pack opening when this lid is left off. If you do keep it though you gain two useful pockets for keeping gear organised.
I'm not going to reel off the feature list, just tell you the ones I like, the hipbelt pockets are both zipped and are really quite big, the flaps of the hipbelt are also very wide and due to there being minimal padding they grip the hips well, this is the perfect setup for ultralight backpacking up to perhaps 30lbs (14kgs) or so.
The side mesh pockets have a top opening and a front facing opening so they are accessible while you are wearing the pack without you having to dislocate your elbow. The base is made from more durable fabric, a design detail often overlooked by ultralight pack designers.
We also love the clearance of the vented back panel, it's not simply a half hearted attempt to get some airflow round there it's a substantial gap that will make a real difference. The Exos 38 is a great backpacking rucksack that has all the features you would expect to see on a much heavier technical pack.
- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear
Features
- Top pocket web loop attachment points
- Removable floating lid with top- and under-lid zipped pockets
- Integrated FlapJacket cover for lidless use
- Internal hydration sleeve with center back hose port
- Front stretch mesh pocket for stashing gear
- Dual-access stretch mesh side pockets
- Dual strippable side compression straps
- Web lash points for attaching overloads
- Removable sleeping pad straps
- Dual ice axe loops with bungee tie-off
- Dual zipped hipbelt pockets to keep essentials handy
- Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment
- Sternum strap with integrated safety whistle
Specifications
XSmall/Small
- Weight: 1177g
- Litres: 35
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 70 x 33 x 30cm
- Fit range minimum: 34cm
- Fit range maximum: 43cm
Medium/Large
- Weight: 1228g
- Litres: 38
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 75 x 33 x 30cm
- Fit range minimum: 40.5cm
- Fit range maximum: 49cm
Material
- Main fabric: 100D High Tenacity Nylon Ripstop Recy BSAPP C0
- Accent Fabric: 400D High Tenacity Nylon Recycled BSAPP C0
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