Choosing the right backpack to travel Europe with is important.  Comfort, access to what you pack and yes, size all matter.  So after about 4 years of using the same 3,500 cubic inch (that’s the volume) pack which had served me very well I decided to try something new.  With new airline regulations and an aging back I figured it was time to downsize and see just how well a much smaller pack could stack up. So, on my last trip I took along the Osprey Atmos 35.
Now before I continue let me add this small disclaimer.  After contacting Osprey about their packs I was provided a pack of my choice to test out.  The stipulation was however that I would be writing an honest and accurate review of the product and would return the pack after my trip.
Right after receiving the pack I got a little worried.  The drastic reduction in carrying capacity from what I was used to had me thinking; “Could this pack actually carry everything I needed? ” The answer was yes.  As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, I always tend to pack the same stuff for any length trip.  What this boils down to is enough socks and underwear to last 5-7 days, toiletries, 3-4 shirts, 2-3 pairs of pants or shorts and my tech stuff (camera, voice recorder, etc).
To be honest I was shocked that for so many years I had been carrying around a pack almost twice the size.  At 2,100 cubic inches the Atmos 35 (the 35 represents the volume in liters) was able to hold all of my normal take alongs with no problem.  Of course there was not the plentiful extra room for souvenirs that my trusty pack of yesteryear had come with but nowadays, my souvenirs are my pics and videos.  This is not to say there wasn’t some room however since I was still able to pick up another pair of pants and a few obligatory shot glasses for the folks back home.
The smaller size also made the trip so much more comfortable.  Getting on and off planes and trains without scraping the sides of seats or having to squish, pull and push the pack into overhead compartments was a huge plus.  The Pack has one panel loading pocket in the front which zips down completely a little more than half the length of the bag.  To me this is a major plus over those packs that only give you access to the main storage through an opening at the top.  The Atmos 35 gives you access to almost everything you packed without having to pull all your clothes out each time.  Inside this main storage area is also a pocket designed to hold a hydration system.
In addition to this space another zipper at the top gives you access to a mesh pocket that can hold those smaller essentials you might need to get to quicker.  Camera batteries, train tickets, breath mints…those types of things.  Another ventilated stretch pocket on the front was perfect for storing my flip flops and maps to my hotels.  On the sides were easy to access, while wearing, pouches that came in very handy when needing a place to store a water bottle or stinky socks.   Even more storage can be found on the belt itself where two surprisingly large mesh pouches zipper closed for easy access.  These however I would like to see a bit more protected from the elements.  With a light drizzle to downright rain surprising me during my trip, things stored here were easily wet.  Word of advice…don’t store your business cards here.
What Osprey calls “airspeed suspension” with its mesh back panel kept the pack off my back and allowed plenty of air flow. A great feature in the heat of summer and although not particularly designed for use as such (Osprey does suggest this as another place for a hydration system), this extra space made for a wonderful place to store my quick drying bath towel.   The shoulder straps and belt are likewise made of a waffle cut material that added even more airflow and comfort at the points the pack came in contact with my body.   The belt on the pack was just fine for the load this pack is designed to carry but ultimately doesn’t offer any more support than it needs to. It would have been nice to have just a bit more sturdiness to those straps that go around the waist.
Although I would never use trekking poles for traveling around Europe (they’re a pain to carry and well, I’m not German [if you’ve never seen them, German travelers can typically be identified by their ever present walking sticks]) the pack does have a few straps and slots to store these and a number of other tie downs.  One of my favorite nuances of the pack was the zipper pulls.  As little loops covered in a comfortable rubber material, pulling the zippers of a fully packed bag was easy to do.
I must caution however, measure for your pack size very carefully but also try a weighted pack on in the store.  Although I measured perfectly for a medium pack I found that the Atmos seemed to run a bit small.  I had very little room to adjust the pack using the pull straps on the shoulder belts.  The “ergo pull” as Osprey calls it on the waist belt also seemed a bit clumsy to me and didn’t allow for as quick or as much adjustment as I would have liked.  Like I suggested though, most of these issues can be taken care of with a properly fit pack. 
Although I am sorry to see my old, larger pack being regulated to the back of my closet after such a long friendship it would be hard for me to warrant carrying anything that big again.  Giving the Atmos 50 (the next size up from the 35) a try next however might be a nice compromise.  I do have to return this Atmos 35 to Osprey but I am convinced that smaller is the way to go. This Osprey pack is a great choice for young travelers who want to move fast and seasoned travelers who want comfort and just enough storage.

To find a retailer nearest you visit http://www.ospreypacks.com/Dealers/

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