Osprey Exos 58 vs Gregory Focal 58
Quick take: The Osprey Exos 58 costs $10 less; the Gregory Focal 58 is lighter (2.57 vs 2.84 lbs).
| Spec | Osprey Exos 58 | Gregory Focal 58 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $260 | $270 |
| Rating | 4.6★ (800) | 4.6★ (350) |
| Type | Ultralight Pack | Ultralight Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 58 L | 58 L |
| Weight | 2.84 lbs | 2.57 lbs |
| Max Load | 40 lbs | 35 lbs |
| Torso Fit | Adjustable 17-22 in across sizes | Sized S-L, 15-22 in |
| Material | 100D nylon ripstop | 100D/210D recycled nylon |
| Back Panel | AirSpeed suspended mesh | FreeFloat suspended mesh |
| Adjustable torso | Yes | No |
| Ventilated back | Yes | Yes |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | No | Yes |
| Removable lid | Yes | No |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | Osprey All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime) | Gregory lifetime warranty |
Pros & cons
Osprey Exos 58
- ✓The classic gateway ultralight — AT thru-hiker surveys have ranked the Exos among the most-carried packs for years running.
- ✓The AirSpeed trampoline back is the only real ventilation in the sub-3-lb class, and sweaty-back refugees notice immediately.
- ✓The current generation's adjustable torso fixed the old fixed-size gamble, making online sizing much safer.
- ✓It carries 35 lbs with a composure frameless cottage packs can't match, per constant r/Ultralight comparisons.
- ✓The removable lid strips 4+ ounces for weekend loads, with a flap jacket underneath to keep things clean.
- ✓Osprey's lifetime All Mighty Guarantee is a genuine advantage over cottage packs' 1-2 year coverage.
- ✓REI availability means you can try sizes on in person — rare in this weight class.
- ✓The 100D ripstop has proven far more durable than its spec-sheet denier suggests over multi-thousand-mile reports.
- ✗No hipbelt pockets on a pack this popular remains baffling — nearly every long reviewer lists it first.
- ✗The exposed side mesh pockets snag and tear on brush; they're the best-documented wear point.
- ✗The stock hipbelt is thin, and loads at the 40 lb ceiling telegraph straight to the iliac crest.
- ✗The trampoline frame bows into the packbag, so a BV500 rides high and awkward.
- ✗The stretchy shove-it pocket sags when loaded with wet gear.
- ✗The frame creaks for some users after dusty miles — a known quirk Osprey service lubes rather than fixes.
- ✗At $260 it's within $40 of true cottage packs (Circuit, Kakwa) that weigh half a pound less.
- ✗Ultralight purists find the hanging-lid-and-straps aesthetic fussy compared to clean roll-tops.
Gregory Focal 58
- ✓Beats the Exos at its own game in most head-to-heads: similar weight, real hipbelt pockets, and a pivoting belt the Osprey lacks.
- ✓The FreeFloat suspended mesh breathes as well as anything under 3 lbs.
- ✓The dynamic hipbelt pivots with your stride, which reviewers credit for less hip chafe on long days.
- ✓Dual zippered hipbelt pockets fit large phones — called out approvingly in nearly every review.
- ✓The fixed lid-less design with a big top pocket keeps the silhouette clean without lid flop.
- ✓At 2.57 lbs it undercuts the Exos while including more standard features.
- ✓Gregory's lifetime warranty matches Osprey's on paper.
- ✓The 100D body with 210D reinforcement has held up well in long-term reviews.
- ✗Fixed torso sizes (no adjustability) is the biggest spec gap versus the current Exos.
- ✗The suspended mesh bows into the bag and complicates bear-canister packing, same as every trampoline design.
- ✗Availability is far thinner than Osprey's — few stores stock it to try on.
- ✗The 35 lb rating is optimistic per heavier users; 30 lbs is the practical comfort line.
- ✗The stretch front pocket is smaller than the Exos's and fills fast with wet gear.
- ✗No removable lid means no weight-stripping flexibility.
- ✗Bottle pockets require a shoulder-dislocating reach for some torsos.
- ✗Brand recognition lags in the UL scene, so resale is softer than Osprey or cottage brands.