Osprey Exos 58 vs ULA Circuit

Osprey

Osprey Exos 58

$285

ULA Equipment

$280

Quick take: The ULA Circuit costs $5 less; the ULA Circuit carries more (68 vs 58 liters); the ULA Circuit is lighter (2.33 vs 2.84 lbs).

Spec	Osprey Exos 58	ULA Circuit
Price	$285	$280
Rating	—	—
Type	Ultralight Pack	Ultralight Pack
Frame Type	Internal Frame	Internal Frame
Capacity	58 L	68 L
Weight	2.84 lbs	2.33 lbs
Max Load	35 lbs	35 lbs
Torso Fit	Adjustable 17-22 in across sizes	S: 15-18 in, M: 18-21 in, L: 21-24 in
Material	Recycled 100D high-tenacity nylon ripstop, PFAS-free DWR	ULA 400 Robic nylon
Back Panel	AirSpeed suspended mesh	Foam panel with carbon-fiberglass hoop and internal stay
Adjustable torso	Yes	No
Ventilated back	Yes	No
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)	ULA lifetime against defects

✓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.

✓Has topped the Halfway Anywhere PCT gear survey for years — no pack has more verified thru-hiking miles behind its reputation.
✓Owners routinely report 3,000-5,000 trail miles before meaningful wear; the 400d Robic build is the UL durability benchmark.
✓The 68L total volume (bag plus huge pockets) swallows a BV500 plus a week of food, which smaller UL packs can't.
✓Carries its full 35 lb rating honestly — the hoop-and-stay frame outperforms most packs in its weight class.
✓The giant mesh front pocket and dual oversized hipbelt pockets define the category's organization standard.
✓Hand-made in Utah with a service team famous for repairs, spare parts, and straight answers.
✓The roll-top plus Y-strap handles bear canisters, foam pads, and packrafts without drama.
✓Resale value is exceptional — used Circuits sell within hours on UL trade forums.

✗The foam back panel has zero ventilation; expect a soaked shirt on humid climbs.
✗Fixed torso sizing means no adjustment range — measure carefully before ordering.
✗The utilitarian look (and famously loud color options) is a running joke even among loyalists.
✗At 2.33 lbs it's now heavier than newer rivals like the Kakwa 55 that match its carry.
✗No lid and minimal internal organization — everything lives in stuff sacks or the main tube.
✗Direct-order only in the US; you can't try one on in a store.
✗Lead times stretch during thru-hiking season, sometimes badly.
✗The J-curve shoulder straps don't suit every chest shape; some switch to S-straps aftermarket.