KNIFE EDGE OUTDOOR GUIDEBOOKS
  • Home
  • Buy Walking Books
    • Trekking Maps
    • Great Treks of England
    • Great Treks of Scotland
    • Great Treks of the Alps
    • Great Treks of the World
    • Unmissable Hikes in France
    • Walking Northern Ireland
  • Trek Info
    • Tour du Mont Blanc
    • Walker's Haute Route
    • Dolomites AV1
    • Corsica GR20
    • Tour of the Ecrins National Park
    • Tour des Combins
  • Blog
  • About
    • What makes our WALKING BOOKS different?
    • CEO
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Contact

On the Knife Edge

Gear Review: Atom Packs, Atom+ EP40 backpack

22/1/2024

0 Comments

 
Trekking in Nepal
As an outdoor writer and photographer, I spend a lot of time on the trail. Long days with a fully-laden pack are part of my job so I am constantly looking for products which help me lighten the load, without a reduction in performance. Often one of the heaviest things a backpacker carries is the backpack itself and the differences in weights between products can be large. The very lightest packs are light because they incorporate the lightest materials available and these are pared down to the bare minimum. Very light materials tend to be very thin. And very thin material is often not very durable. The holy grail of backpacks is therefore one that is light and durable and still performs well.

In recent years, the popularity of the concept of ultralight backpacking has exploded, spear-headed largely by a legion of thru-hikers walking one of the three epic long-distance trails in the US (the ACT, CDT and PCT). To meet demand, lots of niche manufacturers have released ultra-light packs and even the manufacturing giants of outdoor gear have been trying to join the party.

I have used a lot of these super-light packs over the years and in the early days, I found the very lightest packs to be limited in capability. Sometimes the straps were too flimsy to be comfortable. Sometimes the material just did not last very long. Nowadays, however, many of them are excellent and the competition has become fierce, making it much more difficult for manufacturers to make their products stand out. However, the Atom+ EP40 by Atom Packs certainly does just that.

If you haven’t heard of them, Atom Packs is a small manufacturer based in the Lake District in England which focuses solely on backpacks and is rapidly making a name for itself by making bold, bright, ultra-light packs which are brimming with useful and well thought out features. Their incredibly distinctive packs, with their striking colours, have become increasingly conspicuous on the mountain-sides of the UK and international hikers are starting to snap them up too.
Atom+ EP40 backpack
Atom+ EP40 backpack
Picture
These packs are made to order and you can choose from a variety of bespoke colours, features and sizes to ensure that nobody else will have a pack like yours. If you like ‘em bright you can do this but those who prefer muted colours are catered for too. You can pack the bags with features or you can further lighten them by paring down the external pockets and features.
Picture

First Impressions

When you take it out of the wrapping, the colours of the pack immediately jump out at you. Unless you have ordered muted shades, you will not have seen anything else like it. My pack was the default factory design which is lovely: a classy muted blue married with brightly contrasting orange trimming and chequered grey side-pockets.

The next thing you notice is the weight. It feels astonishingly light: barely anything there when you lift it in its empty state. And yet the material feels substantial and strong: much more substantial than the thinner materials used for some other light-weight packs. The main body is made of EPX200 with a DWR finish: it is very light, highly waterproof and feels great. Time will tell but I think that it will last a long time. The straps and buckles are light but well designed and sufficiently padded for most people, I think.
The frame is a very interesting design: a carbon hoop fits into the back panel which you can remove if you want (for a 55g weight saving). I used to worry a lot about these carbon frames but over the years, I have never broken one so I am more relaxed now. This one even seems better protected than many by being shielded within the back panel.

My pack (two side pockets, medium torso and medium hip belt) weighed in at a mere 656g (23.2 oz): less than half the weight of some light-weight offerings by larger manufacturers.

Fitting

Because there are so many sizing options to choose from, if you measure yourself accurately, the pack should fit perfectly. Mine certainly did. Definitely one of the most comfortable packs when loaded that I have ever used. It feels snug, secure and comfortable. Some might question the lack of straps at the shoulders but I found that I did not need them: presumably this is one of the benefits of bespoke sizing. Nor can you adjust the height of the straps but you should not need to if you have measured correctly. Remember that these are bespoke packs made specifically for you.

Testing

To test the pack, I brought it to Nepal where I hiked 350km in the Everest region to research my upcoming book on the Everest Base Camp Trek. With a lot of photography equipment, I carried about 10-11kg.

Comfort: Over more than three weeks, I found the pack to be extremely comfortable. Although the padding on the straps and belt is thin, it is good quality and I had no problems with it. The pack coped admirably with 10-11kg: I think that the 40L volume would restrict its ability to carry much more than that but the material and straps did not seem unduly strained by this weight. I liked the frame very much: it was stable and comfortable.

Durability: it is fair to say that the EPX200 material is very tough. Initially, I found it quite stiff making it harder to roll the top: however, it quickly loosened up with use. Rubbing on rocks and trees seem to cause no problems. In fact, at the end of the trek, I noticed little wear at all. I would be confident that the Atom+ will last me a long time.

Water-proofing: it only rained twice on the trek but the material repelled water well. However, like most packs, the seams are not taped so in heavier downpours I think that there would be a little water ingress. This should not be an issue anyway as it is always good practice to use waterproof pack liners: good ones weigh a mere 20g.
To test the pack, I brought it to Nepal where I hiked 350km in the Everest region to research my upcoming book on the Everest Base Camp Trek

Tough terrain in the Nepal Himalaya
Tough terrain in the Nepal Himalaya

Features

I loved the huge, stretchy Dyneema pocket at the front of the pack: I used it for my rain jacket. It seemed very durable, something that can be an issue with other packs.

Roll-top closure: European trekkers will take a while to get used to the roll-top closure which is quite unlike traditional packs. However, I have to say that I am a complete convert. It saves weight and is very waterproof. You may miss having a pocket on top but this is easily remedied by adding one or two belt pouches.

Side pockets: there are two and they are well-designed, making it easy to reach for a water bottle or other items. They fit Nalgene bottles and the height of them is good, making it easy to access bottles while wearing the pack. If you wish, you can have the pack made without these to save weight.

Bottom pocket: the stretchy ‘trash port’ at the bottom of the pack is an excellent innovation. It keeps your trash away from the rest of your kit. We loved it!
​
Shoulder pockets: these are well-designed being bigger than those on many other packs.

Customisation

Atom Pack’s website has an excellent custom pack builder which leads you seamlessly through the process and there are an incredible number of variables:
  • Capacity: we chose a 40L Atom+ but you can also choose 50L;
  • Torso Size: 4 different sizes depending on your height;
  • Hip belt size: 7 different sizes depending upon your waist measurement;
  • Colours: you can choose different colours for 4 different parts of the pack. For each part, there are thirteen different colours to choose from. Nobody else will have a pack like yours!
  • Pockets: you choose which ones you want from a variety of different options;
  • Straps and Elastic: again, you choose which ones you want. You also choose the colour of the elastic and the tabs that hold it in place.

​Conclusion

The Atom+ is possibly the best 30-40L pack that I have ever used. It is comfortable, capable and extremely light. It is also very robust for an ultra-light pack and should last a long time. Given the impressively light weight, we would definitely recommend opting for the roomy side pockets. We also liked the hip pockets which come separately and attach to the hip-belt.

The 40L version like mine is perfect for extended backpacking trips where you only need to carry a few days food at a time. The larger 50L version would probably be required for treks where you need to haul food for a week. With the 40L, I was able to carry a 1-person tent, 0C sleeping bag, inflatable sleeping pad and cookset but your gear needs to be compact and lightweight to fit. Those with less compact gear might prefer the 50L: no big deal though as the 50L is only 19g heavier!
​
The unrivalled degree of customisation is a big draw too. Your pack can be made to be totally unique. All of this does not come cheap: the factory default Atom+ 40L and 50L are £235 and £250 respectively and custom packs are more expensive. However, these are packs that will last a long time so I think they are well worth the investment. I would definitely buy the Atom+ again.

You can check out Atom Packs at www.atompacks.co.uk
The unrivalled degree of customisation is a big draw too. Your pack can be made to be totally unique

Picture

Trekking Map: Iceland's Laugavegur Trail (& Fimmvörðuháls Trail)

£16.99

Available Now!


Waterproof sheet map for Iceland's Laugavegur Trail (& Fimmvörðuháls Trail): 1:40,000. Includes free GPX downloads for the trails.


The definitive map to Iceland’s two best trails: larger scale and more detail than any other map. Made specifically for the treks by Knife Edge Outdoor Guidebooks.


  • Waterproof
  • Free GPX downloads
  • Tough
  • Lightweight
  • All huts/campsites are marked
  • Information on distances, times and altitude gain/loss between huts/campsites
  • Hot springs and fumaroles are marked

 

The Laugavegur Trail is one of the world's most beautiful and aspirational treks. It leads you into the heart of Iceland’s unique ice-capped, volcanic terrain. Experience spectacular and unusual landscapes, the likes of which you will not find anywhere else on the planet. Impressive volcanic peaks are a constant companion and steam gushes from the ground. This is Iceland at its best and it will be an adventure that you will never forget

Buy me!

Tour of Monte Rosa: Trekking Map

£16.99

Available now!


The best sheet map for the Tour of Monte Rosa. Displays the entire route and variants on a single sheet: perfect for planning and navigation.


1:40,000 - larger scale and more detail than any other map.


Made specifically for the Tour of Monte Rosa by Knife Edge Outdoor Guidebooks:


  • English/French/German map key
  • 1:40,000
  • Numerous variants
  • Includes free GPX downloads for the trail
  • GPS compatible
  • Tougher than traditional maps: try to tear it!
  • More water-resistant than traditional maps
  • Lighter than traditional maps
  • Huts/accommodation marked on the map

 

The Tour of Monte Rosa is one of the classic Alpine treks. It leads the trekker on an epic circuit around the Monte Rosa massif. The largest group of 4000m peaks in the Alps is on display: the Weisshorn, the Zinalrothorn, the Dom, the Täschhorn, the Breithorn and the Matterhorn, to name a few.


It is the sister trek to the Walker’s Haute Route and crosses unspoilt and remote mountain terrain: amazing glaciers, snow frosted summits, beautiful valleys and pastures, shimmering lakes, carpets of wild flowers and the soothing sound of cow bells. This trek should be on your hiking bucket list

Buy me!

Tour des Combins: Trekking Map

£16.99

Available now!


The best sheet map for the Tour des Combins. Displays the entire route and variants on a single sheet: perfect for planning and navigation.


1:40,000 - larger scale and more detail than any other map.


Made specifically for the Tour des Combins by Knife Edge Outdoor Guidebooks:


  • English/French/German map key
  • 1:40,000
  • Numerous variants
  • Includes free GPX downloads for the trail
  • GPS compatible
  • Tougher than traditional maps: try to tear it!
  • More water-resistant than traditional maps
  • Lighter than traditional maps
  • Huts/accommodation marked on the map

 

The Tour des Combins is an epic trek in the Swiss and Italian Alps. It traverses some of Europe's wildest mountain terrain. The sublime scenery makes it a worthy alternative to the more famous Tour du Mont Blanc (which is only a stone's throw away).


Hike along the edge of the Corbassière Glacier, one of the longest in Europe. Enjoy snow frosted summits, magnificent valleys and pastures, sparkling azure lakes, carpets of wild flowers, the soothing sound of cow bells and easy to follow paths. Stay in spectacularly situated villages and remote mountain huts. This will be a trip that you will never forget

Buy me!

Everest Base Camp: Trekking Map (includes Classic EBC, Three Passes & Gokyo Lakes)

£16.99

Available now!


The best sheet map for the Everest treks: Classic EBC, Three Passes & Gokyo Lakes (all clearly colour coded).


1:40,000 - larger scale and more detail than any other Everest map. Perfect for planning and navigation.


Includes walk-in route to Lukla


Made specifically for the Everest treks by Knife Edge Outdoor Guidebooks:


  • English/French/German map key
  • 1:40,000
  • Numerous variants
  • Includes free GPX downloads for the trail
  • GPS compatible
  • Tougher than traditional maps: try to tear me!
  • More water-resistant than traditional maps
  • Lighter than traditional maps
  • Huts/accommodation marked on the map
Buy me!

Tour du Mont Blanc: Trekking Map

£15.99

Available End of May 2025. Pre-order now to secure one of the first batch.


The only sheet map for the Tour du Mont Blanc that shows all accommodation, food and transport options. The entire trek and variants on a single sheet: perfect for planning and navigation.


1:40,000 - larger scale and more detail than other single sheet maps.


Made specifically for the TMB by Knife Edge Outdoor Guidebooks:


  • Facilities marked on map: accommodation, food, transport
  • English/French/German map key
  • 1:40,000
  • Numerous variants
  • Includes free GPX downloads for the trail
  • GPS compatible
  • Tougher than traditional maps: try to tear me!
  • More water-resistant than traditional maps
  • Lighter than traditional maps

 

The epic Tour du Mont Blanc traverses the mountains of France, Italy and Switzerland as it circumnavigates the mighty Mont Blanc (the highest peak in the Alps).


Unspoilt and remote mountain terrain: snow-frosted summits, beautiful valleys and pastures, sparkling azure lakes, carpets of wild-flowers, the soothing sound of cow bells and easy to follow paths. This trek should be on your hiking bucket list.

Buy me!

Tour du Mont Blanc (2024 updated version)

£17.99
AVAILABLE NOW!

Complete guidebook for planning and trekking the Tour du Mont Blanc, the world's most famous trek

Real maps for each stage: 1:25,000. No need to carry a separate map!

Unique Itinerary Planner: plan a bespoke itinerary to match your ability and vacation schedule. All difficult calculations of time, distance and altitude gain are done for you

Everything the trekker needs to know: route descriptions, costs, budget, difficulty, weather, how to get there, and more

Full accommodation listings: spectacularly situated mountain huts, villages and hamlets

Full section on camping: a complete list of camping locations

10 exciting variants to the main route!

Information for both self-guided and guided trekkers
Buy me!

Trekking the West Highland Way: Two-way guide

£16.99

Available Now!


The definitive two-way guide to the West Highland Way: both northbound and southbound routes are described in full.


Real Maps: Full Ordnance Survey Explorer mapping inside (1:25,000)


17 different itineraries: schedules of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 days for hikers and runners. Includes both southbound and northbound itineraries. Difficult calculations of time, distance and altitude gain are done for you.


Also includes:

  • Detailed information on equipment and travelling light
  • Everything the trekker needs to know: route, costs, difficulty, weather, travel, and more
  • Full accommodation listings: the best inns, B&Bs and hotels
  • Detailed section on camping
  • Essential info for both self-guided and guided trekkers
  • Information on geology, history, plants and wildlife
  • Numbered waypoints linking the Real Maps to our clear descriptions
Buy me!

Trekking Map: Walker’s Haute Route: Chamonix to Zermatt: 1:40,000 mapping; Free GPX downloads

£16.99
Available Now

The best sheet map for the Walker’s Haute Route: Chamonix to Zermatt. This is the only map available that displays the entire route and numerous variants on a single sheet: perfect for planning and navigation.

1:40,000: larger scale and more detail than any other map.

1:10,000: for select areas where navigation is challenging.

Made specifically for the Walker’s Haute Route by Knife Edge Outdoor Guidebooks:
  • 1:40,000/1:10,000
  • Numerous variants
  • Includes free GPX downloads for the trail
  • GPS compatible
  • Tougher than traditional maps: try to tear me!
  • More water-resistant than traditional maps
  • Lighter than traditional maps
  • Huts/accommodation marked on the map
Buy me!

Trekking the Dolomites AV1 (2024 updated version)

£16.99

Fully Updated for 2024!


The only guidebook exclusively for the AV1.


Real maps inside (Tabacco 1:25,000): the finest maps available for the Dolomites.

​

Everything you need to know to plan and walk Italy's most popular long distance route.


Also includes:


Numbered waypoints linking maps to text


Unique Itinerary Planner: plan a bespoke itinerary to match your ability and vacation schedule. All difficult calculations of time, distance and altitude gain are done for you


7 Proposed Itineraries of between 6 and 11 days


Everything the trekker needs to know to plan the route: route descriptions, costs, budget, difficulty, weather, how to get there, and more    


Full accommodation listings: spectacularly situated mountain huts


Section on Camping


Exciting variants to the main route


Information for both self-guided and guided trekkers

​

Edge to edge colour: the most modern and beautiful guidebooks

Buy me!

Trekking the Corsica GR20 (2025 2nd edition)

£17.99

Available now! The new 2nd edition.


The only two-way guide to the GR20: both northbound and southbound routes are described in full.


Real IGN Maps included (1:25,000): no need to carry separate maps.


15 different itineraries: schedules of 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 days. Includes both northbound and southbound itineraries. Difficult calculations of time, distance and altitude gain are done for you.


Also includes:


  • Detailed information on equipment and travelling light
  • Detailed information on getting to/from all trail-heads
  • Everything the trekker needs to know: route, costs, difficulty, weather, travel, and more
  • Full accommodation listings: spectacularly situated mountain huts and campsites
  • Information for both self-guided and guided trekkers
  • Numbered waypoints linking the Real Maps to our clear descriptions
  • Information on Wildlife and Plants
Buy me!

Trekking Iceland's Laugavegur Trail (& Fimmvörðuháls Trail)

£17.99

Available Now!


The definitive two-way guide to Iceland's Laugavegur Trail (& Fimmvörðuháls Trail): both southbound and northbound routes are described in full.


Real Maps: full mapping inside (1:40,000), made specifically for the treks by Knife Edge Outdoor Guidebooks. All accommodation/campsites are numbered and marked on the maps.


14 different itineraries: schedules of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 days for hikers and runners. Includes both southbound and northbound itineraries. Difficult calculations of time, distance and altitude gain/loss are done for you.


Also includes:

  • Detailed information on equipment and travelling light
  • Full accommodation/campsite listings
  • Everything the trekker needs to know: route, costs, difficulty, weather and more
  • Travel to the trail-head
  • Essential info for both self-guided and guided trekkers
  • Information on the volcanic sights along the route
  • Information on plants and wildlife
  • History of Iceland
  • Numbered waypoints linking the Real Maps to our clear descriptions
Buy me!

Trekking the Mallorca GR221

£16.99

Available Now!


The definitive two-way guide to the Mallorca GR221 (the Drystone Way): both northbound and southbound routes are described in full.


Real Maps: Full mapping inside (1:25,000) by Editorial Alpina. All accommodation is numbered and marked on the maps.


12 different itineraries: schedules of 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 days for hikers and runners. Includes both northbound and southbound itineraries. Difficult calculations of time, distance and altitude gain/loss are done for you.


Also includes:

  • Detailed information on equipment and travelling light
  • Full accommodation listings: the best hotels and refugis
  • Everything the trekker needs to know: route, costs, difficulty, weather, travel, and more
  • Public Transport map and information
  • Essential info for both self-guided and guided trekkers
  • Information on the drystone structures along the route
  • Information on plants and wildlife
  • History of drystone structures along the route
  • Numbered waypoints linking the Real Maps to our clear descriptions
Buy me!
0 Comments

    Andrew McCluggage

    blogs about ​life on the Knife Edge

    Andrew is the CEO of Knife Edge Outdoor Limited. He is also a writer, photographer and committed walker​

    More about Andrew

    Archives

    January 2024
    December 2022
    November 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    October 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019

    Categories

    All
    Chamonix-Mont Blanc
    Corsica GR20
    Dolomites Trekking
    Gear Reviews
    Mallorca GR221
    Tour Du Mont Blanc
    Trekking Advice

    RSS Feed

Free UK Delivery

International D
elivery also available

Picture

    Get information about our latest products, voucher codes and competitions

Subscribe to Newsletter

Company

About
CEO

Support

Contact
FAQ
Delivery
Returns
Terms and Conditions
​
Privacy Policy

Follow us

©Knife Edge Outdoor Guidebooks 2018
  • Home
  • Buy Walking Books
    • Trekking Maps
    • Great Treks of England
    • Great Treks of Scotland
    • Great Treks of the Alps
    • Great Treks of the World
    • Unmissable Hikes in France
    • Walking Northern Ireland
  • Trek Info
    • Tour du Mont Blanc
    • Walker's Haute Route
    • Dolomites AV1
    • Corsica GR20
    • Tour of the Ecrins National Park
    • Tour des Combins
  • Blog
  • About
    • What makes our WALKING BOOKS different?
    • CEO
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Contact