Gear Review: Atom Packs, Atom+ EP40 backpack

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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Tough terrain in the Nepal Himalaya

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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!
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Shoulder pockets: these are well-designed being bigger than those on many other packs.

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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.

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​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!
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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

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