Shop Clothing
Shop Footwear
Shop Hike & Camp
Shop Climbing
Accessories
Osprey Exos 58 Review: Ideal Pack for the Sierra & Thru-Hiking (PCT, AT, CDT)
January 18, 2026 4 min read
For thru-hiking and Sierra Nevada backpacking, pack choice matters. Long approaches, granite, talus, and elevation gain demand gear that balances weight, durability, and comfort. This year, we took five multi-day hiking trips to Merriam Peak and Four Gable; Middle Palisade; Muir Pass; the Mount Whitney Mountaineer’s Route and East Ridge of Mount Russell; and, the Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Loop in Death Valley National Park. The Osprey Exos 58 has proven itself as one of the best lightweight backpacking packs for the Eastern Sierra.
This is a pack built for hikers and climbers who want to move efficiently in serious terrain without committing to the compromises of true ultralight packs. And that is the key point. With the Exos 58, you get a little bit of comfort and durability. Also, it is large enough to hold sufficient gear and food for 3-7 days in the backcountry. Some people think they can hike the PCT or JMT with a 30 liter pack but they end up hanging 25 different things from all the straps. It is always comical when someone comes into the store trying to strap a bear can to their 30-liter pack!
Lightweight Without the Ultralight Trade-Offs
The Exos 58 sits in a sweet spot. It’s clearly a lightweight backpacking pack, but it avoids the common issues found in many ultralight designs.
Ultralight packs often:
- Fall apart quickly when carrying too much weight or are exposed to granite and talus
- Use extremely thin fabrics that don’t hold up to real Sierra Nevada travel
- Offer little to no padding, leading to discomfort on long days
Eastside Sports is at a unique location on the PCT where people come into the store and are buying new packs. This is especially true in bigger snow years when an ice axe and crampons or snowshoes are needed.
The Osprey Exos 58 is different. It’s lightweight but durable, using materials that stand up to repeated use in rocky, off-trail environments. Just as important, it includes enough padding and structure in the shoulder straps and hip belt to stay comfortable over multiple days -without becoming heavy or overbuilt.
For women, Osprey makes the Eja 58 - the same pack but with a narrower fit around the shoulders to better accommodate the average female stature.
Comfort That Holds Up on Long Sierra Days
Comfort is where the Exos really separates itself from ultralight packs. Across all five trips, it carried consistently well during long approaches and steep elevation gain.
Key comfort features include:
- Padded shoulder straps that remain comfortable under load
- A supportive hip belt that effectively transfers weight to the hips
- A ventilated frame system that maintains structure while improving airflow
On demanding routes like Middle Palisade and the Mount Whitney Mountaineer’s Route, this balance of padding and support reduced fatigue and made technical movement more efficient.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Pack Frame
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Real-World Performance in the Eastern Sierra
- Merriam Peak and the Four Gables: This route demands balance, stability, and a streamlined profile. The Exos 58 kept the load close to the body, staying stable on exposed terrain and during off-trail travel.
- Middle Palisade: Long mileage and sustained climbing put pack comfort to the test. The Exos performed exceptionally well, with ventilation helping manage heat and a suspension system that stayed comfortable hour after hour.
- Muir Pass: Classic High Sierra terrain - granite slabs, talus, and long days. The pack remained stable while scrambling, and the side pockets made hydration and nutrition easy without stopping.
- Mount Whitney Mountaineer’s Route: This route highlights the importance of pack stability. On rocky, uneven terrain, the Exos stayed balanced and secure, never shifting or feeling sloppy when precise footwork mattered most.
- The Cottonwood Marble Canyon Loop: We drove into the top of Marble Canyon via Saline Valley Road and parked near the Mule Tail Mine Road. This allowed us to hike down Marble Canyon and up Cottonwood Canyon. In February, the temperature was really nice at such low altitudes. Wanna know an Eastern Sierra secret? You can hike/backpack in the Death Valley for the 8 winter months when you cannot do it in the Sierra. (shh...it's a secret though. Don't tell anybody). ;)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Osprey Eja 58 above Pine Creek Pass
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why the Exos 58 Works for Eastern Sierra Backpacking
The Eastern Sierra requires backpacking gear that can handle:
- Long-distance approaches
- Alpine and mountaineering-style routes
- Talus, scree, and off-trail travel
The Osprey Exos 58 combines the agility of an ultralight pack with the durability and comfort needed for real mountain objectives, making it ideal for Sierra Nevada backpacking, major thru hikes like the PCT, AT, or CDT as well as Eastern Sierra climbing approaches and fast multi-day trips.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pros of the Osprey Exos 58
-
Lifetime warranty: If you break it, Osprey will fix or replace it.
- Lightweight yet durable construction: Holds up to abrasive Sierra terrain better than ultralight packs
- Comfort-focused suspension: Enough padding to stay comfortable without unnecessary weight
- Excellent ventilation: Keeps you cooler on long climbs and hot days
- Other Considerations: Not built for very heavy loads. For winter mountaineering or extremely heavy carries, a heavier pack may be better
Final Verdict: A Go-To Pack for the Eastern Sierra
After multiple serious Sierra objectives, the Osprey Exos 58 stands out as one of the best lightweight backpacking packs for the Eastern Sierra. It avoids the fragility and discomfort of ultralight packs while still delivering a light, fast, and efficient carry.
If you’re planning multi-day backpacking or alpine routes in the Sierra Nevada, this pack offers a proven balance of weight, durability, and comfort.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If the Osprey Exos 58 or the Osprey Eja 58 has caught your attention, stop by the store to test them out or click here to see if we have your size in stock and get your own pack shipped today!
As always, don't hesitate to call us at store (760-873-7520) if you have questions about the right pack for you!
(And if you need any gear to prepare for your own Eastern Sierra adventure, we got you covered with free shipping if you meet the criteria! All you have to do is join our email list and place your order of a certain amount with us online.)
Leave a comment
Subscribe
Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more …