How I fit all that backpacking gear in my Osprey Exos 38: including bear canister
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- Опубликовано: 19 ноя 2024
- I know quite a few of you asked to see how I packed all that backpacking gear into my Osprey Exos 38. While I was out at Red River Gorge I did just that. Hope it's helpful for those of you looking to see exactly how I did it.
Just one note about this packing. My bear canister (BV500) was very light this trip (one night- 3 meals). What I'll do in the future when it's heavier for multiple days is put it a little lower in the pack to help distribute the weight better. Everything fit!
Someone in the comments mentioned that they had a friend who thru hiked the PCT with the Exos 38. I was skeptical that was doable until actually packing for this trip. It's more than achievable.
Instagram: @timwatsonoutdoors
Twitter: @timwoutdoors
Facebook: timwatsonoutdoors
Email: tim@timwatsonoutdoors.com
I love no intros
ha, thanks! I try to keep them short if at all.
Amen!
Terrible, aren't they? Not sure why so many feel the need for an intro... Most of them are incredibly cheesy as well.
Agreed! Loved this! Answered everything I needed and more without a 4 minute back story.
It always amazes me how much stuff you can get into a pack. Nice showing how that bear canister can fits in the Exos man.
Thanks! I agree, might have a pack upgrade coming here soon. Your zpacks zero and seeing some of the other zpacks stuff around has really given me the bug.
Just bought myself a 38L for lighter overnights and was feeling a little lost in terms of packing. Super helpful - thanks, Tim!
I lost my first bear bag ever in Panthertown Valley NC this year and hate myself for it. Been scared of the bulk of the canister but I will not accidentally feed another bear. I feel better about packing it all up after seeing this video! Plus, your channel intro video is awesome. Subbed. Much thanks and respect!
That still amazes me you fit that bear canister and ALL that gear in the Exos 38! I would've never believed it but now I've seen it! Awesome!
Ha, I'll admit to not knowing for sure it was all going to fit the first time. I can see how people can thru hike with the 38 now.
I hear ya! Still, very impressive!
The bear canister fits a lot better than what I expected. It's amazing how we keep going with smaller packs for our gear. I never thought that it was possible to fit my winter gear in the Osprey 48L. I did it without any problems.
Yea, I was surprised at how it slipped in the pack. It's possible for sure if you stick to the essentials.
I didn't notice the under quilt in the video. I still use both quilt stuff sacks. It helps to keep them protected and clean inside and outside the pack. Many backpackers don't use stuff sacks to save very little weight. Almost $600 for the 2 quilts I'm not taking any chances.
Ha, I'm the same way about stuff sacks for the quilts. No UQ this loadout just in case I go to the ground because of no trees.
Awesome! In the thumb I thought the bear canister was water and I was like there is no way Tim's carrying that lunky thing of water around. Great pack and kit.
Ha! That would be awful carrying that much water. Thanks Brad.
I was looking at a video for this because I couldn’t decide on a food bag or canister and now that I see a canister can definitely fit! Thanks for sharing! 🩵
Glad it was helpful!
Wow, you fitted that all in much more easily than I expected!
I was a little surprised too!
I feel like I just watched a magic trick😮. Well done good sir👍
I have the 38 also..no bear canister, but I hammock camp and carried 11 days of food. No fancy stuff like cuben fiber but still managed to keep it under 20 lb. including 2 ltr. of water. Love the pack.
I'm always surprised by how much gear you can fit in this pack. You had an awesome baseweight with 11 days of food. I usually aim for a pound of food a day for shorter trips and 1.5 for longer trips is my goal. With 3500 calories a day being my target.
I'm inspired by this method of stuffing. Almost extreme stuffing. There is hope for me now to fit everything into my ULA Circuit. I was considering upgrading size to the Catalyst but It's down to my packing with too many spaces and air gaps. 🖖
Your video was really helpful I realized I’m not compressing my stuff as much as I could !
I just figured out why all my gear doesn’t fit well in my pack. I need to start compressing everything down into the pack. I like the trash bag idea as well. Thanks for this video. I’m going to go re-pack my backpack.
Glad it was helpful Dennis!
nice! I use a compression bag for both my quilts just to keep them clean. I also tend to stick my hammock on top of my clothes which looks like what you did. I've got he 48L and I was surprised how much I was able to cram down inside. I'll be using it on the desert portion of the PCT, then switching to my Zpacks Arc Blast for the rest of the trail. Nicely done sir!
That's one reason I still use the quilt stuff sack. When do you start your thru? Is the reason you're using the Exos 48 because of water carrying or abrasion resistance?
hopefully next April around the 15th, but life has a way of getting in the way. And yes, water carrying. The Arc Blast can only carry about 25 pounds comfortably (it's the '14 model), but can go to 30. To compensate for the 15 liter less capacity with the Exos, I'll be wearing the Ribz pack, which I"ve found tends to help balance out a heavier load. Not sure if I"ll be tenting or hammocking in the desert though.
just scored an essentially (3 days on the trail) new 38L exos from one of my gear swaps for $85 shipped yesterday. werrd. I have a non-AG Aether 70 that I use when my 3 (small) children accompany me. I love that heavy hauler, it's a fantastic pack. I've gotten my gear pretty dialed in, and figured it would be a good idea to buy a smaller solo pack. Went out on a 2 nighter, and had a trail weight right at 20lb. In a 70L Aether lol. So 4.5lb of that was pack. Figured it was about time to buy that Exos I had been eyeing, and lo and behold there popped up the one i wanted in the right size for a smoking deal. Pretty stoked. Will keep the Aether, of course for the family trips, extended trips, or if I happen to do any really cold weather trips (not much of that here in TX). Thanks for the vid!
Sweet, gotta love a great deal for "previously loved" gear.
Thanks for sharing Tim! Always nice to see other people's systems
You're welcome. Works for me so far. I'd adjust where the canister is located depending on the food in it but overall it's alot of compressing.
Good video. Straight to the point and that's all. That's what I came here for.
Wow - that's like the clown car in reverse! I didn't think the bear canister was going to fit. I have the Osprey Hornet and it's a struggle sometimes getting the gear to all fit. Great video!
Pretty amazed you got that all in there, very smartly packed! I think that canister would be my entire bag, lol. I need to start experimenting with items like that so I can get better at packing and refining my loadout. This vid helps a lot, thanks for sharing!!
Thanks! That's what a few of my trips will be this year. Just refining and practicing. Glad it was helpful!
I just got the Exos 38, and I have no idea how you did this. I love it so far. Haven't taken it out yet but really excited for the way more comfy feel than my old, heavy, Kelty Trekker 65 and Redwing 50
To help pack the size down though, I did just buy a bunch of more "ultralight" gear -- down comforter, NeoAir pad, etc..
Ha, practice and luckily my stuff compresses pretty well. Your new purchases will help alot with that. Bulk is what kills the space. The exos is a nice intro to ultralight pack especially coming from the two you mention.
I am new to Backpacking and was worried my kestrel 48 wouldn't be big enough. Not anymore!
I am planning on attaching the bear cannister on the outside of the pack and I should be able to carry more if need be as I will have some of my 10 and 13 year olds stuff with me to save them weight!
Thanks for the great video!
Ha, amazing what you cram in there! I think when my kids start coming with me I'll have to get a different pack but it sounds like your plan is a good one.
Thanks for this, I've been looking for an overnight pack that can shrink enough for dayhikes. Afterseein this, I can see the Exos will work.
When I first looked at all that stuff on the ground sheet, I'm like no way you get not all back in there LOL. Thanks for sharing brother.
Ha, barely!
Surprising how much we can get into a backback nice video Tim
Yea, especially if you really cram it in there.
Reminds me of the circus..... 27 clowns all fit in a VW bug.... always wondered how they did that! Thanks for sharing Tim!!!
LOL! Just one item at a time.
That is funny Chris haha. The Shriners do that too right? haha
you sure do fit alot in that bag Tim. i learn alot from watching you bro and i thank you for that! i never even though of using a plastic bag as a liner till you showed it.
Awesome, glad that could help you out. The liner method really does work well. Even better is using a white trash compactor bag. It's more resistant to tearing and helps you see into a dark pack!
Good one Tim. I'll be using my 38 instead of 58 this summer!
Thanks! The 38 is still pretty versatile. It'll probably be my overnight pack (I have an arc haul) but I think it could do alot more.
great work and helpful hints!
You can really fit a lot o stuff in that Os !
Very cool bag of holding !
ha! Haven't heard that phrase in a while. Yea, this pack is pretty decent. I kind of surprised with myself with everything that fit.
Damn, thats some good packing there son! I cant believe you got that all in there! Have fun and enjoy!
ha, thanks!
I have a bearvault too.....as much as I love it for my Boundary Waters trips.....it stays home on weekend trips in favor of my Ursack. Nice to see how you can pack it into a smaller pack like that, they are handy and do a great job of keeping the "mini bears" from getting my goodies that I bring along:-)......if it didn't weigh 2 pounds it would go on every trip, lol.
The art of compression. You may have mastered it!
Ha, hopefully!
It all fit quite nicely I was kinda wondering how it would all fit with the bear canister.
Yea, like a puzzle.
Thanks Tim; it would have been good if you had finished the video by putting the pack on your back and walking up and down with it on, so that we could see how it looked. What's the reason/necessity for that bulky bear canister ? If it was instead a beer can-ister, that would eliminate the need for any alternative hydration !
Thanks for doing this video Tim. I watched the original video and didn't think there was a chance you would get everything to fit with that bear canister, and although you did it, I'd say the Exos 38 is too small to use with the bear canister. I'm basically trying to figure out which Exos to get, and would prefer smaller for my typical 2 or 3 day trips. I live in Sierras which has bears, although canisters aren't required where I live. If I had to use the bear canister then I'd probably go with the Exos 58. So, maybe I'll go with the Exos 38 or 48 and an Ursack S29.3 or something. Anyway, thanks for the video. It's been a big help in helping me to decide.
Awesome David, glad to help. Yea it fit but it was tight with the bv500. The BV450 would have been manageable I think. If you search "bv500 exos 58" I have a video on that as well. The 58 would definitely have a more comfortable fit.
Get the 48 it is what I have and love it. I rarely fill it all the way up. 58 is too big.
Your bags must have great stretching abilities. Have you ever wore out the stitching? I love how you literally "PACK" your bag. Good and tight.
Yea, so far no problems. The Osprey packs have a really good warranty so I'm not too concerned.
great job, obviously done that a few times.
Ha, this particular loadout only twice. But cramming and stuffing works.
Very Cool. I've not been camping in years.
You should pick it up again. Fun times.
Thanks for showing how you pack. Great video
thanks!
That's a good amount of gear, well-done Tim
thanks!
It's amazing off stuff can fit in a backpack. Great video!
thanks, indeed it is!
Lot's of empty space in that canister. You should fill it up!
Ha, another trip when I'm going for more days!
Food
Wow, that canister looks huge! Hoping to make it back to Red River Gorge soon. Have you ever been up to Cloud Splitter?
I haven't. That and Indian staircase are on my to do list sometime.
Well organized pack.
thanks!
That's a lot of stuff you crammed in thier .thats a nice pack
Thanks Rob, it's a good one for sure. I like it alot.
The Exos 38 must be a Tardis incarnate! (Bigger on the inside..........)
Ha, I'm a fan so I know exactly what you mean. Whovians unite. :)
Impressive. Well thought out indeed!
Thanks!
you got a ton of gear into that bag!! is there a button on the side where a martini tray pops out? :) that would complete the ensemble.
ha! This was more of a primitive glamping trip but not enough for a martini. :D
Wow got it all in. cool. thanks for the video. God bless.
thanks!
wow! awesome packing it in there!!!
Lol, I think most people can't believe it fit.
Tim Watson hahaa! it took me forever to learn to refold those big old state maps! but pack ALL that into 1 pack....yours good brother!!
Damn Tim!!! All that and the BIG bear canister too! You da man!
haha! More like a master crammer.
Good load out out Tim! Dont pack the Trowel in the inside lol
Thanks, ha!
Good packing vid Tim "The Trowel Man" Watson.
Ha, thanks!
Thanks for making this video!
You're welcome! I've had a few people ask me about the bear canister and the exos so I figured it was time to make some videos on it.
was wondering if you use a water bladder and where it goes. : D
Nope. Just two 1 liter bottles.
Great. What size is this. Small medium or large?
Hmmm all about proper packing , I got the 48 and it works but 38 would be even better
The 38 is a nice pack if you can fit everything in.
It still amazes me when all the gear is lying out and it all fits in the backpack. Do you ever think that?
Ha! All the time Roger. Somehow it manages to get in there.
Great stuff session. Do you find you use the outer pockets for a lot in good weather?
Thanks, actually not as much as I thought I would. My outside pockets are usually just water bottles. Sometimes if I'm in a rush I'll shove stuff in the main mesh pocket but not often.
Cant forget the Poop trowel. LOL You pack it in tight. Thanks Tim
never go anywhere without it! (at least on the trail)
yup. you're putting more in a 38 than i put in my 65. im still in denial that i suck at packing lol
lol. If it helps think of it as a 3d puzzle.
nice video! thanks for sharing!
Awesome brother pack it all in good oh yeah
ha, thanks!
Fits well, it's always a little bit of a puzzle to get it just right. Why do you keep the water filter inside the pack, not in the outside pocket? I like to be able to get to mine without opening my pack when I stop for water during the day.
I have no idea why I did that in this video. Wracking my memory I think it was more of a camping trip than a backpacking one (thus why I had time to film this). Usually it's in the outside mesh pocket like you said.
Just thought you might have a reason, sometimes I get my best tips from videos of people doing something I didn't think about. I do pack my filter inside if I am doing a very cold weather trip below freezing but that's about the only time I stick it inside. Thanks for the video !
I have this pack and LOVE it! But I haven't tried to get a bear canister in it yet - I'm curious, is there no way to pack the canister horizontally? Does it not fit that way? I made a video for this pack too, but I showed mine being unpacked :-)
I tried it and it didn't fit. Not that it won't, it just would have taken alot more pressure on the pack than I was willing to test!
Did you guys chop down that tree in the background on the left?
We don't chop trees down. Unfortunately what you see is all too common in RRG.
Wow, it all went in there Tim,nice and tight, like it.
Just barely!
OK, I am amazed that you were able to get all your gear AND the bear cannister in a 38 litre pack! How many days do you think you could pack for in a 38? Dane.
I wasn't convinced before this trial run but I think you could thru hike with this pack. 7-10 days and that's only limited by the food in the bear canister and how it relates to the upper weight limit for the pack (31 pounds). My load out (except for food) was everything I would bring on a multiple day hike.
Man, you got it packed full. I like that solar battery charger I like to get one of those for my kayak. What brand do you use?
I use flybox gadgets sq1. I'm still testing it out though so I'll know more for sure later.
Tim Watson OK. thanks
Well Done Sir!!
Thanks, it fit! I now can see how people can thruhike with the 38. I didn't see doing it before.
What camera did you use to film video with? Crystal clear..
I get that comment alot which is nice. Believe it or not every video is the iphone. It's been the iphone 7 since about two months ago. 60fps.
At 00:19 it gets super sharp and focused..Is it just the phone or is it a camera app your using?
+flytuc1 just the phone's native app. It does a nice job.
Hi Tim I have a question, couldn't you have put more stuff inside the bear canister? Or it has to be strictly for food? There was a lot of space inside that canister 😊
Love your channel, thanks for all your tips 😊
Yup I most definitely could have put more stuff in there. This video was my first time using the canister in preparation for Maroon Bells. 😀 On the actual trip it was stuffed to the gills. chapstick, cooking pot, trash and utensils all made it in there.
Tim Watson cool thanks for the reply 🤗🤗
that 38 looks bigger than even my 40L Rei pack
Super impressive. Does the rattling in the bear can drive you crazy? I don't think I could handle it. Awesome pack though, thanks!
It usually doesn't rattle at all. It just did this trip because I was practicing for a longer trip. Usually it's stuffed to the gills so no rattle. :) Thanks!
Tim Watson gotcha. Thanks!
Which bear vault is that? Trying to decide if I want to get the bigger one, or the smaller one. I do more solo trips, but sometimes I take my nephew with me...and he's a teenager with a paul bunyan sized appetite, haha.
Lol. It's the bv500.
Thanks!
Hey Tim, you are clearly an expert packer (perhaps I should say stuffer), but do you think this pack (or perhaps the GG Crown2 would work for a simple overnight or weekend (2 days 3 nights, no bear canister)? I doubt I could EVER pack like that.I think my big three will weigh around 11 lbs? I think if I get too big a pack, I will just think of more stuff to put in it. Thanks.
Ha, thanks! And yes, I think it'd be even easier without a bear canister. Just takes some time and planning about how and where to stuff. lol
Thanks Tim.
Nice Tim
thanks!
Nice man what did all that end up weighing? Just curious because I'm gonna go ultralight this year. Replacing all my gear with zpacks stuff.
This was about 17 pounds base weight. More than doable with the 38. Not great but not too bad. Hoping to get some zpacks stuff as well! Actually put the order in yesterday. Their stuff is good from what I've seen, expensive to replace it all at once!
Tim Watson yes it is but hoping it will be worth it for longer trips.
It definitely will. Just be cautious of the durability of some of that gear. Even going lightweight (baseweight 10-20) will help a ton.
Tim Watson true
Hi, Tim! Thanks for this awesome video (and for your Exos 38 vs 58 review!). I'm curious, given the amount of stuff you're able to fit in the 38, what kinds of trips you use the 58 for? It seems like you can fit a bear canister (with 5+ days of food, potentially?), and your super comfy hammock set up in the 38.
I ask because I'm trying to decide between the 38 and the 48. My setup is fairly minimal, and I'd love to get the 38 due to size/weight/price. I'm just worried that it might not be large enough for week-long trips! What are your thoughts?
Now that's an excellent question. Currently I use my 58 if I have to do more cold weather camping BUT I initially got it because when I first started my gear was bulkier and heavier. Now (as you can see) the 38 is more than enough for me. I'd be comfortable carrying it on a week long trip. I was actually going to use it on a 3 week trip but a recent pack purchase turned my head (future video!)
Fantastic! Thanks for the info, Tim. You've definitely swayed me to the 38. Looking forward to the next video!
Well done.
thanks!
you packed everything in there but a 65 L pack would have been more convenient when you have that big bear canister
Impressive!
Lots of stuffing!
Wow so much stuff you cam fit in that bag. :)
I just keep cramming it in!
Do you choose bear canisters over bear bags
Only when bear canisters are required. They are a bit of a pain compared to the bag.
May I ask your reasoning for not keeping your shelter as the last in, first out of your pack?
I put the tarp in at 3:34. Pretty close to the last one in. 😀 Unless you mean the hammock? I’m more concerned with keeping that dry which is why it is where it is.
Tim Watson
So the answer is "because I wasn't paying attention"
Hahaha, thank you! And thanks for your videos!
😬😆 thanks for watching!
always a bummer when you go to an area that makes bear canisters mandatory.
Luckily RRG it isn't mandatory but I was out practicing. The two pounds + are a little annoying but I understand the reason for them.
I noticed no stove so who's carrying the jetboil?
Is there a reason you opted for a canister that big?
Multiple days in a location where it was required.
Then you wish for 50 grams more you got the 48 version and it packed without putting all the stress on the stitching and seams
Not really. The 38 was fantastic. I’m actually using a smaller pack now. 😆
@@TimWatsonOutdoors would a bag not be better to pack for a bear than that all mighty tub!
What did you cook with and eat with
It's in the bear canister but I cook in a Snow Peak 700 and have a canister stove and fuel nested in there. I use a humangear duo for a utensil.
Wow Tim, 10 lbs of crap in a 5 lbs bag...that was amazing man. Thanks for sharing and showing how the pros do it.
Ha, definitely not at pro level but learning! I kind of was surprised when there was nothing else left.
nice video
thanks!
Yeah that how you get it to fit, you just keep shoving it in there... Ha Ha Ha! Man you got a lot in there, what does it weigh?
Ha! This wasn't too bad. Base weight around 17 pounds.
IMHO I think you should have got the Exos 48 instead, for the few extra ounces it weighs. Then you wouldn't need to put so much force on the sides when compressing everything on...
+MuddyDuck perhaps. I actually owned the 58 but now use the arc haul for most trips.
I'm not that good a packer (perhaps I should say shover). I'd want a few inches of spare room. But the whole thing is rather impressive.
The Exos is like a black hole. Some much crap fits in that thing!
Ha, yea!
thanks ~~
You're welcome!
Weird guy in the back watching from behind a tree. Creepy.
No cook kit?
+theoriginal68niou1 in the bear can with the other smellables. 👍
why do you pack your puffy jacket at the very bottom of your pack?
So that it stays dry with my quilt.
@@TimWatsonOutdoors ah there it is :)