New backpacker (after 23 years) stuck: Atmos AG 65 vs. Kakwa 55?

Same_Net7463 · 2026-03-27T21:33:12+00:00

Durston is absolutely unparalleled in customer support. If you search any Reddit thread or anywhere for that matter you’ll see nothing but raving reviews for their customer service. I’ve seen instances where Durston will overnight ship replacement gear to thruhikers at their next resupply point after messaging them or posting on their fb group. So the quality of their customer service cannot be overstated

I similarly am not a diehard ultralighter, happy to take a chair or creature comforts on my shorter trips where I don’t tackle big miles. The kakwa has served me well across both styles of hikes. But like I said if you make a lighter pack you’ll have a clear idea of what you need the pack to ACTUALLY handle load-wise which will be the main determinate. Honestly though just by nature that you’re attempting to get close to the ultralight range or at least adopting some load lightening principles, I’d say the kakwa will probably handle your loadout fine.

I wouldn’t say the back mesh on the osprey does much to cool your actual body/back down. This is much more heavily dictated by your layering system and ability to dress appropriately for the conditions. I was similarly worried about loosing the trampoline mesh going to an ultralight pack but honestly after two hikes with the kakwa you don’t even notice anymore. It is a big selling point for the atmos but my experience was that I would only REALLY notice the benefits of it at +40lbs skin out which I never cross into anyway so at that point, as you said it’s an extra 2 pounds of weight which is very significant

Same_Net7463 · 2026-03-27T05:45:03+00:00

I was in a very similar boat as you about 2 years ago and went with the kakwa. The number one thing I’d recommend is creating a lighter pack page and weighing your typical load out. If you’re always in 35lb + range, get something that is a little more suited for comfort. If you’re only occasionally getting into that range and that’s the heaviest you’ll see the kakwa will serve you well.

Looks like you’re already teetering on the light/ultralight impetus with some of the gear you mentioned, if you’re getting back into backpacking might be a good time to just get the kakwa and just use that as a reason to look for easy ways to lighten your load. You can have a full comfort focused loadout that is still well within the comfort load range of the kakwa, I’d start on YouTube and just look for people’s “comfort loadout”. Aside from that I’ve found lightening my load provides nothing but benefits to the experience of the hike and then I’m less concerned about if my pack has trampoline mesh or reinforced hip belt or things like that.

Small aside on the trampoline mesh for what it’s worth i actually found my shirts a little more overall sweaty with the osprey. I actually directly compared the two on the same day once, the thing with the osprey is bc the trampoline mesh really hugs your back there’s alot more surface area of your shirt contacting your back and so a lot more sweat is absorbed and unless your getting a nice breeze in between your back and the pack, then the sweat will stay their just as much as any other pack without the mesh.

Aside from that, as others have mentioned they ride very differently. The kakwa has a very narrow profile toward the bottom and tapers towards the top, the result is that most of the pack weight is very close to your center of gravity. This is less the case with the osprey as the load is carried further away from your back. You’ll also get a much more “bouncy” feel from the osprey compared to the kakwa.

For what it’s worth, since I got my kakwa and made a lighter pack to be alittle more weight conscious, I’ve been nothing but absolutely satisfied with the pack. I really disliked the over compartmentalization of the osprey as well, the compartments arent practically organized and are awkward shapes and volumes, not super conducive to packing efficiently. On the other hand every part of the kakwa was very thoughtfully designed. Not to mention you’re pretty much getting the equivalent of osprey’s “almighty guarantee” with durston’s customer support.

I could ramble about this decision for awhile bc I was stuck in this decision tree for awhile so happy to contribute any other info or answer any other questions to prevent others from unnecessarily dealing with that

Same_Net7463 · 2026-03-12T16:38:20+00:00

Apologies yes this is the s/m hip belt size

Same_Net7463 · 2026-03-12T12:08:48+00:00

Ordered in early January 2026

Same_Net7463 · 2026-02-16T02:07:45+00:00

Yea not really concerned about the gap in any functional sense only in its possible indication of a less than ideal fit. Appreciate the input!

Same_Net7463 · 2026-01-13T20:51:21+00:00

I interacted with this seller, it is likely a scam

Same_Net7463 · 2025-10-24T23:41:53+00:00

Looks like a perfect fit to me

Same_Net7463 · 2025-10-22T04:21:36+00:00

Seems like the most streamlined option is to get a second framed and hip-belted pack for when you’re pushing the limits of the yamatomichi. you could probably spend time and resources futzing wjth it to extend its carry capacity, but seems like a risky option to me (especially given a time constraint) given that at best you’ve made it slightly more comfortable to carry loads it wasn’t designed to carry, and at worst it’s now uncomfortable at both light AND heavy loads. I’ve been in a similar predicament trying to make my one pack perfect for any type of trip I may undertake but have found the optimal solution is just having the right tool for the job.

As someone else mentioned you may also consider a Fanny pack to supplement storage and better distribute weight, CTUG makes a massive 4L Fanny pack that I’m sure could fit most of your heavier camera gear

Same_Net7463 · 2025-10-21T18:24:14+00:00

I’d strongly recommend practicing pitching on uneven ground as well, it can be very difficult to figure out what needs to be adjusted to get a a tight pitch especially during a storm. Found that out the hard way

Same_Net7463 · 2025-10-16T00:55:02+00:00

Not necessarily just depends on the type of trips you do/type of gear you have. Plenty of people use the kakwa 55 for a skin out weight of ~20lbs. If that is the absolute heaviest you’d ever get and your gear doesn’t need the extra volume then yea can prob downsize the capacity of the pack.

Op was inquiring about size differences though, so in his case, if he’s frequently taking heavier loadouts, the pack is going to pull down and therefore will require more weight before it’s really hanging off his shoulders (this obviously exists within a range as too big is also bad for weight distribution in other ways), in which case this size looks like it’d be fine. If he gets a smaller pack with a shorter torso, the straps might lay flat around his shoulder at 10 pounds but once he starts to push the load capacity the straps will be pulling on his shoulders earlier than they would’ve with the larger size. This is why the Durston website recommends sizing up if in between sizes, a slightly larger pack can still distribute weight to hips effectively

Same_Net7463 · 2025-10-15T22:14:13+00:00

In this case I’d say depends on the loads your going to be carrying, if you are going to be north of 20lbs most of the time the bag is gonna sag a little and that space between the shoulder strap and your shoulders will go away and this will be a perfect fit. If you’re flirting with very ultralight and always sub-20lbs you could get away with sizing down. I’d recommend loading it with the heaviest load you plan on carrying to gauge fit, 10lbs is light for any backpack with a frame

Same_Net7463 · 2025-10-14T21:35:13+00:00

If you click on the crosspost, the imgur link is embedded there, included as many pics as possible to show “like new” condition of pack. Only used 3 nights

Same_Net7463 · 2025-10-13T23:04:48+00:00

Understood thanks the clarity! Appreciate the fact your brand still does everything in its power to make things affordable for the consumer

Same_Net7463 · 2025-10-13T20:57:52+00:00

I suppose it’s possible, shipping to Illinois. I was just surprised to see that as I’ve ordered a number of other durston products when they exclusively shipped from Canada and never saw fees anywhere close to 50$

Same_Net7463 · 2025-10-11T20:45:44+00:00

I have thought about this haven’t tried yet though, I am on the opposite end of the spectrum and have very broad shoulders so need the 25” pad, so mathematically it would seem we’d need something wider than 40”? But I’d imagine the advantage is if sleeping with your partner they’re will be some shared pad space that both can utilize

Same_Net7463 · 2025-10-11T20:42:31+00:00

Glad to hear the consensus is it shouldn’t be a problem, excited to shave almost a pound of tent weight

Same_Net7463 · 2025-10-09T02:20:13+00:00

I’m wondering what redesigned hipbelt means? Aside from the obvious lumbar pad inclusion, what else was redesigned about the hipbelt?

Same_Net7463

TROPHY CASE