The Prospector

The Backpack formally known as The Mo

The Prospector (Custom)

It took us 12,000 miles of hiking to design our perfect backpack: The Prospector (formerly known as The Mo) - a lightweight, fully featured load hauler, purpose built to support you on your next adventure.

We designed The Prospector to suit the average thru hiker using modern, lightweight gear, with a base weight of up to 10kg/22lbs. We use lightweight, durable materials that are easily able to cope with heavier loads and heavier use. If you are heading out onto rough and overgrown trails then the Prospector is for you!

With a load capacity of 19kg/42lbs and pack weights starting at just 910g/32oz for a size Medium, The Prospector won't weigh you down. 

Weight: from 890g / 31.4oz (40L, size M)

Load capacity: 19kg / 42lb

Specifications

Starting weight

890 g

31.4 oz

Load capacity

19 kg

42 lb

  The Prospector 40L
Weight
890.0 g
31.4 oz
Load capacity
19.0 kg
41.9 lb
Height fully unrolled
74.0 cm
29.1 in
Circumference at base
81.3 cm
32.0 in
Circumference at top
91.0 cm
35.8 in
Main body volume
35.0 L
9.2 gal
Side pockets volume
5.0 L
1.3 gal
Front pocket volume
4.0 L
1.1 gal
   
  The Prospector 50L
Weight
910.0 g
32.1 oz
Load capacity
19.0 kg
41.9 lb
Height fully unrolled
82.5 cm
32.5 in
Circumference at base
87.5 cm
34.4 in
Circumference at top
94.0 cm
37.0 in
Main body volume
45.0 L
11.9 gal
Side pockets volume
5.0 L
1.3 gal
Front pocket volume
4.0 L
1.1 gal
   
  The Prospector 60L
Weight
965.0 g
34.0 oz
Load capacity
19.0 kg
41.9 lb
Height fully unrolled
91.0 cm
35.8 in
Circumference at base
89.0 cm
35.0 in
Circumference at top
99.0 cm
39.0 in
Main body volume
55.0 L
14.5 gal
Side pockets volume
5.0 L
1.3 gal
Front pocket volume
4.0 L
1.1 gal
   
Key features

Load Lifters

These use daisy chain webbing coming off the shoulder strap to stabilise and adjust the balance of your pack while hiking.

Key features

Adjustable Side Pocket

Our Forward-facing, deep and low side pocket design keeps your bottles secure while still being low enough to reach into whilst the pack is worn. Each pocket can keep 2 x 1L Smartwater style bottles secure, just tighten the elastic using the pull adjuster.

Each pocket features two drain holes to stop rain collecting in them.

Key features

Y-Strap

The Y strap offers increased support for larger items like a bear can or sleeping pad when stored on top of the pack

Key features

Dyneema Stretch Front Pocket

Made with Dyneema stretch fabric. Can hold 5L, not included in the total volume.

Key features

Bottom Pocket

Easy-access bottom pocket featuring a large opening on the wearer's right and trash port on the wearers left.

Sewn using Dyneema stretch fabric.

Key features

Load Lifters

These use daisy chain webbing coming off the shoulder strap to stabilise and adjust the balance of your pack while hiking.

Adjustable Side Pocket

Our Forward-facing, deep and low side pocket design keeps your bottles secure while still being low enough to reach into whilst the pack is worn. Each pocket can keep 2 x 1L Smartwater style bottles secure, just tighten the elastic using the pull adjuster.

Each pocket features two drain holes to stop rain collecting in them.

Y-Strap

The Y strap offers increased support for larger items like a bear can or sleeping pad when stored on top of the pack

Dyneema Stretch Front Pocket

Made with Dyneema stretch fabric. Can hold 5L, not included in the total volume.

Bottom Pocket

Easy-access bottom pocket featuring a large opening on the wearer's right and trash port on the wearers left.

Sewn using Dyneema stretch fabric.

The Prospector Overview

A quick run through of the features of the Prospector

The Prospector

Needs met.

The Prospector. The Backpack formally known as The Mo

All our bags are designed and tested to meet a specific need. Each item is built by hand to our incredibly high standards right here in our Keswick workshop.

Features

Removable 4-inch Padded Hipbelt

Our removable shaped hip belt contours to the shape of your body for great load transfer. Featuring 4 inch (10cm) wide wings, the fit is adjusted by pulling the webbing inwards for the perfect fit.

Sewn using 11mm foam, durable 210d Robic Extreema face fabric and breathable and soft 3mm thick spacer mesh.

This hip belt is removable and interchangeable, replacements can be purchased at any time from our website.

Lumbar Pad

Helps to transfer load through to your hips. Made with 7mm EVA foam and 3mm thick spacer mesh.

Removable Large Plastic Frame with Alloy Stay

Removable frame sheet made of 1mm thick plastic with a sewn-in 12mm / ½" alloy bar. The frame for a Medium torso length weighs 150g.

S-Shaped Shoulder Straps

Our S-shaped straps are designed to perfectly hug the contours of your body.

Sewn using 11mm foam, durable 210d Robic Extreema face fabric and breathable and soft 3mm thick spacer mesh.

Hydration Tube Port

There is an access port for a bladder tube behind each shoulder strap, allowing access inside the bag where there is a hanging clip for your bladder.

Bottom Pocket

Easy-access bottom pocket featuring a large opening on the wearer's right and trash port on the wearers left.

Sewn using Dyneema stretch fabric.

Dyneema Stretch Front Pocket

Made with Dyneema stretch fabric. Can hold 5L, not included in the total volume.

Removable Padded Back Panel

Uses shaped 8mm closed cell foam. Can be removed when the pack is empty for a 25g weight reduction.

Adjustable Side Pocket

Our Forward-facing, deep and low side pocket design keeps your bottles secure while still being low enough to reach into whilst the pack is worn. Each pocket can keep 2 x 1L Smartwater style bottles secure, just tighten the elastic using the pull adjuster.

Each pocket features two drain holes to stop rain collecting in them.

EPX400 Base

The bases of all of our packs are sewn using this highly durable 400 Denier fabric in Black.

Haul Loop

This simple webbing loop is there so you can pick up and set down your pack without putting excess strain on the shoulder straps. Using this will extend the life of your backpack and keep your shoulder straps in good condition.

Whistle Sternum Strap

Elasticated, removable and height adjustable, on a long thru hike we recommend keeping it with the whistle facing down to prevent it getting blocked.

Front Zig-Zag Elastic

Removable and designed to be able to store a folded Z-rest or assist with air drying your clothes.

Roll Top Closure

The closure has a 15mm vertical side compression. The roll top can also be clipped together at the top (dry bag style) and the side compression clipped around the front of the bag to aid carrying snowshoes or maybe a huge packs of chips etc.

Y-Strap

The Y strap offers increased support for larger items like a bear can or sleeping pad when stored on top of the pack

Fixed Ice Axe Loop

Sewn-in loop to easily connect an ice axe or walking poles.

Vertical Side Compression

This connects to the Roll top closure to allow you to compress the load of the pack

The roll top can also be clipped together at the top dry bag style, and the vertical side compression straps clipped around the front of the bag to aid carrying snowshoes or maybe a huge packs of chips etc.

Load Lifters

These use daisy chain webbing coming off the shoulder strap to stabilise and adjust the balance of your pack while hiking.

Z Side Compression

Great for securing trekking poles, tent poles or drying your wet socks. The side elastic is adjusted using a Lineloc adjuster.

Sewn In shoulder Pocket

Super stretchy and big enough to hold most smartphones, a day’s worth of snacks or a 700ml water bottle. The elastic is fixed and, owing to its clever design, does not need a tensioner.

FAQ

Does my torso size affect the volume?

No, In all of our backpacks the height remains the same regardless of torso size.

So a large torso pack will have the exact same volume as a small torso pack.

What is your refund policy?

Any unused off-the-shelf backpack or accessory can be returned to us for a refund, minus the shipping cost, up to 14 days after you take delivery of the goods.

Return shipping is at your own expense. If you wish to start a return, you must contact us first.

What import taxes will I pay?

Atom Packs is registered for VAT in the UK: GB329424790

All prices displayed in GBP (£) on our website will include VAT at 20%. If you are browsing our website from outside of the UK, you may shop in your local currency, in which case the price shown will be exclusive of VAT.

Customers outside the UK are not liable for UK VAT, however, you may be liable for your country’s import duties and tax.

Make sure you understand how much Customs Tax and Import duty you might pay before ordering - check out this import calculator for an estimate. This is a guide only.

The HS code for backpacks and accessories is 42022290

Do you ship internationally?

Yes! Shipping rates are calculated at checkout based on your delivery information. If you live in a remote location, we may occasionally need to charge a small extra surplus for shipping. This will be calculated when we ship the pack.

Full details on our shipping page.

What is a Lead Time?

The lead time is the estimated time between placing an order and it leaving our workshop. The lead time for new orders can always be found in the top banner on any page of our website.

If you have already placed an order, you will have received an email with an estimated shipping date, this date is still accurate unless we have emailed you saying otherwise.

Pre-existing orders can ignore any lead time updates to the website, this is relevant for new orders only.

What is the shipping time on a custom order?

We ship all of our backpacks using expedited couriers, however the item only ships once our lead time is completed.

In general shipping times by region are:

UK: 1-2 days (DPD next day)
Europe: 2-7 days (DPD EUROPE - depending on customs delays)
US: 2-5 days (UPS)
Rest of world: 1-2 weeks (UPS, DPD or Royal Mail, depending on location)

Why is base weight important?

This is a somewhat philosophical question, as, base weight has more significance the longer you are planning to hike.

In general, base weight gives you an indication of your level of packing discipline. (Remember, base weight is the total weight of everything non consumable that you will be carrying) There is no one correct base weight for each backpack, provided you are able to add enough food and water to remain under our recommended load capacity for your chosen backpack.

i.e. on a 4 day trip, along with your base weight, you would have to add 4 days of food (let's assume 1kg of food per day), to keep pack weight under 8kg total, you would need a base weight of sub 4 kg where as the same hiker on a 2 day trip could afford a 6kg base weight to remain under the 8kg total.

What is a base weight?

Your base weight is the total weight of all clothing and equipment that will be in your backpack while hiking. You should not include consumables like water, food, medicine or fuel.

i.e. the weight of an empty fuel canister can be considered for your base weight, but the fuel within it cannot.

What does recomended load capacity mean?

This is our best guess at what the average person could load into this pack while still being comfortable.

This is entirely dependant on your physiology so must be taken with a pinch of salt. i.e. If you are Chris Hemsworth (Thor... Phwoar!), you may well be able to carry more weight than, say, Gollum from the Lord of the Rings.

In general, we find our limits to be fairly accurate, however, If you find yourself nearing or exceeding the number listed with any regularity, then you should probably look at a more supportive pack from our range.

What can I change on this order?

The pack comes with a fairly fixed spec, however if you wanted to change the elastics then that is a quick way to update or refresh the look of your pack.

(we do not recommend you replace the side pocket elastic unless it breaks as it is tricky to do)

How long does it take to ship?

Atom Packs is a small team, we quote a 2 week lead time even on in stock items to allow us to make any hip belts or accessories that go with your order, this also allows us to adapt to fluctuating demand.

In general, we aim to ship out far sooner. If you want to know before ordering when your item will ship, please contact us.

Do I need to use a pack liner?

Yes, even though our materials are water resistant, the seams are not taped and thus water may ingress into the pack during extended rain.

Any items that you wish to keep dry must be kept in a waterproof stuff sack or liner.

Can I customise a ready made pack?

No, ready made packs are sold only as pictured, this enables us to hold them in stock and, thus, get them to you faster.

However, If you wish to customise a pack, you can go to our customiser and build one your way!

Are your backpacks waterproof?

Our packs are not waterproof.

We use highly waterproof fabrics but we do not tape the seams. Therefore some water may ingress into the pack during periods of extended rain.

Customer Reviews

Based on 56 reviews
95%
(53)
4%
(2)
2%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
M
Magnus
Good with room for improvement

I have the 60l version. It looks fantastic and performs really well but it has som quirks that make it harder to love.

Where it shines:
- Excellent craftsmanship. Still looks new after a year of moderate use
- Carries weight really well
- Avocado pocket! I wish I had one on each side. And that I could afford two avocados
- Comfortable hip belt and shoulder straps
- Super secure mesh pocket
- Useful and thought through lashing/compression system
- Good sized and secure side pockets
- Bottom pocket surprisingly useful. I thought it was a gimmicky at first but now I can’t stop using it
- Hip belt pockets are a useful size and their full volume is available to you since they’re not stitched to the hip belt pockets
- Push button closure of the roll top is a very good solution.

What could be even better:
- While the hip belt pockets are not sown to the belt, the shoulder pockets are not. I can’t figure out a use for them. I want to use them for water bottles but the pocket will them conform to the bottle’s shape which means the shoulder straps will too. My shoulders not bottle shaped. Discomfort arises
- The V part of the Y-strap on top is too short. If I fill the main compartment and then want to lash an item on top, the V part doesn’t reach around that item, making it prone to slipping off.
- The four points of adjustment on the hip belt have really thin straps. If you’re wearing bulky clothing that obstructs your view of them and/or wear gloves: may the odds be ever in your favor
- The front snap buckle of the hip belt is super small and really like to cut into my belly if I’m not wearing bulky clothing
- I have yet to close the chest strap snap buckle on the first try. Also, since it has a very long strap with a piece of complicated plastic at the end, it gets snagged on pockets, zippers or other features of my shirt or jacket when I try to take the pack off.
- The shoulder strap adjustment buckles sit below the padded part of the shoulder strap so that there is no padding behind them. In some situations they chafe against my chest.
- I have been surprised at how much moisture makes it into the pack when it rains. I may be spoiled by HMG packs but even moderate amounts of rain has resulted in small amounts of water inside the main compartment.

B
Birgit
The best backpack I've ever had!

Over the last few years, I have repeatedly tried out hiking backpacks, which I then sold again after multi-day hiking tours. Then I had one made by Atom Packs and I love this backpack. I was on the road with it for 7 days and the weight is carried really well on the hips and the backpack fits perfectly. I'm relatively small and slim, so I talked a lot about straps and back panels beforehand, and now the backpack fits perfectly. Thank you!

D
Domino-GA
After 500 trail miles

This review is based on 500 miles of trail use with full pack loads of 22-28 pounds. The pack: 65 litre Prospector with bullet front pocket and one sewn shoulder pocket and bottom pocket. Included top Y strap and webbing side compression straps.

Why I chose this pack: I was looking for a minimalist design with a frame. I wanted a roll top closure and bottom pocket. If I were to design a pack, the Prospector is 99% of what I would build. Choosing my own color scheme was a bonus.

First impressions: The workmanship is impressive. All seams are double stitched and neat. I did have concerns with the 15 mm and 20 mm webbing being too narrow but after use it has proven to be completely adequate. The foam padding seemed skimpy, but after use it has proven to be very comfortable.

The review: I have an 18-inch torso and the medium fit perfectly. I have a 33-inch waste and the medium hipbelt is a good fit (and I believe the large would have fit well also – so if you are between sizes, size up). I am really impressed with how well the frame supports the weight and does an excellent job of driving the weight down to my hips. I have zero shoulder fatigue. I have not tried to adjust the metal frame stay (if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it). I would not hesitate to carry pack loads of 35 pounds. Even with limited range of motion in one shoulder, I am still able to reach a water bottle in the side pockets (and restow it) without taking off my pack. I intended to use the shoulder pocket to carry a water bottle, but the bottle set high on the shoulder and was a distraction. Instead, the shoulder pocket is a great size for a cell phone, Garmin, sunglasses or gloves, etc…. The pack material, including the bottom pocket, has not shown any wear.

I would rate this pack as a buy. It is pricey, but compared to other high-end ultra-lite packs, it is comparable in price and quality. I believe you will get more trail miles from this pack than the competitors.

F
Flora
My rucksack’s first outing - a 700km walk through the Italian Alps

I’m so very happy with my pack. I enjoyed the whole ordering process and visiting Atom Packs in Braithwaite to check on sizing before ordering. Miriam and the team were so helpful and it was great to see where my pack would be born. Loved all the customisation options, even if that did mean it took me several months to choose. I initially thought I’d choose a 40 or 50L Prospector but during my visit I was advised to go for a 60L, just for future proofing. I’m really glad I did as the 60L adds hardly any girth to the pack but it’s great to know that I can fit in camping stuff if I need to.
My first trip with the pack has been a 7 week hike from the Italian coastline in Liguria, heading north through the Italian Alps, mainly on the GTA but in the last week on the Via Francigena to the Swiss border at the Grand St Bernardo pass. (Altogether a brilliant walk btw; I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who enjoys quiet trails and doesn’t mind a lot of ascent and descent).
Anyway, the pack has been superb. Really comfortable, took the load of my shoulders as it’s meant to. Comfy hip belt. (I’m 5 foot 6 and I had a size M pack and waist belt). I really liked the stretchy back panel and pockets and am happy with my choices of the Dyneema stretch side pockets as I like the sleeker look. The side pockets are still big enough for plenty of stuff like my flask, and things felt nice and secure on scramblier paths. The pack stayed amazingly clean and nice looking. I bought cuben fibre packing cells from Tredlight Gear and these helped me stay really organised during the trip. The cells were just the right size for the pack and stacked neatly on top of each other - it made it really easy to find stuff inside the pack, and to unpack each evening. Plenty of people have said it before me, but the bottom pocket underneath the pack is genius. All backpacks should have this (although I kind of don’t want them to as it’s another feature that makes Atom Packs unique). I used my bottom pocket for my waterproof trousers and sometimes for rubbish.
Thank you Atom Packs for an absolutely superb sack, the first one that I have ever found truly comfortable. I love my colours too; as someone else said, seeing my pack and the bright blue and orange makes me smile. It’ll last me the rest of my life.

H
Helen Gant
Very happy with my rucksack

Absolutely love my Prospector rucksack, it's had its first proper adventure in Norway in the Lofoten Islands in savage enough conditions to roll us over in the tent in pouring rain and all my stuff stayed dry! And survived me falling and rolling over rocks that knocked me unconscious briefly, rucksack doesn't have a mark on it. My partner carried it the next day, slipped and fell on his back and did no harm whatsoever to his back, thanks rucksack, and still the bag looks like new! And it's beautifully cheerful colours and superbly versatile, for example when you've had enough of camping in the savage conditions and want to just carry it as a day pack. It's very pretty and makes me smile, I shall endeavour to take it for gentler adventures in future!