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!

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.

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.

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!

I am very happy about my custom Prospector purchased in Mars this year and have hiked with the pack 800 km, mainly on the SWCP. My base weight is about 6.7 kilo and with food and water around 10 kilos. The pack fits to my back snuggly so I don‘t feel the pack any longer when hiking for weeks.