Atom Packs custom 60L Mo - initial impressions & possible future feedback

[The Clueless Backpacker]

Having been through the process of a factory visit, fit & trial load up I got my 60L custom Mo today & have again loaded it up with a shoulder season load & it has plenty of room left for a weeks worth of food & extra kit.

I thought I'd touch on some points made in @cathyjc's post here about the extra short back length https://www.trek-lite.com/index.php...th-backpack-problem-solved.12611/#post-270235

Shoulder straps.
Fit and shape was fine. BUT they haven't adjusted where they put the chest strap and pockets to suit a smaller body shape.
The pockets are too high up - open well above my shoulders making access difficult. And the chest strap was across my neck initially - I moved it down but its still a bit too high and not optimum for a short female body.

Not too bad on the medium. I only got the fixed pocket on the right. It is quite high especially if used with a 600ml smart water type bottle. I'll probably use it for something else like glasses. I got the bigger removable pocket on the left which can be lowered a bit. I can fit my big phone in it (big due to the Otterbox case) - the fixed pocket is too small. The 600ml bottle is an easier & slightly lower fit in it too if I put the phone in a hip belt pocket instead.

Waist belt attachment.
The velcro is stitched in a poor position. The internal frame has a ridge where the metal stay is - in the middle. You can feel this thru' the belt and lumber pad - but not too bad on it's own. However, the velco holding the belt in place, inside the lumbar pad, is also stitched 'in the middle' making a distinct and uncomfortable lump in the middle of the back. This was very obvious when I first got the pack. I put a couple of pieces of foam inside the lumbar pad to even it out. The real solution is to stitch the velco at the sides of the lumbar pad, not the middle.
Why Atom packs haven't worked this out is a mystery ...

I never felt this on my fitting & was concerned I'd overlooked it. Trying it again tonight I can't feel it at all. Unlike Cathy I've not tried it on the hill yet so I'll be mindful of it when I do take it out.

Top pole/ice axe elastic.
Finished with a toggle - which makes no sense to me. If you've attached the items at the lower loop then then fitting the top elastic is APITA. A hook (as Golite do) works much better. One of these - https://www.extremtextil.de/en/clip-hook-for-3mm-cord.html I'm going to fit these.

Had me a little concerned as I completely overlooked this on my visit. I was ready to transfer the ice axe toggle from an old day pack if needed. For a 60cm ice axe the fitted elastic loop stretches enough to pull easily over the spike. This is likely easier to do with gloves on than some toggle fixings. A clip hook may be a worthwhile upgrade for a longer axe.
Caveat - this is on a medium pack. The distance between bottom & top loop is 35cm. That may be shorter on the XS - but so may the users axe?

Side pockets.
Oh dear !! Mine wore holes in the fabric at the back rubbing against the shoulder strap attachment on the TGO. I had my doubts about these when I bought them.
In Atom Packs defence they have refunded me (no quibbles) and will be sending me a pair of new 'different' ones for free. Excellent customer service.
All my Golite packs, both built in and add on, waist belt pockets are curved in shape. I think this a much better idea. They don't 'catch/rub on anything - including my arms when walking. And they take less sewing as there are fewer seams. Why the makers of these pockets make them a square/rectangular shape ..... I just don't know - it's actually more difficult and time consuming !!

I'm guessing this is hip belt pockets? I've no problem with the shape - I'm used to similar but heavier pockets from Aiguille I used on my old Lowe pack. I know they have changed the pockets to a top zip. I don't know if they have changed the mounting position but on a medium pack with a XXL hipbelt the shoulder strap attachments are a good distance away from the pocket. I guess this may be an issue to watch out for with a smaller hipbelt if the mounting points are further back? I can open & close these pockets easily unlike the ones on my Exos which were a bugger to close.



It sits on my back well & drops back nicely to leave an air gap by slackening the top tensioners ('load lifters'). Love the material & clean lines. I'm hopeful it is a keeper & looking forward to getting out with it. Pity my next trips on the bike!

 

[cathyjc]

I don't know if they have changed the mounting position but on a medium pack with a XXL hipbelt the shoulder strap attachments are a good distance away from the pocket. I guess this may be an issue to watch out for with a smaller hipbelt if the mounting points are further back?

My hip belt is a medium and the pocket fixings are right at the rear of the belt next to the shoulder straps. Your guess ^^^ seems to be on the mark. I can only surmise what a small hipbelt would be like .....?? The replacement pockets they sent me are the dyneema cross grid - just like yours and I think they will probably wear better. I prefer their 'look' too - I don't remember them being an option when I bought.

Caveat - this is on a medium pack. The distance between bottom & top loop is 35cm. That may be shorter on the XS - but so may the users axe?

I haven't tried with my ice axe (same as yours 50cm IIRC).
I did try fitting my walking pole there - by the time I'd fixed the handle securely in the bottom loop there was no way the elastic loop at the top fixing would go over the other end of the pole. (or vica versa). Hence why I'd swap to a hook on that elastic so I can wrap and hook as needed.
My Cnoc poles are 71cm folded - I need these for the extra length for the Howff 2.

It sits on my back well & drops back nicely to leave an air gap by slackening the top tensioners ('load lifters')

I agree.

 

[The Clueless Backpacker]

I did try fitting my walking pole there

Aye, that would be an issue. My plan is to carry them on the side with the handles in the side pocket. If the elastic isn't secure enough to hold them firm in transit* I'll clip the roll top just using its top buckles & Y strap & use the bottom strapped buckles as a compression strap across the sides & front of the pack to secure the poles. That multi purpose option was what swung me to the elastic side compression instead of straps.

*I think elastic is strong enough in most cases but if there was a chance of someone hauling my pack by grabbing the poles on a train or bus luggage hold I think the roll top straps deployed as a compression strap would be more secure.

 

[Baldy]

Not atompacks but i've just put a little bungee loop and cordlock to stop any movement.

 

[Gobila]

I can't tell if I'm understanding correctly from what you've written so apologies if I've misunderstood but, when carrying an ice axe, you don't have to pull the top loop over the end of the axe. Instead wrap the loop doubled up around the shaft of the axe and then pop the loop over the cord lock.

 

[Robert P]

This is Pacer Poles (awkward handles to pack) on a Mo 60. I use the roll top side attachments to help hold the poles in place. I can also use the bungee on the handles to help (it is easy to attach a mini carabiner to one of the side tape loops).

 

[The Clueless Backpacker]

Not atompacks but i've just put a little bungee loop and cordlock to stop any movement.

Thanks.

Instead wrap the loop doubled up around the shaft of the axe and then pop the loop over the cord lock.

'Blindingly' simple!

I use the roll top side attachments to help hold the piles in place

Will give it a go!

 

[The Clueless Backpacker]

@Robert P That works well.

 

[Seòrsa]

This is Pacer Poles (awkward handles to pack) on a Mo 60. I use the roll top side attachments to help hold the poles in place.

Thats exactly what I also do on my Mo, use the strap from the roll down to cross over the poles and hold them in place, works a treat.

 

[The Clueless Backpacker]

The large, removable harness pocket works well with the Befree. It sometimes ferrets it's way out of my OMMigamy bottle holder but this holds it nice & secure full & less full.

 

[harok11a]

My most hated thing with my Mo is the clasp on the sternum strap. That thing is horrible to align and connect and I'm sure I'll break it soon. I'd also like the handle to be longer as I like to use it when removing a heavy pack and it can be hard to grab.

 

[The Clueless Backpacker]

@harok11a I don't find marrying up the 2 parts of the buckle as easy as a regular sternum strap as one side is more or less fixed & not so easy to do 2 handed with the harness pocket full. I may flip it the other way so I fasten it right to left as I'm right handed & that may be easier. But early days yet & if I don't get used to it it's easy to replace as it's removable. Aye the haul strap is smaller than some I've had & I have big hands. It's just a 3 finger grab rather than 4 for me. Manageable.

 

[cathyjc]

Chest strap. Agree.
I moved mine down and switch over to other side.
Still just doesn't line up and click into place as well as others I've had.
Probably the most annoying feature. Maybe I should swap it out ?

 

[Robert P]

Looks like they might have changed the sternum strap. Mine (2019 Atom+ and 2020 Mo) have the elastic bit one side and the adjustment the other side, so the buckle is fairly central and has worked as well as any other.

The only minor irritation with my Mo is that the shoulder straps would slip in the adjusters and regularly needed re-tightening. In the end I justn threaded the adjuster in a way that holds secure but would need some unravelling to adjust. I suspect it was just a batch of webbing, as my 2019 Atom+ is fine.

 

[MattK]

Looks like they might have changed the sternum strap. Mine (2019 Atom+ and 2020 Mo) have the elastic bit one side and the adjustment the other side, so the buckle is fairly central and has worked as well as any other.

The only minor irritation with my Mo is that the shoulder straps would slip in the adjusters and regularly needed re-tightening. In the end I justn threaded the adjuster in a way that holds secure but would need some unravelling to adjust. I suspect it was just a batch of webbing, as my 2019 Atom+ is fine.

I have the exact same issue with slipping on the shoulder straps. That's the only issue I have though

 

[harok11a]

Yeah my older Atom+ has a vastly better sternum strap that is much easier to use. I don't know why they changed it as it's clearly worse now.

 

[WilliamC]

Maybe I should swap it out ?

I found a similar problem with the Granite Gear Crown2. I swapped it out for a Fjallraven strap, which works much better.

 

[harok11a]

I found a similar problem with the Granite Gear Crown2. I swapped it out for a Fjallraven strap, which works much better.

Do you know which strap from Fjallraven you used?

 

[WilliamC]

Do you know which strap from Fjallraven you used?

This one.

 

[Andrew Cooke]

I can't tell if I'm understanding correctly from what you've written so apologies if I've misunderstood but, when carrying an ice axe, you don't have to pull the top loop over the end of the axe. Instead wrap the loop doubled up around the shaft of the axe and then pop the loop over the cord lock.

View attachment 56042

probably just me, but when I attached my axe like that it kept pinging undone and swinging down. I still need to swap out to a longer elastic so I can hook over the handle.

 

[Andrew Cooke]

Yeah my older Atom+ has a vastly better sternum strap that is much easier to use. I don't know why they changed it as it's clearly worse now.

My older 'non-whistle' straps certainly feel easier to use than the whistle one. I've not had an actual problem with the whistle strap, but have been extra deliberate with it.

 

[Seòrsa]

The large, removable harness pocket works well with the Befree. It sometimes ferrets it's way out of my OMMigamy bottle holder but this holds it nice & secure full & less full.

When I got my pack it didn't come with fixed pockets which Im thankful of but after seeing your post I had a look at the removable one & decided to buy one, it arrived yesterday from Atom & fair to say it can hold a fair amount, am glad I bought it after seeing your post

 

[The Cumbrian]

I specified different axe / pole attachment points on my pack, but it'll be easy to change yours for the better.
Transfer the upper elastic to one of the front pocket loops and tie it in so that it has to hook through itself. Hopefully the pics will make it appear more straightforward than I've described it.

 

[The Clueless Backpacker]

Cheers. I can use the cordlock in that configuration now & it works but not something I'd have 100% confidence in. I have a plan though.

 

[The Cumbrian]

Cheers. I can use the cordlock in that configuration now & it works but not something I'd have 100% confidence in. I have a plan though.

I've been hanging ice axes and trekking poles off my packs like that for about 30 years and haven't had a mishap.