Yes, you are reading correctly, you have new 2018 Atmos AG and Aura AG packs on the market now. They are already available on Amazon, with almost the same prices.
♦ I do not see any substantial changes in the functionality of the packs, the obvious small difference is on the front pocket as you can see below where I show the new Atmos AG 65 on the left and the previous Atmos AG 65 on the right. Only the Osprey’s logo is omitted in the new version, and you have this inverted U-shape image printed in the new version:
♦ The colors are different:
- In the new version, you have Abyss Gray, Rigby Red, and Unity Blue.
- In the previous version, the colors are Absinthe Green, Cinnabar Red, and Graphite Grey.
♦ Regarding the price, I do not see any substantial difference. For example, for the Atmos 65 AG the prices are around $260 – 270 for both versions, dependent on the seller.
♦ It appears that there are some minimal differences in the weight. As usual, Osprey doesn’t provide such details so we have to rely on various sources. From what I have found, here are some numbers:
Osprey Atmos 65 AG 2018
- Small: 4 lb 7 oz.
- Medium: 4 lb 9 oz.
- Large: 4 lb 10 oz.
Osprey Atmos 65 AG 2017
- Small: 4 lb 6 oz.
- Medium 4 lb 9 oz.
- Large: 4 lb 15 oz.
Similar small differences are in the Atmos AG 50:
Osprey Atmos 50 AG 2018
- Small: 4 lb 2 oz.
- Medium: 4 lb 3 oz.
- Large: 4 lb 5 oz.
Osprey Atmos 50 AG 2017
- Small: 4 lb 2 oz.
- Medium 4 lb 5 oz.
- Large: 4 lb 8 oz.
Here are the small differences in the Osprey Aura AG
Osprey Aura 65 AG 2018
- Small: 4 lb 4 oz.
- Medium: 4 lb 5 oz.
- Large: 4 lb 7 oz.
Osprey Aura 65 AG 2017
- Small: 4 lb 3 oz.
- Medium 4 lb 6 oz.
- Large: 4 lb 9 oz.
♦ There may be a rain cover (thanks to Janice who pointed this out in the comment below), I wonder if it will available globally or only for some regions. But see the comment by Gary, it is far from clear if the cover is there or not.
♦ They have also added bottom compression straps in the 50 liters packs now. Those were missing in the previous 50 liters version. Big thanks to Dan who noticed it and commented on it below in the comment section. This appears to be the most important change in the smaller packs in the series.
Here is a video by Osprey, too short I am afraid, but still have a look:
All in all, it seems that the differences are minimal, so no need to buy the new model just because it is from 2018. Stay tuned, if I find out something more you will find it here. You might want to compare this with the Aether AG packs, see my comparison table here.
I have compared the Atmos AG 50 and Deuter Futura Vario 50 + 10, see here how they stand side by side; it turns out that the Deuter’s pack has some advantage. Curious to know what you think.
Thank you for reading, let me know what you think, any experience with any of these models? There is a comment box below.
Hi, I had the Atmos 50 in the old version. It was perfect, except for one thing: after a while the frame started making very loud cracking noises. More people had this problem and it was unsolvable, even by Osprey. I returned the backpack and got my money back. So I hope they improved this in the new version, so I can buy one again. Would love to hear experiences!
(P.s.: My old version díd have two zippers in the top part!, with one compartment holding the total rain cover)
Hi Michael. Thank you for sharing your experience. Yes the issue of the noise has been reported by some other people as well. I have tried it recently and did not hear anything, though it was only partly loaded. This about the rain cover, it is available in the new version on the EU market, have checked it a few days ago, but most likely not in the US.
I got a 2018 Atmos 65 and Aura 50 delivered today from Snowleader in France. Both have full rain covers supplied.
Thank you Cams, this will be useful for the readers. Meanwhile, I also had a chance to put my hand on it and yes it has the rain cover for customers in the EU. It appears this is not so in the US.
I tried on the Aura 50 AG (2018) at Rei and FINALLY found a good fitting pack. I was an XS. Ordered last seasons Aura 50 AG from the outlet sale in an XS and the hip belt comes nowhere near as far front as it should, as the newer Aura did. I understand that the hipbelt itself is adjustable and that’s not quite what I’m referring to, it’s more about the thickest most padded portion of the hip belt, where you find the zippered pockets, stops about midway across my iliac crest, nut quite hugging my hip but creating a lot of discomfort in that middle pointiest part. What gives?! Are the measurements slightly different between older and newer models? Hope this makes sense!!
Hi Lacey, yes it makes sense, I know that the hip belt is a bit streamlined but the overall dimensions should be the same. The mesh part is not supposed to go all the way around your hips, so break the Velcro connection and move the fins forward so that you have a proper hugging around your hips. If this is not good enough, see if you can replace this pack with a bigger one. Perhaps it is not your size.
I noticed other few changes from those photos:
1- reinforced side pockets
2- smaller strap’s strap (very minor tweak, see the side view)
3- the main pocket on the top lid now have 2 zipper instead of 1
Also zappos claim those weight for the new atmos ag:
SM: 3 lbs 1 oz/1.39 kg.; MD: 3 lbs 2 oz/1.42 kg.; LG: 3 lbs 4 oz/1.48 kg
Too good to be true. Is zappos wrong?
also:
4- ice tool loops now have chest to place them
This is a nice feature, thank you.
Many thanks Gregorio, your addition is appreciated. I was just yesterday checking in my local store and it did not arrive yet. Earlier they said it would come in March.
So I asked about the rain fly on amazon and this is the response I got.
It’s the newest version and has a built in gear cover, but not a full rain fly for the whole pack. By gear cover I mean that the very top portion of the bag, with a few zippered pockets that covers the main compartment, is removable to save weight and underneath there is another flap that takes its place that has no pockets.
Thank you Gary, so no rain cover after all, they made a mess again. This flap cover is available in several of Osprey packs, including the new modified version of Exos and the corresponding Eja. I just checked again at Osprey Europe and the picture with the rain cover is still there. Something is wrong with the company.
Some of the previous version of the Atmos 50 do not have sleeping pad straps. I’m not sure if those were the 2017 versions or earlier, but they are the ones currently on clearance at REI Garage. It appears to be only on the 50 liter size.
This is by far the biggest difference in my opinion, as these straps are very useful. Also the newer design of the mesh stuff pocket in front, as mentioned, is more durable because of the larger reinforced section covering the bottom and front of this pocket.
Hi Dan, thank you. Yes you are right, the bottom compressions straps were missing as I pointed out earlier in my review. They were available in the bigger pack Atmos 65 AG.
But they have included it in both sizes now. Much appreciated, going to add this in the text above.
Hi folks, a clue of question regarding the 2017 and 2018 Aura AG.
When you mention a ‘rain cover,’ is this a full rain cover, or just a flap that covers the opening in the top of the pack when the lid is removed?
The zipper pulls mentioned on the top lid are just that, and not additional pockets or access points, yes?
From what was written and comments, there doesn’t seem to be much difference between the two versions; same suspension, same pack bag. Last year’s Aura seems to be selling for almost 30% less than the new model. If you can stand last year’s colors, that seems like the way to go.
Thanks for the info!
Hi JoeRuge, great to hear from you. This is about real rain cover. The flap you mention is there as well. As for the zipper pull, correct as you say, just pulls. You are right, I do not see any difference in packs’ functionality.
There are now two zipper pullers for the larger pocket on the top lid. Also I could see a rain cover pocket for the 2018 version.
Hi Janice, you are right about the zipper. The same probably holds for the rain cover, assuming that they add it to every pack (though this is not a separate pocket, just the cover in the top pocket). As you probably know, this was not the case in the Aether AG, the US version was different from the rest of the world. In any case, the previous was without the rain fly, so thank you, much appreciated.
I found your site with one of the few comparisons. If the 2017 version doesn’t have a mesh pocket in/under the top lid that is the only practical difference I think.
Thank you cryptic, the 2017 version was without the mesh pocket under the lid, this is sure. Much appreciated. There may be yet another; the rain cover mentioned by Janice in her comment. I wonder if they will have it in every country. With Aether AG this was a mess.