Atom Packs Atom Backpack Review

The Atom Packs Atom is the namesake of UK-based Atom Packs and is the company’s lightest backpack. It rounds out a trio with the Pulse and the Prospector (yes, I know there’s also the Notch and the Nanu, but I feel the aforementioned three are the core backpacking packs).

Atom Packs backpacks are typically offered in a couple of stock sizes with standard features, but the company also allows you to customize your pack with an impressive number of options. The Atom is no exception, and you’re free to choose your color preferences, pocket preferences, strap preferences, and more (it’s impressive how much autonomy you have).

The lightest of the Atom Packs, the frameless and hipbeltless (more on this below) ultralight thru-hiking fabric sack of wonder is designed to carry no more than 9 kg / 20 lb, but it’s still robust enough to get you from one side of a country to another (or through a dark forest or over a mountain or through the desert or whatever your flavor of ultralight travel may be).

Here’s everything you need to know about the Atom Packs Atom.

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Pros and Cons

The Specs

The Atom Packs Atom is available in tons of configurations, and the specs of each pack vary depending on customizations. These specs reflect a 210D Robic Extreema Atom in a medium—a good baseline for determining where the pack lands in the field.

• Weight: 18 oz / 453 g
• Load capacity: 20 lb / 9 kg
• Height fully unrolled: 30.5 in / 77.5 cm
• Circumference at base: 31 in / 79 cm
• Circumference at top: 34 in / 88 cm
• Main body volume: 35 L
• Side pockets volume: 2 x 2.5 L
• Body and base: 210D Robic Extreema
• Side pockets, shoulder straps, and hipbelt: 210D Robic Extreema
• Front pocket and bottom pocket: Dyneema Mesh
• Frameless: Yes
• Load lifters: No
• Ice axe loop: Yes
• Hipbelt: Optional removable webbing hipbelt
• Sternum strap: Elasticated and height-adjustable
• Bottom pocket: Yes
• Torso sizes: S, M, L, XL
• MSRP: $183 US

Testing Conditions

I used the Atom Packs Atom for my fall thru-hike of the Haute Route Pyrénéenne (HRP), a 500 mi / 800 km route across the Pyrenees, the mountain range spanning the France-Spain border. Conditions included plenty of scrambling, heavy food and water carries (far heavier than recommended by Atom Packs), sun, rain, snow, and lots of livestock encounters (not relevant to the pack’s performance, but I like to think the cows, sheep, and horses admired my color choices).

Notes on the Atom

Consider the following when considering the Atom Packs Atom and my impressions of it. My pack has the following configuration:

• Capacity: 40L
• Torso Size: Medium
• Left Side Pocket: Dyneema Stretch (recommended)
• Right Side Pocket: Dyneema Stretch (recommended)
• Front Pocket: Dyneema Stretch (recommended)
• Fixed Shoulder Pocket: Left only (because I carry my camera with the Capture on the right side)
• Bottom Pocket: Yes (recommended)
• Top Strap: Y Strap (recommended for carrying bulkier items on top)
• G Hook: G Hook (recommended)
• Daisy Chains: Extended Daisy Chains

If you’ve read my Atom Packs Prospector or Atom Packs Pulse reviews, the following will sound familiar (the packs are stellar for many of the same reasons).

Photo Gallery

All the following photos were taken after my thru-hike of the 500-mi / 800-km Haute Route Pyrénéenne (HRP).

The Good

The Customization

Atom Packs excels in (and is increasingly alone in) providing highly customizable backpacks. Their approach allows customers to modify almost every element of their pack, including the Atom. Customization extends from selecting torso and hipbelt dimensions to choosing colors for nearly all panels and materials for pockets. You can also specify features such as shoulder strap and bottom pockets, top strap configuration, front elastic, side compression straps, and even the colors of the tabs that hold the front elastic. The extensive choices available make designing a pack from Atom Packs nearly as enjoyable as using it.

The Shoulder Strap Pockets

The Atom Packs Atom’s optional shoulder strap pockets are awesome for easy access to essentials. I wouldn’t own the pack without them (or at least, I’d be a little sad without them). Located within easy reach, they’re perfect things like phones, snacks, a water bottle, or bear spray (which should always be readily accessible). I typically carry a 700ml water bottle (or smaller) with a sport cap in one as my “working” water. The stretchy material is snug; I’m never worried about anything falling out of these pockets. Photographers should know that a larger camera mounted on a Peak Design Capture might obstruct access to a shoulder strap pocket unless positioned very high or low.

The Details

You can tell that the Atom backpack is made by a company that knows backpackers and pays attention to the details. Atom Packs has thought of things you may not even think of, like having a folded-back edge at the top of the stretch pocket to snug down/secure gear. Or having a small corner of the bottom pocket open so that you can stuff your trash into it. Or having a snap closure at the top instead of a loud and annoying Velcro strip. A frameless pack with one large internal pocket may not seem like a canvas ripe for feature-rich innovation, but wherever the Atom has an inch of opportunity to shine, it does.

The Price

The Atom is a competitively priced pack at under $200 (make sure you’re viewing the pack in your local currency on the side) for a stock version of the pack. If you choose to customize (which, how could you not?), your pack will start at around $200, but you’ll get exactly what you want and in the colors you want. All this to say, it’s an incredibly competitively priced backpack from a small company that manufactures all their packs locally in the UK.

The Company

I first met Atom Packs founder Tom Gale on the Continental Divide Trail in 2017 (at the Toaster House), and he’s made impressive strides since then (get it?). As a thru-hiker, Tom understands the needs of serious backpackers, and he founded Atom Packs to address a gap in the market (if you’ve ever met him in person, you can probably guess what that gap was). Based in the UK’s Lake District, the Atom Packs team is passionate about what they put into the world. Their story is worth exploring if you need reading material while you customize your new pack.

The Okay

The Hipbelt

You have two options for hipbelts with the Atom, a webbing hipbelt, and a padded hipbelt. That said, if you’re thinking you’re going to want to use a hipbelt with your Atom (and it’s not simply to keep the pack from falling away from your body should you find yourself inverted or tumbling down a hill), then you should probably consider a Pulse (or a Porstector) instead. The Atom has two small attachment points for the hipbelt; should you use one (again, you probably shouldn’t), know the belt is not integrated into the pack the same way it is in the larger packs. If you plan to run with your Atom on and want to use the webbing hipbelt to keep it from bouncing, that’s perfectly acceptable. But if you’re looking for support, remember that the Atom is meant to be a frameless, hipbeltless, ultralight pack for minimal loads.

The Back Panel

The Atom is a frameless pack, meaning nothing but a piece of fabric separates you from your gear. If you’ve never used a frameless pack before, it would behoove you to pay close attention to how you pack your backpack. If you have something hard or bulging packed at the back of your pack (the part that touches your back), there’s a good chance it will stick into your back and make you uncomfortable. This is not necessarily a bug in the performance of the Atom but rather a feature of frameless packs in general. Know that if you use an Atom, you’ll need to be aware of this when packing it (I pack the back with soft/malleable things and then squish it all down flat after the pack is closed – if that makes sense).

The Bottom Pocket

The Atom Packs Atom features a bottom pocket, which is ideal for quick-access items (I never want another pack without a bottom pocket). I highly recommend adding it if you’re customizing an Atom (it’s already included in stock packs). It’s great for smaller, frequently used gear like beanies, buffs, gloves, or even jackets. That said, larger jackets can be a bit of a squeeze (though they stay secure once inside). Overall, the convenience and organization are worth it. Being able to grab something without removing the pack is fantastic. There’s even a tiny opening in the back left corner – perfect for stashing trail trash (just remember to empty it later!)

The Waterproofness

The Atom is water-resistant, not waterproof. A pack liner (or cover, though I typically prefer a liner for effectiveness, weight, and bulk) is essential in wet conditions (or just all the time, to be honest). Even with supposedly waterproof packs (unless it’s a legitimate dry bag), I use a liner. Is this a deal-breaker? No. Would complete waterproofing be ideal? Certainly.

The Bad

The Avocado Pocket

The Avocado Pocket isn’t my favorite feature of my Pulse (yes, I’m referring to another backpack here, not the Atom covered in this review), but I like that it was at least an option to add. Despite all the customization available when designing your pack (if customization is your chosen route), an avocado pocket is not a customization option on the Atom. Do I love the avocado pocket? Not nearly as much as I want to love it. Do I love it when I get a choice? I do. Does it make sense? Not a ton, but as they say on the HRP, c’est la vie. WHY, ATOM PACKS?! WHY NO AVOCADO POCKET LOVE FOR THE ATOM LOVERS?!

The Lead Times

The most significant drawback to the Atom Packs Atom (and their other packs) is the wait time. Lead times can be substantial, whether for custom or pre-made packs, often stretching months. This poses a problem for those needing a pack quickly, such as someone planning a last-minute thru-hike (oftentimes the best kind of thru-hike). While the quality and customization justify the wait for many, it’s a crucial factor to consider. Pro tip: order in advance; your future self will thank you.

The Previewing

A challenge with the Atom is the inability to try it on before purchasing. As an online-based business (with limited local stock outside the UK’s Lake District), it isn’t easy to assess fit and feel beforehand. This is compounded by non-returnable custom orders, leaving you committed even if the fit isn’t perfect or the pack isn’t quite what you expected. Even if you get a pre-fabricated pack, you’re responsible for all shipping costs (to and from the UK). If sizing is a concern, contact Atom Packs for guidance, and I’m sure they’ll be happy to help you (and if they’re not, then you probably shouldn’t buy a pack from them).

Alternatives

Who It’s For

Beginner Backpackers

If you’re new to backpacking and unsure if it will become your life, investing in a high-end pack like the Atom Packs Atom – with its potentially long lead time – might not be the most practical. Its specialized design and lightweight materials, while excellent for experienced hikers, may not be ideal for beginners still experimenting with their gear and hiking style. That said, the compact, lightweight Atom could still make it a good option as a day pack, even for beginners (especially if you want something custom).

Weekend Warriors

The Atom presents a tempting option for weekend warriors venturing into ultralight backpacking. Its lightweight design and focus on minimalism will force you to consider what you bring with you into the backcountry carefully. If you’re a minimalist who prioritizes only the essentials, the Atom could be right. It’s not necessarily as specialized as some packs and may lack some of the more fancy “features” that some weekend warriors may consider essential (e.g., back ventilation). Still, the Atom can be (and is) a good option for the ultralight curious among us. That said, the Pulse may be the better option.

Thru-Hikers

For the ultralight thru-hiker, the Atom Packs Atom is a gift from the gram-counting gods. With no frame, no hipbelt (again, you don’t want to use this pack if you need a hipbelt), and no extraneous doodads, the Atom is an excellent pick for thru-hikers with weight-savings in mind. If you choose the Atom, you’ll want to be careful with your food and water carries (in addition to your base weight) as the pack is not intended to carry a ton of weight. That said, it can; I often carried far above the recommended load on my HRP thru-hike.

Wrap Up

The Atom Packs Atom is arguably the best frameless pack on the market – and at a price point considerably lower than its competitors.

If traveling fast and light is your priority while still being able to carry enough gear for a multi-day trip outdoors, spending some time with the Atom Packs Atom customization tool may well be an excellent investment of your time (and money). However, it’s important to remember the Atom is designed with ultralight travel in mind; if you’re going to carry heavier loads (remember to consider how much food and water you’ll have), consider the Atom Packs Pulse or Prospector instead.

Questions, comments, or personal experience with the Atom? Leave a comment below, or get in touch and let me know! Check out the Atom Packs Atom here.

Rating + Recommendation