Atom Packs: The Pulse EP50 Ultralight Backpack Evaluation

Backside Line

We completely examined The Pulse EP50 throughout 500 miles of Rocky Mountain terrain on the Colorado Path. Day after day, we dragged this factor by means of harsh storms and gale-force winds, and its efficiency by no means faltered.

The Pulse EP50 (additionally out there in a 40L model) hits that candy spot in quantity for three-season mountain climbing. It’s gentle sufficient for the dialed-in ultralight backpacker, however sufficiently big for just a few additional luxurious gadgets or an enormous resupply. The EcoPack EPX200 materials is light-weight and waterproof, however the seams are usually not taped, so the pack isn’t 100% waterproof.

One among our favourite design options of this pack is the quantity and placement of exterior pockets. The simply reachable pockets scale back the necessity to unshoulder your pack and assist you to get in additional miles. The high-quality building and quite a few options pack a number of bang in your buck.

The pack does embrace a light-weight body, however it doesn’t enhance the load capability as a lot as different frames, and the hip belt is minimally supportive, which could possibly be a draw back for some of us. Take a look at our full information to ultralight packs for extra choices to finest fit your backpacking model.

consolation

Though the Pulse EP50 is a framed pack, it’s most snug when saved below its most load capability. Atom Packs recommends carrying not more than 30 kilos with the EP50, however we seen it will get somewhat uncomfortable round 25 kilos. 

The minimalist carbon hoop body and semi-narrow hip belt gained’t switch weight to the hips in addition to another packs, so you’ll really feel the burden in your shoulders. The pack additionally lacks load lifters that would shift the burden nearer to the physique. Nevertheless, we benefit from the extra ergonomic hip belt adjustment, pulling inward as a substitute of outward.

That being stated, the Pulse EP50 performs fantastically within the candy spot of 25 kilos and below. We by no means skilled any disagreeable rub from the shoulder straps or the hip belt. The again panel doesn’t present a lot airflow however is tremendous sturdy and dries shortly.

The sternum strap is partially elastic, permitting the shoulder straps to flex and transfer with you as you bounce down the path. In additional technical terrain, the straps do a wonderful job of retaining the pack in place and tight in opposition to your again to not throw off your steadiness.

Whereas consolation with heavy hundreds may not be this pack’s primary profit, it nonetheless retains up with the most effective and is enough for many thru-hikers.

Performance

The Atom Packs Pulse EP50 is thoughtfully designed with comfort in thoughts. The pack consists of 1 45-liter inside pocket with a roll-top enclosure and eight exterior pockets, including a further 10 to fifteen liters. 

Different helpful options embrace entrance and facet elastic straps for holding trekking poles and moist gear and an ice axe loop for mountaineering pursuits.

The highest buckle strap’s tail has loads of size to connect a bear canister, and the 5-liter entrance mesh pocket makes a wonderful catch-all pocket for smaller gadgets. On both facet of the pack are two 2.5-liter, forward-facing facet pockets with loads of area to suit two 1-liter good water bottles every. Our solely gripe is that they could possibly be a tad simpler to succeed in.

The 2 shoulder strap pockets supply final comfort. They maintain a lot of snacks so you may maintain mountain climbing when you refuel. They’ll even maintain a 750mL Smartwater bottle.

The underside pocket is an revolutionary function we love utilizing for trash or light-weight rain gear. The trash port offers a handy and safe place to stuff away snack wrappers, chopping down on unintentional litter. 

For the ultralighters trying to shed extra ounces, the hipbelt, carbon body, and closed-cell foam again panel can all be eliminated, reworking the pack right into a frameless, mile-crushing machine. Eradicating all of those elements decreases the general pack weight by 5.5 ounces.

Water Resistance

The Pulse EP50 is made out of Robic Extreema, a really waterproof cloth, however it’s not one hundred pc waterproof. The material’s waterproofing is strengthened with an eco-DWR end, however the seams are usually not taped, creating potential weak spots for water to get in. In our managed water publicity check, nevertheless, we seen solely minor breaching on the underside panel of the pack. 

One other draw back is the shortage of drainage holes within the facet pockets. We’ve by no means had an actual challenge with this, however it does create the potential for pooling, which could possibly be a priority for people who wish to pack electronics of their facet pockets.

Though the Pulse EP50 is exceptionally waterproof, we suggest pairing it with a pack liner. No waterproof end is everlasting, and though the material beneath is waterproof, the seams could possibly be weak factors over time.

Development

Many ultralight packs sacrifice sturdiness to trim off as many ounces as attainable, however the Pulse EP50 strikes a good looking steadiness. 

The principle physique and base are made out of EcoPak EPX200 cloth, and the facet pockets, shoulder straps, and hipbelt are 210D Robic Extreema. Each supplies pack a considerable quantity of sturdiness in a really light-weight package deal. The again panel, which sees a number of the most contact because it rubs in opposition to your again all day lengthy, is extremely sturdy with 500D textured Nylon. 

One other frequent weak point of ultralight packs is the mesh pockets, however not on the Pulse EP50. Each the primary entrance pocket and the underside pocket are made out of an all-but-bulletproof Dyneema Mesh. After 500 miles of use, we nonetheless have but to see any indicators of damage on the mesh. The entrance mesh pocket is tighter than some mesh, which makes for a safe maintain on precious backpacking gadgets, however it might be somewhat too cosy for some individuals’s preferences. 

The Pulse EP50 is a light-weight (however not loopy light-weight) pack that can absolutely fulfill most ultralighter’s weight objectives. Coming in at about 23.8 ounces for a 50-liter capability, this pack has a weight-to-capacity ratio of about 0.5 ounces per liter, which is common for many ultralight packs.

Ought to You Purchase The Pulse EP50 Ultralight Backpack by Atom Packs?

The Atom Packs Pulse EP50 is a well-rounded pack for ultralight thru-hikers, bushwhackers, and light-weight backpackers on their technique to dialing of their ultralight package. It has loads of quantity to be suitable with a variety of mountain climbing kinds and is thoughtfully designed for environment friendly mountain climbing and shifting within the backcountry. 

The EP50 packs a ton of worth into a comparatively reasonably priced package deal, not skimping on building high quality or materials and guaranteeing that each function is really sensible and efficient. We reviewed the usual Pulse EP50, however each Atom Pack is totally customizable with various supplies, colours, and options, so you may dial-in absolutely the good pack.

Hikers trying to carry massive hundreds in winter or on longer journeys may wish to think about a special pack. The EP50 lacks a sturdy body, large hip belt, and cargo lifters to assist carry bigger hundreds.

What Different Ultralight Backpacks Ought to You Take into account?

There’s just a few extra ultralight backpacks price contemplating for those who just like the Pulse by Atom Packs. Don’t fear; we examined and reviewed them for you. See our favorites in our information to the most effective ultralight packs.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40 Evaluation: That is one other one in all our favorites because of the backside pocket, sturdiness, and superior waterproofness. It additionally has hip belt pockets, and carries weight higher than the Pulse EP50.

Pa’Lante V2 Evaluation: The Pa’Lante V2 shares comparable options with the Pulse EP50, however is a bit smaller in quantity and is totally frameless – good for the seasoned ultralight hiker.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55 Evaluation: So as to add somewhat extra quantity with out shedding the simplicity, waterproofness, and sturdiness of the Pulse EP50, take a look at the HMG Southwest 44.