After years of tolerating my old heavy backpack, which never fit well on my short frame, I set out to find a very light and comfortable multi-day pack. I tested 8 backpacks and returned 7 of them, leaving the Osprey Eja 58 as the winner!
Fit & Sizing
I initially trialled the Osprey Eja 48 since it was the model carried in store. The pack weights are SO similar between the 48L & 58L that I decided to special order the 58L for increased versatility. The additional 10L volume became very useful when I had to carry unplanned gear and for winter hiking with bulkier gear.
1.11kg for the Eja 48
1.15kg for the Eja 58
I’m 5’4 with a short torso and the Small size fit really well! The fit of the belt and back panel is amazing! It really hugs the hips and back yet allows incredible ventilation with the mesh material. The hip belt has appropriate angles for women’s curves. I had read reviews about the back panel having a stiff edge that can rub or put uncomfortable pressure. I have not experienced that at all during any of my three trips.
All the straps were easy to tighten and undo. The chest strap is able to be positioned higher or lower on the chest. It also included a small whistle on the clip, which is a neat idea.
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Performance
Pockets
I like that there is only one internal compartment (other than hydration pack sleeve). I do not like rain cover pockets or side/bottom openings since I never really use them.
The compression straps are thin but user-friendly. The straps are set against the bag, inside the side pockets which is so great! I can easily slide in my water bottles or phone/camera through the pockets’ side openings while walking. Tent poles can be secured tightly on the side of the bag. Bottom straps on the bag allow carrying external items like a mattress pad or tent on the outside if required.
The quick-stash stretchy pocket on the front is of course very useful for rapid access to raingear, etc.
I would really have enjoyed a hip belt pocket for my phone/camera or map. I managed well enough with the large side pockets on the bag itself.
Floating Lid
The top floating lid has two pockets, one on top and on on the bottom. The top pocket is a good size and allows access to items like a map and gps as I walked.
The floating lid completely detaches and can be left at home for shorter trips which require less volume. This leaves you with just the light integrated flap to cover the top. It sounds convenient, doesn’t it? But when you keep the top lid, you also have the integrated flap cover underneath (it cannot be removed). It becomes redundant.
When closing my bag, I kept doing up the clips of the integrated flap instead of the top lid. The top lid would shift and flop as I walked. Each time, I had to remove my pack to re-clip properly. Ideally, Osprey could have designed a way to have the flap OR the lid but not both simultaneously.
I really like a removable top lid that doubles as a fanny pack or one-shoulder backpack. It’s great to be able to ditch my big pack and just carry the essentials for short side trips. I could not work out a practical way to use the top lid solo and had to carry it awkwardly in my hands.
Weaknesses & Dislikes
The main weakness of this pack in my opinion are the shoulder straps. The backpack can accommodate a load range of 20-40lbs, which is pretty standard. When the Eja is loaded with 20-30 lbs, the shoulder straps feel relatively comfortable. On the Long Range Traverse, our “team weight” needed to be redistributed for increased efficiency. The load weight went up to slightly above 40 lbs. The shoulder straps then felt extremely uncomfortable. The padding ends too early on the straps and leaves the bulk of the “shoulder weight” on an unpadded area. I wish the padding had continued lower on the straps.
There are stow-on-the-go trekking pole attachments on the shoulder straps. Some people may like them for easy access but I prefer leaving my poles out of the way, in the ice axe attachments. This is entirely personal preference!
The material seems questionable where durability is concerned but I was never too worried about damaging the Eja with standard handling.
Final Thoughts
The colour is not a critical element of course… until you have to make the choice!! I liked the look of the grey and turquoise. Once I saw the mostly grey bag loaded in person, I realized it looked really lumpy. I thought I would look like a walking rock on the trail and in photos. Instead, I chose the rich equinox blue color and am very pleased with the choice!
I highly recommend the Osprey Eja 58 as a great lightweight bag without any major compromises!
Guest Blogger: Joelle Seguin (She met Katie on the Long Range!)
Pack tested in Quebec and Newfoundland! Get your Lonely Planet Guide to Canada here!