Granite Gear Crown 2 vs Osprey Exos
There’s no doubt that the Osprey Exos hiking backpack is one of the most commonly used backpacks, especially for long-distance hikers. However, the Granite Gear Crown 2 is another backpack that has been gaining traction and because of its similar weight and price range, you can’t help but wonder how these hiking backpacks compare head-to-head. So, I present to you my honest thoughts of the Granite Gear Crown 2 vs the Osprey Exos.
Full disclosure, I own the Granite Gear Crown 2 but decided to try out the Osprey Exos and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each pack in an attempt to declare a clear-cut winner.
Note that I am comparing like sizes, the Crown2 60 (regular torso) and the Exos 58 (large torso).
Granite Gear Crown 2: Defining Features
The Granite Gear Crown2 is a lightweight backpack weighing 2.36lbs when fully configured, but thanks to its removable top lid, or brain, it can weigh even less at 2.2 lbs. But it doesn’t stop there. The V.C. Mark 2 Frame can even be removed, bringing the total weight below 2lbs! The Crown2 also offers a hydration sleeve for a water bladder.
However, the Granite Gear Crown2’s most attractive feature is the adjustable (and even removable) hip belt called the RE-FIT belt. This allows a completely customizable hip belt size that most other backpacks just don’t offer. Because of this you can dial in your size perfectly which can work great for long-distance thru hikers who lose a lot of weight on their hikes. If you decide to remove the belt completely, then you have a backpack that weighs less than 1.5lbs (without the brain and frame)!
Check out the Granite Gear Crown2 60 and current pricing on Amazon!
Osprey Exos: Defining Features
The Osprey Exos is another lightweight backpack option. While it doesn’t offer a removable frame or adjustable hip belt, it does offer an excellent suspension system called the Airspeed Suspension. This system allows for space between your back and backpack, providing airflow that helps keep you cooler and comfortable.
The Osprey Exos weighs around 2.65lbs for a regular sized pack (however, I am using a large that weighs 2.68lbs). The top lid and sleeping pad straps are both removable, helping to make the backpack a little lighter. A hydration sleeve is also present on the Exos.
Check out the Osprey Exos 58 and current pricing on Amazon!
For more information on features of a backpack, check out my post on “How to pick a hiking backpack.”
Head to head comparison of the Granite Gear Crown 2 and the Osprey Exos
Now that we have met our combatants, I’ll explain what each bag does better than the other. I’ll also highlight a few nitpicks that doesn’t make or break either bag but can be a deciding factor if you are on the fence about which pack is the better option for you.
Where the Crown 2 outshines the Exos
- Weight
- Adjustable & removable belt
- Hip belt pockets
- Rolltop
- Side compression strap channels
- Stronger buckles
- Looks
- Price
Weight
The Granite Gear Crown 2 comes right out of the gate weighing less than the Exos. And then you can remove the brain, the frame, and the hip belt making the backpack weigh even less. I’m not sure if anyone would ever want to strip the Crown2 down to its bare bones, but the option is available.
Adjustable & removable belt
As I already mentioned, the Granite Gear Crown 2 offers a removable and adjustable RE-FIT belt that the Osprey Exos does not. While most of us won’t need to adjust a hip belt beyond a simple tug of the straps, if you lose much weight, you might find that your pack doesn’t quite fit the same. The RE-FIT belt eliminates this problem, so this is a huge bonus for the Crown 2.
Hip belt pockets
Speaking of the hip belt, the Crown 2 offers large hip belt pockets, one on each side, that the Exos doesn’t offer. However, older models of the Exos did have hip belt pockets, but I believe they were small which may be a reason Osprey decided to remove them from their later models.
Rolltop
The Crown 2 offers a rolltop underneath its brain, which is a nice feature the Exos doesn’t have if the top lid is removed. The Exos just uses a cinch strap with a flap that fastens over the top. The rolltop option is usually better at ensuring water doesn’t get in your pack in wet conditions.
Side compression strap channels
A small feature to highlight, but a win is a win. The Crown 2 has a channel for its side compression strap on each side of the bag that lets the straps run underneath the side pockets. This enables you to cinch your pack tight without constraining the pockets, so you won’t have to loosen anything to get to their contents.
Stronger buckles
I could be wrong here, but the buckles on the Crown 2 feel stronger than what the Exos offers, despite the Exos having larger buckles. When squeezing the plastic hardware, the Crown 2’s buckles just don’t flex as much as the Exos. However, this could be because the Crown 2’s buckles are smaller. Nonetheless, it is something to consider.
Looks
This isn’t important as far as comfort and functionality goes, but the Crown 2 just looks better than the Exos. Granite Gear also offers more and better color options for the Crown 2 in my opinion while Osprey currently only offers two colors that aren’t my cup of tea. Like the hip belt pockets, the Exos offered more color options in the past, but it appears to be something else Osprey did away with.
Price
While they are similarly priced, the Crown 2 comes in a little cheaper at $200 while the Exos is $220. Not a huge difference, but worth noting. Sometimes you can find these packs cheaper on Amazon or can catch them on sale at REI. Just know that the prices above are not finite and can change at some point.
Where the Exos outshines the Crown 2
- Airspeed suspension
- Weight capacity
- Better shoulder straps
- Various capacities
- Top lid (brain) pockets
- Stronger side pockets
- Easier access to water bottles
- Larger front pocket
Airspeed suspension
Few backpacks offer a suspension system the way Osprey does, and the Exos’ Airspeed system is golden. It keeps the pack away from your back, creating a well-ventilated channel that helps keep you cooler and your shirt dryer. However, some people do not like this type of suspension, saying that it makes them feel off balanced by not having the pack against their back. To each their own, but to me, it feels great.
Weight capacity
While neither the Exos nor the Crown 2 are designed to carry very heavy loads, the Exos does offer a slightly higher weight capacity at 40lbs. The Crown 2 is not recommended to go above 35lbs and I can attest to the discomfort created by exceeding that limit. And while I never plan to carry that much weight again, the Exos has the advantage if I ever need to.
Better shoulder straps
The Exos offers shoulder straps with thicker padding than the Crown 2, which helps it feel a bit more comfortable while carrying a load. The Exos also has j-straps vs the Crown 2’s s-straps. While neither style is necessarily better than the other, I think my shoulder width likes the overall fit of j-straps better. Combine that with thicker padding on the straps and the Exos just feels better around the shoulders.
Various capacities
Up until recently, the Granite Gear Crown 2 was only offered in a 60L version but now has a smaller 38L pack. The Osprey Exos offers a 38L, 48L, and the 58L we are specifically talking about in this comparison. That’s another win for the Exos if you are looking to carry smaller loads on your hiking trip.
Top lid (brain) pockets
While both the Exos and Crown 2 offer basic brains, the Exos’ lid has a top pocket and an underside pocket for additional organization. I don’t know the exact specs of the Exos brain volume, but it seems to fit all my items a bit easier than the Crown 2’s 5L brain.
Stronger side pockets
Speaking of pockets, comparing the side pockets of the Exos and Crown 2, I found that the side pockets are the Exos are a little more durable than the Crown 2’s. Rest assured, if you snag either pack’s pockets well enough, they can tear but I believe the Crown 2’s will give before the Exos’ pockets.
Easier access to water bottles
And speaking of those side pockets, one of the biggest gripes about the Crown 2 is how hard it is to reach your water bottles in your side pocket without having to take the pack off. While it can be done, it does take a bit of maneuvering to get a bottle in and out while still carrying the pack.
The Exos offers an angled sleeve in its side pockets allowing easier access to your water bottle so you don’t have to stretch and contort your arms to reach it. However, if using a 1-liter Smart Water bottle like I use, with your arms by your side the water bottle tends to ride against the back of your arm, a minor nuisance at worst, but worth mentioning.
Larger front pocket
One thing I always look for in a pack is a front mesh pocket for carrying wet items outside of my pack. Both the Exos and Crown 2 offer these, but the Exos’ pocket seems bigger and maybe even slightly more durable. While the Crown 2’s front pocket has plenty of space, having a little extra doesn’t hurt.
Granite Gear Crown 2 vs the Osprey Exos: And the winner is …?
This is a hard choice. Both backpacks offer exceptional comfort and functionality. Sure, the weight of the Crown 2 is lighter than the Exos, but the Airspeed suspension that the Exos has is dreamy. The Exos has wider straps all the way around, but the Crown 2’s buckles feel a little more durable.
Basically, they both have their pros and cons (as any backpack does) and ultimately should come down to what feels the best on your back while carrying a load. It is also important to have a properly sized backpack to maximize comfort.
So who wins in our Granite Gear Crown 2 vs Osprey Exos duel? I believe I would go with the Granite Gear Crown 2. Having hip belt pockets is a huge plus and the pack just speaks to me in a way I can’t describe. This was a tough choice and I have to go with my gut feeling here but your gut may tell you something different. After all, do we really choose our backpacks, or do our backpacks choose us?
