I had a new Atmos 50L pack and started using it for winter hiking the NH 4K foot mts. It was too big for me as I had the wrong size and not great for winter hiking. The mutant works very well. I have hiked two mts with it so far, with full traction mounted to outside ~28lbs. Attaching snow shoes, crampons and micro spikes works well with all the external attachment straps. The shallow side pockets help hold my hiking poles when needed. The large top is easy to get into, a is the main compartment. I can easily put layers under the top to hold during a layer break. The pack is comfortable and handles very well with the 28lbs. I like the flat back, it is warmer than a mesh and doesn’t trap snow. My only complain is the shoulder straps are narrow and do not come down far, which limits what I can attach ti them. My snack bottle works but even in lowest loop is up high. And the loops are small. The front straps are a bit thin, but work fine for holding a crampon bag or even the snow shoes I was concerned that the lower padding on hips and waist would not be as comfortable as the atmos. But not so, I don’t even notice it, the the mutant is much easier to get into and out off.
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