Cortez, Colo., (May 4, 2009) ­- Osprey Packs’ Exos 46 lightweight backpack was awarded the prestigious Gear of the Year Award by Outside Magazine, in the April 29th issue of the Outside Gear Guide.

The lightweight Exos 46 (medium frame size weighs 2 pounds 5 ounces) is a groundbreaking design that enables backpackers to go superlight without compromising the Osprey hallmarks of suspension, comfort, durability and adjustability.

The Exos 46 incorporates a ventilated suspension built for comfort that combines a 6061 T6 Aluminum frame with Osprey’s contoured, tensioned-mesh backpanel. The result is a highly specialized, lightweight pack built for day long to multi-week adventures.

The staff of Outside Magazines spent six months field-testing thousands of products, and the Exos 46 was the only lightweight, full-featured backpack to win the award this year.

“Osprey is honored by the recognition received for our new Exos pack series,” said Tom Barney, CEO of Osprey Packs. “Outside Magazine’s Gear of the Year Award is something that Osprey strives for. This honor shows once again that our product team leads the industry in pack innovation and design”.