Atom Packs: The Pulse EP50 Ultralight Backpack Review

Bottom Line

We thoroughly tested The Pulse EP50 across 500 miles of Rocky Mountain terrain on the Colorado Trail. Day after day, we dragged this thing through harsh storms and gale-force winds, and its performance never faltered.

The Pulse EP50 (also available in a 40L version) hits that sweet spot in volume for three-season hiking. It’s light enough for the dialed-in ultralight backpacker, but big enough for a few extra luxury items or a huge resupply. The EcoPack EPX200 material is lightweight and waterproof, but the seams are not taped, so the pack isn’t 100% waterproof.

One of our favorite design features of this pack is the number and placement of exterior pockets. The easily reachable pockets reduce the need to unshoulder your pack and allow you to get in more miles. The high-quality construction and numerous features pack a lot of bang for your buck.

The pack does include a lightweight frame, but it doesn’t increase the load capacity as much as other frames, and the hip belt is minimally supportive, which could be a downside for some folks. Check out our complete guide to ultralight packs for more options to best suit your backpacking style.

comfort

Although the Pulse EP50 is a framed pack, it is most comfortable when kept under its maximum load capacity. Atom Packs recommends carrying no more than 30 pounds with the EP50, but we noticed it gets a little uncomfortable around 25 pounds. 

The minimalist carbon hoop frame and semi-narrow hip belt won’t transfer weight to the hips as well as some other packs, so you will feel the weight on your shoulders. The pack also lacks load lifters that could shift the weight closer to the body. However, we enjoy the more ergonomic hip belt adjustment, pulling inward instead of outward.

That being said, the Pulse EP50 performs beautifully in the sweet spot of 25 pounds and under. We never experienced any unpleasant rub from the shoulder straps or the hip belt. The back panel doesn’t provide much airflow but is super durable and dries quickly.

The sternum strap is partially elastic, allowing the shoulder straps to flex and move with you as you bounce down the trail. In more technical terrain, the straps do an excellent job of keeping the pack in place and tight against your back to not throw off your balance.

While comfort with heavy loads might not be this pack’s number one benefit, it still keeps up with the best and is sufficient for most thru-hikers.

Functionality

The Atom Packs Pulse EP50 is thoughtfully designed with convenience in mind. The pack consists of one 45-liter interior pocket with a roll-top enclosure and eight exterior pockets, adding an additional 10 to 15 liters. 

Other handy features include front and side elastic straps for holding trekking poles and wet gear and an ice axe loop for mountaineering pursuits.

The top buckle strap’s tail has plenty of length to attach a bear canister, and the 5-liter front mesh pocket makes an excellent catch-all pocket for smaller items. On either side of the pack are two 2.5-liter, forward-facing side pockets with plenty of space to fit two 1-liter smart water bottles each. Our only gripe is that they could be a tad easier to reach.

The two shoulder strap pockets offer ultimate convenience. They hold lots of snacks so you can keep hiking while you refuel. They will even hold a 750mL Smartwater bottle.

The bottom pocket is an innovative feature we love using for trash or lightweight rain gear. The trash port provides a convenient and secure place to stuff away snack wrappers, cutting down on accidental litter. 

For the ultralighters looking to shed more ounces, the hipbelt, carbon frame, and closed-cell foam back panel can all be removed, transforming the pack into a frameless, mile-crushing machine. Removing all of these components decreases the overall pack weight by 5.5 ounces.

Water Resistance

The Pulse EP50 is made from Robic Extreema, a very water-resistant fabric, but it’s not 100 percent waterproof. The fabric’s waterproofing is reinforced with an eco-DWR finish, but the seams are not taped, creating potential weak spots for water to get in. In our controlled water exposure test, however, we noticed only minor breaching on the bottom panel of the pack. 

Another downside is the lack of drainage holes in the side pockets. We’ve never had a real issue with this, but it does create the potential for pooling, which could be a concern for folks who like to pack electronics in their side pockets.

Although the Pulse EP50 is exceptionally waterproof, we recommend pairing it with a pack liner. No waterproof finish is permanent, and although the fabric underneath is water-resistant, the seams could be weak points over time.

Construction

Many ultralight packs sacrifice durability to trim off as many ounces as possible, but the Pulse EP50 strikes a beautiful balance. 

The main body and base are made from EcoPak EPX200 fabric, and the side pockets, shoulder straps, and hipbelt are 210D Robic Extreema. Both materials pack a substantial amount of durability in a very lightweight package. The back panel, which sees some of the most contact as it rubs against your back all day long, is incredibly robust with 500D textured Nylon. 

Another common weakness of ultralight packs is the mesh pockets, but not on the Pulse EP50. Both the main front pocket and the bottom pocket are made from an all-but-bulletproof Dyneema Mesh. After 500 miles of use, we still have yet to see any signs of wear on the mesh. The front mesh pocket is tighter than some mesh, which makes for a secure hold on valuable backpacking items, but it may be a little too snug for some people’s preferences. 

The Pulse EP50 is a lightweight (but not crazy lightweight) pack that will surely satisfy most ultralighter’s weight goals. Coming in at about 23.8 ounces for a 50-liter capacity, this pack has a weight-to-capacity ratio of about 0.5 ounces per liter, which is average for most ultralight packs.

Should You Buy The Pulse EP50 Ultralight Backpack by Atom Packs?

The Atom Packs Pulse EP50 is a well-rounded pack for ultralight thru-hikers, bushwhackers, and lightweight backpackers on their way to dialing in their ultralight kit. It has plenty of volume to be compatible with a wide range of hiking styles and is thoughtfully designed for efficient hiking and moving in the backcountry. 

The EP50 packs a ton of value into a relatively affordable package, not skimping on construction quality or material and ensuring that every feature is truly practical and effective. We reviewed the standard Pulse EP50, but every Atom Pack is completely customizable with varying materials, colors, and features, so you can dial-in the absolute perfect pack.

Hikers looking to carry large loads in winter or on longer trips might want to consider a different pack. The EP50 lacks a robust frame, wide hip belt, and load lifters to help carry larger loads.

What Other Ultralight Backpacks Should You Consider?

There’s a few more ultralight backpacks worth considering if you like the Pulse by Atom Packs. Don’t worry; we tested and reviewed them for you. See our favorites in our guide to the best ultralight packs.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40 Review: This is another one of our favorites due to the bottom pocket, durability, and superior waterproofness. It also has hip belt pockets, and carries weight better than the Pulse EP50.

Pa’Lante V2 Review: The Pa’Lante V2 shares similar features with the Pulse EP50, but is a bit smaller in volume and is completely frameless – good for the seasoned ultralight hiker.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55 Review: To add a little more volume without losing the simplicity, waterproofness, and durability of the Pulse EP50, check out the HMG Southwest 44.