I have owned an atlas trainer for the better part of two years. I use at least three times a week. Usually hiking 3 miles a ruck with 67# or 90# I got it bc I live in flat ground and spent my last 20 years worth of summers out west fighting fire running a 20 person crew. So no better way to get in shape for hiking than hiking. I can tell you that it is a fantastic training tool. I love the outdoorsmen frame. It conforms and twists with your body in a way that no other frame Ive owned has. I figured if I needed a hunting pack I would just buy one of theirs. I have taken the receiver off and used it as a meat hauler which worked great. I really don’t have a bad thing to say about it. I do push-ups with it on and try to incorporate other exercises with it and I haven’t regretted the purchase. It’s nice having the weight placed close to your body. And having the ability to just take Olympic plates on and off and knowing exactly what it weighs is a nice consideration. Just from a general fitness aspect it’s a fantastic tool. Using it the way I do I move through the mountains like I did 20 years ago. Crushing long pulls on steep hills and people’s spirits
It upped my game significantly. I used to use a weight vest but I have a pretty big chest and it just restricted my breathing too much and couldn’t stand having it bouncing on my chest bc I had to keep it looser. I get what everyone is saying about just purchasing a good pack and going that route which I agree is a great idea. You have the benefit of breaking your pack in and getting it fitted correctly but for day in day out mountain shape fitness it hard to beat the atlas trainer.
It upped my game significantly. I used to use a weight vest but I have a pretty big chest and it just restricted my breathing too much and couldn’t stand having it bouncing on my chest bc I had to keep it looser. I get what everyone is saying about just purchasing a good pack and going that route which I agree is a great idea. You have the benefit of breaking your pack in and getting it fitted correctly but for day in day out mountain shape fitness it hard to beat the atlas trainer.