Osprey Ariel 65 Pack - Women's

Comments about Osprey Ariel 65 Pack - Women's:

I've used this pack primarily for multi-day backpacking trips in the summer. I bought it about four months ago, so I'm not sure how well it will fit my winter gear, but when I go out in the winter it's usually only for a weekend at a time, so no need to pack heaps of stuff (though the pack will probably still be completely full as winter gear takes more room in general). I haven't packed it full of food, water, and gear for more than four days at a time (food drops and general stores are great!), so I don't know how well it would respond to holding a load if you were packing for 100 mile wilderness or something like that... but if you can get food drops on the order of every 4-7 days, this pack could absolutely get you through a thru-hike. I do question how well the hip belt would hold up to a super heavy load, but I pack fairly light so not a huge issue for me.

This was my first new pack in 10 years and I'm floored at how many advances have been made -- women's specific design, straps here, gadgets there... it's great! The pack is super comfy in places where my other one was not and the pack holds a week long load as well as it does a day hiker's load. I spent months researching packs and tried on Ospreys (including the Luna), Arcteryx, Gregory, EMS, REI, and probably some other ones I'm forgetting and ultimately this was a pack that wasn't too big, wasn't too small, was super comfortable when loaded (I loaded it up to maybe 15 lbs in the store before purchase and have had it up to maybe 25), and most of all the best bang for my buck. Yes, the Arcteryx pack was comfortable also -- but I didn't think it would show any better of a performance than the Osprey and yet it was substantially more expensive.

If you carry everything but the sink, this isn't the pack for you. If you are looking to go ultra light, this isn't the pack for you. If you're looking for one pack to do most of what you need and you typically do long weekend trips with a handful of 1-2 week trips thrown in, this pack should suit your needs (unless you do long winter trips, in which case I don't think it would be big enough).

The one thing I wish this pack had is a smaller pocket inside the brain of the pack for things like loose change, spare batteries, and keys (it does have a key clip in the brain though). Also a side zip would be nice -- something I really liked about my old pack. Small mesh pockets or something similar on the hip belt for a snack or map would be super helpful too, but you can always attach those yourself... All in all though, I think it's a great pack if you're looking for one pack to cover almost all of your basics.

Comments about Osprey Ariel 65 Pack - Women's:

This award-winning pack has stolen the hearts of many through its ability to handle heavy loads at a substantially lighter weight than others in its size range. In fact, there are packs of similar capacity nearly double the weight. I've seen so many of these packs out and about it makes my head spin, while reassuring me that I made a sound decision in purchasing this pack.
So many factors with regard to fine-tuning the sizing ensures the wearer gets a sure fit; a vast array of pack sizes, the many Isoform harness/hipbelt sizes (gender specific), and more than a few capacities work toward a near custom fit and the ultimate pack to serve your needs. Also, the hipbelt can be molded to your hips (a technological first, borrowed from the practice of molding footbeds) in 8 minutes, free of cost, at any Osprey dealer regardless of where the pack was purchased. The most practical aspect of this pack, though, is not only the ease of removing both the hipbelt and shoulder harness, but the interchangeability of taking these two components and throwing them on another Aether/Ariel Series pack of greater or lesser capacity in mere minutes (granted the packs are corresponding size-wise; the sizing of the packs themselves (Aether and Ariel) is unisex, even though the shoulder harnesses and belts are gender specific). To make this a little easier to understand, my wife and I are both Mediums in PACK size, so we purchased both the Ariel 65 and Ariel 55 (although advertised as Women's, anyone, regardless of gender, can wear the Ariel- and/or Aether- as long as the PACK size is right for the person). So, if I am going on a climb and my wife stays home, I have the choice of carrying a 55 L (overnight summer scrambles) or 65 L (winter climbing) pack by simply interchanging the harness and hipbelt, which, again, takes just a couple of minutes. You can also upgrade to the beefier Bioform hipbelt, used on their Crescent series packs, for added stability and padding. The beaver pocket up front, as well as the two generous side pockets are made of a highly stretchable (and bombproof) material which adds gobs of capacity to the pack- and if you're looking for even more additional room, Osprey offers two different "Excessories," the Daylite and the Solo, which attach (seamlessly) to the front of any Aether or Ariel pack and add an additional 13 or 8 liters, respectively. The exterior skin of the pack will take a pounding like no other and still hold up- I have lashed everything from an ice axe, to trekking poles, even snowshoes, to the front and sides of the pack. The innovative AirScape backpanel yields supreme breathability and comfort, while the 'H20' slits on the high sides of the pack allow for convenient bladder hose routing. The 'upper wall' of the sleeping bag compartment can sinch down or let up according to the size of your bag. The larger packs of the series feature removable lids which, you guessed it, convert to lumbar packs for quick side jaunts. Lastly, I have been utterly impressed with the remarkably helpful and friendly folks at Osprey, who I usually banter with for twenty minutes at a time, never feeling rushed or underappreciated. They've informed me that Osprey has no plans of selling out to any prospective buyers- ever. In fact, the owner is so passionately connected to his product that he moved his family to Vietnam to personally oversee not only the making of his product, but the well-being and treatment of his factory workers as well. I've been told by Osprey employees that if a legitimate (pack design) suggestion comes from a customer, he simply walks over to the factory, sits down in front of a sewing machine, and goes to work. I've always believed that if you want the best product available, you go to a manufacturer who exclusively makes that product, because the only thing they brainstorm all day is how to make that ONE product better. Recognize the genius that stems from a good company, with good people, that puts out a good product...that, oh by the way, does what its supposed to do; wear an Osprey.

Comments about Osprey Ariel 65 Pack - Women's:

I wanted to share my experience with taking this pack on an 80 mile, 7-day trip across the Sierra Nevada Mts (High Sierra Trail).

Painful parts:
After two days on the trail with a full pack the AirScape nubbed foam panel had rubbed my entire lower back raw. My backpacking partner had to take pictures on his camera to show me what it looked like, and it wasn't pretty. By shoving a fleece shirt in between the pack and my back the rest of the hike wasn't too painful, but so much for ventilation!

Also, the place where the shoulder straps hit my collar bone developed blisters early on. I will say that when I tried the pack on at the store (with weight) I did feel some stress on my collar bone so beware if this is the same with you. The lower back chafing I didn't notice until out on the trail.

I think many of my problems stem from carrying a reasonably heavy pack (around 55 lbs at the start of the trip). This pack is not made for that kind of weight. I thought it would be okay and it was definitely survivable, but beware if you put more than 40 lbs in this pack! It's not going to be super comfortable in the ways that other reviewers rave about.

I also felt like the pack volume was a bit small for a multi-day trip. I was carrying a bear barrel and there wasn't a huge amount of room left in the upper compartment after it.

Nice features:
I love the pack design. It packs well, it looks nice. The hip belt is pretty comfortable and easy to adjust for such a minimal thing. I love the empty weight of this pack and have brought it with me traveling on non-backpacking trips.

Anyway, I have a hard time giving this pack a negative review because it's so nicely designed, but you should be aware that it's not particularly comfortable when carrying a lot of weight.

Comments about Osprey Ariel 65 Pack - Women's:

I used this one last year for two multi-day trips (both about 7 days) in the Eastern Sierra. I think I was carrying 35-40 pounds. We did two through-hikes that entailed both on-trail and cross country walking and scrambling. This pack was very comfortable, and good for precarious cross-country routes (boulder-hopping and scree) and it seemed easy to move and climb in. It didn't give me any abrasions or blisters on my hips or lumbar region like my old pack. I'm about 5'4", 108 lbs. Another woman on my trip had the same style pack and loved it too (she was also fairly small).

On the down side: It doesn't have a lot of outside pockets, and you kind of just stuff everything into it and dig and dig to find things unless you are real organized about layering materials in the pack. I think the relatively small size of this pack just forces you to pack smarter.

Comments about Osprey Ariel 65 Pack - Women's:

I spent the better part of 3 weeks trying different packs with experienced pack-fitters before finally deciding on the Ariel...loading up to 25 pounds. I like the design and pockets of the pack as well as the ventilation. It felt great in the store. I tested the pack on a short overnight and all I can say is thank god the hike was only 2 miles each way...I was almost crying by the time we reached camp. It didn't seem to matter what was cinched where or how much, there was no comfort for me on my collar bones or on my right backside. The shoulder straps appeared to be following the curve of my shoulders yet there was considerable pressure on my collar bones (I am a bit boney up there). The waist belt is a bit stiff and although this didn't bother me too much, something was definitely digging into my lower back which I can't explain b/c the only item down there was my sleeping bag. There is no explanation for any of this except to say that body type must factor in significantly: I am almost 5'4" and 115lbs with broader shoulders and hips, small waist and chest...this pack is getting returned. Hope this helps.

Comments about Osprey Ariel 65 Pack - Women's:

As an avid outdoor enthusiast I would highly recommend this pack. There are no unnecessary zippers, pockets, strings, ties ect. I like the simplicity and the comfort of this lightweight pack. I would make sure that you check the hip belt as they tend to run big. I bought a medium pack but need a small hip belt. The hip belt now fits very well and is very comfortable. The top compartment is just the right size that you don't overfill it and the water pouch fits well.

Comments about Osprey Ariel 65 Pack - Women's:

I bought this pack two years ago for a through-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail (WA section only). After the trip was canceled, I toyed with returning it, thinking it was too big of a bag for my needs. When a four-day trip to the Eagle Cap Wilderness materialized, I found that the size came in handy, considering that I was hiking with a group of about 10 women and had a lot of communal gear.

I have a short torso (15 inches), so the option of purchasing an XS was perfect for me (I would recommend this pack especially to smaller girls mainly because it comes in such a customized size). I'm 5'6 (130 lbs) and have square, bony shoulders. The shoulder straps fit me perfectly and the hip belt was a dream.

I am exchanging the pack for the Gregory Deva 60 only because I was beyond annoyed with the lack of pockets. I consider myself a minimalist backpacker. That said, I found myself constantly digging through this bag. The top/daypack pocket only holds so many little odds and ends; the rest ended up mixed in with my clothes and food because each time I took things out of the bag, the rest shifted. This drove me nuts. Having only a top entrance was also annoying.

If you enjoy middling-to-longer trips (5-8 days) and can handle carrying a giant black hole full of gear, this pack rides like a dream. If, however, you are a girl who loves organization and being able to find your flashlight/map/snacks/camera/chapstick in a matter of seconds, this is not the pack for you.

Comments about Osprey Ariel 65 Pack - Women's:

If I am uncomfortable, I slow down. Not good in a number of outdoor situations. This pack in uncomfortable all around. I am 5'4" petite female. I am narrow in my shoulder girdle. That being said, I could never get this adjusted right. I even went to see experts for help. The response was the same: You're too narrow. I would adjust the sternum strap where I was comfortable hauling a 40# load. However, adjusting the sternum strap just where I wanted it resulted in the shoulder straps being pulled too inwardly which either gave me great 'lift' (lol) or would rub my clavicles raw. Thus, I could never adjust that part of the bag just right enough and was left in pain and/or blistered. I truly hated this pack and returned after 5 major hikes and realized it wasn't breaking it. Only good thing: When my water bottle leaked, nothing inside got wet.

Comments about Osprey Ariel 65 Pack - Women's:

This is the most comfortable and best fitting backpack I have ever owned. I frequently recommend it to other women backpackers. I have used it for up to 6 days in the desert, but the capacity is best for 2 or 3 night trips in the mountains.

Comments about Osprey Ariel 65 Pack - Women's:

Based on doctor advice, I went in search of a backpack that would not hurt my back after an auto accident. My previous backpack would pull and hang on my shoulders causing problems. I met with [...], and he fitted me with this great backpack that has helped to alleviate the pain I was experiencing in my neck and shoulder areas. It settles on my hips nicely and distributes weight well. No more pulling and carrying all of the weight on my shoulders!