Osprey Argon 110 Pack

Comments about Osprey Argon 110 Pack:

This pack is excellent. I've hiked all over Alaska with it. My only complaint is not doing more hiking with it. I put my big sleeping bag in the bottom pouch, a cooker, ammo, lights, a folding shovel, a bunch of other junk, and it holds it. I use the top removable pouch for day hikes and for carrying bear spray. The custom molded bottom straps feel good and fit perfect (make sure you get them to "cook" your lower supports). The shoulder straps are the best ever, and I'm a big shoulder guy. Previous bags were military type rucks. This bag blows them out of the water. Oh, and it doesn't get wet at all. Easy to pack quick when you are just trying to get moving along, or you overslept. I wouldn't recommend flying with it as the straps and clips would get caught in a conveyor belt and be messed up, but the guy who sold it to me who uses the smaller version, said his never did.Your back doesn't hurt, but your legs might because you'll keep going. [...]

Comments about Osprey Argon 110 Pack:

This pack was purchased for extended trips but I have used on a weekend trips as well. There are several insights that are not apparent until you have used this pack over several trips. The main compartment has a dividing partition between your sleeping bag compartment and the upper compartment. This give you great flexibility when packing your content and managing your pack center of gravity. You can use the compartment divider as a saddle to lift the heavier contents to the middle of your back if you do not have sufficient filler contents to go into the bottom. Also inside the upper compartment is a “red” strap. The purpose of this strap is to “pull and lift” the back wall of the pack to the frame after you fill your main compartment. This is the first strap I tighten. There are also three horizontal compression straps across the pack spanning from left to right. The middle strap has a second attachment point on the far right side of the pack. When use at the primary locations, the pack function as a 6700 cu in pack, but the second attachment point allows you to reduce the overall volume to approximately 4000 cu in. Once you cinch down these straps they stay. I can crank them down very tightly and all the sewing and attachment points show no signs of blowing; the content stays put.
The suspension system is top notch. The hip belt fitted like a custom tailored suit…well it was custom tailored/molded at REI. ;) I had no problem with rubbing, hot spots, etc during any of the times I have used the pack. The longest trip was a 4 day, 3 night trip to Big Bend. During that trip, I hiked 34 miles with approximately +2500ft gain and -2000ft lost, lugging a 60lb pack – no problems caused by the pack. The suspension system is easy to adjust, allowing me to shift the load between my shoulders and hips to accommodate different terrain and fatigue from the weight.
In response to the previous reviewer, I had no problem like he/she mentioned To put on the pack, the proper procedure is fist to LOOSEN ALL straps – hip, shoulders, and lifters. The second step is to face the back of the pack and pull the pack by the top lifting loop up one of your leg so it rest on your thigh. Now stick your arm on the same side as the pack is resting on through the corresponding shoulder strap until that strap is resting on your shoulder. Next, stick the opposite arm through the opposite strap – like putting on a coat. Fasten and tighten your hip belt first, then your shoulder straps, and lastly adjust the lifters. Taking off the pack is just the reverse. I too had problem until this was explained to me. As for the fanny pack straps, they are connected together, shorten and stored under the close-cell foam padding of the fanny pack. The tagged end can get a bit long. I just tie them together under the padding with a loose, square knot to shorten the length.
In summary, I highly recommend this pack to anyone looking for a expedition size pack that is flexible enough to use on weekend.

Comments about Osprey Argon 110 Pack:

TOKE THIS THING ALL UP AND DOWN THE PACIFIC CREST BEAT THIS THING INTO THE GROUND AND IT IS STILL TICKING, LOOKS BRAND NEW AND GREAT CONDITION BEST ONE I HAVE HAD YET.

Comments about Osprey Argon 110 Pack:

When I purchased this pack, I loaded it down at Rei. I tested it along side of a few other packs before I made my decision. This pack is awesome. I've owned it over a year now. The internal pack dimensions are extremely large front to back and side to side, more so than any other packs on the market which makes it really easy to load and get stuff out of without having to do a major workout to load your stuff into it. The cavity is so huge you can double stack stuff into it back to front if you need it! It has an interior load strap to help compress stuff internally. It also has a removalble sleeping bag compartment separator which can be unlashed from 2 buckles and pushed aside for greater load capacity and a removalble hydration sleeve. There is a long zippered opening along the right side for quick access to the front of the pack. On the left side there is a long zippered internal pocket that goes all the way across the front inside of the pack for quick access storage; I usually store my insulated jacket in here along with my gloves and hat. On the very front of the pack as you can see in the picture, there is a large stretchy shovel pocket with a strap, which I use to hold my raingear. On the right side is a open stretchy pocket good for anything bulky like a fuel bottle. The left side has a decent size zippered pocket good for such things you want to quick access to such as cameras, snack bars, gps or gloves, etc. There is no easy access water bottle pocket, so I added my own. I use the outdoor products 1 liter waterbottle holder with the velcro strap; It works well and is insulated for a cold drink on the first days hike. The hip and shoulder pads are what impressed me the most about this pack. No skimping quality here. They are thick and well padded. They turn crushing loads (Think 65-80lbs.) loads into assisted porter comfort! If your legs can haul it, then it transfers the weight to you hips in comfort, My main gripe with most backpacks. The hipbelt staberlizers, shoulder straps, load lifter straps, and sternum straps all work flawlessly and do their jobs well without slipping. The lumbar strap works equally well and you tighten the lumbar pad with straps pulling from the sides instead of from the center of the strap which is so much easier to use and tighten, which is another reason I purchased this pack. There is a compression strap on each side of the pack and 3 on the front also. The lid Has 2 large zippered pockets instead of just one like on a lot of other packs. The lid/top can be removed and used for a day pack. It has its own waist belt with a padded back support so if you have to load it a little heavy, its no problem or discomfort hauling it. I use it to hold my flyfishing stuff when on the stream like a fanny pack. The top lid also has 4 extra loops on top for attaching your sleeping pad or whatever. This pack has straps and attachment points for everything you might need including, climbing gear,snowshoes,skis,snowboard, etc. The only pocket I can think of that they left off was a hip pocket. The back panel is formed in a shallow curved arch so the load is still close to your back but when its really hot outside and its breezy too, it will feel like airconditioning running down your back when you are walking. Its great. This baby's got it all. I couldnt be more happier with my purchase. Great Job Osprey!!!! Also for those who want a smaller pack; the Osprey argon 85 is designed basically the same with the same hipbelt and shoulder pad frame assembly as the argon 110. Just less initial wieght to carry but all the comfort of the 110. So if you want to haul more or less in total comfort, then get this pack, you wont regret it.

Comments about Osprey Argon 110 Pack:

I ordered the Osprey Argon this spring for our (my wife and my) Lake Tahoe to Tuolumne Meadows and an additional Yosemite south side hike. I have a Gregory Denali Pro, the original of which was not properly sized and fitted for me and a second that was properly sized and fitted. However, the problem of constant Denali Pro strapping failure—constant strapping slippage, causing carrying problems and excessive shoulder stress—was never resolved for either pack. So, I decided to order a new Osprey Argon on the recommendation of an REI representative.Overall, the Osprey Argon carried a load (55 – 60 pounds) much better than the Gregory Denali Pro with much less strapping slippage. However, occasionally Osprey strapping slippage would occur, causing load and shoulder stress and requiring strapping adjustment.The Osprey Argon problems were the following:1. Osprey Argon Fits Like a Tight Space Suit, Requiring Second Hiker Assistance to Make AdjustmentsThe Osprey Argon pack design is super streamlined confined—narrow metal frame to confine the load to the center of the back. Placing the pack on one’s back requires special positioning (contortion) of one arm and elbow to get the pack on one’s back after the pack is hoisted to the back by the other arm. After hoisting, the opposite free arm must grab the neck strap to pull the shoulder strap close to the pinned arm and then carefully slide the pinned arm through the shoulder strap. If a fishing pole is being carried next to that shoulder strap, the arm slipped through the strap becomes entangled with the fishing pole and line approximately a quarter to a third of the time. (The strapping system is complicated and a maze. Once I got the strapping to work—feel comfortable, I did not dare mess with it, especially constantly messing with it.)2. Huge Bruising on Side of Shoulder from Hoisting Pack—Edge of Metal Frame Caused BruisingHuge bruising on the upper right side of my arm and shoulder occurred from continuous hoisting the Argon pack onto my right shoulder. The bruising was caused by the bottom corner of the metal frame at the top of the pack frame jamming into the right side of my arm and shoulder when the packed was hoisted to my onto my right shoulder. A picture of the bruising is attached (081108 Argon Pack—Arm Bruising.pdf).3. After Pack on Shoulders, Intermittently Both Plastic Fasteners Attached to Fanny Pack Dug into Back of Rib Cage, Requiring Second Hiker AssistanceAfter the pack was hoisted onto the shoulders with both shoulder straps in place, intermittently both plastic fasteners attached to the fanny pack would move to my back, digging into the back of the rib cage. Since I could not reach the fasteners, a second hiker was required to adjust the fasteners, pulling both flat, to the side, and away from the rib cage. (No one wants to constantly be forced to take off a hoisted pack to fix buckles and then throw the pack back onto shoulders a second or third time. That is nothing but a tedious, annoying drag, particularly when tired.)4. Waist Buckling System Loosened Too Much on the TrailThe frame and the waist buckling system appear to be the core of the Osprey Argon and the reason for a better load carry. A big problem with the Denali Pro is constant loosening of waist and shoulder buckles, causing stress on shoulders. Less of a problem with the Osprey Argon is intermittent loosening of the important waist buckle, causing a loss of load support at the hips. However, aching shoulders meant time to check all shoulder straps and waist buckles, which occurred to frequently and became an annoyance.5. Osprey Volume Does Not Appear as Large as RepresentedREI lists the Gregory Denali Pro volume as 6,450 cubic inches[@]) and the Osprey Argon as 6,700 cubic inches [@]. I am skeptical that the Argon volume is actually 6,700 cubic inches and/or larger than the 6450-cubic-inch Denali Pro. It appears to me that Osprey is doubling counting pack volume in parts of the pack, including the volume of the CamelBak water pouch located inside the main pack compartment.I am reluctant to give up the Osprey because it does a better job of carrying a load than the Denali Pro, but the Osprey Argo just has too many annoying aspects to continue using it. Why can’t someone produce a simple design to comfortably carry a heavy load (for reasonable safety and minimal comfort) for a long period?

Comments about Osprey Argon 110 Pack:

I took this pack on a Mt Hood and Rainier this year. Verry good load hauler, and many features are excellent for mountain climbing. You can fit your ice axe, avalache shovel, probe, snow shoes, pickets, rope, crampons, skis or anything elese you want to strap to it, there is room and a easy way to put anything on or in it.
There is enough room to put you mother-in-law inside the pack let alone all the gear you need for a 4-5 day exp on Rainier to camp Shurman. That in lies the problem. The pack is so big (I am also 6 foot 4 in 235lbs) it is easy to keep puting stuff in it as well as everyone elese that thinks you can take that piece of gear, "you have room big guy". My pack is XL at 116 liters.
Going up to Camp Shurman the pack tiped the scale at well over 70 lbs--no way am I ever doing that again. Most of the team had smaller lighter packs at 50 lb stuffed to max at their max load cap.
My gripe, this pack is heavy, very large, and easy to over load. The 70 plus load actually carried well with only some slippage down the hips. The load was fairly secure for 75 lbs and post holeing in deep snow on 40 degree slopes. Make sure you bring it to your REI store for proper fit and heat mould the hip pad. Load it with 50 lbs or more and get everything perfect. It does help. At one time the sinch straps loosed and the pack was very unstable.
If you need a mammoth pack to cary the world, and you need to attach technical mountaineering gear, you have the right pack. If you are a minimalist or a light and fast goer, stick with an aether 70 or 85, thats what most my team used. Find a big dude in your group and convince him to buy this pack so he can take the gear (mine is filled up big guy, you have room)

Comments about Osprey Argon 110 Pack:

I'm not a minimalist. I like to bring the comforts with me as the wife would not go with me without them. I also fly fish and have to bring gear, waders, boots and rods. This thing is big enough to bring everything you could want or need and is still like walking with a daypack on. I hike near the rivers in the south east and getting over rocks and downed trees have always been a scary balancing act. Not so with the Argon. Everything in the pack stays put. It is so nice and easy to sinch down that I use the pack even when I'm just spending a day on the river. In 20 years of hiking and fishing I've yet to have a better pack. The straps are a little long in a few places but as someone else said, that is easy to fix with a simple knot. Also, for those not used to carring such loads and adjusting on the fly, half fill your pack and put it on. Make your initial adjustments and take it off. Finish packing and then put it on and finish adjusting it. Once you get used to this thing, you will love it.

Comments about Osprey Argon 110 Pack:

The only thing wrong with this pack is that you will be tempted to fill it up, and I still haven't discovered what full is for this monster. I haul 60lbs on a regular basis just to condition and stay in shape, and I can tell it would probably hold 100lbs without being stressed. You can cinch it down to haul light loads... this pack will do it all. It's got pockets everywhere that there should be one, it converts to a day pack in seconds, or a hydration pack even quicker. I tend to carry around 50lbs. when on actual camping trips and it's perfect. I haul my dog's sleeping pad, her food, my food, all of my gear... this pack cuts to the chase and gets the job done in comfort. The suspension system is fabulous. They even give you a pocket that breaths for wet gear. If I could only have one pack for every need, this is it... it will do anything. Wow...what a pack!!!

Comments about Osprey Argon 110 Pack:

Great pack with caveats. I changed from an external frame pack I'd used for 25 years to this one after the old one trashed the hip belt. It took me a while
to figure out the loading differences and how to adjust the pack to fit me. The manual is pretty pathetic on this point. I do trail work crews and carry tools- this pack is awesome for that purpose- lots of places to hang on extra stuff. The upper pack section (aka lumbar pack) has 2 zippers. One is waterproof, the other is NOT.
Alas, the small one which is not waterproof is the one
which one would logically use as a map compartment. (I'm drying maps as I write)
If you live in a rainy area get a rain cover- the
material on the pack is very stout and will stand
a lot of abuse but also soaks up a lot of water weight. If you are converting from an external frame pack to this one beware of over stuffing the upper compartment- it will bend the metal pack stays out and the bottom end of the stays will dig into your hips (learned this the hard way). Once you figure out how to use the compression straps and loading sequence for what you have to carry this is a great pack. My only other gripe (other than the non-waterproof zipper in the top compartment) is that the Velcro adjustment system for the shoulder harness tends to slip on harsh terrain trails. I marked mine with a Sharpie and have to reset it about every 5 miles. I have a feeling that when the Velcro wears out this will become more of a problem.
The load leveling straps also tend to slip a bit.
Still, overall this is the best pack I've ever owned for heavy hauling on extended trips and I wrote this review after about 25 days on rather harsh trails.