How to Choose a Backpack

In search of a customizable, perfect-fitting pack? Blaze new trails with the men's Osprey Aether Plus 85 pack. It's one of the brand's largest-volume packs—perfect for epic multiday adventures.
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Imported.
View the Osprey Aether Product LineView all Osprey Backpacking PacksFrame Type | Internal Frame |
---|---|
Gear Capacity (L) | 85 liters |
Gear Capacity (cu. in.) | 5,187 cubic inches |
Weight | 6 lbs. 3.7 oz. |
Adjustable Torso Length | Yes |
Fits Waist/Hips | 26-50 inches |
Pack Access | Top/Front |
Number of Exterior Pockets | 9 + main compartment |
Best Use | Backpacking |
Fits Torso Length (in.) | S/M: 17-20 inches L/XL: 19-23 inches |
Material(s) | 210-denier nylon (bluesign® approved) |
Frame Material | 4.0 mm LightWire peripheral frame |
Reservoir Compatible | Yes |
Sleeping Bag Compartment | Yes |
Raincover Included | Yes |
Hipbelt Pockets | Yes |
Removable Daypack | Yes |
Dimensions | 34 x 16 x 16 inches |
Gender | Men's |
Sustainability | Contains materials that meet the bluesign® criteria |
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My wife and I just had our first child and we are also in the midst of working on two separate guidebooks. I purchased this pack to help me complete the more backpacking intensive "Hiking Wyoming". Now that I am carrying my gear, our Childs gear, and extra camera gear I needed a pack that could hold up to the challenge. The Aether Plus 85 has been a great pack so far. I took it on an absolute brute bushwhack through deadfall and and a half frozen marsh. I was pleasantly surprised how stable to pack felt and how well it carried weight all loaded down. Love the DayLid feature as well as trekking pole attachment. This thing is made well and has already help up to much abuse. I do a lot of day hiking and peak bagging from camp when I'm backpacking and having the DayLid to use instead of a bulky backpacking pack is really nice.
Really like the backpack and other than a few minor things would have given it five stars: - it packs easily, can carry a bear vault sideways even - well designed, sturdy, stable, easy to adjust all straps - carries weight well (i've carried 50 pounds) - has ample pockets There are few places to attach to the back (e.g. wet towel, shoes, hat, etc.). i would have appreciated a few more loops. Also on the internal daypack i had to replace one of the buckles that kept separating at inopportune moments.
Would be 5 stars but the strap for the brain is glued on instead of sown on. Broke the night before my 6 day trip as I was filling my pack the day before. Dont know why its glued on, seems like a bad design. My osprey atmos has everything sown on, and I've never had anything break on it (nearing 100 days with that pack)
I've done Philmont twice and the past, and sent my son on a trek with this pack after doing a fair amount of research. The other kids and adults all noted how much more comfortable this pack was over the others, as well as notably convenient access and pockets. Aside from being a little dirty after the two-week long endeavor everything is holding up great. Going to pick up a second one of these for myself.
Replaced my old pack of about 15 years with this one. Such a nice upgrade. Fits my body type really well, and can hold all that I need to bring for 5 days with my two kids (They carry most of their stuff) I really like the zip off backpack at the top for day missions. Highly recommended!
My wife and I just had our first child and we are also in the midst of working on two separate guidebooks. I purchased this pack to help me complete the more backpacking intensive ""Hiking Wyoming"". Now that I am carrying my gear, our Childs gear, and extra camera gear I needed a pack that could hold up to the challenge. The Aether Plus 85 has been a great pack so far. I took it on an absolute brute bushwhack through deadfall and and a half frozen marsh. I was pleasantly surprised how stable to pack felt and how well it carried weight all loaded down. Love the DayLid feature as well as trekking pole attachment. This thing is made well and has already help up to much abuse.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I'm no expert but I've put about 10 miles into this pack loaded up at about 45 pounds. It holds the weight very well and is very comfortable to wear (I'm 6'1" 220). I feel like I could easily load more into it if I wanted. I don't think any of the pockets are full even loaded to 45 pounds. It cinches down tight so you don't need to worry if you don't plan on fully loading it up.
Purchased as Christmas gift for my grandson. REI came through with speed and accuracy when the “elephant in the room” could not. Impressive! The pack itself is outstanding, per my grandson.
Pack is comfortable and seems to hold as much as advertised. I can't seem to find a use for the daypack other than taking it off and using it as an ultra running backpacking, but for that it works great! Solid pack that fits well, but it runs a little heavy for how I used it. Take off the day pack forever though and you've got a usable high volume back pack. Everything else works great, and I can see the daypack being useful in emergencies, but hope you don't run into those!
When I bought a similar pack at the end of 2017, I wrote a rave review about it and would amend it if I could, but you cannot go back that far in the reviews. So everything I say only relates to the Osprey Men's Aether AG 85 Pack which dates from 2017. I love the design, fit and functionality of this beast, and all throughout the first 4 years I'd say it was friendliest backpack I ever used. I definitely babied it: whenever I checked it into an airline I tried to protect it with a pack cover (from another manufacturer) and it helped keep the pack in great condition. Unfortunately, at about 4 years the polymers in some of the critical straps began to break down so that they would rip off on tightening. I can now even rip them in half with my fingers, and I wouldn't trust it on top of some freezing mountain. It's not a big deal with some of the straps because they are easily replaceable, but others are actually sewn into the body of the pack so to replace them you'd need to take apart the seam and sew new ones into it. It's a bit disheartening because aside from this, it's still very serviceable and I feel the same about the excellent design and quality otherwise -- but I'd expect it to last more like 8 years and not 4, given the cost. Maybe I'll try a different brand next time, or maybe I'll use repairing it as an excuse to go to Asia and find someone to replace all the straps (that I'll give them!).