Osprey  Aether Pro 75 Pack - Men's

This is my 3rd hiking backpack I’ve purchased and it is awesome. I’m not a small guy at 6’3” 250 lbs and this bag fits me great. It can be adjusted smaller and would also fit someone a little bigger than me so there is plenty of adjustability. Both the hip belt and shoulder straps are very comfortable. I loaded the bag to about 45-50 lbs and went hiking with it and it stayed comfortable the entire time. The pack never once get uncomfortable or rubbed anywhere. Great fit. Looking forward to some multi day hiking with this bag.

I really wanted to love this technical backpack. It is lightweight, high capacity, and built to withstand serious abuse. Unfortunately, several design flaws made me return it directly out of the box. First, the lack of external attachment points makes the Aether Pro’s streamlined design difficult to customize with a water bottle pouch or other external accessories, limiting its usefulness for a thru-hike. I carry a water bladder on extended trips but like to bring a separate Nalgene for mixing sport drinks or carrying a backup water supply in case of bladder leaks, as happened on my recent trek in Idaho’s Sawtooth Wilderness. There’s nowhere convenient to stash water bottles or other bulky items on the Aether Pro, so everything but the sleeping pad has to fit inside. More critically, the large hip pockets float freely with just attachment points on the hip-belt, meaning they cannot be zipped closed with one hand while the pack is being worn. This makes reaching for small items nearly impossible without taking the pack off or using two hands. Either action would be frustrating and potentially dangerous in the high alpine scenarios for which the Aether Pro is marketed. This failure was a deal-breaker for me, and I would have returned the pack even if everything else had been to my liking. Third, the full-length zipper introduces a potential failure point to the main compartment without adding much utility. The Aether Pro must be lying flat on the ground to make this feature useful, and a full-length zip introduces the risk of belongings spilling onto the trail if the bag is overstuffed. A better option would have been vertical pockets on the pack-face, like those found on the Atmos AG series. Finally, there’s the lack of an included rain-cover. This is admittedly a nitpick, but for a premium $440+ bag it feels like one ought to be included. Even my Kestrel included an ultralight cover at less than half the price. I love Osprey for its innovation but hate that they’ve bungled such a beautiful concept with several poor design choices. I’d jump at the chance to buy a 75L NanoFly backpack if it actually included some of the intelligent design features that make other entries in the Aether series so practical. Give us rear pockets, external lash points, and a side water bottle pocket in a bag with next-gen materials. And please, Osprey, have your designers test their bags in the field to help idiot-proof some of the more creative design choices like those detachable hip pockets.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] If you are going into the backcountry, this is the backpack you need. This pack can handle a big load and that is just what I need because I am not the best minimalist. However, after packing and you think you have everything, you can always just remove the top lid and that is a great feature. In addition, the side zipper is clutch and a must because when you stop on the trail to get something it never fails that it is near the bottom of your pack. Furthermore, the pack liner and rain cover are essential for being in the remote wilderness. Moreover, the pack fabric is made of durable material and that is great when bushwhacking through thick undergrowth that is stabbing at you. This rucksack can handle it. Additionally, the backer plate on the water bladder reduces bending so you do not feel like you are carrying a waterbed. Finally, I also really like the packs on the hip belt because you can quickly grab your camera, map, bear spray, or big knife. This backpack is the gold standard and the ultimate companion for remote multi-day trips.

A product that is not only comfortable to use but has lots of features allowing you to get at gear whilst walking.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]