Osprey  Aether 70 Pack

I went into REI in April for a May trip and this is the pack that was recommended to me. The REI rep invested the time to take measurements and change the hip-belt and harness to larger ones that accommodated my frame. The fit is incredible. Since I told the REI rep that I was new to backpacking, he took the time to load up the backpack with sandbags and showed me how all the different straps work and how they affect where the weight is sitting. That experience was absolutely key to making my first backpacking trip incredible. Immediately after making it home from my first trip I planned another for June. I now have a July and August trip planned.

Osprey already has an excellent track record with me, but this pack is better than my last. Very sturdy, lightweight, adjustable, and functional. Heat molded hip-belt gives a crazy nice fit. This pack is mainly used for 1-5 night backpacking trips in the Appalachains, and it has served well. Although the rain cover was not included, the one Osprey makes is a really good one. It covers an over-stuffed pack (with sleeping pads strapped to the outside) completely, and it has adequate synch points to keep wind from catching it or collecting snow/rain. I would recommend this as not only a great pack for experienced hikers, but also for beginning explorers as well.

I just broke this pack in on a 43 mile Teton Crest Trail trip. Bagged worked perfectly! Straps are solid and compartments are well thought out. easy to adjust while on the trail as load/terrain changed. Works perfect for the gear that I carry, and weighed in at 55lb fully loaded. I think it would be pretty hard to get this bag to rip! I had to drag along some sections of the extremely rocky Paintbrush divide...thinking for sure I would have a least a few small rips..... but NO! The bag held strong! I found the pack most comfortable when I had on a fleece jacket... so perhaps even a small amount of additional padding in the belt/straps would help. Overall a great pack!

This pack is extremely good at distributing heavy loads to the hips and keeping the weight off your shoulders. The load lifter straps are the key here. The hip belt is VERY comfortable. It is easy to adjust this pack, even when walking. I love the front entry J zipper, great for getting to things buried deep in the middle of the pack, but at the sacrifice of front pockets it might be a downside for some. The material the shoulder straps are made of is a wide-hole mesh that would be uncomfortable on bare skin, and thin shirts. The Osprey Xenith pack has much more comfortable material on their shoulder straps. This is not a problem if you are always wearing clothes. This pack is also slightly heavy for it's capacity, but does carry heavy loads very comfortably. Lastly, make sure you put your full hydration bladder into the pack BEFORE you start packing, otherwise it will be very difficult to put the bladder in and will cause the back to have a weird shape.

I never bother writing reviews but I'm compelled to with this product. It's been 40 years since my last backing trip and that trip was about pain, lots pain from my back pack is what I remember most from that trip. REI Concord fitted me and suggested the Osprey Aether 70.(56 year old fat guy) First trip was an over night hike at Point Reys 18 miles in two day, this pack performed better than my wildest dreams, pack was so comfortable I didn't even bother to take it off during a lunch brake, I over packed, had to carry extra food for someone else and I probably packed a few too many things I didn't need, the pack weight was at 42 lb's at the trail head but the Aether 70 distributed the load extremely well. I'm very satisfied with this pack and would recommend it, I won't wait another 40 years to go on my next backpacking trip just got back and planing another trip.

I've used this pack on only a couple 3-day trips into the wilderness of MT so far but I've been very pleased. It's a good volume for a three to five day hike and since it's highly adjustable to fit my body well, it's made 6-12 mile days no problem. I got the bladder and rain cover for it and both work great. So far, the materials have been durable and the zippers seem solid, without much snagging. I really like that the top of the pack is removable and has it's own waist belt, so you can use it as a small pack for a day hike from a basecamp. As I get to know the pack more, I'm more and more pleased with it.

I know this pack is made for the mountain climber and multi day backpacker in mind. One thing that is usually not taken into consideration when manufacturers produce their outdoor equipment is the "plus sized" person. Yes, us fat people still like to hike and enjoy the outdoors. That being said, although I will not be climbing any mountains anytime soon, this pack was one of the few that would fit around my "plus sized" waist, and it fits like a glove. Most of my packing is done on the weekends with family and comfort in mind. This pack fits the bill perfectly. Not only does it have the room to carry everything I require for camp comfort, but it molds perfectly, and carries like it's simply an extension of my body. This was my first pack graduating from the "old school" aluminum external frame, and I'm hooked. The best feature, in my humble opinion, is the space provided for the hydration bottle. No more fumbling with a canteen. My water hose sits over my shoulder for easy reach while on the go. Surprisingly the liquid stays nice and cool even in warmer weather. My first use of this pack was an 18 mile trip on the C&O canal. With the waist belt nice and snug the multiple adjustments allowed for on the shoulder straps almost makes this pack carry like its not even there. This pack was well worth every penny.

I used the Aether 70 to carry my gear on a 400 mile trek from Selma, Alabama to Memphis, Tennessee following the National Civil Rights Trail and other historic sites where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. either pastored or led marches. During my hike the Aether 70 provided all the space I need for my belongings and more. After completing the first 50 miles I unloaded some of my gear reducing the pack weight from 43 to about 35 pounds. Overall I was very happy with the pack and especially the easy access to all its compartments. I do wish I had taken more time prior to starting the hike to get all the adjustments I needed for the weight I was carrying worked out.

I really didn't want to like this pack. I wanted to get it home and find that it was only marginally better than my old pack. I really wanted to say that it was too expensive for what it is, I really wanted to tell you that, but I can't. This pack is amazingly comfortable. I've done a few hikes with it loaded up with camping and photo gear, about 20lbs of each, and it feels like I have a lot less on my back. It's not as east to load as my old pack, but I'll look past that since it does have a hydration sleeve. I know they all do nowadays, but that's just how old my other pack is. I'm looking forward to more trips with this pack.

I bought this pack a few months ago for a multiday trip in Kings Canyon National Park. Before I left REI in Manhattan offered free fitting and heat molding of the hip pads. I stopped in and the Osprey rep was just fantastic! He set my pack up for my use and went through all the cool little details and added features of the pack. Glad I spent that hour with him. This translated into an incredible 2 day overnight hike in KCNP. I was a little heavy due to carrying a Bear canister but even carrying close to 40 pounds up and down some very steep trails this pack came through with flying colors. I was especially impressed with how well this pack cinches down when fully loaded eliminating load shift. Easy access to all compartments was also appreciated. I am now back in NJ looking forward to extended backpacking over the next six months. Just can't say enough good things about this pack!