Osprey  Ariel 55 Pack - Women's

I used this pack when I hiked Mount Whitney a few weeks ago. I am 5'4", 118lbs, with a 17" torso. I have the women's small size, and it was perfect. I loaded the pack with 30lbs of gear for the trip. I found that it had adequate room for my portion of the gear. The hip pockets added a huge degree of functionality; I could put my pocket camera in one pocket, and a snack or two in the other. Since it seemed like a few hikers in my group were on a verge of inpatient, the easy access to both of those items helped a ton. Besides, I feel like I constantly have to munch when I'm on these types of excursions. A feature that had the rest of the group jealous was the detachable summit pack. I removed the padded hip belt and used that instead of the integrated straps on the summit pack, and I'm glad I did. Incredibly comfortable, and the perfect size for a summit pack. The stow and go trekking pole loops are amazing. Same category of functionality as the hip/side pockets. Even though this pack is not the lightest pack out there, it didn't matter because it was so comfortable and supported the weight inside the pack well. Additionally, I had the hip belt molded, which alleviated any pressure on my bony bits. The water bladder pocket is easy to access. I had no trouble getting the bladder back in, even with a full pack. Overall, this backpack really made my trip most enjoyable. Once I put the pack on and tightened the straps appropriately, it fit comfortably for hours of hiking with no fiddling with the straps!

I tried several backpacks at REI and this one fit like a glove. I had been hiking with about 20lbs in my daypack for my training hikes and after putting this pack on and loading it up with another 10lbs it felt just as comfortable. I didn't feel the weight increase at all. I love the pockets on the belt. I love the air flow on my back, I still get warm but it helps SO much. I do wish there was maybe one more smaller pocket on the outside. My daypack has the pockets on the inside and outside of the lid as well as a 2 pockets on the outside sides and I really miss that on this bag because the lid is really the only place to put the smaller items I like to have access to such as sunscreen, snacks, bug spray and my emergency kit, etc. Because I'm missing those my lid pocket gets very heavy/awkward. Overall, I feel this pack is easy to adjust, it's easy to access pack contents and is very comfortable even when carrying a bit of weight, everything you need in a pack.

I have tried many packs in the past and was excited for Osprey's 2013 Ariel Series to come out. I ordered the 55 for a 3 month backpacking trip and I will be soon returning the pack. I'm petite 5' tall and after struggling with the weight in the 2012 Ariel Series I thought the lighter 2013 series would work for me but that isn't the case. I also loved the hipbelt in the 2012 Ariels but it turns out Osprey has really built up the new hipbelts making them much less flexible and much heavier. I spoke with Osprey but you can't use the 2012 hipbelts on the new packs. I like osprey's designs in general but this pack was really made for someone 5'5' or taller given the height of the pack, and the extra bulk in the hipbelt padding. Osprey does have a lighter weight model but again the height of it makes it very awkward to carry when you are in the XS suspension .

Love this pack! Very comfortable, I love the hipbelt and the padding on the straps. You might want to get an additional compression sack for your sleeping bag, to make it fit better in the sleeping bag compartment (I use a Sea to Summit eVAC; honestly, you should have your sleeping bag in a waterproof bag and not just the compression bags that most sleeping bags come with anyway). The side pockets snugly hold water bottles/pouches, so I don't worry about anything falling out in rough terrain. The hipbelt pockets are very convenient, and big enough that I can fit my mini umbrella in one of them (yes, I backpack with an umbrella, don't knock it till you've tried it). One thing I don't like about this pack is that it's over 4 pounds, but, if you like the organization of multiple compartments, pockets, and zippers, paired with comfortable padding, you have to pay for it in weight. Lastly, the mesh back panel leave a little something to be desired. It's better than a lot of other cheaper packs, but I would like a little more ventilation, like the system that Osprey is using on the new Exos packs. This isn't my first Osprey pack, and it won't be my last. When Osprey puts a better ventilation system on this design, or manages to figure out a way to cut weight without sacrificing any of the comfort of this pack, I'll upgrade. In the meantime, this pack is my best friend on the trail!

I used this pack on the Camino France's and the Camino Portuguese. I am 5'11 and 165#. I used a small women's as I am all leg with a short torso. My pack weighed 21 pounds at its heaviest. My first long distance walk it was amazing but the second it was not so comfortable. I found that the straps had stretched and could no longer get the proper fit around my shoulders no matter how I adjusted. I suppose I could return it because technically it's only been used 56 days total. I will by another Osprey... All their products are great.

Had to return the small and order the extra small, so was worried about the fit, but it had plenty of adjustability! Have only used it for one 10 mile trip, but love it so far though. I'm 5'4", about 120 lbs.

Replaced wife's uncomfortable Northface Terra 40 (twisting shoulder straps) with the Ariel 55. Even with more gear this pack is very comfortable. It packs the gear very efficiently even though it lacks exterior pockets. My wife and I just got back from The Sisters Wilderness and the pack met all expectations!! This is the 4th Osprey pack we now own. Great products..Great customer service!!!

I used this pack backpacking through Asia for two months. I found that 15kg was my max ideal comfort weight. I was so rough with the pack and it still doesn't have a single snag. It was the perfect size and I had bulky things packed like my camera, hiking shoes and the weight always felt evenly distributed. It's really easy to adjust to fit you perfectly which is great as I can adjust it so all the weight is on my hips and not my shoulders - as I have a small frame this is really important as my shoulders hurt quickly if they are carrying a lot of weight. I'm going to take it on a multi day hike soon and can't wait to try it out for hiking as it has a built in sleeve for a water bladder. Highly recommend this pack!

I ordered the Ariel 55 way back in 2009 and since then it's been deep into wilderness areas, stuffed into the overhead compartment on my way to foreign countries, and lugged around with teaching supplies for my environmental education jobs. It's a fantastic pack!! I just recently sent it into Osprey to have one of the metal frame pieces replaced, and they also patched two holes on the side pockets! Now my pack is ready to jump into another busy summer outside! I have broken the waist buckle several times, but that's an easy fix. The pack itself is also a smidgen too tall for my body, but that's my fault. Everything is easily adjustable, I love the pockets and straps, I've strapped all sorts of stuff to the outside of this pack!

Very nice pack. Just the right size, with sleeping bag compartment. Nice that the water compartment is separate from the storage area. Purchased due to the hip belt padding and how comfortable that was.