Osprey Aether 65 Backpack Overview

Backside Line

In case you want probably the most sturdy and supportive backpack to haul heavy masses into the backcountry, the Osprey Aether can deal with no matter you throw at it. After we loaded this pack up with 60 lb of weight for testing, it didn’t falter. It’s arduous to make that kind of load really feel comfy, so general the Aether did a good job dealing with it. Among the finest issues concerning the pack is its capability to regulate the torso size with out taking it off, to dial in that good match. 

Sturdiness additionally stands out with this mannequin. The burly nylon and a restricted use of mesh ought to preserve this pack kicking for a few years. The mesh that we do see is restricted to protected elements of the stretch again pocket and water bottle pockets. Fortunately, these water bottle pockets are decently straightforward to entry, accommodating sensible water and Nalgene bottles with Osprey’s intelligent vertical pocket design. 

As a result of common consolation at its highest masses, we do favor different packs for heavy hauling consolation. Nevertheless, everybody’s physique is completely different, so strive on any pack to see the way it suits and works on your backpacking fashion. In any other case, that is completely a backpack prepared for years of gear-intensive adventures.

How We Examined

We roamed some native trails in Minnesota through the winter with this pack throughout our refresh of your complete backpacking information lineup. We’ll replace this overview and our information with extra in-depth, three-season findings once we check them.

Consolation

General we predict the Aether is a cushty pack, nevertheless it approaches consolation a bit of bit in another way. Most backpacks are solely rated as much as 30 or 40 kilos, so their suspension methods are solely designed to be comfy as much as these weights. Against this, the Aether is rated as much as 60 lb, which implies Osprey constructed up its elements to accommodate these masses. Importantly then, it’ll nonetheless be comfy with 30 kilos it it but in addition really feel a bit overbuilt. Since this was one in every of our two heavy hauling packs, we determined to judge it on the most of 60 lb to see the way it truly dealt with the burden. And we have been left a bit of bit stunned. 

The expertise wasn’t uncomfortable, nevertheless it additionally left us feeling like a few of the know-how from Osprey’s Atmos line might be applied right here to enhance the expertise. The Aether has a really standard-feeling hip belt and suspension system with no fancy contoured mesh. It’s simply foam and thick nylon. We suspect that the know-how that makes the Atmos so comfy merely doesn’t work at these increased masses. However in contrast with different backpacking backpacks, the Aether falls behind a bit of bit in consolation. 

Thankfully we didn’t encounter something catastrophic. There aren’t any apparent strain factors, the shoulder straps work nice, and the again panel does a great job as effectively. We admire the customization choices that Osprey offers for consolation right here, notably the flexibility to regulate the torso size on the fly – which is a novel function to get probably the most out of this pack.

Options

As Osprey’s heaviest hauling pack, the Aether is loaded with options that make it an excellent alternative for expeditions or different journeys the place lengthy heavy carries are essential. In contrast to a whole lot of different backpacks that merely have exterior attachment factors for non-compulsory lashing, the Aether has a full-on webbing strap system on the again design for carrying giant objects. The beefy nylon help construction across the webbing straps makes it clear it is a system designed for heavier objects – not only a tent or sleeping pad like most backpackers use. Beneath it is a again stretch pocket that’s fabricated from strong face material with mesh on the edges however in a protected space. On that very same again panel are some attachment loops for clipping in one in every of Osprey’s daypacks. That is one other distinctive function for individuals who need a peak bagging pack or a city bag.

The 2 ice axe loops embody strong attachment cords on the center of the pack, and that is a kind of packs we’d count on to see frequent use of ice axes. We have been additionally pleasantly stunned by the hip belt pockets. They’re one of many few that we examined that may be closed with only one hand.

Sturdiness

It is a tank, an absolute bomber of a backpack, designed for throwing your self into nature and never worrying about your gear in any respect. That is probably the most sturdy pack we examined, sporting 210D nylon for its thinnest elements and 420D for every thing else. We weren’t in a position to check the Aether to wherever close to its limits and even when we tried we doubt we might put a dent on this factor with out years of arduous abuse.

Most backpacks fail with repeated abrasion in opposition to the load supporting areas. However the Aether merely doesn’t have these considerations. The thinnest material used right here is identical because the reinforcement material used on different packs. The stitching high quality is unimaginable – no seams confirmed any give. And the restricted use of mesh is confined to smaller areas. The water bottle pockets are maybe the one space the place the mesh might snag and trigger issues. Nevertheless, that is on par with different backpacks. Osprey is an organization that has put some efforts in direction of sustainability for his or her materials selections, and it’s price commending. The principle physique material is Bluesign accredited, and the DWR end is PFC free. Notably this lags behind their different packs just like the Exos and Atmos, since these packs additionally use recycled supplies and are PFAS free as effectively. We’d wish to see these enhancements within the Aether lineup, however the effort right here continues to be first rate.

Ease of Use

Regardless of being Osprey’s most built-up pack, the Aether manages to stay decently straightforward to make use of. Like its cousin the Atmos, the quantity of options can get overwhelming at sure factors, however each function supplied works effectively with out frustration. The water bottle pockets are decently straightforward to entry right here – like on many Osprey packs – and Smartwater and Nalgene bottles match with out subject.

The hip belt pockets additionally deserve point out right here. That is one in every of just a few packs the place these pockets might be opened and closed with one hand. They’re giant and effectively positioned, and we like that they’re fabricated from strong material as a substitute of mesh. 

Like another Osprey packs, the Aether encompasses a torso adjustment that may be shifted whereas sporting the pack. That is nice for dialing within the good match on path or switching issues up because the load makes the body of the pack behave in another way.

Ought to You Purchase the Osprey Aether 65 Backpack?

In case you’re in search of probably the most sturdy, heavy-hauling backpack, the Aether is difficult to argue in opposition to. It’s on the outer fringe of backpacking backpacks within the sense that its sturdiness and load-hauling capabilities method an expedition pack, looking pack, or mountaineering pack. 

All of this comes at a price. The Aether is each heavy and expensive for a backpack. Most backpackers don’t want this a lot backpack. In case your whole pack weight is beneath 50 kilos, there are different packs that can meet your wants for much less cash and weight. Moreover, in case your pack weight is 50 kilos or increased, it’s price asking your self, do you actually need every thing? It could be price doing a shakedown to contemplate in case you want that a lot gear – and actually need one of many burliest packs on the market. Nonetheless, for individuals who want one thing sturdy to hold cheaper, heavier, and bulkier backpacking gear – or specialised security tools for expeditions, winter hikes, mountaineering, or path work – the Aether could also be price its weight and worth.

What Different Backpacking Packs Ought to You Contemplate?

For backpacks of all sizes and styles, take a look at our full Backpacking Backpack gear information.

Gregory Baltoro 65 Overview – The Baltoro was the opposite heavy hauler we thought-about apart from the Aether. Not solely did we discover it extra comfy when loaded with 60 kilos, but in addition discovered it barely simpler to make use of, and it suits a BV500 bear canister horizontally internally. 

Gregory Paragon 58 Overview – In case your pack weight received’t exceed 50 kilos, we predict that the wonderful Gregory Paragon is an general higher decide for most individuals. 

Osprey Atmos 65 Overview – In case you like the general fashion of the Aether however received’t be carrying 60 kilos, the Atmos is a great various that ought to preserve you pleased with its excellent suspended mesh again panel.