Osprey Aether 65 Backpack Assessment

Backside Line

If you happen to want essentially the most sturdy and supportive backpack to haul heavy hundreds 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 total the Aether did a good job dealing with it. Top-of-the-line issues concerning the pack is its potential to regulate the torso size with out taking it off, to dial in that excellent match. 

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

As a result of common consolation at its highest hundreds, we do desire 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 type. 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 entire backpacking information lineup. We’ll replace this overview and our information with extra in-depth, three-season findings after we check them.

Consolation

Total we predict the Aether is a snug pack, but it surely approaches consolation a bit bit otherwise. 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. In contrast, the Aether is rated as much as 60 lb, which suggests Osprey constructed up its elements to accommodate these hundreds. Importantly then, it would nonetheless be comfy with 30 kilos it it but additionally really feel a bit overbuilt. Since this was one in all our two heavy hauling packs, we determined to guage it on the most of 60 lb to see the way it really dealt with the burden. And we had been left a bit bit shocked. 

The expertise wasn’t uncomfortable, but it surely additionally left us feeling like a few of the expertise from Osprey’s Atmos line may very well be carried out 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 expertise that makes the Atmos so comfy merely doesn’t work at these larger hundreds. However in contrast with different backpacking backpacks, the Aether falls behind a bit bit in consolation. 

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

Options

As Osprey’s heaviest hauling pack, the Aether is loaded with options that make it an awesome alternative for expeditions or different journeys the place lengthy heavy carries are essential. In contrast to numerous different backpacks that merely have exterior attachment factors for optionally available lashing, the Aether has a full-on webbing strap system on the again design for carrying massive objects. The beefy nylon assist 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 made from stable face cloth 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 all Osprey’s daypacks. That is one other distinctive characteristic for individuals who desire 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 anticipate to see frequent use of ice axes. We had been additionally pleasantly shocked 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 essentially the most sturdy pack we examined, sporting 210D nylon for its thinnest components and 420D for the whole lot 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 cloth used right here is similar because the reinforcement cloth 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 decisions, and it’s value commending. The primary physique cloth is Bluesign authorised, 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 characteristic provided 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 problem.

The hip belt pockets additionally deserve point out right here. That is one in all only some packs the place these pockets might be opened and closed with one hand. They’re massive and effectively positioned, and we like that they’re made from stable cloth as an alternative 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 excellent match on path or switching issues up because the load makes the body of the pack behave otherwise.

Ought to You Purchase the Osprey Aether 65 Backpack?

If you happen to’re on the lookout for essentially 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 value. The Aether is each heavy and expensive for a backpack. Most backpackers don’t want this a lot backpack. In case your complete pack weight is under 50 kilos, there are different packs that may meet your wants for much less cash and weight. Moreover, in case your pack weight is 50 kilos or larger, it’s value asking your self, do you really want the whole lot? It may be value doing a shakedown to think about when you want that a lot gear – and really want 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 gear for expeditions, winter hikes, mountaineering, or path work – the Aether could also be value its weight and worth.

What Different Backpacking Packs Ought to You Contemplate?

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

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

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

Osprey Atmos 65 Assessment – If you happen to like the general type of the Aether however gained’t be carrying 60 kilos, the Atmos is a great different that ought to maintain you proud of its excellent suspended mesh again panel.