Great for multi-day climbing trips laden with hardware or for backpackers who believe going light means sacrificing too many comforts of home, the redesigned Osprey Aether 85 backpack offers plenty of volume and a high performance suspension system for all sorts of load toting. For short excursions from camp the IsoForm hipbelt can be threaded through the lumbar pad sewn on the bottom of the detachable top pocket to form a hip pack. But for big loads of camping equipment, Osprey has designed the next best thing to a custom built backpack. The AirScape suspension system not only serves as a rock-solid foundation for evenly transferring the weight to the hips, lumbar, and shoulders, but it also offers superior breathability. The Osprey Aether 85 backpack now offers the IsoForm custom moldable hipbelt technology to match the user's unique shape over this important load-bearing surface. The dual density shoulder harness offers a smooth, contoured fit, interchangeable sizes, and no sewn seams against the shoulders (as is true of all surfaces on the pack that contact the body). The Osprey Aether 85 backpack can also be considered a hydration pack on steroids. An internal backpanel hydration sleeve with twin exit ports provides customized plumbing and the external dual entry side pockets accommodate one liter bottles for easy access. The Osprey Aether 85 backpack is designed to comfortably carry loads of 45 to 55 lbs. For smaller loads be sure to check out the Osprey Aether 70 and Aether 60 backpacks.
Superior pack
I've been using Osprey packs for a number of years and I got Aether 85 for larger volume. In my opinion, Osprey packs are very well made and on top of that they are light weight. Make sure the fit is right and it hugs your back nicely distributing the weight appropriately. Highly recommended for all levels.
Great Fit!
I picked this one for my upcoming trip to Mt. Rainier. I am 5'5", 150 Lbs and the pack fits me perfect. Very lightweight and the storage space is enough to carry everything you will need for a long trek. My favorite features are the storage space at the bottom for your sleeping bag(Easy Access!)and the adjustable straps and waist belt. A lot of thought and engineering was put into this. Perfect pack for all types of trips....
Large volume, light weight, excellent quality and design
Re-entering backpacking after 20-some years. Trying to go lightweight, but switched to this higher volume pack, to have sufficient room for a bulky synthetic 0F sleeping bag and warm synthetic clothes, for high altitudes and shoulder seasons. Took it on a 3-night trip in the Pecos Wilderness to 12,000 ft. Load-carrying system was comfortable even when 5 quarts water loaded me to perhaps 50 lb. for a hike to a dry camp. Floating top pocket sometimes a bit awkward, but works well. In combination with lower 'sleeping bag' pocket, and outer mesh pockets, provides enough pocket storage to keep smaller items organized and accessible. However, the simplified design still keeps the weight 1-3 pounds below quality packs of comparable volume. Various cinch straps keep the load close to your back even when all the volume is not being used. However, I had to cinch the 'large' hip belt all the way closed to get a reasonable fit on my 33-34-inch waist, so some people may need to select hip belt sizes that differ from the usual ones supplied with the various pack sizes.
