Osprey Aether 65 Review

The Osprey Aether 65 may be among the heaviest packs in our review, but it knows how to carry a load. With its Fit on the Fly shoulder strap pads, hip belt, and adjustable torso length, you can dial in the fit for maximum comfort while walking down the trail. Osprey has always been a household name in top-quality backpacks, and with this addition, they continue to build on what works.

Comfort

The Aether 65 has a sturdy suspension system that can carry heavy loads while still allowing ventilation. The Airscape back panel features dense foam that supports the back and provides ample space for air to pass through. This is all covered by a mesh that keeps your shirt from filling the gaps that would block airflow.

The injection-molded frame sheet is very sturdy and runs the length of the back panel to a lumbar pad, creating a comfortable contact point where the load is properly transferred to the hips. When the hip belt is cinched tight, this extra lumbar padding supports the lower back, providing a close-to-the-body feel. The only downside is that the attached hip belt can cause the pack to sway side to side while you walk and flex your hips. This effect is more noticeable when the load is heavier and bulkier.

The shoulder straps on this pack feature a soft, supportive foam on the upper shoulders that tapers down to an adjustable, dense foam. This extra cushion at the shoulders' apex helped keep the pack comfortable during extended use under heavy loads.

Ease of Use

The Aether 65 makes accessing your gear a breeze, whether inside or out. It is an excellent choice if you find it as hard as we do to see that other camp sock in the dark abyss of your pack.

The pack has three entry points, making it easy to grab what you need without unpacking everything. You can quickly load and unload the pack through the top drawstring opening. Once you've packed everything inside, it's easiest to access the main compartment through the large front zipper. This large opening is ideal for grabbing another layer or a rain jacket when the weather turns.

You can also access the main compartment via another zipper at the bottom of the pack. This zipper leads to the sleeping bag compartment, where you can store your sleeping bag separately from the rest of your gear. We like to stash our sleep clothes in this separate compartment along with our sleeping bag. If you don't want a separate sleeping-bag compartment, you can also open the flap that divides the pack into two sections.

The front pocket has some stretch mesh along the sides, but is mostly made of durable ripstop material that won't tear or wear out over time. While this doesn't allow the pocket to stretch as much as some packs do, it's still useful for a wet ground sheet or for throwing a jacket in after the first climb of the day. Two compression straps go over the shove-it pocket and help keep all your gear secure. They can also pull double-duty by lashing camp shoes or dirty socks to the pack.

The hip belt pockets on this pack can fit several bars, a phone, and Chapstick. The zipper opens and closes with one hand, allowing you to grab a snack without stopping to tuck or put our trekking poles down. For larger quick-access items, the top lid has two zipper pockets, providing an ideal space for a headlamp, sunscreen, and toilet paper. The top zipper pocket includes a rain cover that takes up most of the room but can be moved to the pack's main body to free up the pocket.

The dual-access water bottle pockets keep a bottle securely in place, with no risk of dropping it when bending over. They are convenient to grab a bottle from, but any bottle taller than a Nalgene touches your side when you lean forward.

Weight-to-Volume Ratio

Tipping the scale at a hefty 5 pounds, the Aether 65 is one of the heaviest packs we tested. Though its beefy suspension and reinforced features make it heavy, they also keep it comfortable under heavy loads.

With such a feature-loaded, adjustable pack, it's no surprise that the weight adds up. This pack forgoes weight savings by adding reinforcements to the back and side stretch pockets, thereby increasing the product's lifespan.

Adjustability

The Aether 65 is the only pack we tested that lets you lengthen the shoulder-strap padding, extending the cushioning down for a perfect custom fit. While wearing the pack, you can un-velcro the cushioning and adjust the length. This feature makes it easy to dial in the pack's fit.

The torso length adjuster is a slide lock and webbing that can be tightened or loosened to match your height. We measured its vertically adjustable range at 4 inches. The pack also features a Fit on the Fly hip belt that functions similarly to the shoulder strap. It is easy to adjust and offers a wide range for different body types.

Should You Buy the Osprey Aether 65?

A good backpack is an investment that will last for years to come. The Aether 65 has awesome features, is made with durable materials, and can comfortably carry the heaviest loads of any pack we tested. If you're planning long backpacking trips with a lot of gear, this backpack is worth considering.

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