You will be impressed with the quality of this pack. It is very durable, and wont let you down in the most demanding of situations. Enjoy this review of the Osprey Aether 70.
This was an awesome review! Thank you! Just bought the pack brand new from a guy, so no extra info came with it. This review shows us all the things we had questions about. Fantastic. Thanks!
Great review! I really couldn't figure out how to put the top part back after using it separately for few months. You also pointed out some nice features I wasn't aware of. Thank you!
I've had this pack for a decade, and am just now learning what some of the do-dads do thanks to this video. Well freaking done good man, very clearly and succinctly explained head to toe. This is literally the best backpack review I have ever seen.
A friend just gave me his Aether 70. Thank you for a great review. I feel very informed... especially with respect to those mysterious two female clips on one side. :)
I just purchased the Aether 70 from REI Monday and will be here Friday. Going on my first backpacking trip to Springer Mt in North Georgia next weekend. I looked at other backpacks but couldn't decide on one until I saw this review.Thanks for putting up this video. I will touch back with my review.
Thanks for the great review, I just bought this pack used in great shape for $50. Its not the newest technology but I am certain I got a great deal on a classic, excellent pack. Can't wait to get out and use it !!
Once again, loving the Osprey vids. I personally have a High Sierra atm, but I also bought a Osprey Raptor 10 day pack and since I got that I fell in love. Once I feel the need to get a new 65L+ pack, I'm going to go towards Osprey. If not only their durability and some of their unique features, their style alone brings me towards them.
I picked up a Never used but 2 year old Aether 70. It doesn't have everything that your version has, but it's pretty close. Thank you for taking the time to go through the pack. I learned a lot about it. The whistle was a fun find and I had spent 20 minutes looking for the loops you point out at around the 12:00 minute mark.(I'm thinking of getting an Osprey Daylite to add and couldn't find the mounting loops that Osprey shows in their video) I'm new to all of this and you did me a great service
Hey, thanks! Gotta tell you that you did a far far finer job of explaining the pack than the REI folks did. They were nice, and helpful to some degree - you were thorough and detailed. Just what I needed. I learned things about my pack that were very helpful. Thanks for taking the time.
I've been using this thing for almost a year and was very much enlightened by all of the features you pointed out. All of the clips and straps can get a little confusing on what goes where and their intended functions. Osprey should be paying you for this, they need to offer a nice video that clearly shows the features as your's does (there may be one but I haven't found it and it didn't pop up on RU-vid's search so it isn't accessible enough if it exists!) Thanks for the video!
Yeah, I know what you mean. Thanks a lot for taking time to reply. And thank you for making all these videos. BTW, I am looking at the ILBE pack atm, a "little" on the heavy side, by I love packs made of cordura-had one daypack made of that material and used it literally every day for 8 years and the only reason I stopped using it was the zipper that finally gave up.
Cool review. Very thorough. Gonna get the 2013 model. Osprey added an XL size to the Aether. So I gotta go down to the local shop & compare it to the large. I'm 6'4" & 230lbs. I already own the osprey Talon 44 for lighter shorter trips(its the perfect size for airline carry-on) and the osprey raptor 14 for bike hikes. LOVE Osprey gear.
I have been researching packs for myself and have watched easily over 75 videos. Your review is in the top 3 of best reviews I have seen. One thing you might want to let people know this pack is from the "AD-ON" series of Osprey. The female clips on the top "hat/removable fanny pack" are for adding the DAYLITE DAYPACK. That ad's a whole back pack to this pack. I am using this Aether 70 for backpacking in Europe and use the DAYLITE pack as my day pack/carry on plane pack.
Very good review, thanks. I have had the 70 (cost 140 UK sterling from the excellent Taunton Leisure I think) for a couple of years and never been short of space even when camping in snow at -10. The key to everything of course is to get the best and lightest kit whenever you can and hang the expense. Or just be immensely strong, uncomplaining, impervious to cold, heat, tiredness and weight and save a few quid. Happy camping.
I bought the Ariel 65 (women's) today and the only difference I see is that the water bladder now fits on the outside. :) Thank you for this great review...it's was quite helpful!
Well, I'm going to Canada for a year tomorrow with this bag. It has fit just about everything in except the kitchen sink. It's bursting at the seams and weighs 18kg, still feels comfortable though. Cheers for the review!
New one with pockets! That's a great addition...As for head clearance, you can loosen the straps on the suspension side of the pack to allow the lid to fall back some, and tighten the stabilizer straps on the back of the pack...this moves the lid away from your head. Hope that helps.
Love the reviews. I purchased two packs, the Atmos 65 and the Aether 70 (2013 edition with the side pockets). I still can't decide which one to keep. I'm planning on doing the Grand Canyon, Yosemite etc but also want something that's versatile enough to go abroad.
So, as I said on one of your other video's you sold this pack to me when i watched this video and I've now bought one! It's pretty good I have to say. The new model has the rain cover in the lid and two pockets on the hipbelt but is otherwise the same as this model. When I was in the shop I was playing around with smaller packs to see which could attach to the front, it's designed for the daylite but the smaller escapist packs could also fit with the addition of a couple of caribeaners.
I'm glad I can help! As far as I know, only in Europe do they have the rain-cover in the lid. I'm not sure why they don't have that in the US! Very odd. But yes, the new model is better, but similar in many ways. Another difference is that they have made all of the compression straps out of narrower webbing.
Great vid. My pack has the side pockets on the hip. I guess Osprey did a deisgn change recently to the Aether 70. Still kinda of hard to reach while your hiking, but the same pack none the less.
Great video, I'm glad someone has made such a detailed review I have been looking for something like this for a while now. I'm moving abroad for a year and I'm going to need to take a lot of stuff with me and we are doing a good bit of travel through russia and china before we arrive at our permanent location would you recommend this bag for this kind of application?
Hi, thank you for the review, I have it (in fact I have Xenith 105, but are similar), was looking for reviews that show how the stuff is packed. I have some questions after seeing your video. 1) Do you have your sleeping bag inside the botom of this backpack without a bag (the compresion bag that come with the sleeping bag)? I as this question because I have trouble to get my Dark Star -40 inside the backpack, I have to compress it a lot, and even that, it takes more than normal effort to put it inside. I thought that may be I can put the sleeping bag without its bag and get this inside easily, but may be less protected... May be you have experience that and can help me with some ideas. 2) I found very dificult to have any of this osprey backpacs (I have several, my wife and my 3 kids, I love osprey), to stand upright, even when trying to put it against a tree, I need a lot of angle to keep it easy to reach thing from the top. Usually I prefer to do something to have it hanging, but I stress the cords because it weights a lot. Could it be that I am loading it in the wrong way?. 3) What wrist watch are you using in this video? it seems a Casio Protek, but I cannot get witch one, I have one very similar but I like yours have watch hands (hope the translation is right) 4) Not a question, but an answer, the language of the sign inside the pack is French, not spanish :-). (I speak spanish, so sorry if I wrote something wrong in English, I am still learning. Thank you again. Eduardo (From Argentina)
There are a lot of good ones...it depends on how much you want to spend. Big Agnes is definitely good, as well as Marmot, REI, Mammut, Kelty, The North Face and many others. I would go for one that is goose down filled, those are always light, very compressible and warm. I personally own a Big Agnes Lost Ranger, it's a 15 degree F down bag. Light, warm, and bought really cheap!
Thanks. Yeah, you have the 4th generation of this pack from osprey! There are actually about 10 or so improvements that are awesome. Always getting better! And for the same price! Enjoy.
Hi there, I haven't personally test the Baltoro 65, but read up on it. Honestly, I'm not sure why the Baltoro is more expensive. I read the specs and didn't see anything better than the Aether 70 in it. I would recommend the Aether. A big plus is the ventilation system, the strong/comfortable suspension. Actually, one plus for the Baltoro is the hip-belt pockets. Materials seem to be great on both. If you have an opportunity, test try them both on at a store. Good luck!
Larry Cloyes I think it really comes down to personal preference. Although now with the new Atmos the balance may have shifted a bit, hahaha. We've been using the Atmos and Aether side by side for 5 years now, and they have both been really great. The Atmos is lighter and more comfortable, but the Aether makes up for it by being more durable and spacious. But yes, the Atmos can be made into a smaller pack that could be used for shorter hikes and treks. One deciding factor between the two could be the gear that you like to take. If you have bulkier, heavier gear, the Aether would be more suitable, but if you have lighter, more compact gear, the Atmos would be more fitting.
Yeah, so the straps are there to compress or secure what ever you have in the pockets, OR the contents of the packs' main compartment. If you have, for example, tent stakes that you want to store in one of the pockets, you can compress those with the straps on the outside of the pocket. If you want to use it for only a bottle, keep the straps inside to compress the pack, but keep the bottle in the pocket. Hopefully that makes sense.
Yes, it will most likely be possible, because the divider between the main and sleeping bag compartment is adjustable.Yes, by bag is compressible, it down filled. Hope this helps.
I would probably go with the Aether 70, because It would be hard to fill the 85. I've went on a 5 day trip, and had plenty of room for everything. I would guess 85 is more for mountaineering. Both will handle the 30-40 lb's without a problem. I just think that unless you plan to only go on long trip (8-14 days), I would stick to the 70, as a properly filled pack will sit better. Also, if a need for some extra room will arise, you can always buy the Osprey Daylight expansion add-on. Good luck!
saw your video of the Atmos 65, im stuck between getting that one or this one, any advice, without clothing, food, or toiletries I'll be bringing appx. 25 lbs worth of gear. I am 5'8 and weigh 158 lbs. Thanks for the great review!
Hello I am undecided that backpack buy between Aether AG 70 and Atmos AG 65. It seems to me that the backrests are a bit different for ventilation. Which ones do you recommend? Thank you
Thanks. That's what my buddy and I agreed upon. However, as I think about the possible trips by plane, I wonder what size I could possibly get away with as bringing on carry-on. I see all those teams on Amazing Race with their carry on packs :) Thoughts on size?
Yes i do like the durability, but because they both have a lifetime warranty it doesn't matter to much? From the looks of it the atmos has more pockets on it? I think those would come in handy for how i would use it. Have you ever looked at the Salomon 4D gtx hiking boots? Apparently they are awesome, you should get them and do a review!
Bro... You just listed like 100 things I didn't know this pack could do. You're doing the Lord's work, sir lol! I bought it in 2012 as a movie prop for a film I was directing, but now I can actually use it next month on my vacation to Grand Teton and Yellowstone. I do have one question though... How do I know what size I have? All I can find is "Osprey Aether 70" and if it matters, mine is the same color of yours and was bought in 2012 and looks to be identical to yours.
So, just curious, what's your take on what I'm looking at: the Aether 85 and 70, which would you rather have and why? Im looking at both, as it will go on an annual 5-8 day trip, also as a daily school pack, (I have a lead bricks worth of stuff, prolly 30-40lbs worth :/ ) so, which would you recommend?
One question. Why the straps in the bottom left and right pocket where you can only fit a water bottle? It is designed to be either inside or outside the pocket. I find it hard if the straps are inside and your trying to grab something out. Yet if you have something inside you can strap it down from the outside. I guess it's a matter of preference. Your thoughts....
I would suggest this one if you are looking for durability, ultimate comfort and more space. The Atmos 65 is 1 lb and 10 oz lighter however, so if that difference is worth it for you, then go with the Atmos. Otherwise, if you want reliability, stick with the Aether. My opinion. Europe sounds fun by the way!
Not sure about the plane carry-on piece of it. I figure that would depend on the airline? They all have specific requirements for size. But of course, if there is absolutely no choice of having it be a non carry on item, I would go with the smaller pack.
Question about the sleeping bag compartment. I cannot imagine fitting my sleeping bag in there... is your 15 degree bag extremely compressible? I have an REI bag from 2001 that seems WAY too big for that compartment.
Ah yes the pocket for the hydration pack is indeed on the outside now. But yeah there is a rain cover in the lid. I'm from the UK, I don't know if we have a slightly different design to those sold in the US or if the ariel is just slightly different to the aether? But the rain cover is massive! I haven't tried yet, but i think it would cover the aether and a daylite if you had one attached.
