Osprey Aether 70

dash
Reviewed: 20 October 2008

COMFORTABLE AND STABLE

Excellent hip belt
Back system good for warm weather
Good side pocket access for water bottles
Reasonable weight at 2kg

Foam back makes creaking, squeaking noise when walking

Have found the Osprey Aether 70 to carry loads of around 10-12kg very comfortably, and it also serves well for firewood-gathering trips where easily double that weight is carried.

The back system provides a close fit and together with the compression straps, it ensures a stable carry when clambering over rough terrain.

The shoulder straps are well-shaped and padded, and the hip belt is very solid and comfortable. Osprey has equipped some of its outlets with small ovens which allow the hip-belt to be custom-moulded for the buyer. This might seem gimmicky, but it is worth having it done, and it costs nothing extra.

One minor plus is the shaping of the side pockets, which makes it easy to get access to water bottles without taking the pack off. However, beware putting sharp-ended sticks in the side pockets, as the stretchy fabric is quite easily punctured.

It took me a few months before discovering the sternum strap had a built-in whistle. Overall, a very good pack for lugging moderate loads.

Therma-pest
Reviewed: 04 May 2008

GOOD PACK

Back system
Compression system
Stretch pockets
Moulded hipbelt

Thin padding on shoulder straps and belt means they can dig in if overloaded.
Should have come with a raincover for £130

I brought this pack for 2-3 night wildcamp trips to replace my old Lowe Alpine. Overall i've been really impressed with it, especially with it's ability to transfer weight to the hips and stability with the compression system. The stretch front and side pockets are excellent for stashing tent/walking poles, water bottles etc.

My only critisism is that the straps and belt are a little light on padding and can dig in when fully loaded up with kit, water and ration packs for 3 days. I might have asked too much of it and needed a chunkier pack or i'm just too skinny and I need to get me some love handles. Handles a 2 night bivvy trip without any problem.

Dartmoor6
Reviewed: 15 June 2007

NOT BAD AT ALL

Comfortable, well made and well designed. The back system doesn't absorb moisture at all. Handy to be able to compress the main compartment of the pack if half loaded using the straight jacket anchor points for the compression straps. The elasticated pocket on the front is perfect for raincover etc. and the elasticated side pockets have angled access to let you get at a drinks bottle on the move.

Chest strap isn't going to be long enough for anyone with a chest that's bigger than 44" and that's on the largest size. Bladder pocket a tight fit for a 3l camelbak. Would have been nice to get a rain cover with it.

As the other reviewers have said, it's a big comfy pack. I was amused to find the whistle on the chest strap half way through a 2 day solo on Dartmoor which I think is a nice touch.

titaniumdude
Reviewed: 24 April 2007

SOLID LARGE PACK.

Very stable carry. Adjustible carry system very comfortable. Poles solid a sa rock in stretch pockets. Straightjacket compression works well when it's underfilled.

None in my experience. Some may think it's a little heavy.

Used this now for about a year for up to 10 days at a time and have no complaints. Well dimensioned, well designed pack with the possibility of carrying skis in the sides or even a snowboard in the front stretch pocket. I expect this to last as long as my last pack (15 years) as it still looks brand new after a wipe down. Try one on in the shop with a load and compare to the competition and the difference is immediately noticeable.

rich naylar
Reviewed: 22 April 2007

COMFY BIG PACK

Once I'd had the hip belt moulded in my local shop I popped all my stuff in for a couple of days off wildcamping and was very pleasantly surprised at the end of the first day. No sore hips as I'd endured on other packs and some really neat design touches. Full load of tent, mat, sleeping bag and all the other assorted parphanalia needed for a few days away carried comfortably. Little things like the one hand useable drawstring into the main compartment are really handy when you're tired and those stretchy stuff pockets on the outside are a useful place for stashing that shed extra layer.

none

great pack.

buy one, get the belt moulded and off you go...