OSPREY AETHER SKIN

The roll-top of the Aether 45 pack is stiffened by a sewn-in plastic rim, permitting the top to open like a clamshell to allow easy packing and access to items inside the pack. The torso length is non-adjustable and the waistbelt is non-removable and non-replaceable.

The waistbelt can adjust to fit approximately a 40 inch waist. All adjustments are easily made with the pack on. This pack has an adjustable sternum strap and shoulder lifter/stabilizers. This system makes tightening the hipbelt easier and creates a V tensioning system on each side that improves the shape of the padded hipbelt. The hipbelt is also padded and features Osprey’s ErgoPull closure system.

OSPREY AETHER SKIN

It wicked sweat away from the skin and toward the bottom of the panel. The Aether 45 features a comfortable wicking backpanel that made hiking with a shirt off a joy. (While the addition of a foam sleeping pad would improve the “virtual frame,” our reviewer, who tolerates weight well on his shoulders, found that the backpanel was stiff enough to handle well-packed loads up to 25 to 30 pounds.) It has shoulder straps padded with high-density foam. The Aether 45 has a stiff, double foam backpanel but no stays. Numerical ratings follow on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = poor, 5 = excellent). Manufacturer’s Contact Information – Osprey Packs, 97, Features.Carry Load to Pack Weight Performance Ratio – 11.1 (based on 25 lbs and BPL measured weight of 36.1 oz).Load Carrying Capacity – 25 pounds ( estimate).Volume to Weight Ratio – 83 ci/oz (Based on 3000 ci, size L, and Backpacking Light measured weight of 36.1 oz).Weight – 36.1 oz (1023 g) as measured, size L (Manufacturer claims weights of 28 oz for S, 30 oz for M, and 32 oz for L.).Heavier 420 denier “chainlink” fabric used on bottom, sides, and center of compression panel. Fabric Description – 210 denier double ripstop used in main pack body and pockets.Backpack Style – frameless, top loading, roll top.Further, its two side pockets, designed to be reached while wearing the pack, are difficult to reach and do not securely hold larger items like 1-liter water bottles. This durability comes at a price at 2 pounds 4 ounces (1.02 kg) it is far from the lightest in its class. This is a solid and durable pack with reinforced seams, bar tacked webbing, abrasion resistant fabrics, and heavy-duty buckles. The Aether’s unique compression, in addition to shrinking the pack down for smaller loads, allows you to carry medium-sized items outside the pack. The use of a roll-top with plastic reinforcements makes accessing gear easy. Our reviewer, who uses packs without hipbelts and admittedly has considerable tolerance for weight on his shoulders, found he could carry up to 35 pounds (15.9 kg) in the pack. In our estimation, it comfortably carries up to 25 pounds (11.3 kg) for the average user. This pack has no frame but uses a high-density foam back pad and laced compression cords to create a virtual frame. The Osprey Aether 45 is a lightweight pack built to take abuse.

Osprey aether