Review: Osprey Aether 70 AG
Specs
Price: R5199 (at time of writing)
Capacity: 70L
Weight: 2.37kg
Dimensions: 85H x 40W x 34D
Access points: Top, front, sleeping bag compartment
Material: Main body (210D Nylon); Bottom (500D Nylon)
Intro
The Aether AG for men and Ariel AG for women is Osprey’s top-tier technical backpack series, available in a range of sizes: 60L, 70L and 85L for men, and 55L, 65L and 75L for women.
I’ve had this pack for over a year now and used it on multiple weekend and multi-day trips.
Suspension
The AG (Anti-Gravity) technology used in the new range of Osprey packs is extremely comfortable. It features a continuous, suspended panel of lightweight mesh extending from the upper torso through the lumbar area, distributing weight evenly across your back. The hip belt moulds around your waist, taking the weight of the pack with ease and lifting it off your shoulders.
Even after hours of continuous boulder-hopping on kloofing trips, the pack remained as comfortable and correctly fitted as when I first put it on in the morning.
Photo credit: Osprey.com
Durability
The pack is very robust. I’ve used it on a 5-day kloofing trip with all-day boulder hopping, swimming and scrambles, as well as the 6-day Amatola Trail and multiple weekend hikes in between, and the pack still shows no scuff marks, damage or wear.
In addition to its durability, Osprey’s well-known All Mighty Guarantee offers complete peace of mind, ensuring your investment lasts a lifetime.
Fit
The Aether and Ariel series packs come in multiple sizes for a tailored fit. Within each size, you can adjust the harness length and fine-tune the fit with gender-specific harness shapes and the IsoForm CM hipbelt. The Aether 70 AG is the most comfortable, best-fitted pack I’ve worn yet.
Features
The Aether and Ariel series is packed with useful features:
- Removable lid: Converts into a small daypack — great for short hikes from camp or carrying essentials.
- Hipbelt pockets: Spacious and easy to access, ideal for snacks and small gear.
- Stretchy stuff-it pouch: Perfect for quick-access items like a rain jacket.
- Dual access side mesh pockets: Forward-facing access for reaching your bottle without removing the pack.
- Stow-on-the-go trekking pole attachment: Securely store trekking poles while on the move.
- Additional main compartment access: Reach packed items easily without unpacking the entire bag.
Conclusion
If you’re a serious hiker who demands performance and durability, this is the pack for you. While slightly heavier and pricier than some alternatives, its comfort, build quality, and feature set make it one of the best expedition packs available — built to last decades.
For more info, visit the Osprey website.