Osprey Packs Aether 75

Review Date
October 31, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: aaronz ,  Mountaineer

Price Paid:  $250.00 at REI

Summary:
So far I love it, has a lot of usefull pockets and gear hooks. Large enough for a 3 day climb. Only issue is that the bottom is not waterproof. Nice features include seperated sleeping bag compartment, heat molded hip belt, and the airback system (forget what they call it).

Customer Service:
REI always good

Review Date
November 23, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: gerbilbox ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $239.00 at REI

Summary:
The most important feature that had the greatest impact on me was the removeable metal stay, which can then be bent to reshape the back padding of the pack. This made all the difference for me, as I have a relatively flat back. This allowed me to have my first backpacking trip (3 days, 2 nights) without a single sore or aching spot on my body.

I did have a difficult time getting a hold of a small hipbelt for the pack. Again, my other anatomical anomaly is that I have a thin frame. Getting the proper hipbelt required a special order from REI that took over 2 weeks. But it was worth it, the belt is wide and hugs my hips firmly without any pressure points with 40 lbs. on my back (I am a 120 lbs. person). It's also very easy to tighten.

My main grip is that the pack is not as light as the manufacturer claims to be, but it is pretty loaded on features. With that taken into account, it is light for similarly featured packs.

I can't comment on the durability yet, but the materials look sturdier that many of the other packs that I've tried.

Customer Service:
I had only limited experience with Osprey's customer service. I only e-mailed them a few questions about the pack before purchasing, and they were prompt in giving a reply.

Similar Products Used:
Gregory Shasta
Lowe Alpine pack

Review Date
August 13, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: nightwing ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $340.00 at MooseJaw

Summary:
Nothing much to say but awesome. I bought this pack in preperation for a week/week and a half long trip, backpacking in New Mexico. The pack exceeded all of my expectations. Previously I had used an external frame, and when I decided to go internal, the decision was left to either this pack, an Arc'Teryx Bora 80, or a Mountainsmith Spectre, all three great packs. Durring the trip I carried roughly 65-70 lbs each day for i dont know 10-12 miles per day, and I could barely feel the weight. GO GET ONE NOW!!!

Review Date
April 12, 2004

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.33 of 5, 6 votes

Reviewed by: surlyman ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $240.00 at Mountain Miser (Engl

Summary:
I bought the Aether 75 because I liked the fit and the features

I just got back from my first trip with the pack, a one week backpack in The Maze District of Canyonlands National Park. While I liked some of the features of the pack, the quality of the materials used in the pack are notably inferior.

The first day of our trip involved a 600 foot slickrock descent from the Maze Overlook, which required that we lower our packs over some difficult areas. By the time we reached the bottom the Aether 75 was trashed:
1.) Both mesh water pockets were ripped to shreds.
2.) One of the composite rods had poked through an abrasion hole at the base of the pack.
3.) One strap on the hip belt was cut totally through, and the remainder of the straps were partially cut through.
4.) Signficant abrasion damage throughout the pack.

Now admittedly the damage was caused by slickrock abrasion. However other members of our party had less expensive packs that went through the same abrasion and yet suffered no significant damage. (One member was carrying an EMS Ascent 4200 which weighs the same as the Aether but costs more than $100 less).

I contacted Osprey to express my concerns and their response was that durability should not be expected from the lightweight Aether. (Despite the fact that I pointed out that the EMS Ascent is the same weight and cheaper, and suffered no significant damage). In fact I have an EMS Summit 3000 LT that I bought for $100 several years ago, and which I have used dozens of times, and which is still in excellent condition.

Bottom line: For a more durable pack I could have duct taped some straps to a green garbage bag.

Customer Service:
Osprey's response was "Oh well, it is a lightweight pack and you have to make sacrifices to achieve weight savings". All well and good unless the "sacrifices" make the product unsuitable for it's intended purpose.

Similar Products Used:
ArcTeryx Bora 95, Kelty Super Tioga, EMS Summit 3000 Lt, Dakine Guide

Review Date
January 15, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.33 of 5, 3 votes

Reviewed by: marmot(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $230.00 at Northern Mountian Su

Summary:
Love this pack. I've only had it out once so far. It carried a bulky load (2 sleeping bags, tent, clothing 2 pads, rain gear) quite well.

I like the fact that the pack does not any extra straps or needless stuff on it.

The hip belt is nice. I really like the fact that it has two straps coming the pack bag out to the buckle. It reminds me of the way that McHale packs have their hipbelt attached. The two straps help get the belt to fit better around the hip bones.

Can't wait to try this one out with a winter load!

Customer Service:
No experience with it from Osprey. Great from Northern Mountain

Similar Products Used:
Have used an REI New Star. Tried on Dana Designs, Arc Teryx, Kelty