Osprey Aether Pro 70 Backpack

A tough yet light pack designed for adventures where dependability is key. Completely stripped down, streamlined and svelte, the Aether Pro 70 is made for type-two adventures that span days or months; alpine climbing expeditions with remote basecamps, or boundary-pushing long-distance hikes through unknown landscapes where the only trail is the one you make.

: 1.8KG Dimensions (CM): 87L / 45W / 37D
Nanofly® 210D Nylon X 200D uhmwpe

: 1,4kg (minus top cover and hipbelt pockets)

Let me start off by saying the Osprey Aether pro 70 is a geniunely great backpack. There is not much I can complain about or would change. First off, let’s start with the fit: If you’ve ever carried an Osprey you know the fit is going to be good. Now imagine Osprey doing everything they possibly can to making a great fitting pack even better. A robust curving aluminum frame, fits nicely into a thick and well fitting hipbelt. The combination of frame and hipbelt puts the pack weight firmly onto your hips. I tried the pack with varying weights over the course of several backpacking trips. Recently using it on a 6 day hiking and fly fishing trip into northern Norway and Sweden where I even brought my dog. Regardless off how light I wish to be, bringing proper fishing gear, hiking equipment, camera gear and food for my dog is going to weigh a bit, starting weight was around 13 kilos for everything, while it might not seem a lot, I still needed a proper backpack for my expected catch to fit as well. (eat 2 kilos of food and catch 20… or something like that)

In any case, The Osprey Aether pro is built for considerably heavier loads than what I was carrying, but I would argue the Aether pro is fantastic even for lighter loads. In all honesty, I have never carried such a heavy load, so comfortably as I did this trip. The Aether pro is simply a dream on the body. My back didn’t sweat as the curve fit nicely, my shoulders didn’t have any paid at all and my hips didn’t get bruised as the normally do with my Hyperlite pack. It just fits great and feels great. 

Starting weight is 1800 grams. Not too bad for a robust 70 Liter pack, but still more than I prefer, so I took off the Top lock as I can’t stand those, and one of the hipbelt pockets and replaced it with the Sarek gear hipbelt pocket. (The Aether pro 70 pockets and top lock can easily be removed) – so total weight for my pack was a little under 1500 grams, which is actually quite ok for this style pack. At first I was highly sceptical about using it for this trip as it added about 350 grams to my pack weight, but afterwards, this is going to be my goto pack when I need a bigger volume pack. 

The Osprey Aether pro 70 or Ariel pro 70 (womens sizing) comes in three different sizes Small, Medium and Large. On top of the three sizes they are also highly adjustable using a large velcro stays that can adjust the length of the pack considerably. I like to adjust my packs so that almost no weight at all is on my shoulders, most packs will eventually sag onto my shoulders, but not the Aether pro, it stays firmly in place. 

The Top lock and side packets and be easliy removed. The side pockets are big enough that they are kind of pack pockets and hipbelt pockets in one. It also has lots of straps, buckles and more. While it doesn’t have a large mesh pocket, I didn’t really find the need for one as there are so many straps and tie outs, that much like the Sierra designs capacitor, I found myself like the Aeither pro solution better for my needs that a big pocket. 

At a glance the Osprey Aether pro or Ariel look like rather basic backpacks, a large tube of sorts, but behind every flap is a hidden buckle or strap or loop. I like the clean asthetics 

• Great fitting backpack
• Heavy loads sit perfectly on hips
• Highly flexible and adjustable
• Looks good
• Good price 
• High quality pack

• Maybe on the heavy end
• Always a 70 Liter pack – can’t adjust to smaller size
• Pack can’t stand up on it’s own. WHY? dear god why must the pack always fall over?

Review by Kenneth Shaw

• AirS pace mesh-coated back panel for comfort and fit
• Two tuck-away ice ax loops
• Compatible with Daylite and Daylite +
• FlapJacket top lid for use without a lid
• Detachable straps for camping mats
• Porter 30 large detachable hip belt pockets one with zipper and one with clamp closure
• Fasten fasteners for hiking poles
• Zippered pocket in the top lid

A tough but still light backpack designed for adventures where reliability is important. Aether Pro 70, which is completely stripped down, streamlined and graceful, is made for type-two adventures that span days or months; alpine climbing expeditions with remote base camps or border-pressing long-distance hikes through unknown landscapes where the only trail is the one you create. With a zipper, minimal hassle and reinforced hardware, this backpack provides worry-free reliability even in the toughest conditions. Stripped, light weight to be able to move quickly and get the job done.

The Osprey Aether Pro not only handles heavy loads well, but it fits all types of body shapes and sizes. The backpacks are built for those who appreciate efficiency and to create their own specific organizational systems based on their unique needs, whether it is an expedition for mountaineers or an exploration of unknown places. These backpacks, which are built with NanoFly ™ fabric, a proven and reliable back system and an extremely efficient main compartment construction, are built for those who appreciate simplicity and are used to creating a backpacking system that suits their unique needs. These are backpacks for expert backpackers. 

Weight: 1.8 kg

Dimensions (CM): 87L / 45W / 37D

Fabric: NanoFly® 210D Nylon X 200D UHMWPE

As per usual Osprey has made a fantastic pack with the Aether pro 70. It’s big yet tight and flexible. A 70 liter pack and is highly modular and fit’s incredibly well. Not to mention it looks amazing. One of the first changes I made to the pack when I got it was remove the top-lock and hipbelt pockets. As I normally don’t like the hipbelt pockets on Osprey packs as they are built in a way that makes it difficult for me to reach in them. The Aether pro 70 was the same. Granted one of the pockets was a more open ended pocket and fits a bit water bottle in without problem. So that was a pocket worth keeping on. Otherwise I like to fit proper pockets on pretty much all my packs. I also don’t have much use for toplocks as it’s just something extra I have to fight with on the mountains. 

With that said the Aether pro 70 fits like a glove. The back panel is highly adjustable and works with many different back sizes. It uses a Velcro panel that is easily adjustable, the velcro panel and load lifters means that getting a perfect fit is rather easy. I also love the big curved aluminum back frame – even when carrying heavier winter gear, it kept its form without fail. To be honest, it is because of this particular backpack that Backpackinglight.se started to bring in and sell the Osprey packs. It’s a pack that is too good not to have! 

• Excellent fit
• Fits many different sizes of backs
• Modular and flexible
• Robust frame
• Relatively lightweight
• High quality

:

• Backpanel can get filled with snow if not careful – leading to uncomfortable carry and cold back
• Toplock – though can be easliy removed

Review by Kenneth Shaw 22 February 2021

• Place for lifeline under the lid (needs checking)
• Chest strap with whistle
• Internal compression strap
• Compatible with Hydraulics fluid systems and Hydraulics LT fluid systems
• AirScape ™ mesh-covered foam back panel for comfort and fit
• Two tuckable loops for ice axes
• Compatible with Daylite and Daylite Plus
• FlapJacket ™ top cover for use without a cover
• Porter 30Large detachable hip belt pockets, one with zipper and one with clamp closure
• Stow-on-the-Go sten mounts for hiking poles
• Zippered pocket in the top lid