The Osprey Aether Plus 70 is ideal for carrying a heavy load comfortably. Plenty of pockets make organization easy, and the rain cover means you can be confident the contents of your backpack will stay dry.
- Lots of storage
- Comfortable to carry
- Detachable lid
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Heavy
- Water pockets are not easy to use
This backpack has been intelligently designed for hikers who need a larger capacity. The fit is adjustable, and the frame distributes the weight effectively to keep the load close to your body. The padding on the shoulder straps, hip belt, and back is thick, making this backpack comfortable to carry. There are ample storage options, including nine pockets and a number of straps and loops. The top lid can be removed to save weight or to act as a daypack. We think the Osprey Aether Plus 70 is the best large-capacity backpack for men and has performed well in our best hiking backpacks round up.
Compare to Similar Products:
Product | Osprey Atmos AG 65 | Osprey Kestrel 48 | Osprey Aether Plus 70 | Gregory Paragon 58 | Gregory Baltoro 65 | Big Agnes Parkview 63 | Osprey Aether 65 | Granite Gear Blaze 60 Women | The North Face Women's Terra 55 | Dueter Air Contact Core 60+10 |
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Buying Options | ||||||||||
Our Award | Best for Men | Best Lighter Backpack for Men | Best Large Capacity Backpack for Men | Best for Women | Best Lighter Backpack for Women | Best Large Capacity Backpack for Women | ||||
Size | S/M - L/XL | S/M - L/XL | S/M - L/XL | S/M - M/L | S - M - L | M - L | S/M - L/XL | WS - UL | XS/S - M/L | W - Regular |
Weight | 2 - 2.2 kg | 1.9 - 2.1 kg | 2.5 - 2.8 kg | 1.5 - 1.6 kg | 2.1 - 2.4 kg | 1.6 - 1.8 kg | 2.2 - 2.3 kg | 1.3 - 1.4 kg | 1.6 - 1.7 kg | 2.1 - 2.3 kg |
Capacity | 65 - 68 liters | 46 - 48 litres | 68 - 70 liters | 58 litres | 65 litres | 63 + 10 liters | 65 - 68 liters | 60 liters | 55 litres | 60 + 10 liters |
Load | 13.6 – 18 kg | 9.1 – 15.9 kg | 14 – 27 kg | 22.7 kg | 22.7 kg | 22.7 kg | 14 - 27 kg | 22.7 kg | N/A | 15 - 20 kg |
Pockets | 9 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 8 |
Torso Lengths | 43 - 58.9 | 40.5 - 58.5 cm | 43 - 58.5 cm | 38 - 60 cm | 40.6 - 55.9 cm | 46 - 56 cm | 43 - 58.5 cm | 38.1 - 60.9 cm | 35.5 - 47.7 cm | 35 - 62 cm |
Rain Cover | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Editor’s note: This article is part of our buyers guide to waterproof hiking backpacks. See other articles in this series:
- Best Waterproof Hiking Backpacks
- How to Choose The Right Waterproof Backpack For Your Hike
- How We Tested Waterproof Hiking Backpacks
- Compare Waterproof Hiking Backpacks
- Water Resistant vs Waterproof vs Water Repellent – What is the Difference
Looking for other waterproof gear? Check out our buyers guides on:
Analysis and Test Results
When you are carrying a heavy load for several days, you need a comfortable backpack, and the Osprey Aether Plus 70 fulfills that brief. The shoulder straps are adjustable and well-padded. The back has a padded lumbar pad and a die-cut foam back panel. The hip belt is easy to adjust and generously padded. The frame works well to transfer the load between the shoulder straps and hip belt.
The main pocket is easy to access, and you get an additional eight pockets of various sizes and several straps for attaching extra gear. The nylon used to make the backpack is tough and hardwearing. A rain cover is included to provide protection from bad weather. Whether you are heading into the backcountry for a multi-day hike or you just like to take a few luxuries on your walking trips, this backpack will allow you to carry your load in comfort.
See the Osprey Aether Plus 70 in more detail:
Performance Comparison
Material
The main material used to make this rucksack is 210 denier high-tenacity nylon. The back panel is Osprey’s custom-made injection-molded, die-cut foam named AirScape. To make the frame, they used 3.5mm LightWire aluminum alloy.
Breathability
The open mesh back panel has airflow channels cut into the AirScape foam to provide more breathability. While these help to provide reasonable breathability, the areas of the backpack with lots of padding, such as the hips and fins, can become sweaty.
Waterproofing
All the backpack material has a PFC-free DWR coating to help make it water-resistant. However, a rain cover is also included to help keep your gear dry if you are caught in a rainstorm. The rain cover is made from 40 denier high-tenacity nylon. The rain cover is kept in a small zippered pocket at the bottom of the pack.
Dimensions
The Osprey Aether Plus 70 has a streamlined look, and it is narrower and shorter than similar models. It comes in two sizes – small/medium or large/extra-large.
Sizes | Capacity | Weight | Load | Measurements |
Small/ Medium | 68 liters
4150 cubic inches
| 2.5 kg
5.6 lbs | 14 – 27 kg
30 - 60 lbs
| 79 x 38 x 36 cm
31.1 x 14.9 x 14.2 inches
|
Large/ Extra Large | 70 liters
4272 cubic inches
| 2.8 kg
6.2 lbs
| 14 – 27 kg
30 - 60 lbs
| 84 x 38 x 36 cm
33.1 x 14.9 x 14.2 inches
|
Fit
The backpack can be adjusted by moving the shoulder harness up or down and then securing it with the straps at the bottom. The shoulder straps have the Custom Fit-on-the-Fly system. You open the Velcro, slide the padding along the strap to your desired position, and then fix it with the Velcro. The hip belt also has the Custom Fit-on-the-Fly system. Similar to the shoulder straps, the padding on the hip belt is held in place with Velcro, which can be released to adjust the position. The length of both the shoulder straps and the hip belt can be easily adjusted on both sides by pulling on the straps. The load lifters are also adjustable, as is the sternum strap.
Torso Length |
43 – 53 cm
17 – 21 inches
|
48 - 58.5 cm
19 - 23 inches
|
Storage
One of the best features of this backpack is the number of pockets and storage options. The main pocket has a full-length curved zip, so you can easily access any part of this compartment. At the bottom is a section that can be separated from the main pocket with a zippered dividing panel or left open.
On the front, there are two pockets with zips. There’s also a large, reinforced fabric shove-it pocket. On each side, you will find a dual-access mesh water bottle pocket. While getting a water bottle out is easy, putting it back in a fully loaded backpack while wearing it can be fiddly. The hip belt has two small pockets closed with zips.
At the bottom, there is a set of straps that can be used to attach gear that doesn’t fit inside the pack, such as a sleeping pad. Several compression straps on the front and sides help to stabilize the load.
Comfort
The backpack’s design keeps the load close to your body and transfers the weight evenly between your shoulders and hips. The easy adjustability of the fit means the backpack can be customized to your body shape. There is generous padding on the shoulder straps, hip belt, and back to make it easy to carry a heavy load. A good-sized lumbar pad also increases the comfort of carrying this backpack. The backpack is heavier than you might expect, partly due to the extra padding, which most users find a fair trade-off.
Features
This backpack has some useful features. The lid is detachable, with a ‘FlapJacket’ flap that covers the top opening when the lid is removed. The floating top lid has attachments so it can be used as a daypack. There are ‘Stow-on-the-Go’ trekking pole attachments, which can be handy if your poles are the right size to fit. You also have loops for securing ice axe loops with bungee tie-offs.
There is a pocket inside the pack designed for a water reservoir. This will accommodate a three-liter water bladder. There is no water bladder supplied with the pack, though.
This is a heavy rucksack, so Osprey has made as many things as possible removable. Most of the straps and the lid can also be removed to save on weight, as can the hip belt pockets.
Durability
Osprey has been making backpacks for decades and has a reputation for producing high-quality equipment. This backpack is well-made and durable.
Osprey offers the All Mighty Guarantee, a lifetime warranty for your backpack. It means that if your backpack suffers any damage or defect, they will repair it for free, no matter when you made the purchase. It’s important to note that the warranty does not cover wear and tear, accidental damage, or abuse. They will replace it or provide a suitable alternative if it’s beyond repair.
Sustainability
Osprey demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability by partnering with organizations such as the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) and the National Parks Foundation. They prioritize using eco-friendly and recycled materials in their backpacks to reduce their environmental footprint. The materials used to make this backpack are Bluesign-approved, and the DWR is PFC-free. Osprey offers repair services to extend the lifespan of their products, promoting durability and waste reduction.
Conclusion
The Osprey Aether Plus 70 is well-designed to carry a heavy load comfortably. It is not the lightest backpack, but some features, such as the top lid and gear straps, can be removed to make it weigh less. It has nine pockets of various sizes, as well as a water bladder compartment and a rain cover. This is a practical backpack ideal for longer hiking trips.
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