Osprey Aether 2006

Hi Tom, and others who have commented on my review of the new Aether 60.

As far as removing and shortening straps, you may be able to shave off 3-4 ounces that way, but I don’t personally advise purchasing a new pack and then performing surgery on it. Why not just purchase a lighter pack? The Six Moons Designs Comet pack will carry the same load and only weighs 27 oz with the stays. The Gossamer Gear Mariposa weighs only 17 oz with stays. Those packs are more versatile because you can use them with or without the stays.

The top pocket on the new Aether 60 can be converted to a lumbar pack, but removing and replacing the pack’s hipbelt is a hassle, and you have to be careful not to abrade the fabric on the Velcro attachment.

The new Aether 60 comes with the BioForm CM, which is removable. The old Aether 60 had the IsoForm hipbelt, which is sewn-in. So you can’t exchange one with the other. The BioForm is definitely nicer; it’s softer on the hips, yet is stiff enough to support a heavy load.

Regarding the aluminum peripherial frame rods sqeaking, I sure didn’t notice any noise from them. It’s possible I wasn’t paying attention :).

One thing I forgot to mention in the review is that the Aether 60 now has an HDPE framesheet, similar to the Aether 75 and 90. That certainly accounts for some of the added weight.

My point in the review is that all of these improvements make it a better pack as far as performance, but the added weight is the trade-off. If the added weight is a real problem, then I suggest you look at other packs. The GoLite Galaxy is an excellent IF pack, has a little more volume, and only weighs 3 pounds 10 ounces. MountainSmith is coming out with their new TrekLight AT 55 pack, which is really sweet, but it weighs 67 ounces. in size L.

Best regards, and happy holidays. Will

Hi Will,

I enjoyed your review–the Aether is one of my favorite packs and it’s interesting to see how much it’s evolved. I’ve got a 1st gen (2# 5oz, size large for those keeping score at home) which has been my long-haul pack for four seasons. Yeah, it squeaks :-)

A couple of questions:

Will a food canister still fit? Mine accommodates a Bearikade Weekender, vertically only.

What are the challenges for folks who need to mail/on-line order one, given the various fit options and processes? I find myself wondering how many dealers will be carrying the pack and the various belt and harness options. I’ve noticed the Osprey oven at my local REI.

Thanks Will,
I admit cutting off things is kind of radical but as stated before, lightweight packs are very hard to find in Europe. Golite has even pulled out of the local market because there’s just not enough interest in the lightweight things. There’s the option of trying to order things online, but a backpack is one of those things I want to try before I buy . And OTOH, the things I would want to cut off or shorten are things I wouldn’t use anyway and I guess one of the basics of going lightweight is not to take things you don’t use. 3 or 4 oz. doesn’t sound too bad.

Concerning Bioform and Isoform hipbelt, I have a 2006 Workbook that definitely says that Aether and Ariel packs will be delivered with the new Isoform CM hipbelt.

Hi Rick, I don’t have a Bearikade Weekender, but I have been using a container I made up that is the same size so I can check that. It goes in vertically and will turn 90 degrees when you get it to the bottom. So it looks like it will fit.

Whether dealers will have different size shoulder harnesses and hipbelts is a good question. It makes life a little more complicated for them. Lets ask our local dealers the next chance we get and post what we find out.

Cheers! Will