I got the largest size pack so I could have a long thin pack for train travel, rather than a smaller one that would be thicker. Yet still big enough for carrying large loads for backpacking adventures. I love all the features this pack has, and varuste had the best pricing.

Great pack, really happy with the purchase and with Varuste.net’s quick dispatch.For someone who likes to set up camp and go further with a daypack, I found the day pack much better than others, and with the 3L water reservoir transferable this was a great feature. With ~10kgs in the day-pack including emergency supplies, it handled surprisingly well, but if carrying 10-15kgs, I would love it if Osprey included a basic hip sash/belt for the day pack too. I expect most people will carry much less though!The pack overall was comfortable (even with 35 kgs, on a hot day and with a big ascent): it sit well and the weight distribution was optimal and very customisable.I am only 176cms and in the ‘in between’ range between the S/M and L/XL based on Osprey’s ... MoreGreat pack, really happy with the purchase and with Varuste.net’s quick dispatch.For someone who likes to set up camp and go further with a daypack, I found the day pack much better than others, and with the 3L water reservoir transferable this was a great feature. With ~10kgs in the day-pack including emergency supplies, it handled surprisingly well, but if carrying 10-15kgs, I would love it if Osprey included a basic hip sash/belt for the day pack too. I expect most people will carry much less though!The pack overall was comfortable (even with 35 kgs, on a hot day and with a big ascent): it sit well and the weight distribution was optimal and very customisable.I am only 176cms and in the ‘in between’ range between the S/M and L/XL based on Osprey’s measurements and recommendations, but opted for the L/XL and found that to be fine.The accessibility and features of this pack make it excellent for a multi-day hike and helps keep everything nicely organised.I am looking forward to taking it on my next adventure.Thank you Varuste.net!- Arki, from Sydney, Australia

Did 7 day trek in Blue Mountains with new pack. Able to carry all gear. Tent on the outside. Very comfortable and stable when walking on tricky sections. Day pack/lid worked well for shorter walks. Only negative was where one point attaches the lid back onto pack the buckle didn’t hold . I looped it around another attachment. Still happy with pack but feel quality control should have picked this up as pack not cheap.

Aether plus is my no 1 rucksack. I have found out that I prefer it over the military products like Tasmanian Tiger, Eberlestock or even Kifaru. Aether plus is light, fits a lot, when it's fully packed, it's comfortable. If not using the water pladders, the fast meshed pockets are good to grab a water bottle without taking ruck off.

A fantastic backpack.

My wife and I just had our first child and we are also in the midst of working on two separate guidebooks. I purchased this pack to help me complete the more backpacking intensive "Hiking Wyoming". Now that I am carrying my gear, our Childs gear, and extra camera gear I needed a pack that could hold up to the challenge. The Aether Plus 85 has been a great pack so far. I took it on an absolute brute bushwhack through deadfall and and a half frozen marsh. I was pleasantly surprised how stable to pack felt and how well it carried weight all loaded down. Love the DayLid feature as well as trekking pole attachment. This thing is made well and has already help up to much abuse. I do a lot of day hiking and peak bagging from camp when I'm backpacking and having the DayLid ... MoreMy wife and I just had our first child and we are also in the midst of working on two separate guidebooks. I purchased this pack to help me complete the more backpacking intensive "Hiking Wyoming". Now that I am carrying my gear, our Childs gear, and extra camera gear I needed a pack that could hold up to the challenge. The Aether Plus 85 has been a great pack so far. I took it on an absolute brute bushwhack through deadfall and and a half frozen marsh. I was pleasantly surprised how stable to pack felt and how well it carried weight all loaded down. Love the DayLid feature as well as trekking pole attachment. This thing is made well and has already help up to much abuse. I do a lot of day hiking and peak bagging from camp when I'm backpacking and having the DayLid to use instead of a bulky backpacking pack is really nice.

Full-Featured and Comfortable

The Ariel Plus 85 backpack was a game changer for me. I'm not a "professional" backpacker, so packing everything but the "kitchen sink" was a desire. Although I wound up not packing that too, I did manage to get everything I needed, and more, into this pack for a 3 night solo trip. An ultralight tent and a 4.7" high sleeping pad were carried on the outside of the pack, while my mummy-style sleeping bag was in the sleeping bag compartment at the bottom of the bag. Other necessary items took up the rest of the space, with room to spare. Not only was there plenty of room in this bag, but it was incredibly comfortable. I'm humpbacked, so not many backpacks are comfortable for me. With the adjustable torso feature, I was able to get a truly dialed-in fit and was able to ... MoreThe Ariel Plus 85 backpack was a game changer for me. I'm not a "professional" backpacker, so packing everything but the "kitchen sink" was a desire. Although I wound up not packing that too, I did manage to get everything I needed, and more, into this pack for a 3 night solo trip. An ultralight tent and a 4.7" high sleeping pad were carried on the outside of the pack, while my mummy-style sleeping bag was in the sleeping bag compartment at the bottom of the bag. Other necessary items took up the rest of the space, with room to spare. Not only was there plenty of room in this bag, but it was incredibly comfortable. I'm humpbacked, so not many backpacks are comfortable for me. With the adjustable torso feature, I was able to get a truly dialed-in fit and was able to hike without discomfort.

Great for Philmont!

I've done Philmont twice and the past, and sent my son on a trek with this pack after doing a fair amount of research. The other kids and adults all noted how much more comfortable this pack was over the others, as well as notably convenient access and pockets. Aside from being a little dirty after the two-week long endeavor everything is holding up great. Going to pick up a second one of these for myself.

Great potential marred by design flaws

This pack has a lot of good things going for it, but there are some significant design flaws that outweigh the good for me. This pack broke before I even got to use it. The buckle attachments that secure the brain/top lid both broke due to poor design and had to be secured with a knot. The first one broke at orientation for a Rainier climb, the second side broke during the climb. Additionally, when you use the top lid as a daypack, the attachment for the straps makes absolutely no sense and is poorly designed. Also had to secure these with a knot.

Solid backpack - big spaces, adjusts easily

Really like the backpack and other than a few minor things would have given it five stars:- it packs easily, can carry a bear vault sideways even- well designed, sturdy, stable, easy to adjust all straps- carries weight well (i've carried 50 pounds)- has ample pocketsThere are few places to attach to the back (e.g. wet towel, shoes, hat, etc.). i would have appreciated a few more loops. Also on the internal daypack i had to replace one of the buckles that kept separating at inopportune moments.

Update to my December 2017 review.

When I bought a similar pack at the end of 2017, I wrote a rave review about it and would amend it if I could, but you cannot go back that far in the reviews. So everything I say only relates to the Osprey Men's Aether AG 85 Pack which dates from 2017.I love the design, fit and functionality of this beast, and all throughout the first 4 years I'd say it was friendliest backpack I ever used. I definitely babied it: whenever I checked it into an airline I tried to protect it with a pack cover (from another manufacturer) and it helped keep the pack in great condition. Unfortunately, at about 4 years the polymers in some of the critical straps began to break down so that they would rip off on tightening. I can now even rip them in half with my fingers, and I wouldn't ... MoreWhen I bought a similar pack at the end of 2017, I wrote a rave review about it and would amend it if I could, but you cannot go back that far in the reviews. So everything I say only relates to the Osprey Men's Aether AG 85 Pack which dates from 2017.I love the design, fit and functionality of this beast, and all throughout the first 4 years I'd say it was friendliest backpack I ever used. I definitely babied it: whenever I checked it into an airline I tried to protect it with a pack cover (from another manufacturer) and it helped keep the pack in great condition. Unfortunately, at about 4 years the polymers in some of the critical straps began to break down so that they would rip off on tightening. I can now even rip them in half with my fingers, and I wouldn't trust it on top of some freezing mountain. It's not a big deal with some of the straps because they are easily replaceable, but others are actually sewn into the body of the pack so to replace them you'd need to take apart the seam and sew new ones into it. It's a bit disheartening because aside from this, it's still very serviceable and I feel the same about the excellent design and quality otherwise -- but I'd expect it to last more like 8 years and not 4, given the cost.Maybe I'll try a different brand next time, or maybe I'll use repairing it as an excuse to go to Asia and find someone to replace all the straps (that I'll give them!).