4. Osprey Aether 65/Ariel 65: Best Backpacking Backpack
If you frequently go on multi-day hikes, this is the perfect backpacking backpack to bring on your adventures. The Aether 65 is for men, and the Ariel 65 is for women. Despite being one of the heaviest backpacks here, it carries heavy loads comfortably. As with nearly all Osprey packs, it comes loaded with various features and adjustments.
The backpack’s LightWire frame with breathable back panels ensures great suspension that makes carrying heavy loads easy. The thick On-the-Fly shoulder strap pads, hip belt, and adjustable torso length maximize your comfort, even during the longest of treks. This hiking pack can carry 55 liters of gear and up to 60 pounds without it feeling too taxing to your body.
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Shove your gear into the main compartment and easily access it later through the zippered front panel or top lid. Store your other equipment in the hip belt pockets and keep your sleeping bag clean in its dedicated compartment. Your water is tightly secure in the dual access water bottle pockets, which are also very convenient for quickly grabbing your water.
For an ergonomic fit, you can shift the shoulder straps, adjust the length of the torso, and move the hip belt to suit your body type. This makes it one of the best backpacking backpacks as you can adjust it many times to fit the load you’re carrying without feeling too much of a physical strain.
Check out my Osprey Aether review for more details about why this bag is so great for backpacking.
Pros
- Highly adjustable
- Carries heavy loads comfortably
- Rich in features
- Comfortable
- Has rain cover
Cons
- It can be a little heavy
- Placing your water bottle back isn’t as easy as taking it out