Osprey Aether Plus 70 vs Osprey Ariel Plus 70
Quick take: The Osprey Ariel Plus 70 is lighter (5.8 vs 6.2 lbs).
Which one to buy
Same $450, same 70 L, same 210D high-tenacity nylon, LightWire frame and foam AirScape back. The Osprey Ariel Plus 70 is the women's version of the Osprey Aether Plus 70, with a women's harness and hipbelt that adjust on the fly, and it weighs 0.4 lb less. Both include a rain cover and a lid that unclips into a daypack, and both drop to 68 L in the smaller size.
Choose by which harness fits. The Aether Plus covers 17-20.5 in torsos in S/M and 19.5-23 in in L/XL, so you can size it against a tape measure before buying. Osprey gives no numeric torso range for the Ariel Plus but does publish a 30-60 lb load range, while it gives no rating for the 70 L Aether Plus. The Aether Plus has a front-panel zip and a zippered sleeping-bag compartment for reaching gear without unloading from the top, and the Ariel Plus comes with a FlapJacket cover for running it lidless. The foam back on both runs warmer than a suspended-mesh pack, which matters on summer trips.
Osprey Aether Plus 70
For hikers who want torso ranges in inches to size against and the standard harness and hipbelt on a heavy-hauling 70 L pack.
Osprey Ariel Plus 70
For women carrying 30-60 lb on long unsupported trips who want a women's harness and hipbelt on the same pack, slightly lighter.
| Spec | Osprey Aether Plus 70 | Osprey Ariel Plus 70 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $450 | $450 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Traditional Pack | Traditional Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 70 L | 70 L |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs | 5.8 lbs |
| Max Load | Not specified by the manufacturer | 30-60 lbs |
| Torso Fit | Adjustable, 17-20.5 in (S/M) / 19.5-23 in (L/XL) | See manufacturer sizing |
| Material | bluesign-approved 210D high-tenacity nylon, PFC-free DWR | bluesign-approved 210D high-tenacity nylon, PFC-free DWR |
| Back Panel | AirScape injection-molded die-cut foam back panel | AirScape injection-molded die-cut foam back panel |
| Adjustable torso | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated back | No | No |
| Raincover included | Yes | Yes |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | Yes |
| Removable lid | Yes | Yes |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | Osprey All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime) | Osprey All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime) |
Pros & cons
Osprey Aether Plus 70
- ✓Custom Fit-On-The-Fly hipbelt and shoulder straps plus an adjustable torso give one of the widest fit ranges on this site
- ✓Removable lid turns into a DayLid daypack for summit or side trips
- ✓Raincover is included and stores with the pack
- ✓Front-panel zip and a zippered sleeping-bag compartment reach gear without unloading from the top
- ✓210D high-tenacity nylon throughout is tougher than the 100D fabrics on lighter Osprey packs
- ✓Same design runs to 85 and 100 L, both rated for 40-70 lbs, if 70 L proves too small
- ✗6.2 lbs in L/XL (5.5 lbs S/M) is close to double a modern ultralight pack
- ✗$450 list price sits at the top of Osprey's range
- ✗Foam AirScape back panel rests against the back, so it runs warmer than the suspended-mesh Atmos AG
- ✗Osprey publishes no load rating for the 70 L size itself
- ✗S/M size drops to 68 L
Osprey Ariel Plus 70
- ✓Published 30-60 lb load range, a figure many packs on this site do not state
- ✓Women's-specific harness and hipbelt that adjust on the fly, on top of an adjustable torso
- ✓DayLid top pocket detaches for day hikes from camp
- ✓Integrated raincover and a FlapJacket cover for running the pack lidless
- ✓Durable 210D high-tenacity nylon body and bottom
- ✗5.8 lbs empty is heavy against framed packs that carry 40 lbs
- ✗$450 list price
- ✗Foam contact back panel gives less airflow than a trampoline-mesh design
- ✗Osprey does not publish a numeric torso range for this pack.
Osprey Aether Plus 70 vs Osprey Ariel Plus 70: common questions
Is the Ariel Plus 70 the same pack as the Aether Plus 70?▾
Essentially, yes. Both use the same 210D nylon, LightWire frame, foam back, removable DayLid and included rain cover at $450. The Ariel Plus has a women's harness and hipbelt and weighs 5.8 lbs to the Aether Plus's 6.2 lbs.
How much weight can the Aether Plus 70 and Ariel Plus 70 carry?▾
Osprey rates the Ariel Plus 70 for 30-60 lb. It offers no rating for the 70 L Aether Plus, though it rates the larger 85 L and 100 L versions for 40-70 lb.
How do I size the Ariel Plus 70 without a torso range in inches?▾
Osprey doesn't give a numeric range for the Ariel Plus, so try it on at a retailer. The women's harness and hipbelt adjust on the fly on top of the adjustable torso, which helps fine-tune it once you're close.