Yes it does.

The Argon pack is Osprey's premier backpacking pack, and what it adds in a little bit of weight (compared to the lighter Aether series), it makes up for with a whole lotta comfort and a few extra access points. The 85 L packs, if packed right, can carry enough gear for a few weeks. If you want a larger capacity and have the stamina of a mule, take a look at the Argon 110. If you plan on restocking at waypoints every week or so, the Argon 70 would be a better option. Really, it depends on how you're going to hike the AT. Personally, I'd go with the Argon 85 as a happy medium. Whatever you decide on, make sure you find an Osprey dealer and get a custom-molded hipbelt. Osprey makes a durable and comfortable pack and you won't regret purchasing one, no matter what you choose. From one who lives near the AT, enjoy!

The whole trail

Um the whole 2175 mile trail from maine to georgia or just a few miles?

I debated this same question not too long ago. You covered the key considerations in weight and access points, but consider it this way: the Argon series is designed to be the premier backpacking line for Osprey, sporting a slightly better suspension than the Aether models. If comfort is more of an issue than cutting precious ounces, then the suspension on the Argon--combined with a custom-molded hipbelt--can protect you from those extra couple of pounds. Personally, if I were buying a bag to spend most my time on defined trails and steady elevations, I'd get the Argon. If I needed a sack for mountain-laden adventures, I'd lean towards the Aether.

Concerning what size to get: take a look at the 'View Sizing Chart' information under the product options pull-down menu and base it primarily off of your hip measurements (just above your hip bones, not along a plumber's waistline). If you're somewhere in-between sizes, opt for the larger one since us fellas rarely lose horizontal measurements as the years go by.

The AquaSource Recurve clips into the pack to carry hydration vertically down the backpanel or across the top of your load. Check out Ospreys excellent website.

I'm a touch over 6' tall and weigh 220 lbs. The medium bag fits me perfectly when the adjustment is extended nearly all the way out, and the large fits well when the adjustment is extended nearly all the way in. I prefer the large shoulder harness and hip belt no matter which bag size I have. Ideally, I'm a medium bag with large hipbelt/harness.

It probably hinges on your waist, but I would probably go with a large if you are indeed looking at the Argon 85. You are going to get more volume in the large and it would probably fit your torso better. The large also gives your flexibility in allowing you to wear a few layers and have the hip belt still fit comfortably.

I have a similar build and measured a medium for both hip belt and pack size on an official Osprey sizing device ( glorified ruler). I have a 34 waist and have more legs than I do torso. You want your hip bones to sit about an inch under the top of your hip belt. In comparison, I'm a large fit in Arc'teryx packs if you've ever tried those. Hope this helps. check out their site for some good sizing info: http://www.ospreypacks.com/PackTech/SizingandFitting/

use the waist belt from the pack

I would say it depends on the type of terrain and climates you're expecting on encountering. If you like plenty of pockets and straps, and plan on carrying monster weights (60+ lbs) on mostly on-trail hiking, I would probably go for the Argon. However, for more off-trail or vertical type excursions, I would much prefer the Aether for it's streamlined shape and light weight. Keep in mind that in the 85L versions, these are monster packs, capable of carrying a whole lot of gear. I would say either would be good for at least a week in the winter, probably twice or three times that in warmer weather, if not more. Both will serve you very well for many years to come.

The Osprey UL rain cover in a size large would work perfectly. Or the Outdoor Research HydroLite is also a fantastic pack cover if you don't care about matching brands (I would reccomend this in an XL or L depending how you want it to fit your pack I have one in in XL for my 85 liter Osprey Aether and it works great). Backcountry currently is out of stock of the Osprey Brand cover in the size you need, but does have an XL in the Outdoor Research cover.

hope that helped

Plenty of options. You can strap them to either side of the pack, the top, the front, or the bottom. I would suggest the front as the best option.

Yes, this pack would be overhead bin-friendly because all the horizontal straps would really compress it down. Perhaps to be a little extra certain, you could buy a few extra straps so you can compress the pack vertically as well and in effect, cocooning it.

I would definitely take the hip belt off but you could always, if need be, wear it by itself underneath your clothes and then take it off when you sit down.

I thru hiked in 2004 and had a dana design bridger. Its about 3500cu in and I felt that it was a bit big. My advice is go light. On the trail, you will quickly learn what you need and don't. I wish by the middle of the hike I had a smaller lighter pack. However, I'm in the ultra light school of thought. ie...shelter tarp, trail running shoes, hobo stove, and closed cell pad, etc...Long story short the argon is way too big.

I'm doing a NOBO AT thru-hike this year, and I've been using Granite Gear Nimbus Meridian pack... It is, by far, one of the best packs I have ever used. Check it out at this link...http://www.backcountry.com/store/GRG0044/Granite-Gear-Nimbus-Meridian-Backpack-3800cu-in.html---------------------------------------------------------------------I second Eisenberg's suggestion; Nimbus Meridian ALL THE WAY! Thing about the Osprey pack is it has pockets... okay, fine. I use stuff sacks and compression sacks to compartmentalize the duffel design of the Nimbus; what this does is knocks off weight and allows me to use a better backpack to go the distance. I am NOBO hiking the AT this year too and just wouldn't want the extra weight of a 7 lb Osprey when I get better quality from a lighter pack that's more functional to go the 2,175 miles you intend to go. (Plus the Nimbus is cheaper, man)

This is a big pack. It will carry everything you need and them some. It really depends on how much stuff you like to carry and what kind of gear you have. If you have a lot of light weight and highly packable stuff then drop down to a 65/75 liter pack. Which 14ers are you doing? I have done them all and give you some beta if you needed.------------------I agree with Matthew. I did a similar trip to the one you're describing, a summer traverse of Capitol-Snowmass-Pyramid with a 65L pack and it was plenty big. It was a Kelty, which I wouldn't recommend, but I don't think you need 85L, especially in warmer weather.

I was in the Peace Corps in a really remote region in ghana (out in the rainforest) for 2 years and I got by with a 36L osprey pack just fine. If you plan on hiking a lot while there you will want a larger pack like a 65L. If I had to pick again I might bump mine up to 50L or so but smaller for me was much better esp given the transport conditions I found myself in. Osprey bags rock, can't go wrong with them.

I've got the Atmos in small and I have a 31 waist and it seems to be a good fit. I don't know that I would want to up to a medium. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like they have a medium here. On my pack, I could probably cinch it down another 3 inches. Couldn't tell you the medium.However, I think you can buy a different waist belt and swap out if you are stoked on the size of the pack. Check out osprey's website.Osprey will swap out one size waist belt for a different size as long as it hasn't been used.

Yes, the bear can will fit. I have a BV-500 and it fits in the main compartment without any problems. You could always, if necessary, strap the bear canister to the pack. The Argon 85 has plenty of straps and plenty of places to hook straps to - easy to become creative.

Yeah. You might have to get creative with packing, but you'll be fine. You can pack so that the bear canister doesn't actually take up that much extra room.Nesting is the key. Fill that canister with as much as you can.

Good question. The drop down is correct. According to Osprey, there isn't a small size Argon available.

It's more important to choose the right size pack using the torso length measurement. To find your torso length, measure your back along the spine from the the top point of your hipbones to the knobby bone at the base of your neck. This will give you a measurement in inches that will determine the correct pack size.

I have an Argon and absolutely love it! I've used a Mountain Smith for quite a few years but wanted something more comfortable and not a pack with such a "tube" effect... ie. zero compartments inside or outside. I went through about every pack I could find in this size and quality and ended up with the Argon. There are a bunch of stash pockets on the outside of the pack but they don't add bulk to the outside. There are plenty of zippered accesses to the inside so you can get to your gear very easily. Nice touch with a separate access to the sleeping bag! The load tension straps don't cause issues at all with getting to your gear inside. You'll really love this pack! It's well worth the money!!I don't have any experience with the Garcia 812.Hope that helps.

The larger one is a couple of ounces heavier, and the larger ones should fit a larger person I guess, but no differences in the amount of pockets or anything.There's no other differences other than the weight. They're both made with the same materials.

I am planning to get the Aragon 85 or 110. What i need to know is how much load they ´can take. I am planning to bring 3 kites for kitesurfing in size 7, 10 and 14 m2+ 2 bars, a trapez, a small wetsuit and wetboots. Besides this i need to bring close: jeans, shorts, boardshorts, lycra, 3 t-shirts, shirt, underwear, socks, a rainjacket, a sweater, camera (Nikon d90 with one lens), laptop, sleepingbag.

The kites aren't heavy, but they do take a lot of space. Does any one have experience with packing kites in a large backpack, then please share?

It is somewhat resistant, yes. It is made from a variety of different cordura fabrics, most of which include a plastic-like coating on the inside and a repellent finish on the outside. After numerous uses, however,the repellent outside finish will wear down and require reapplication using a third-party treating solution. The inside coating can break down as well and become less effective.Get a rain cover and keep it with your pack for those surprise storms!In short, most good packs will repel a modest rain storm for hours, but will leak at the seams and zippers over time, or if exposed to extreme weather.On Ospreys website, they suggest Nikwax so you can spray on your bag after heavy rainstorms or when you feel the need for more water resistance.This product works great:http://www.backcountry.com/store/NIK0041/Nikwax-Tent-and-Gear-Proof.html