Osprey Packs Ariel 65 Backpack - Women's - 3800-4200cu in

This pack is well-designed and lightweight. I took mine on a four-day desert backpacking trip. The weather was hot and the last day was a pretty strenuous hike out with lots of scrambling over boulders. The back panel ventilated extremely well, and fit adjustments are easy on-the-go. The hydration compatibility worked with my North Face bladder, the pockets and compartments are well-placed, and the padding is comfortable. One warning: do NOT overload this pack. My boyfriend has the men's version, and we both started the trip carrying more than the recommended weight. We both paid with sores on our collarbones and hips. Once the weight was down, the packs were perfect.

The Osprey Aether 70 (my wife has the Ariel 65 and she's making me write the review) is a comfortable pack. The IsoForm Custom Molding hip belt is superb and adjusts easily. Simply pull the strap on each side of the belt to quickly and efficiently adjust it. (We did not find it necessary to heat mold the belt. I've talked to a number of people about this; most do not have their belt heat molded. Apparently, the belt will, with time, mold itself to you waist.) The shoulder straps also adjust easily and make a custom fit a snap, especially the ones at the top. We carried these packs fully loaded up steep trails to almost 10,000 feet with relative ease. There's lots of room. I'm not a big fan (or wasn't at first) of top-loading-only packs. However, if you pack carefully and with a plan, top-loading-only packs work well. I wouldn't complain about a zipper down the left or right side of the main compartment, nor would I gripe about the addition of a few outside-access pockets (for a stove, fuel bottle, etc.). There are, of course, stretch pockets on each side of the pack, which are convenient and work especially well for Nalgene bottles. The top bag is hyped as a detachable fanny pack. I'm not convinced of its usefulness as a fanny pack--at least not yet. It's kind of a pain to detach. However, it is a great pocket as part of the pack and integrates well as part of the overall design. As with most Osprey packs, there is a plethora of compression straps and more straps. At first I thought that this was a bit too much; however, as I get to know the pack better (How do you do? What can you do for me?) and work with the various features, it all makes sense--every last strap and pull has a purpose and does its job well. The packs appear to be well-made to high standards of quality and attention to detail is obvious. A few brighter colors would be a nice addition to the existing colors. I chose sunburst and my wife chose guava. Overall, we are very pleased with our Osprey Aether and Ariel packs.

I have used several frame backpacks on my many backpacking adventures. This pack holds the necessary gear with great placement of extra straps to attach items outside the pack. The pack fits me well so the miles are enjoyable unlike others that have been painful. I love the feature on this and all Osprey packs of the build in whistle on the chest strap. I have found that when buying a frame backpack it is best to always measure to get the right size and not just guess. I am 6'1" female but found I am only a size small for packs.

just back from an eight day trip (four days backpacking/four days camping) in the yosemite area and despite carrying some extra weight for the the twin 3-year olds that trekked with us, the pack managed the weight exceptionally well and kept my back feeling great. i like all the straps that help to cinch things in and the belt is just awesome....very comfortable. two thumbs up, for sure.

I'm a small person (5'4", 105 lbs)and this pack fit me very well. Just took it on a 3-day trip loaded with fishing and camping gear and it handled it all. Very comfortable. When considering my purchase, I was balancing capacity for the kind of trips I had planned with a tendancy to overpack and my ability to carry the load. I have an 8-day wilderness trip planned; that will give it (and me!)the test. Only wish it had more side pockets. The stretchy dual-access pockets are nice, but stuff could fall out and I'd like at least one good-sized zippered pocket. The removal top has great storage and can be used as a fannypack. Nice roomy sleeping bag compartment; I put my big, warm bag in a compression sack and was able to get it in the compartment. I'd recommend this pack to any serious woman hiker.

THIS PACK IS GREAT FOR YOU GIRLS OUT THERE. ITS GOOD ENOUGH FOR A 4-5 DAY TRIP BUT SMALL ENOUGH FOR A GIRL TO PACK AROUND. THE ADDED SUPPORT FEATURES MAKE IT AMAZINGLY COMFORTABLE.THE ADJUSTMENTS ON THE BELT AND SHOULDER STRAPS ARE SO COOL YOU CAN GET IT TO MOLD PERFECT TO YOUR BODY WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE POINTS SORE HIPS OR SHOULDERS.

took this pack on a five day canoe/portage trek through the boundary waters. definitely had enough room for my summer gear, and half of the cooking gear/food. good, comfortable fit (and didn't even have time before i left to get the belt custom fit). showed very little wear after the trip. highly recommended.

One of the best women's specific packs I have ever found. It is SUPER lightweight which is always a plus. Also, the day pack utilizes the custom molding hip belt, which makes it extra comfortable. I would recommend this pack to everyone. Also, the lifetime warranty is great.

When I tried on women's packs initially, it was a toss-up between this pack (I actually have the Ariel 75) and the Arc'teryx Bora 75. Although the Bora seemed more comfortable across my shoulders, the Osprey's hip belt seemed a lot more comfortable (despite the fact it's not as padded). I use this pack for climbing and backpacking approaches to remote routes. I found only a few drawbacks: the frame tends to squeak (A LOT) while I'm moving, making it hard to hear my partner talking to me as well as being highly annoying. Also, I realize it's too big as a day pack but it's all I have for that use right now; however, I've found it to be on the heavy side, despite being marketed as "light." Trying to scramble with this pack makes for mucho energy-wasting and fatigue IMO and I can't wait until I can afford a smaller day pack.

I was able to borrow this pack for a weekend backpack trip and could not have been happier. I usually sweat a ton, but never noticed a sweaty back with their mesh back panel, so i guess it worked! A friend helped me shorten the torso length to make it fit me properly and it was really easy to do. I also really love how the waist belt cinch is set up to give you better leverage. I compared this to my friend's Arcteryx pack with your standard cinch type and the Ariel was SO MUCH EASIER to tighten and get as tight as you needed (the ariel was also MUCH more comfortable on the shoulders than my friend's arcteryx -she tried both and agrees on that point too). I am seriously considering buying this pack now, but if i don't get this one, it will definitely be one of the Ospreys.

Me and my wife trekked to La Verin Creek in the Kolob section of Zion National Park with this pack. I got a demo of this pack to let her try out and she loved the fit, the torso length, and the chest strap. It held everything she needed and she said that it was nice how the storage was set up on it, how the hydration ran out of it and that you could convert the top part of the pack to a lumbar pack that the waist belt comes out of the main pack to wear heading up to Kolob Arch. She said that this was an A+ pack and wants one now to head out with me with. Gonna have to get her one for sure!

I have yet to thoroughly test this pack but already its a lot more comfortable and lighter than my old pack (made by NZ company Kathmandu). It has a lot of nice features (lots of load stabilizing straps, air access to your back so it doesn't get sweaty, removable 'fanny' pack etc). The only thing that I worry about is that the lightweight fabric will wear out quickly, though it does have a lifetime warranty and is obviously well made. If you are worried about this the more sturdy and rugged Luna may be for you, but you pay for that with the added weight.

This is the most comfortable pack I've ever had. Especially if you pack it correctly, you hardly notice the weight. The fit is perfect and I would highly recommend getting the waist belt molded. Really good price point for the quality of this pack

I have tried a ton of packs, and by far I think this pack is the best one for women. I took this on a four day trek, and it was so light and comfortable that I felt like I only had a day pack on. Not to mention the superior quality of Osprey. I have recommended this to several people, and everyone who uses it will never go back to another brand. Great price too.