Osprey Aether Pro 75 backpack: Tested
At Australian Geographic Adventure, it’s that time of year when we stuff too much gear into a backpack and set off for epic adventures through Australia’s thawing alpine regions. Whether camping under the stars to catch the last bit of spring-corn snow, heading into the bush for a multi-day trek, or finally tackling that remote Tasmanian peak, one thing is essential: the right backpack. A solid technical pack can distinguish between a trip filled with delight and one plagued with disaster. But the age-old question is: do you go for the ultra-light, spine-saving alpine mountain pack, or do you gear up with a fully featured, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink trekking pack? Thankfully, the good folks over at Osprey have seemingly solved that dilemma with the Aether Pro 75L—a hybrid pack that might just be the best of both worlds.
This latest addition to Osprey’s line-up is essentially a stripped-down version of its beloved trekking packs and a spec’d-up version of last year’s Aether™ Pro 70L, with added tech and modular features that give it the adaptability of a Swiss Army knife.
Design
The Osprey Aether Pro 75 is designed for seasoned adventurers, mountaineers, and backpackers who need a pack that can handle heavy loads over demanding terrain. The main body’s material is 210D bluesign® approved NanoFly – a reinforced mix of Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) and Cordura Nylon. In layman’s terms, it’s incredibly strong and durable while keeping weight down. The base of the pack is 500D high-tenacity Nylon, giving it even more durability where it counts. Add a non-PFAS Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment, and you’ve got a pack that’s not only tough but also highly resistant to wet weather conditions.
Osprey’s 4mm LightWire peripheral frame is the backbone of this pack, transferring weight evenly to your hips and ensuring the load stays stable, even on uneven terrain. This 6061-T6 aluminium frame also pairs well with the injection-moulded, die-cut AirScape back panel, which features ventilated airflow channels and can be adjusted via two easy-access buckles. The result? A cooler, more comfortable trek, even on those long uphill slogs. The shoulder straps and hip belt can be customised on the go, thanks to Osprey’s Fit-on-the-Fly system, and are lined with Spacermesh fabric for comfort. A foam lumbar pad with a sticky silicone print keeps the pack secure and comfortable against your lower back. Combined with Osprey’s Crossbody ErgoPull hip belt, the pack stays snug.
Access to the main compartment is primarily via a traditional top drawstring opening, but Osprey has added a full-length side zipper for easy access when the lid is closed. This feature is excellent when grabbing something from the bottom of the pack without unpacking everything.
One of the Aether Pro 75L’s standout features is its modular design. This pack can be fully loaded with all the bells and whistles or stripped down to the essentials for a minimalist setup. The floating top lid can be removed, revealing a FlapJacket cover that protects the main compartment. If you want to shed even more weight, the hip belt pockets, side compression straps, sleeping pad straps, and dual ice tool loops can all be removed. With additional features like an internal hydration reservoir sleeve, a sternum strap with an integrated whistle, and Osprey’s handy Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment, the Aether Pro 75L is designed to be adaptable to a variety of environments.
The pack comes in two sizes: a Small/Medium with 75 litres (L) of capacity, weighing 2.21kg, and a 78L Large/Extra-Large, weighing 2.26kg. Osprey also offers a women’s-specific version of the pack—the Aerial™ Pro 75L – available in only slightly smaller and lighter sizes, with the largest 75L version weighing just 2.16kg.
In the field
Straight out of the box, the Osprey Aether Pro 75L delights in its voluminous size, minimalist weight, and customisable fit. Our L/XL version weighed slightly more than the listed 2.26kg, coming in at 2.35kg, but stripped down to an impressive 1.93kg when we removed all the extras. Fully loaded, the pack was a dream for multi-day alpine adventures, comfortably carrying all of our gear. Stripped to the basics, it transformed into the perfect daypack for snowboarding and ice climbing.
The LightWire frame did a phenomenal job of distributing weight, shifting the bulk of the load to the hips, where it belongs. Paired with the AirScape back panel, which offers excellent ventilation without sacrificing support, the Aether Pro remained cool and comfortable, even when pushing hard.
The Fit-on-the-Fly shoulder straps and hip belt were easily adjusted on the move, which came in handy during long days. Combined with one of the most comfortable harness systems we’ve tested on an ultra-light bag, this pack is most definitely designed to keep you going for the long haul.
The full-length side zipper proved a bonus. Whether we needed to grab a jacket mid-hike or dig out gear at the bottom of the pack, dual access to the main compartment made the Aether Pro user-friendly. The 75L capacity is just right for multi-day expeditions, providing ample room for all the essentials without feeling overly bulky. Though it’s a smidge heavier than last year’s Aether Pro 70L model, we found the extra grams worth the added functionality and space. Hardcore minimalists may grumble, but for those who value adaptability, this pack hits the mark.
The floating top lid was appreciated, offering extra storage when needed but easy to remove when not. The FlapJacket cover kept the main compartment protected from the elements when the lid was off, and we found the ability to further strip down the pack by removing hip-belt pockets, side compression straps, and ice tool loops made it even more versatile.
While the Osprey Aether Pro 75L gets almost everything right, a few small details could be improved. As a fantastic winter pack, the absence of a dedicated shovel or crampon pocket was noticeable. Additionally, the placement of the ice-tool loops is a wee bit high for some alpine axes when not running a full pack.
A quick-release feature on the sleeping pad straps would be welcome, but is not a deal breaker, and a few extra centimetres on the front compression straps would make it easier to attach bulkier items. That said, these are minor wants for a specific user group, more than actual flaws in the design.
The final word on the Osprey Aether Pro
Ultimately, the Osprey Aether Pro 75L Backpack is a superbly designed, modular pack that strikes an impressive balance between functionality and adaptability. Whether heading out on a technical mountain expedition or looking for a reliable trekking pack for multi-day adventures, this pack does it all.
At Australian Geographic Adventure, we understand that no single pack can perfectly meet every user’s needs, but the Aether Pro 75L comes impressively close. With its blend of comfort, durability, and versatility, this pack has rightfully earned its place in our top 2024 packs of choice.
RRP: $629.95 See Osprey for more info on the Aether Pro 75L and all of Osprey’s packs.
