Gear Review: Osprey Aether 60 backpack

--Product Information-- Product Name: Aether 60 L Product Brand: Osprey Best Use: Backpacking, Mountaineering Sizes Available / Specs: XS - XL, 4 lbs, 7 oz, Green blue or red. --Test information— Location of Test: Appalachian Trail Duration: 4 Months --ratings— Value Rating: 9 Durability Rating: 9 Overall Rating: 9 Full Review The bioform hip belt on the Osprey Aether 60 started out very comfortable, and as it wore in it only got better. Osprey is super generous with the amount of EVA foam in the lumbar region of this pack, which made it contour to the shape of my hips the longer I wore it. Coming out of towns on the Appalachian Trail I loaded my Aether up with 42 lbs. sometimes (grocery shopping while hungry sometimes leads to a heavy resupply). The pack handled the weight very well. Its rigid steel frame transferred the weight straight to my skeletal structure, and never strained my lower back, neck or shoulders. I am usually pretty rough on my gear, and incessant dragging over rocks, throwing down ledges and cramming into car trunks has left my pack unscathed. The light wear and tear after 2200 miles of hiking and many additional trips can easily be warrantied by Osprey's All Mighty Guarantee. A custom-fit pack with good support can mean the difference between a weekend getaway and a back-breaking death march. Shoulder the Osprey Aether 60 Backpack and you'll have 40 years of pack fitting experience and expertise on your side, including the LightWire peripheral frame for support and an IsoForm CM waist-belt that can be heat molded for a fully customized fit. Plus, the detachable top lid doubles as a lumbar pack so you carry the perfect amount of gear on day hikes after establishing your main camp. Review Summary Points "The Good" List: Amazing rigidity in the frame transfers weight to the comfy foam hip belt. Removable hood doubles as a sweet daypack for summiting or hiking. "The Not so Good List": This pack is pretty heavy for a thru hike. Hardly justifiable if you are carrying less than 30 pounds. The Bottom Line: Awesome, solid pack for heavier loads and longer trips. I couldn't be happier with its performance in many conditions.