As any great adventure, this pack takes a little investment of time to get it right. When I first tried it on all my weight had to go forward to regain my center of gravity and feel balanced. I almost went with something different but fortunately I was determined to take advantage of the new AG. Once I had the harness adjusted properly for my torso and the shoulder straps/load lifters dialed in....WOW! This thing is a BEAST. The compression straps are all in the right spots, the features abound and the water bottle pockets work much better than other reviews lead me to believe. The AG system works amazingly well and for me personally I was willing to give up a pinch of breatheability for the added comfort and support off my back, neck and shoulders. One other small compromise was about 1lb of weight compared to similar packs in the same class. I have been hiking & Backpacking for 20 years and this setup has changed the game for me. I was able to extend my days at Yosemite by hours as well as adding many miles on top of my previous limits and still had energy left and felt less pain the next morning. Honestly carries like a dream, my 50 +/- lb load felt like 35-40. The way the pack 'hugs' your back genuinely kept me feeling much more confident scrambling as well as on steep descents as there is much less weight shift or bounce. I would say con-ish would be the weight (acceptable to me for the features, comfort and support) Could breathe a hair better (also forgiven for the above mentioned benefits and pack durability) Slight tweak to the hydration reservoir sleeve so that the pack retains more air circulation when 2+ L reservoir is full and installed last but not least, Include a rain cover please! There are so many small details that make this pack great, the way the zippers are tucked under the protective overhanging packcloth, adjustable sleeping bag divider, ability to have lower reverse straight jacket compression straps inside or out. A+ Love it!

Scott

California

This pack was awful. The hip straps would not tighten enough to keep the pack from sliding down off my hips resulting in the entire weight of the pack pulling on the shoulder straps. This wasn't because I didn't try, the hip straps were tightened right down to the side pockets which ended up not being side hip belt pockets at all, but right in front of my stomach. The salesperson at Campers Village - the experts on all things Osprey - said that all I needed to do was to keep fiddling with it because I would eventually find the sweet spot. I did when I leaned forward so the the pack would stay on my back and not have it continually slide off my hips and end up being carried solely on my shoulders. So I had to do most of my hike never able to walk upright because of the limited adjustment capabilities of this awful, poorly designed excuse of a contraption Osprey Co. tries to call a backpack. It spoiled my entire trekking experience, and forced me to end it early.

Wayne

Calgary, AB

This is my first Aether (2nd Osprey), and I absolutely love it. I purchased the Aether 60 along with a Daylite Plus for capacity that grows to 83 liters! I love the fact I can go out with just the pack on a day hike (I lead boy scout hikes so I have to carry more) cinch up the straps and everything rides nice and snug. When I want to go backpacking, this pack will expand to allow the extra gear, and if I am going for a week or longer, I can add the daylite plus for an extra 20l of capacity. No matter what weight I add to this pack, it rides nice and is very comfortable.

MarkintheHV

Hudson Valley, NY

I have taken this pack up and over Music Pass in Colorado, through Big Bend National Park, and to the back country camp on the way up to Guadalupe Peak. This thing is big enough to hold the whole camp, and yet not so big as to convince one to carry unnecessary weight. Carries like a dream... once you have it adjusted right; and there are plenty of adjustment points to fit any body type. Paired with the Daylight Plus day pack attachment, this pack gains the capacity for even the longest excursion. This is my favorite pack i have ever owned.

The Texas Beard

Austin, TX

This is my second Aether ... I upgraded because of the Anti-gravity feature. Amazingly well thought out and built pack. I take this pack out backcountry camping as well as just traveling on the plane for business. The top lid turning into a day pack is killer. I no longer have to take along a separate small backpack.

mele

Brooklyn, NY