Osprey Ariel 75

Bottom Line

With its large size and ample support, the Osprey Ariel 75 is intended for extended trips. The harness system and unique, custom fit hip belt are specifically designed to better suit women. It weighs just 4 pounds with a recommended load range of up to 60 pounds. The Osprey Ariel is also available in 55- and 65-liter sizes.

Performance

Custom fit. Like other Osprey backpacks, the Osprey Ariel 75's hip belt can be custom fit. A reviewer on HikingTheOzarks.com says, "The easily adjustable hip belt and shoulder straps made it so that I could constantly keep good tabs on my comfort …." Weighing just under 5 pounds, the Osprey Ariel is a fairly lightweight pack.

People generally agree the Osprey Ariel 75 provides good distribution of the load weight. A reviewer on HikingTheOzarks.com attests the bag had, "enough padding and support to withstand several days before my hips inevitably got sore and helped me get most of the pack's weight to land safely on my tailbone." With narrower hip and shoulder measurements, the Ariel is specifically built for women's proportions.

Ease Of Use

Bewildering array of features. The Osprey Ariel 75 offers so many bells and whistles that minimalist packers may find its many straps and buckles confusing to figure out at first. However, reviewers say it is easy to adjust, even on the go. The compartments are reported as intuitive to use and simple to access.

A common complaint among users is that the side water bottle pockets are too tight when the pack is full. One user on BackpackGearTest.org says, "The pockets have been designed with this in mind, as there are openings on the front sides of the pockets themselves, but even so it requires really digging with one's fingers to retrieve small items stored in the pockets."

Durability

No hang-ups. The Osprey Ariel 75 seems able to hold its own against some fairly rough conditions. One review admits, "Honestly, I've treated it rather badly … It is holding up quite well, so I can't fault its durability or quality of construction." Users report strong stitching and tight straps that stay put. This is most likely attributed to its material. The Ariel 75's toughness can be attributed to its durable, yet lightweight, ripstop nylon.

Customer Service

Quality every time. Customers have only good things to say about the exemplary service Osprey provides to its customers. One such customer reports his experience with the company on a BackpackingLight.com forum. He lost his gear in a fire and Osprey replaced it with an upgrade at a fair price. The customer wrote, "In spite of the unusual circumstances they were very generous in their offers to replace at a very good price." Osprey packs are covered by a lifetime warranty, including the Osprey Ariel 75.