These backpacking packs are extremely well-loved by the outdoor community — thanks to an anti-gravity suspension system
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When backpacking through the outdoors, your pack makes a huge difference.
Packs work off of an unusual scale: A bad one will be obvious by weighing heavily in all the wrong places or causing chafing. A good/ok pack likely won't draw attention, good or bad. But a really great one is noticeable by making things easier rather than simply not harder.
It will better distribute weight, let you work with the pack rather than against it during the hike, and have comfortable straps that secure in areas that ensure there won’t be gapping, jostling, or hot spots.
I’ve used bad, good/ok, and great packs, and my recent backcountry excursion in Montana was with one of the greats. I’d heard a lot of buzz about Osprey packs, consistently ranking highest in customer satisfaction and units sold at trusted gear aggregators like REI, but had yet to get ahold of one myself. It was after ample research that I chose the Aura AG 65 for the trip.
There are a few reasons Osprey performs so uniformly well, but one of the biggest (and the one you'll definitely feel) is their sophisticated anti-gravity technology — which is basically a really great suspension system. Suspension systems are meant to transfer the weight of the gear you’re carrying to the structures of the human body best able to carry that weight, so you don’t wind up breaking like a cracker or curving into a spoon. It should also let the pack-wearer move more freely and naturally. To get great suspension, you need both great design and fit.
Osprey really excels in this area (which, is really the area to excel in). Their "anti-gravity" system uses 3-D suspended mesh that contours and maps to the areas of your body that it touches in collaboration with advanced "frame sheets" to disperse and balance weight. It also prevents a sweaty back by creating a vent for open airflow. There’s a lot to it, but basically, they’ve got comfort down pat.
My overwhelming opinion after trying it for myself is that the packs are worth the hype.
I did a 12-mile hike with their Osprey Aura AG 65 Pack and am confident it would have held up just as well on a 50-mile hike. It distributed weight exceptionally (letting me actually enjoy the challenge of a steep incline), kept the pack away from my back so I had unrestricted airflow during a hot afternoon, and had a thoughtful design with many pockets and a sleeping bag compartment. It felt stabilized and natural — instead of forgetting it was there or being preoccupied with its failings, I noticed my pack during the hike for how much easier it made the experience. It was heavy with overnight gear made for the cold, but it never felt heavy.
The Osprey pack was definitely the most comfortable pack I've used. It kept me cool and dry, dispersed weight better than any other I've tried, and felt like an extension of my body while I moved. A good description is that it "hugs" the body.
I chose the Aura, a women-specific pack, but if you’re looking for the male version, the equivalent would be the Atmos. The difference is torso lengths and different curves in the straps and hip belts.
It’s a little bit less than the price of two just-ok packs, but if you’re planning on using it more than once in your life or for a medium/long distance even once, you’ll be glad you spent a little extra upfront for a much more pleasant experience. You're not relying on a lot of things out in the wild or as you travel, so the few you buy for the trek have a disproportionate impact — and disproportionate value.
To me, the point of "roughing it" is not to endure discomfort and pain for the sake of enduring them. I go outside to enjoy nature. As a result, I want to adequately prepare myself with well-made essentials in order to get the most out of the experience. For example, sitting freezing in the snow with wet feet — aside from being dangerous — isn’t going to inspire me to stay outdoors longer to appreciate the moment.
A great pack lets me enjoy the entire journey, even while hiking a challenging path that might otherwise test a good mood after a few days sleeping on the ground. Especially since heading outdoors is so often about paring down to just the essentials, you want to make sure those few essentials are exceptional.
If you're looking for a pack that will balance weight, facilitate airflow, and be comfortable to wear, you might find that just as "all roads lead to Rome," all your research might eventually direct you to Osprey's anti-gravity-enabled packs. In my experience, if you're willing to part with a little more money for a lot more comfort, they won't disappoint.
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