Last updated on October 18th, 2023 at 10:45 pm
When it comes to backpacking, my go to pack is the Osprey Ariel 65, this female specific pack fits everything I need in it for at least a seven day adventure, plus I’ve owned this pack for five years now and it’s been on numerous adventurous and is still going strong! It isn’t the cheapest pack on the market but it is comfortable and lasts a long time if you take care of it.
I’ve used this pack for winter hut trips, overnight short backpacking trips and even taken it on a seven day adventure on the West Coast Trail. I love this pack and I’m going to go into what makes it a must have as well as a few things I wish were just a little different!
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What I Love About The Osprey Ariel 65l Pack
My absolute favorite thing about the Osprey Ariel 65l pack is how it carried weight. I’m not the lightest packer, I like a few luxuries and excessive amounts of snacks. On many trips picking my pack up off the ground can feel like a really mission, but once it’s on my back with the straps done up, the weight feels completely manageable. This allows me to keep hiking for longer and most of all means I’m not uncomfortable on the trail, so I’m having a better time because I’m not worried about the load I’m carrying!
I’ll be completely honest, I’m not someone who is very good at caring for my gear, especially while I’m on the trail. Hiking to the top of a pass during a backpacking trip, when I reach the top and take my pack off, I have a nasty habit of just tossing it off and dropping it to the ground. For five years the Osprey Ariel 65l has taken hit after hit and barely shows any sign of wear to this day.
I absolutely love that I can use the Osprey Ariel 65l pack for year round adventures. Whether it’s backpacking a seven day hike in summer, paddling and portaging a 116km canoe circuit or doing an overnight hut trip on my cross country skis, this backpack can do it all and fit it all.
Features of the Osprey Ariel 65l backpack which I love include the front main section zipper. This allows me to pack not just from the top but also front the front…a game changer. Plus if you accidentally buried your rain jacket (we’ve all been there) and then there is a downpour tada, it’s way easier to find it using the front access zipper than digging blindly from the top.
The North American version of the Osprey Ariel 65l backpack also comes with a lid which converts into a day pack. Talk about a handy feature. When upu are setting up camp in the backcountry for a few nights and doing day trips in the middle, this is an awesome feature. It’s not a sturdy convention day pack you might use for a day hike but it works great in the backcountry when you don’t want to carry the full pack for a day hike.
The stretchy pockets on the sides and back are perfect for storing gear you want to easily access and have a lot of give to them too. Perfect for storing your Nalgene, rain jacket, flip flops and snacks. At least that’s what I use them for!
Ultimately I have loved this pack so much, we upgraded Mike’s pack to the Osprey Aether 70l backpack, the men’s version of the Ariel pack and haven’t looked back.
Things You Might Want To Consider Before Purchasing
This certainly isn’t the cheapest bag on the market but for the quality and comfort I’d personally say it is worth every dollar. I like to invest in my backpacking gear so I know I don’t have to buy new every few years.
It’s a little on the bulky side, it has a more traditional design compared to the new ultra light alternatives which are becoming popular. This means it’s not overly light and doesn’t pack down very small. I’d say it depends on what you are looking for and how you treat your gear.
The Osprey Ariel 65 won’t be a perfect backpack for everyone. If you are looking for a pack and you have never really had one before, I’d pop into an outdoor gear shop like MEC and try some on and get sized properly. Not every pack is perfect on everybody. When I first started hiking with the Osprey Ariel 65 it rubbed on my hips, a bit of fine tuning and learning and now I love it.
Its also a large pack with a big capacity, I know I’m not the lightest packer and I don’t have the lightest gear, if you can fit your life in something smaller, I’d say go for it. I however find that the Osprey Ariel 65l backpack is the perfect size for up to at least a seven day trip.
