Osprey Packs: Women's Ariel 65 Backpack

Multi-day alpine traverses and grand backpacking loop trips define the uses of the redesigned, lightweight Osprey Ariel 65 women's backpack. State-of-the-art durable materials, custom fit options designed for a women's specific fit, and innovative, practical features combine to create the superior fit and function of this surprisingly affordable pack. In fact, Backpacker magazine's 2006 Gear Guide edition recommends it as a Best Buy. The deep front pocket, made of tough two-way stretch woven nylon with Lycra®, is a great example of the innovative use of advanced materials found on this pack. The pocket serves as a versatile catchall for carrying anything from a climbing rope to a pair of snowshoes, or any other straggling piece of camping gear you forgot to load when breaking camp. But most importantly, the load carrying comfort of the Osprey Ariel 65 women's backpack is far superior than one would expect given the affordable price. The IsoForm hipbelt is custom moldable, using heat to warm the belt in preparation for achieving an exact fit. These hipbelts come in four women's specific sizes. Furthermore, the Isoform shoulder harness is available in four sizes, also contoured to fit women best. The pack to body surface of both the hipbelt and shoulder harness are entirely seamless, reducing the chance of pressure points developing. A fabulous harness system is useless, however, unless a quality suspension can transfer the load to these weight-bearing surfaces. Enter the AirScape suspension, a carefully assembled sandwich consisting of an internal framesheet with single aluminum stay, ventilated rubber foam backpanel, and peripheral 7075 AL rods. And like the front pocket described earlier, the Osprey Ariel 65 backpack features two dual access stretch woven side pockets, deep for cramming all sorts of necessities within easy reach, and perfect for one liter bottles. Other great features include a zippered sleeping bag compartment, option to convert the top pocket and hipbelt into a fanny pack, and an internal backpanel hydration pocket with twin tube exit ports. For a smaller, very similar version be sure to check out the Osprey Ariel 55 backpack.

• Special Note: IsoForm hipbelt and shoulder straps are available in multiple sizes; please call customer service at 800-369-3949 and talk to a pack expert to request the best size for you
• Key fabrics: 210-denier double ripstop, 210-denier Oxford, 420-denier Oxford, 500-denier Kodra, 840-denier stretch power mesh
• Rated a Best Buy in the 2006 Backpacker magazine Gear Guide
• AirScape suspension consisting of peripheral 7075 AL rods, internal HDPE framesheet with single aluminum stay and a covering of ventilated nubbed foam and mesh grip
• Women's IsoForm shoulder harness with dual density foam and Spacer Mesh surface
• Women's IsoForm custom moldable hipbelt
• Two-way Stretch Woven nylon with Lycra® front pocket and side pockets
• Zippered sleeping bag compartment allows for access to main compartment too
• Removable sleeping pad straps
• Side compression straps - perfect for carrying trekking poles
• Internal compression strap (red for easy visibility) to secure load
• Dual ice axe loops
• Detachable zippered top pocket mates with hipbelt to create a lumbar pack
• Internal backpanel hydration pocket with twin exit ports
• Osprey Excessory compatible
• Capacity: 3,800 cu. in. (62 l) in small, 4,000 (65 l) in medium
• Weight: 4 lbs. 5 oz. (1.96 kgs.) in small, 4 lbs. 8 oz. (2.04 kgs.) in medium