Best Osprey Hiking Backpack

I've been using and reviewing Osprey backpacks for years (full post list at the bottom of this article). I'm often asked about my overall picks for the best Osprey hiking backpack, so here you go!.

First things first: Backpacking might refer to either traveling or overnight camping trips. If traveling will be your primary (or only) use, then head over to my Best Osprey Backpack for Travel post. I do recommend some backpacking backpacks there. 

If, however, your primary use will be hiking and camping (overnight or not), then keep reading.

Summary: Top Osprey Hiking Backpacks

• The Atmos AG 65 (women's counterpart is the Aura AG 65) is my overall top pick for multi-day backpacking trips. I think it's perfect for anywhere from 2-5 nights. 
• For really heavy hauling and/or extended (5-plus nights) trips and thru-hikes, the best Osprey backpack is the Aether Plus 85 (women's counterpart is the Ariel Plus 85), but the Aether AG 70 (women's counterpart is the Ariel AG 65) will also serve you well if you're a light packer. 
• If you're looking for smaller packs (2-3 nights), I recommend the Stratos 44 (women's counterpart is the Sirrus 44). The Kestrel 48 (women's counterpart is the Kyte 48) is a great alternative, especially if you find it on sale. 
• The best Osprey backpack for day hiking and/or single-night camping is the Talon 33 (women's counterpart is the Tempest 30). The Kestrel 38 and the Kyte 38 are the best alternatives for men and women, respectively. 

Important: If you're shorter than 5'1" or taller than 6'6", strongly consider getting the incredibly adjustable series: Volt/Viva. They'll probably be even more comfortable than Atmos/Aura for you.

Now let's get to the nuts and bolts. 

COMPLETE DATA SET: All Osprey Hiking & Backpacking Backpacks Listed 

Let's begin with the data set I've been collecting for the last few years. 

When in doubt, always opt for the larger pack size. Why? Because having the extra space but not needing it is always better than needing the extra space but not having it. 

In my experience, this is likely to happen regardless of your best-laid plans. 

What about durability? 

The real reason I didn't take durability into account here isn't because of Osprey's incredible lifetime warranty (although it's a part of it). 

I mean, it's great to have it after all, but their incredible customer service and warranty policy would still cost some effort and time from the user's end in case of unexpected damages. 

The real reason I didn't incorporate durability here is that after years of using and backpacking with Osprey products, I've learned that most of us will never even need to turn to their incredible warranty. 

Almost all Osprey backpacks are made of very high-quality, wear-resistant fabrics. You can feel the robust quality just by handling them. 

I say almost all Osprey packs are very durable because I'd maybe exclude the ultralight and hyperlight series a little bit here: the Exos/Eja and Levity/Lumina lines. 

Even they are still more durable than their ultralight competitors coming from other brands - but their light nature inevitably makes them a bit more fragile. 

Other than that, yes, some are still more durable than the others and vice versa, but the difference is really non-existent in practice.

I'll lay out my top picks now. 

Best Osprey Backpack for Extended Trips (>75 L volume) 

Trip duration: 5-7 days 

These extra large Osprey packs are rather rare and hence you don't get many options. 

Your best bet is the Aether Plus 85 (women's counterpart is the Ariel Plus 85), though the Aether AG 70 (women's counterpart is the Ariel AG 65) are strong picks as well.

They aren't one of those packs that are just stuffed with features to compensate other downsides. They're both extremely comfortable backpacks (although they're fairly heavy at 5 pounds). 

In fact, they're the only two series of Osprey backpacks that offer state-of-the-art custom molded hipbelts (find source here on Osprey's own site). 

This is why superior BioForm hipbelts are going to respond even better to your unique curves during the molding process. 

Now, going the extra mile this much might seem overkill or even outright ridiculous. But when you're hauling all your belongings for a week-long trip over long distances, trust me it's not. 

This is actually the reason why it's only incorporated to the backpacks with extended trip main purposes only: Xenith/Xena (discontinued) and Aether/Ariel series. 

Osprey agrees it'd indeed be overkill for anything less aggressive than that. 

I talk more about this in my Osprey Xenith vs Aether post, so check that out if you're interested. My top picks are the Xenith 88 and the Aether AG 70.

Trip duration: 7+ days 

The typical 7-plus-day backpack volume is 90-plus liters. This leaves you with one option: the men's Aether Plus 100. 

Compared to Aether's smaller counterparts, besides extra tens of liters of volume, it is constructed with a thicker (4 mm vs 3.5 mm) and more robust peripheral frame. 

This makes carrying really heavy loads noticeably more comfortable due to the incredibly well-built suspension capability. 

But it's also BULKY. 

Unfortunately, Osprey didn't introduce a women's counterpart for the Aether Plus 100, so the largest option is the Ariel Plus 85. No idea why they went down this route. 

That said, if you're a female looking for a 90+ L pack, you can get an Aether Pus 100 and might still be perfectly fine with it. 

Design differences in men's/women's models take place in the curvatures and shapes of the packs (mostly belts and straps), which I would say isn't going to be a huge difference unless you're shorter than, say, 5'4".

Multi-day (2-5 nights) trips (55-75 L) 

Generally speaking, 60-70 liters is considered the sweet spot for most people because it offers the best of both worlds - enough volume for longer trips but not so much that the pack is unmanageable for a shorter weekend excursion in the backcountry. 

My overall top pick for this category is the Atmos AG 65 (women's counterpart is the Aura AG 65). 

If you're a regular reader of my Osprey reviews, you know I'm a huge fan of both models. 

Volt 60 (women's counterpart is Viva 65) comes forward after Atmos/Aura AG 65 - owing to their extremely high adjustability. 

If you're quite short (shorter than 5'1") or quite tall (taller than 6'6"), then the Volt/Viva will be more comfortable than any backpack out there (including the Atmos/Aura AG 65). 

If you aren't quite short or tall, Volt 60/Viva 65 are still going to be surprisingly comfortable alternatives - although noticeably less so than the Atmos/Aura AG 65. 

One organizational sacrifice you make going from Volt 60/Viva 65 to Atmos/Aura AG 65 is the loss of two useful zippered front pockets which would make your frequently used items readily available. 

Unlike Atmos/Aura AG 65, you do get the raincover with Volt 60/Viva 65. 

But raincover is not only less valuable in most cases, but it's also replaceable by purchasing separately - which you certainly can't do so for zippered front pockets. 

Very heavy hauling 

When you're hiking during the winter or with kids and/or pets, it's likely that really heavy hauling will come into play. 

This is why 3 important features; 

1. Bulkier suspension, 
2. Additional J-zip front access to the main compartment, and 
3. Convertible top lid daypack 

of Aether AG 70 (women's counterpart is Ariel AG 65) make them a much better option than the Atmos/Aura AG 65. 

They're not only going to keep you more comfortable and less sweaty along the way, but also offer a superior access to your higher amount of items. 

You can read more about them in this post where I review and compare the Aether/Ariel series.

I've written more about Osprey Aether vs Atmos before, so check that out as well if you're interested to learn more. 

Weekend (1-3 nights) trips (40-55 L) 

50 L version of aforementioned top pick Atmos AG 65 (women's counterpart is Aura AG 65) is the first pack comes to mind here in this range: 

Atmos AG 50 (women's counterpart is Aura AG 50). 

But are they really optimal for this range as well? 

Well, long story short, if you pack like most people during weekend backpacking trips, then chances are, the superior suspensions of Atmos/Aura AG 50 are most likely going to over-qualify. 

After all, you don't need an airplane engine in a car. 

I mean, if you're getting an Atmos/Aura AG 50, I'd probably stop most of you there and point another pack. 

I've talked more about this in my Atmos/Aura AG 50 vs 65 post. 

However, if you're one of those folks who tend to pack really dense, heavy stuff; then as you can imagine, I would have to make an exception for you. 

Atmos/Aura AG 50 can be an optimal choice in that case. 

But what if you're like most people and pack typical, normal weight stuff? 

Enter Stratos 44 (women's counterpart is Sirrus 44). These are the backpacks you're looking for. 

Osprey designed them specifically for your purpose, and hence advertises them in such ways as well. 

Not only their suspension quality are just the right amount, but it also comes with all the bells and whistles you actually need - and nothing you don't. 

The reason Stratos/Sirrus 50 are admired so much is because they're somehow pretty successfully made quite light without sacrificing too much comfort or organizational features. 

In fact, any organizational feature for that matter. 

It offers 3 accesses to main compartment (top, bottom & side) and comes with an integrated raincover. 

If you've been researching Osprey packs for a while, then it probably caught your attention that you don't easily get to see these features all together even in a well equipped backpack - let alone a light pack like Stratos 50! 

My top two alternatives to Stratos/Sirrus 50 would be Kestrel 48 and Kyte 48. Actually, they might not even qualify as alternatives but substitutions. 

I think it's safe to say that they more or less perform equally well. 

Kestrel/Kyte Series is a top-notch backpacking, hiking, and, in my opinion, also a little bit mountaineering backpack line.

Although I wasn't that fond of previous versions, they stepped up their game with most recent 2019 updates. 

I've listed updates that took place with this 2019 version in my Kyte 46 review and Kestrel 48 review. Also studied them entirely. 

Apart from these practical benefits you get when using Kestrel/Kyte, they're also pretty if you ask me. 

Day hiking & overnight camping (<40 L) 

Front loading backpacks become more acceptable here, so if you'll be traveling with your backpack as much as you'll be day hiking, then you can get a travel backpack rather than a hiking or backpacking backpack. 

My top recommendation would be Farpoint 40 (read my hands on review here) in that case. 

If you're sure you're looking for a hiking/backpacking backpack, though... 

Then my recommendations would be Talon 33 (women's counterpart is Tempest 33). I've reviewed both of them here.

Check out my Osprey Talon vs Stratos post if you'd like to read more about how each model (Talon 22, 33 and 44 & Stratos 24, 34, 36 & 50) compare to one another. 

Or check out my Osprey Kestrel vs Stratos post if you want to learn more about Stratos 36 & 50 and Kestrel 38 & 48. 

Compared to their larger volume options; 

• Kestrel/Kyte 36 lacks the side zipper pocket, 
• Stratos/Sirrus 36 disallows the ability to remove the top lid (as well as its stash pocket). 

Let's wrap everything up...

Conclusion & Quick Answers 

Here are my top picks in a nutshell.

• Extended (5+ nights) trips:  Aether Plus 85 and Ariel Plus 85
  

• Typical (3-5 nights) trips: Atmos AG 65 and Aura AG 65
  

• Weekend (1-3 nights) trips: Stratos 44 and Sirrus 44
  

• Hiking (0-1 nights) trips:Talon 33 and Tempest 30