Aether AG 70. Along with Xenith 88, it's my overall top pick.
If we want to be able to compare Xenith vs Aether, then we should first address to their positioning in Osprey's entire backpacking backpack product line briefly.
It's crucial to make a healthy comparison.
Osprey packs are also far from being cheap. I'd strongly recommend you to read this short post entirely, but if you really want a short answer, here you go:
My top pick would be Aether AG 70. If you think you need more volume, get Xenith 88. If you'll mostly be backpacking for, say, longer than a week; and sometimes even with kids, pets or during the winter; ONLY THEN you might really need a beast like Xenith 105.
Design intentions of Xenith & Aether
If you're a regular read of my site, then you probably know that I recommend Osprey's Atmos/Aura Series a lot.
- #A sidenote here: REI's backpack capacity chart is GOLD. Highly recommend you to check it out before you read any further.
Aether/Ariel AG, on the other hand, toys with this equilibrium.
It's geared towards extended (4-5+ nights) trips more than anything else. This is why it's a more niche backpack and hence appeals to a more specific type of audience: Heavy hauling and/or extended backpacking.
So it offers larger volume options, is more feature rich and comes with a bulkier suspension for heavy hauling.
What's more, Xenith/Xena takes this aggressive stance of Aether/Ariel AG EVEN FURTHER and targets extended trips & heavy hauling even more so than Aether/Ariel AG. You can sense this in my popular chart below, as well as my Best Osprey Hiking Backpacks post:
So it offers EVEN LARGER (Xenith 105 XL Size equals to 113 liters of volume - see Manual here [PDF]) size options, a whooping FOUR accesses to the main compartment, tons of external gear attachment capability and a rock-solid frame & suspension that hauls heavy loads over long distances without a hitch.
Pushing 6 lbs, it's quite a bit heavy in return.
As you see, these packs are impractical for those who won't be going on extended (4-5+ nights) backpacking trips and/or hauling heavy loads for long distances.
This is why I think Aether AG 60 is sort of "misplaced".
Aether AG 60
Aether AG 60 on the AT.
60 liters of pack volume is considered average.
Extra accesses to the main compartment would probably be overkill (or even useless) at this level.
Also, because of limited volume, you most likely won't pack it much heavier than usual either.
In case you haven't noticed yet, the two most important extra advantages of Aether/Ariel (and also Xenith/Xena for that matter) aren't being exploited with 60 liters.
Hence not only the extra money but also the extra weight spent on them turn to a waste.
Xenith 105.
So, this might sound a little bit aggressive, but when trying to choose between Xenith and Aether, I'd start by eliminating Aether AG 60.
And, if you've been considering Aether AG 60 seriously, I'd now recommend you to consider Atmos AG 65 as well. You can read more about these in my Osprey Atmos vs Aether post.
Now this leaves us with 5 options: Aether AG 70, 85, Xenith 75, 88, and 105.
Xenith 105
Generally speaking, for any trip that takes longer than a week, a 90+ L backpack is considered optimal. This leaves you with one option only: Xenith 105.
This is why the frame of Xenith 105 is 0.5 mm thicker than those of 75 and 88 (4 mm vs 3.5 mm). It's designed to carry the heaviest of backpacking loads: up to 80 lbs (36 kg)!
- 105 liter backpack built for carrying 50-80 lbs....
- Floating, removable top lid with top-and under-lid...
- External hydration reservoir sleeve is easy to...
- Dual side zips provide easy access to gear stored...
- Zippered hipbelt pockets keep snacks and smaller...
Aether AG 70
Aether AG 70. My overall top pick.
If, on the other hand, you aren't going to be backpacking for that long most of the time, then my recommendation would be Aether AG 70.
It's my favorite along the entire Aether/Ariel line. In my opinion, Aether/Ariel line design intention (pockets, accesses, size of suspension system and harness) responds and works the best with 70 liters.
As long as you won't be backpacking with kids or pets, during winter, or for longer than 7 nights; I see no point in getting a pack larger than 60 - 70 liters either.
Combine these two facts and you'll see why the 70 liters is the most wide spread used pack of Aether/Ariel Series.
I've talked more about this in my Osprey Aether 60 vs 70 vs 85 vs PRO post.
- Removable top-lid converts to DayLid daypack
- Top to bottom suspended mesh wraps shoulders, back...
- Front stretch mesh pocket and zippered hipbelt...
- Large front J-zip provides quick access to main...
- Internal hydration reservoir sleeve accommodates...
Xenith 88 vs Aether 85
Xenith 88. Overall top pick.
If, on the other hand, you aren't really sure whether 70 L would cut it for you (either because of the reasons mentioned above or any other), then I'd recommend you the Xenith 88.
Think of Aether 85 as a little inferior alternative of Xenith 88.
88 liters is considered high. If you pack like most people, I'd expect the total weight of your entire inventory to exceed 55-60 lbs (27.2 kg).
This is considered quite heavy, to the point where even Aether's robust suspension start coming short.
This is why getting a pack with an even bulkier suspension at roughly the same volume, Xenith 88, can be a better idea.
Even if you pack don't pack heavy stuff, one extra side access you get with Xenith 88 will make accessing your items much easier than Aether AG 85.
- 88 liter backpack built for carrying 40-70 lbs. of...
- Floating, removable top lid with top-and under-lid...
- External hydration reservoir sleeve is easy to...
- Dual side zips provide easy access to gear stored...
- Zippered hipbelt pockets keep snacks and smaller...
What about Xenith 75?
Xenith 75.
Xenith 75 is a fantastic pack, but I recommend Aether AG 70 over Xenith 75 for the same reason I recommend Stratos 50 over Atmos AG 50 in this site.
The reason: It'd most likely be overkill.
Extremely bulky suspension and robust harness of feature-loaded Xenith start making a practical advantage once you're past, say, 80 liters of volume.
If you're like most people and you don't always pack extremely heavy stuff...
Then Aether AG 70 would work perfectly fine for anything smaller than 80 liters in my opinion.
- Removable top-lid converts to DayLid daypack
- Top to bottom suspended mesh wraps shoulders, back...
- Front stretch mesh pocket and zippered hipbelt...
- Large front J-zip provides quick access to main...
- Internal hydration reservoir sleeve accommodates...
Now let's lay out some other facts that led me these picks and conclusions.
Accesses
Xenith allows dual side zip-accesses to the main compartment, while the Aether allows only one - through a J-zip front access in 70 & 85 L and through a side zip in 60 L.
Hip-belt
Released after Aether/Ariel's so-called "IsoForm" custom molding design, "BioForm" custom molding design of Xenith/Xena is Osprey's most recent technology in this field.
Here's how it works:
- You drive to an Osprey Dealer,
- Have them take the removable hipbelt of your backpack,
- Heat it inside an oven and,
- Mold it to your unique hip and waist anatomy.
The result: You're handed over the only hip belt in the WORLD designed for the unique curvatures of your own body.
This is why superior BioForm hipbelts of Xenith/Xena are going to respond even better to your unique curves during the molding process.
Durability
It's true that 420 D main fabric of Xenith is twice as much durable compared to Aether's 210 D.
But since even Aether's 210 D face fabric is extremely durable, I wouldn't consider increasing that durability even further as an important benefit - not to even mention Osprey's killer life-time warranty policy as well.
After all, you'd like to pay for things that matter in practice.
Hydration
Xenith comes with an external and Aether comes with an internal hydration sleeve.
Canberk,
Thanks for the review of these two packs. I have been looking to upgrade my aging Aether 85 and the Xenith 75 or the Aether 70 are the two I am debating. Some background: I am 53, have some minor knee issues and am looking for a more comfortable pack with some of the benefits in technology over the last 5-6 years. I have a 5-7 day trip in Colorado coming up and will probably be carrying around 40-45 lbs. I fly fish so this adds to the weight that I carry. Most of my other hikes are weekend jaunts and this will be my main pack. I have managed to cut down weight and bulk over the years and 85L is more than I need. My question is do you prefer the Aether to the Xenith due to primarily cost? I do like the external hydration slot as well as the extra pockets and more robust harness/belt of the Aether. For only 3-5 oz that seems like a pretty good trade-off. Is there something else that swayed you to the Aether?
Thanks,
Mark
Thank you for your comment Mark.
If you’re torn between getting a Xenith 75 and Aether AG 70, I’d recommend you the former only if you’re packing really heavy stuff – say, over 50-60 lbs. The main reason I generally recommend the Aether AG 70 over the Xenith 75 is because most people can’t and won’t be able to pack 70 – 75 liters with over 50 – 60 lbs of weight. On top of that, most of bells and whistles come with the Xenith come useful only above, say, 80-85 liters. Aether AG 70 is also really feature rich anyway.
All these recommendations are regardless of their prices.
Hope this helps Mark. Have fun in Colorado.
Hello,
Thanks for all these good infos.
Regarding the packs volume, when the pack has removable lid how many volume is in the main bag and how many in the lid ?
I guess the total volume indicated by Osprey include the lid right ?
Thank
Kind regards