First, know I only review a backpack after I’ve used the heck out of it. We’ve carried my pack (2006 Aether 60) and my wife’s pack (2006 Ariel 65) eight-weeks hiking through Europe’s Alps, and on countless hikes and climbs throughout California; we’ve used them with loads ranging from only a few pounds up to forty pounds of gear, through rain and snow both at sea level and at 15,000 feet. We know the pro’s/con’s of these packs.
Summary: Aether 60 is a good pack, but not best-in-class because it lacks a zippered access at the bottom forcing you to inconveniently remove everything from the pack just to reach an item at the bottom, and it becomes somewhat uncomfortable when loaded up. I’m slightly overweight at 6’ tall and 210 pounds and found the hip belt wasn’t as comfortable as many claim. When loaded with more than about 25lbs (admittedly above the “recommended carry range” for this pack) the hip belt has less cushion than optimal (cuts into the hips somewhat) and tends to slide down over the hips, even though the pack was custom-fitted and belt heat-molded at time-of-purchase. Somewhat more expensive packs (compare to Gregory products, for example) have hip belts more comfortable for bulkier body types like mine, but those suspensions also increase pack weight. Hikers with leaner body types, with a more well-defined hip outline may find the Aether hip belt to be very comfortable. While the Aether 60 has no fatal flaws, hikers should also evaluate competitor products, or within the Osprey line consider the Aether 70 because it does have a zippered main bag access at the bottom, and comes with a detachable Top Pocket/Lumber Pack. Also, if you’re seeking a pack to carry everything for a multi-week trip, you’ll need the extra storage of the Aether 70, or something even larger. We found both the Aether 60 & Ariel 65 too small for a backpacking trip through Europe, and I should note we did not carry any tent or sleeping gear.
Additional Comments: • I did NOT have the problem noted by another reviewer: “At the bottom of the pack where the seam joins together there is a piece of plastic for support. This piece of plastic presses against you and makes for a very uncomfortable ride.” • Another reviewer complained about the Aether’s non-removable “sewn-in-hip belt.” This is incorrect because the Aether 60 has a removable hip belt, which I have in fact removed and replaced already on my pack with a large sized belt. • The deep elastic side pockets + side carry loops on the Aether are very handy, securely holding even large items such as 22” (collapsed) camera tripods or a pair of 28” (collapsed) hiking poles. • This pack’s camel pocket is a perfect match to the Camelbak products and we found the Stoaway/ UnBottle 100 oz to be a perfect companion to the Aether 60/Aether 70. • It is true as many of written that the Aether series is exceptional not only for lightness but for flexibility in holding its shape as a day-pack, not flopping around when under-loaded with as little as a few pounds. • We did buy the Airporter LZ, thought the product somewhat overpriced, but it did work well as a cover to protect our packs when checked as luggage during air travel.

I went through three hiking stores and tried a dozen different types of light hikers that didn’t feel right before I found this great shoe from North Face that fit perfectly. Now after six months of countless hiking trips through California plus and a two-month hiking trip through Europe's Alps, I conclude this is the best light-hiking shoes I've ever owned. They are amazingly comfortable, even after twelve-hour, 8,000 vertical foot hikes. Yes, that is hardly light hiking, and I do think this shoe has worked well both in light hiking and also heavy duty hiking conditions. Personally, I can pack up to about 30 lbs before I need to go with a full hiking boot with more support. Please note I have wide feet and high arches and this is one of the few shoes that fits a wide foot well. Also, talk about toughness: I beat the heck out of this shoe carrying heavier (30+ lbs) loads in the Swiss Alps than this shoe was designed for, and it held up wonderfully and shows very little wear. It POURED rain on us in the Alps plus I walked through ankle-deep streams and my feet stayed dry – but I should note I do wear waterproof pants and gaiters for wet weather. For keeping rocks and sand out (and rain, when waterproofed) I do recommend pairing these shoes with lightweight "desert" gaiters, available from many hiking goods outfitters. I never hike in these shoes without gaiters. How much did I like these shoes? I'm buying an extra pair of these Terrainius XCR's because if my first pair ever wears out, I want to avoid what happens so often: we find great shoes but then several years later when we are ready for another pair we discover the manufacturer doesn’t make them anymore.