Osprey AETHER PLUS 100 - User Manual

OWNER'S MANUAL
AETHER
™
| ARIEL PLUS
AETHER PLUS 100 AETHER PLUS 85
S21 - UPDATED 9/14/20
Welcome to Osprey. We pride ourselves on creating the most functional,
durable and innovative carrying products for your adventures. Please refer to
this owner’s manual for information on product features, use, maintenance,
customer service and warranty.
osprey.com
AETHER PLUS 70 AETHER PLUS 60
ARIEL PLUS 85 ARIEL PLUS 70 ARIEL PLUS 60

Summary

Overview

Shared Features

List of features common to the backpacks, including raincover, attachments, pockets, and straps.

AirScape Framesheet

Description of the injection-molded AirScape framesheet for comfortable carrying of heavy loads.

Aether Plus Specifications

Aether Plus 100 Mens

Specifications for the Aether Plus 100 backpack in men's sizing, including volume, weight, and dimensions.

Aether Plus 85 Mens

Specifications for the Aether Plus 85 backpack in men's sizing, detailing volume, weight, and dimensions.

Aether Plus 70 Mens

Specifications for the Aether Plus 70 backpack in men's sizing, including capacity, weight, and dimensions.

Aether Plus 60 Mens

Specifications for the Aether Plus 60 backpack in men's sizing, covering volume, weight, and dimensions.

Ariel Plus Specifications

Ariel Plus 85 Womens

Specifications for the Ariel Plus 85 backpack in women's sizing, detailing volume, weight, and dimensions.

Ariel Plus 70 Womens

Specifications for the Ariel Plus 70 backpack in women's sizing, including capacity, weight, and dimensions.

Ariel Plus 60 Womens

Specifications for the Ariel Plus 60 backpack in women's sizing, covering volume, weight, and dimensions.

Carry System

Custom Fit-on-the-Fly Shoulder Strap

Explanation of the adjustable shoulder strap system for a precise wrap and fit.

Custom Fit-on-the-Fly Hipbelt

Details on the customizable hipbelt pad for accommodating different hip shapes and sizes.

Enhanced Load Transfer

How the hipbelt integrates with the frame for better weight distribution and carry.

Sizing and Fit

How to Measure Your Back

Instructions on measuring the user's back to determine the correct torso length for the pack.

Pack Fit Instructions

Step-by-step guide for properly fitting the pack, including hipbelt and strap adjustments.

Adjusting Your Pack

Torso Length Adjustment

Detailed steps for lengthening or shortening the pack's torso length using the harness system.

Custom Fit-on-the-Fly Hipbelt Adjustment

Procedure for adjusting the hipbelt pads to achieve a personalized and secure fit.

Shoulder Strap Adjustment

Custom Fit-on-the-Fly Shoulder Strap Adjustment

Guide for adjusting the shoulder straps for optimal fit and comfort, including correct and incorrect examples.

Features Explained

Raincover

Instructions on locating, attaching, and detaching the integrated raincover.

Sleeping Pad Straps

How to attach and detach the removable sleeping pad straps for external gear.

Dual Ice Tool Attachment

Method for securely attaching ice tools using dedicated loops and bungee tie-offs.

Internal Reservoir Sleeve

Guidance on placing a hydration reservoir inside the pack for weight distribution.

Pack Features

Removable Top Lid and Daylid Daypack

Instructions on how to remove the top lid and convert it into a daypack.

FlapJacket Cover

How to use the FlapJacket cover when the pack is used without the top lid.

Stow-on-the-Go Trekking Pole Attachment

Instructions for quickly stashing and carrying trekking poles without removing the pack.

Detailed Features

Sleeping Bag Compartment

Information on the zippered compartment for sleeping bag storage and divider.

Zippered Hipbelt Pockets

Description of the accessible zippered pockets on the hipbelt.

Dual Mesh Side Pockets

Details about the dual stretch mesh pockets located on the sides of the pack.

Large Front Panel Zip Access

Information on the front panel zippered access to the main compartment.

Dual Upper and Lower Side Compression Straps

Explanation of side compression straps for stability and gear attachment.

Fabric Reinforced Front Shove-it Pocket

Description of the durable front pocket for quick external storage.

Dual StraightJacket Compression Straps

Details on front panel compression straps for load stabilization.

Floating Top Lid with Lash Points

Information about the adjustable top lid featuring lash points for external gear.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Shared Features
4. Carry System Features
5. Sizing and Fit Instructions
6. Maintenance Features

The Osprey Aether/Ariel Plus is a series of highly functional, durable, and innovative carrying products designed for adventurers, offering a comfortable and stable carry for heavier loads. This owner's manual provides comprehensive information on the product's features, use, maintenance, customer service, and warranty.

Function Description:

The Aether/Ariel Plus series are high-capacity backpacks engineered to provide a remarkably comfortable carry, even with heavier loads, thanks to its NEW AirScape® injection-molded framesheet. The backpacks are designed for extended adventures, offering ample storage, robust construction, and a highly customizable fit system to ensure optimal load transfer and comfort. The series includes both men's (Aether Plus) and women's (Ariel Plus) specific models, each available in various capacities and sizes to cater to different user needs and body types.

Usage Features:

Shared Features:

The Aether/Ariel Plus backpacks come with a range of shared features that enhance their versatility and user experience:

• Removable Top Lid converts to DayLid daypack: This innovative feature allows the top lid of the main pack to be detached and used as a smaller daypack, perfect for shorter excursions from a base camp. To convert, simply unzip the U-shape zippered compartment and pull out the harness straps. The buckle on the end of the DayLid harness straps attaches to buckles adjacent to the standard top lid buckles. Reversing the process returns it to normal top lid function.
• Included raincover: Made with PFC-free DWR and bluesign®-approved materials, the raincover ensures your gear stays dry in wet conditions. It's easily located in a compartment on the toplid, slips over the pack, and is secured with a cord lock. To prevent mildew, it's recommended to allow the raincover to dry entirely before storing.
• Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment: This feature allows for quick and easy stashing and carrying of trekking poles without removing the pack. Users can adjust poles to their minimum length, insert the basket end into an elasticized loop on the lower left side of the pack, and then secure the handles in a loop on the left harness strap with a cord lock.
• Floating top lid with lash points: The top lid is designed to "float," meaning it can be raised or lowered to accommodate overstuffed loads, while integrated lash points provide additional external attachment options.
• Dual front panel zippered pockets: These pockets offer convenient and easy-access storage for items you need to grab quickly.
• Fabric reinforced front shove-it pocket: A durable, open-access pocket on the front of the pack, ideal for stashing a jacket or other frequently accessed items.
• Large dual-access stretch mesh side water bottle pockets: Designed to hold water bottles, these pockets allow for easy retrieval and storage from two different access points.
• Dual upper/lower side compression straps: These straps help stabilize the pack's load, preventing shifting and maintaining a compact profile. They also offer additional attachment points for external gear.
• Dual front panel compression straps with StraightJacket compression: These straps further stabilize the load and can be attached to additional StraightJacket points when minimal pack volume is needed, cinching down the pack for a more streamlined carry.
• Dual zippered hipbelt pockets: Conveniently located on the hipbelt, these pockets provide quick access to small essentials like snacks, phone, or GPS.
• Dual ice axe loops with bungee tie-offs: Securely attach ice axes or other tools using these dedicated loops and bungee tie-offs. To attach, slide the tool shaft through the top loop, route the handle through the bungee, and tighten the cord lock into the Y-clip.
• Zippered sleeping bag compartment with removable divider: A dedicated lower compartment for a sleeping bag, which can be separated from the main compartment by a removable divider for unimpeded access to the pack interior.
• Removable sleeping pad straps: External straps for attaching a sleeping pad or other bulky gear to the bottom of the pack.
• Internal hydration reservoir sleeve: A dedicated sleeve inside the pack to hold a hydration reservoir, ensuring proper weight distribution and keeping it upright with a buckled loop.
• FlapJacket Cover: When the top lid is removed, the FlapJacket Cover can be unfolded and attached to the front vertical compression straps, providing protection for the pack's opening.

Carry System Features:

The Aether/Ariel Plus series boasts an advanced carry system designed for superior comfort and load transfer:

• LightWire Suspension: A 3.5 LightWire peripheral frame effectively transfers the load to the hipbelt, ensuring stability and support.
• AirScape Backpanel: An injection-molded, die-cut foam AirScape framesheet maintains comfortable back contact with ventilated airflow channels, providing maximum stability for carrying heavy loads. The mesh-covered foam lumbar offers supportive, lightweight, and comfortable contact surfaces.
• Harness: An easily adjustable harness system accommodates various torso lengths. Custom Fit-on-the-Fly Shoulder Straps are included.
• Custom Fit-on-the-Fly Shoulder Strap: These straps allow for a precise shoulder wrap and fit, with spacer mesh fabric providing a soft and comfortable contact surface. They are adjustable by separating the shoulder strap sleeve from the padded shoulder strap via a hook-and-loop closure, sliding the padded strap to the desired length, and using white markings as a guideline for alignment.
• Custom Fit-on-the-Fly Hipbelt: An extendable hipbelt offers a precise fit for varying waist sizes, with incremental length and angle adjustments for a fine-tuned fit. The Crossbody ErgoPull hipbelt pulls weight into the lumbar when tightened, enhancing load transfer by integrating the LightWire frame into the adjustment system for better weight distribution. To adjust, separate a hipbelt wing from the padded hipbelt, guide the padded hipbelt in/out to the desired position, and firmly re-engage the hook-and-loop closure, using white markings as a guideline.

Sizing and Fit Instructions:

Achieving a proper fit is crucial for comfort and efficiency. The manual provides detailed steps for measuring your back and adjusting the pack:

1. Position the Pack: Loosely load the pack with 10-20 lbs of gear. Put the pack on and ensure the hipbelt is centered and rests over the hipbone, with padding halfway above/below the hipbone.
2. Buckle Hipbelt: Buckle and tighten the hipbelt evenly using Osprey's cross-body ErgoPull. The hipbelt padding should wrap around the hips with approximately 1-3 in./2.5-6 cm. of webbing between the buckle and the hipbelt when tightened.
3. Hipbelt Adjustment: Adjust the Custom Fit-on-the-Fly Hipbelt as described above to ensure even weight distribution.
4. Tighten Shoulder Strap: Tighten the shoulder harness straps by pulling them down and back.
5. Tighten Load Lifters: Pull the load lifters to bring the pack close to the body and stabilize the load. If the torso length is correctly adjusted, load lifters will sit between a 30-60 degree angle and align naturally with the shoulder straps.
6. Check Torso Length: Locate the harness yoke (where straps meet at the base of the neck) and the C7 vertebra (large protruding bone at the base of the neck). The yoke should be 1-2 in./2.5-5 cm. below the C7 vertebra.
7. Torso Length - Harness Adjustment: If the torso length is too long or short, adjustments may be needed. To lengthen, release ladder locks and slide the harness up along the LightWire frame. To shorten, slide the harness down and tighten webbing at the ladder locks. Use white markings on the backpanel as a guideline.
8. Check Harness Fit: Harness straps should wrap fully around the shoulders without gaps. The padded part of the shoulder straps should end 2 in./5 cm. or more below the armpits without topping out.
9. Harness/Shoulder Strap Adjustment: If the harness is too small or large, but torso length is correct, adjust the Custom Fit-on-the-Fly Shoulder Strap.
10. Buckle the Sternum Strap: Adjust the sternum strap to approximately 2 in./5 cm. below the collarbone.

Maintenance Features:

The manual emphasizes the importance of proper care for the raincover to prevent mildew, advising users to allow it to dry entirely before storing. For comprehensive information on product care, how to pack your pack, and warranty details, users are directed to ospreypacks.com. Osprey prides itself on creating durable products and offers a lifetime guarantee, underscoring their commitment to quality and customer service.

Osprey AETHER PLUS 100 Specifications