A couple of weeks ago, Eric, Kovu and I did a rust-buster adventure through the desert trails of Southern Arizona's Superstition Mountains. One of our missions was to do an Osprey Aura AG 65L backpack review.
Below is my personal review of the pack. I want to give female backpackers a better sense of what this very popular, multi-day bag is all about.
About Osprey's Aura AG 65L Backpack
Weight: 4.6 LBS (2.08 KG)
Retail Price: $340 (USD)
For a basic reference, 4.6 pounds is on the higher end of normal for a backpack of this volume. Ultra-lighters will scoff at that figure, but women looking for a multi-day trekking bag that balances features, comfort, durability, and weight, will be right at home. $340 is also on the higher end of cost for a quality backpack of this volume.
Osprey Aura 65L Pack Review: First Impressions
My first experiences with the Aura 65 left something to be desired. Right away, I noticed that the padding on the hip belt was stiff and thin (which is kind of the exact opposite of what padding is supposed to be). As a result, my first day on the trail with the pack brought bruising and chaffing to the point where I was forced to unclip and shift the bag's weight to my shoulders.
Thankfully, I wasn't carrying a full load and so I was able to manage. My shoulders felt comfortable, which I think speaks positively to their padding and design in that area. On day two, I was able to play around with the belt so that I could strike a balance between dispersing some of the load without re-aggravating the same spots.
More Thoughts on Comfort for Osprey's Aura 65
Despite my suboptimal outing with the Aura 65 backpack, I realize that the comfort of a large trekking backpack can be rather body-specific. The way my hips are configured, and the way I wear my pack, may not translate to your world. And even though I found the hip belt stiff, this may be resolved after a reasonable break-in period. The belt seemed to want to stay close to the body of the bag. I think in time it would not only soften, but form better to my body.
Another body-specific woe that I experienced was the positioning of certain contact points that compartmentalize the back panel. Eric and I both felt that the pack was properly fitted (both in terms of general size and specific trailside finagling), and yet those touch points bothered my shoulder blades.
Notable Design Features of the Aura 65 Backpack
Switching to some positive topics, I found the Osprey Aura 65 to be intuitively accessible and generally well-designed. I particularly liked the assortment of pockets on the back. They were great for stashing snacks, and I can see a rain jacket going perfectly in one of these spots.
I also thought the top-loader was top notch. It has a straight zipper that is easy to work back and forth (sometimes the curved zippers can be sticky), and I didn't feel like all my goodies were going to fall out if I opened it fully.
Another combo of solid features is the fact that the bag stands up straight when you set it down, and the main compartment has side access points. This meant that getting my gear was easy. I didn't have to pull everything out of the top, or wrestle with my bag as it flopped flat on the ground.
Unfortunately, the ease of access and high-functioning zipper principles don't translate to the bottom sleeping bag storage area. This part of the pack has a curved zipper that is not only inherently hard to use, but Eric, over the course of his years on the trail, has identified this feature as being vulnerable to failure over time. But ease and longevity aside, I also just found the compartment to have insufficient volume. I had to really work my sleeping bag to get it to fit in there.
Includes a Rain Cover
Though we didn't need it for our desert excursion, Osprey includes a rain cover with the Aura AG 65 L backpack. That's always a nice bonus because it saves procrastinating on another purchase, and if you hike often enough, the rain will eventually find you.
What did come into play, and was much appreciated in the desert climate, was Osprey's Airspeed back ventilation system. While no pack will completely eliminate back sweat, some do a great job of taking the edge off. The Aura 65 is an excellent example of this. Any time there was a slight cross breeze, I could feel that air circulate between my body and the bag. That was pretty cool!
The Osprey Aura 65 Backpack is Super Easy to Fit
Even though I had issues with uncomfortable contact points, I still loved how easy it was to customize the fit of the Aura 65 backpack, and I am confident that this will create a lot of happy customers.
Most backpacks use a yoke system that has to be adjusted when it's off your body. You therefore have to do a bit of trial and error guesswork before you're good to go. But the Osprey Aura 65 can be adjusted while you're carrying it.
Playing around with the fit while on the move is what helped make the second day much smoother than the first. So expect to spend all of two minutes in the parking lot before setting off, and then know that you can make changes on the fly.
Who is Osprey's Aura AG 65L Backpack for?
The Aura 65 is designed for a spectrum of female hikers, but more so for those in the intermediate experience level, or those seeking to embark on more rugged backcountry adventures. I wish that I felt more comfortable with this backpack, but sadly, it just didn't gel with my individual curves and posture.
So take some time in the store to make sure it feels right by you. And if you're looking to log big big miles, you may want to consider something that is either lighter, or undeniably more comfortable.
While this particular review may sound a bit raw (but not as raw as my hips were that first day…hey oh!), I know you guys appreciate honest feedback to help inform your own purchases. I can see why some people might love the Aura 65, and therefore I definitely recommend that you do a bit more research, and spend some time playing around with it at your local outdoorsy store.
If you want to learn about a pack that has been working really well for me, check out my women's Bridger 55L backpack review. Also, check out Eric's Bridger 65L Backpack Review and Bridger 45L Backpack Review. And for more content on all kinds of gear and best-practices in the outdoors, head on over to BackpackingTV.
Gear used in this review includes:
Backpacks: Osprey Aura 65L Women's Backpack
Fleece and Layers: Cotopaxi Abrazo Half-zip Fleece Jacket
And for reviews galore, plus other fun adventure videos and helpful tips for the trail and campsite, go see what Eric's up to on his BackpackingTV YouTube channel. Until next time!
