Osprey Aether & Ariel Plus vs Osprey Xenith & Xena

Here you have my comparison of Osprey Aether & Ariel Plus vs Osprey Xenith & Xena packs. These are the best packs from Osprey. So which is better? Find the answer below. 

What is behind this comparison?

In my earlier comparison of Osprey Xenith vs Osprey Aether backpacks, I concluded that Xenith was a better pack. The same conclusion I had in the comparison of Osprey Xenith vs Gregory Baltoro backpacks. Now, the Osprey Aether and Gregory Baltoro are among the best backpacks on the market, so it appears hard to find a match for the Xenith packs.

But did you know that Osprey launched a new series of Aether & Ariel Plus packs? Observe the word Plus in the name, so these series should not be mixed with the new Osprey Aether & Ariel non-AG versions launched for 2021.

Overview of the most important features

In the table below I give some features of the Xenith & Xena packs (for men and for women, respectively), and the new Aether & Ariel Plus packs (here again for men and for women), side by side. For more details, you can see in my texts about Osprey Xenith 75 pack, Osprey Xena 70, they have almost the same features. For the other group, check my text Osprey Aether Plus and Ariel Plus Packs. 

But for the weight and volume, let me explain which particular packs I am comparing. I take Osprey Xenith 75 as an example. It has three sub-sizes M, L, and XL, with the volume of 75, 79, and 83 liters. 

For the Aether Plus I take the Aether Plus 85. It has the sub-sizes S/M and L/XL with the volumes of 83 and 85 liters. So I have a perfect match and take the 83 liters versions for both packs.

I could have taken any packs from the Xena series for women and compare it with the corresponding pack from the Ariel Plus packs for women. The features are practically the same.

All in all, the packs in the table are just representatives of their corresponding larger groups. So here is what you have:

A few details about the Xenith and Xena packs you can see in this short video by Osprey:

Here is a video about the other group, the Aether/Ariel Plus packs:

My rating of the Xenith & Xena vs Aether Plus & Ariel Plus packs

So here is how I see these two series, I give + for the feature where the pack is better than its counterpart. Only in a few features, you will see + for both packs. I do this mainly to inform you about some of their important and cool features.

Here are some of the reasons why I gave those + or minus signs:

Torso adjustability

Both packs have this option, the design is very different but functional. I would rather choose the system in the Aether & Ariel Plus, but I still rate them the same.

Shoulder harness adjustability

The Aether & Ariel Plus packs are clearly better because padding on the shoulder straps can be repositioned. They call it the Custom Fit-on-the-Fly Shoulder Strap.

The Xenith & Xena packs have just the usual minor adjustability available in all packs on the market.

Hip belt design

This is probably the most important part of the suspension and I give advantage to the Xenith & Xena packs. My reasons are as follows. 

• These packs have interchangeable hip belts so you can choose your best fit.
• More importantly, you have a special foam that is heat-molded. This means it will mold by your body warmth and you will have the best fit possible. The same system was earlier in the Aether & Ariel packs, but now you have padding that can be repositioned. This is what they call the Custom Fit-on-the-Fly Hip Belt.  
• Finally, the Xenith & Xena packs have V-shaped dual straps on both sides of the hip belt on the front. They pull the upper and lower parts of the padding separately, so you have a perfect hugging around the hip bones. This is always the best design in the packs designed for heavy loads.

Attachment points

You have similar features in both, and these are the best that you can have, including the Stow-on-the-Go attachment for trekking poles.

But the Aether & Ariel Plus packs still have some extra: the StraightJacket compression straps on the front.

Rain cover

The Aether & Ariel Plus packs come with a rain cover, you do not have it in the Xenith & Xena packs. I would not go to the mountains without such a cover.

But I know that for many this is either not important or they use plastic bags inside the pack. This is not so great, what about the content in all the pockets?

Pockets

Both packs have a practically identical distribution of pockets, 9 in total. So functionality is the same.

Volume/Weight ratio

If you check the first table above, you will see that the Xenith & Xena packs are slightly lighter. The volume/weight ratio is 32.17 liters/kg as compared to 30.07 liters/kg in the case of the Aether pack. Both are clearly excellent.

Access points

Formally, Xenith & Xena packs are better with their 4 access points. Not many packs on the market can match this. However, the two zippers on the front/side are J-shaped while the front zipper on the Aether & Ariel packs is U-shaped and large. I find the latter design more functional, but this is a matter of taste, hence I give + to both. 

Reservoir sleeve

You have an external sleeve in the Xenith & Xena packs. This is far better because you have easy access to the water bladder.

However, not everybody uses a bladder, myself included, and then the question is how the use the sleeve in the best way. So this can be argued a bit, but I give advantage to the Xenith & Xena packs.

Variety of sizes

This is interesting, and this is about the complete series and not about the individual packs. So you have 3 Xenith packs and 2 Xena packs, each in 3 sub-sizes. This makes it 15 packs in total. The range is 62 – 105 liters.

In the case of Aether Plus you have 4 packs, and 3 Ariel Plus packs, each of them in 2 sub-sizes. This makes it 14 packs. The range is 58 -100 liters. So both are very similar, no clear winner here.  

Weight capacity & materials

My understanding is that this is the same in both groups. These are packs for heavy loads of up to 70 lb (32 kg). All these packs are built from nylon. As far as I know, it was Deuter that built the first nylon packs in 1968.

Final thoughts

So this was my Osprey Aether & Ariel Plus vs Osprey Xenith & Xena comparison. As you realize the packs are neck and neck, no clear winner. I did not describe all features, but they are more or less the same.

Which would be my choice? I think I would go for the Aether & Ariel Plus packs because of the following:

• These packs have some features that are important to me and where they are better. This includes the rain cover and the attachment elements.
• As of the moment of writing this text, I notice that it is difficult to find the Xenith & Xena packs online. It is not clear to me what plans Osprey has with these packs. Why did they build these new Aether & Ariel Plus packs? Perhaps Xenith & Xena packs will be discontinued. This would be a pity, the packs are truly excellent.

What do you think? Let me know in the comment box below. Thank you for reading and have a nice day.