Osprey Ariel AG 55 Review – Redesigned Pack

In this Osprey Ariel AG 55 review, I present an ultimate backpacking tool, one of the most sophisticated packs ever built. So, keep reading.

Key benefits

• Three possible sizes of the pack to choose from.
• Four possible sizes of harness and hip belt to choose.
• One of the most advanced suspension systems.
• Adjustable torso length.
• Moldable hip belt and harness.
• Interchangeable both the hip belt and the harness.
• Attachment points for the Osprey Daylite pack.
• The top lid converts to a fully functional daypack.
• Rain cover.

The most important changes in the new model

Ariel AG 55 – Description

The Ariel AG 55 is one of three packs in the series which also includes the packs of 65 liters and 75 liters. In spite of the number 55, the pack comes in three different volumes of 49, 52, and 55 liters. The same holds for the mentioned bigger packs 65 and 75, so in reality, you have 9 possible sizes in the whole Ariel series. This is already very remarkable.

The torso length is adjustable. But this is not all, it is possible to choose between 4 different sizes of the harness, XS, S, M, L. No, this is not all again, the same also holds for the hip belt, you can choose one out 4 possible sizes. But there is more, see below in the suspension section.

The pack is a top-loading type, so you have a removable lid and collar. However, as mentioned above, there is an extra zippered access to the main compartment on the left side of the pack.

When the lid is removed you have an additional integrated flap (see the picture below) with buckles to close the pack properly. So it again looks like a normal top-loading pack, yet considerably shortened.

The suspension

The suspension is based on a frame that includes a LightWire peripheral aluminum alloy structure and a central stay. You will notice that this version of the Osprey’s AG system is different from what you have in the Atmos and Aura series, and in the smaller packs Mira and Manta. But the 3D mesh of Ariel AG 55 looks really cool.

The hip belt is with custom heat molding and it will then mold naturally by your body heat to fit you perfectly. It is also interchangeable as mentioned above, so you can choose your best fit in the moment of purchase.

The same is with the harness, it is interchangeable and moldable, and you can choose the size. The molding implies a break-in time but you can speed this up by using Osprey’s oven for this purpose. These ovens are usually available in better outdoor shops. We have one in Leuven in Belgium where I live.

See here how Osprey’s oven works:

Adjusting the harness

You simply slide your hand between the back panel and harness, and then release hook and loop attachment which is there. After that move the harness into the desired position, and press the harness firmly to re-engage the attachment.

About the interchangeable harness and hip belt

As you realize this is an extra bonus of this series, in both old and new versions. Family members can use the same pack, but they may have their own specific molded hip belt and harness to ensure a perfect fit.

About the attachment of Osprey’s Daylite pack

From the picture here, you can see two vertical flaps with horizontal straps on the front of the pack. This is what they call dual front compression system with StraightJacket compression. When you undo the straps, you will notice that underneath the flaps there are 4 attachment loops.

These loops are used to attach Osprey Daylite pack, which is designed for such a purpose and it can be added to many of Osprey’s packs. This is yet another great bonus of the pack. After the Daylite pack is attached, you can additionally secure it with the mentioned horizontal flaps and the straps.

Top lid convertible to a daypack

In the previous Ariel 55 version presented in my earlier post, the removable lid doubles as a lumbar pack for short tours. However, in this new version, you have a fully functional backpack. They call it the DayLid daypack, and it is a 16 liters volume pack, see how great it looks:

The DayLid pack includes the following incredible features:

Attachment elements and straps

I have already mentioned 4 webbing loops on the lid. Apart from this there are also two big attachment loops on the bottom and they come in pairs with bungee cords higher up, you can see them in the images above. This is to attach two ice axes.

There are two compression straps on each side of the pack. The lower straps are with InsideOut features, so they can be routed inside the side mesh pockets to compress pack when not full to ensure its stability, or over the pockets to secure items in them.

There are two removable compression straps on the bottom. On the front, you have the already mentioned StraightJacket compression straps and two vertical flaps.

The pack comes with Osprey’s Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment system. This is one of their great inventions used in many packs from this brand. It is used when you need free hands on the fly, to do some scramble, to eat or drink when on the go, or to take a photo.

More features

The pack is with a separate bottom compartment with the usual zippered entrance. The divider between the main compartment and the bottom section is collapsible so you can use all the space as one compartment if you wish so.

The pockets system includes dual side stretch mesh pockets, dual zippered hip belt pockets, the mentioned pockets on the lid, and one large stretch mesh pocket on the front. The side stretch mesh pockets are with dual access from the top, and from the side. This is very useful to access the bottle when you are on the go.

This is an addition in May 2017, they have modified the promotion video and published it on May 26, so here it is:

The pack is indeed on the heavy side, but this is not a true objection. Just see what it offers, so the weight is the consequence of so many useful features.

My concerns are about ventilation and lumbar support. I was writing more about this in my text about Aether AG 60, so you can have a look there. These are packs with almost identical designs.

In short, I am convinced that the ventilation in this design is not a match for the tensioned mesh systems in some other packs of Osprey (like the Exos 58) or in other brands like Deuter Futura Vario 50 and in Gregory Zulu series. But this is only for the back side of the pack.

In the lumbar zone, the ventilation in this Ariel AG 55 system is better than in the mentioned packs with the tensioned mesh. In the hip belt area, the Ariel AG system is definitely better because of the ventilation gap between the belt and the rest of the structure with the hip belts.

There is perhaps a downside of this lumbar ventilation. Namely, I have some concerns about the lumbar zone support. This is a specific AG design without the usual massive lumbar padding (this is why the ventilation is better) which you have with other packs in this size range, see for example Deuter Futura Vario 55+10 SL, yes they also have a specific women version of the pack, the letters SL indicate this. But this lumbar padding might be needed here. The time will show.

There is a lot of confusion regarding:

• The rain cover.
• The external hydration sleeve.
• The DayLid day pack.

I have been in touch with Osprey about these issues and all is described in the Aether AG 60 text. 

Osprey Ariel AG 55 pack vs Competitors

See here some basic features of the Ariel AG 55 compared with two of its top competitors. As you realize, nothing is missing in the Maven 55 pack, but see the weight. Please follow the links for more, and check also the prices.

Specifications

• Gender: for women.
• Frame: peripheral wire plus a central stay.
• Purpose: backpacking, thru-hiking, travel.
• Three sizes:
  – XS: 49 liters (2990 cubic inches).
  – S: 52 liters (3173 cubic inches).
  – M: 55 liters (3356 cubic inches).
• Weight:
  – XS: 2.19 kg (4.834 lb).
  – S: 2.21 kg (4.883 lb).
  – M: 2.24 kg (4.932 lb).
• Carry weight: up to 27 kg (60 lb).
• Torso fit:
  – XS: 14 – 17 inches (35 – 43 cm).
  – S: 16 – 19 inches (40 – 48 cm).
  – M: 18 – 21 inches (46 – 53 cm).
• IsoForm harness sizes to choose: XS, S, M, L.
• IsoForm waist belt sizes to choose:
  – XS: < 28 in (71 cm).
  – S: 27 – 31 in (68 – 79 cm).
  – M: 30 – 34 in (76 – 86 cm).
  – L: > 33 in (84 cm).
• Maxium pack dimensions (H x W x D):
  – XS: 29.13 x 14.96 x 12.2 in (74 x 38 x 31 cm).
  – S: 31.1  x 14.96  x 12.2 in (79 x 38 x 31 cm).
  – M: 33.07 x 14.96 x 12.2 in (84 x 38 x 31 cm).
• Materials:
  – Main: 210D Nylon Dobby.
  – Accent: 210D High Tenacity Nylon Shadow Box.
  – Bottom: 500D Nylon Packcloth.
• Adjustable torso.
• Access: top, bottom, side.
• Sleeping bag compartment with a removable divider.
• The lid transforms to a daypack.
• Front stretch mesh pocket.
• Adjustable sternum strap with emergency whistle.
• Integrated FlapJacket to use when the lid is removed.
• Dual zippered hip belt pockets.
• Dual upper side compression straps.
• Dual front StraightJacket compression.
• Dual access side stretch mesh pockets with Inside-Out compression straps.
• Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment system.
• Dual ice tool loops with bungee tie-offs.
• Removable sleeping pad straps.
• Internal hydration reservoir sleeve.
• Rain cover.
• Guarantee: Osprey’s All Mighty guarantee applies.

You can compare the numbers given here with those in the previous version. There are small differences in the size of the pack and in the weight.

Conclusion, rating, pros & cons

Osprey Ariel AG 55 Women's Backpacking Backpack

9.7

Volume/Weight ratio

9.4/10

Features & Bonuses

9.9/10

Comfort

9.9/10

Pros

• Great suspension.
• Very modern design.
• Bonus daypack.
• Three access points.
• Rain cover.
• Many attachment elements.

Cons

• Heavy.
• Expensive.
• No side zippered pockets.

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Osprey

Buy from REI

You might still want to compare this pack to the Deuter Futura Vario 45+10 SL pack for women. If you need a bigger pack, see the Ariel AG 65 in my separate text. The corresponding version for men is the Aether AG 60, described in detail in my separate post.

Thank you for reading. I hope this text has been useful to you. If this is so, please share it with others. If you have any question or comment, please use the comment box below. Have a nice day.