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Posted by Bill S on January 30, 2008 at 2:40:00 pm EST
In reply to Osprey Atmos 65 posted by Chipper on January 30, 2008 at 1:43:46 pm EST

Carry-ons need to be about 40 liters (2440 cu in) at maximum to fit in the template the airlines have at the counter and gate. The Osprey packs use the size as part of the name. So my Aether 60 is 60 liters (3660 cu in), and the Atmos 55 is 55 liters (3360 cu in), and the 65 is 65 liters (3967 cu in). These are too big to qualify as carry-on bags (not that I haven't seen people somehow getting really gigantic suitcases onto the plane). I have a couple of 40 liter packs that really push the carry-on limit - they don't fit well under the seat in a number of commercial planes and are very tight even in overhead compartments. The limit for carry-ons in the US, by the way, is 45 linear inches (9 inches by 14 inches by 22 inches), which is 45.5 liters. Some flights limit you to 1 carry-on plus one "personal item", some to 1 carry-on, period, no second item, personal or otherwise (check with the airline - I ran into both on a recent flight, with the single limit being at the change of planes, meaning the larger bag had to be checked at the gate).

I have been very happy with my Aether 60 and Barb has been very happy with her Ariel 55. I have used mine for weekend backpacks, and used it on my Kilimanjaro hike last month (of course, the required porters carried most of my load). I often carry climbing gear in the Aether (often 50-60 pounds worth) and see little wear on it in the 3 years I have had it. The Aether is a slightly lighter version of the Atmos.

Within each of their lines, Osprey keeps the same basic design for a series of capacity sizes (usually 10 liter steps), and 3 or 4 body sizes (difference is the shoulder and waist straps). If you plan on using it for expeditions, you will need a capacity of more like 100 liters or 6000 cu in. Osprey showed a couple of newer models at the OR Show last week that are geared more to expeditions (Argon 110 at 6700 cu in), but at 6.5 pounds, compared to my aging, super-trusty Dana Terraplane (100 liters or 6100 cu in capacity, which weighs 8 pounds, plus another 1.5 if I add the beaver-tail).

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