Osprey Packs: Women's Ariel 55 Backpack

Women looking for a versatile pack for weekend trips, canyoneering, or extended trips with a go-light emphasis will certainly appreciate the Osprey Ariel 55 backpack. A trimmer version of its big sister, the Ariel 65, this backpack offers the same great harness / suspension system but in a smaller version. If you're budget conscious about your pack purchase, you don't have to settle for a generic fit. The editors at Backpacker magazine would agree, as they tagged the Ariel 65 (the 55's big sister) a Best Buy in their 2006 Gear Guide. The Osprey Ariel 55 women's backpack features the IsoForm custom moldable hipbelt that uses heat to achieve a precise fit. These hipbelts come in four women's specific sizes. Furthermore, the Isoform shoulder harness is available in four sizes, also contoured to fit women best. The pack to body surface of both the hipbelt and shoulder harness are entirely seamless, reducing the chance of pressure points developing. Next, the AirScape suspension, a carefully assembled sandwich consisting of an internal framesheet with single aluminum stay, ventilated rubber foam backpanel, and peripheral 7075 AL rods evenly transfers the weight to the hipbelt and shoulder harness for a terrific carry. The Osprey Ariel 55 backpack offers a number of useful features. A highlight is the two-way stretch woven front pocket, great for stowing almost any piece of camping equipment imaginable.

• Key fabrics: 210-denier double ripstop, 210-denier Oxford, 420-denier Oxford, 500-denier Kodra, 840-denier stretch power mesh
• AirScape suspension consisting of peripheral 7075 AL rods, internal HDPE framesheet with single aluminum stay and a covering of ventilated nubbed foam and mesh grip
• Women's IsoForm shoulder harness with dual density foam and Spacer Mesh surface
• Women's IsoForm custom moldable hipbelt
• Two-way Stretch Woven nylon with Lycra® front pocket and side pockets
• Removable sleeping pad straps
• Side compression straps - perfect for carrying trekking poles
• Internal compression strap (red for easy visibility) to secure load
• Dual ice axe loops
• Detachable zippered top pocket
• Internal backpanel hydration pocket with twin exit ports
• Osprey Excessory compatible
• Capacity: 3,200 cu. in. (52 l) in small, 3,400 cu. in. (55 l) in medium
• Weight: 3 lbs. 11 oz. (1.67 kgs.) in small, 3 lbs. 14 oz. (1.76 kgs.) in medium