OSPREY Ariel 55 Adjustable Fit Backpack

Did my first long distance walk with this bag and super happy with the experience. Very comfortable, easy to use, nifty storage space, durable, high quality

Just completed 6 days hiking in the tough conditions of South Africa / Lesotho Drakensberg. The various compartments and external loops extra were perfect. I especially liked the way the main compartment opened from both the top and the front - vital when in a tiny tent overnight.

I tested the bag on a 2 day trip where I covered 28 miles. The weight put in the bag was approximately 12kg. Although some features were on point such as well cushioned shoulder straps and main compartment accessible from the top and front, other design details did not work. Hip belt - I found it difficult to adjust to my body, it was bruising top of my hip bones or when adjusted higher - did not hold the weight of the bag so my shoulders had to. I also found that every time the bag was put on the ground, stuff like sheep wool, dry grass and dirt would stick to the belt stickers, which was difficult to remove. Hip belt pockets - if filled, they got in the way of my arm movement when walking. I had to keep my arms away from my body to avoid hitting the pockets on every step. Adjustable back height - the openings to access the straps required to adjust the back height were way too tight and I struggled to reach in. Side water bottle pockets - I use larger bottles on the long hikes and I was struggling to get the bottle (1L) out through the pocket bottom as designed. I would not feel comfortable taking this bag on the multi day hike again. I contacted Osprey to return the bag but they would not accept it as it was already used.

im not sure who this is designed for. the xs/s fit should be designed for someone failry short and small, however the waist band is absoluty massive. even fully tightened its nowhere near being snug (you would have to overlap the hip padding to get it tight enough!) which is essential for a bag this size as you need to carry the weight on your hips. its a shame you can't find bags that fit smaller women.