The Osprey Ariel 55L Backpack Review – Plus New Ariel AG Updates

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If you have a slightly longer packing list, or require a lot of specific gear, you can still backpack in comfort. The Osprey Ariel 55L is a great bag for packing up your bulky items such as heavy boots and larger cameras.

Kathryn Murphy is an archaeology student and travel addict from Canada who highly recommends the Osprey Ariel 55L. 

She has used this backpack to travel on group trips and solo trips, as well as for fun trips and archaeological digs for school. It holds her archaeology gear comfortably and provides plenty of space when she’s country hopping.

Read on to find out why the Osprey Ariel 55 has been perfect for Kathryn’s variety of adventures. 

• TOP PICK FOR: Travelers with a longer packing list or bulky gear, especially those who need the weight off their shoulders.

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Why I Chose the Osprey Ariel 55L

When it came to choosing a backpack, I needed one that was:

• comfortable to carry
• easy to pack
• big enough to carry my clothes for the vacation parts of my trips, as well as the gear I need for the archaeological digs (rubber boots, hiking boots, rain gear, trowel, extra clothes for digging)

Luckily for me, the staff member at the local camping, hiking and travel shop was a fellow archaeology student, so he knew what kind of gear I would be taking with me.

I only looked at women’s bags, since I wanted to make sure the bag would fit my shape. I also have some shoulder problems, so I wanted to make sure that the bag would sit properly on my hips, so they would carry most of the weight.

The Ariel felt amazing even before it was adjusted for me.

• Check out prices for the Osprey Ariel 55 on Amazon.

Osprey Ariel Pros and Cons

I love that the bag has several access points (top, bottom, and side), so it is easy to both pack my gear at home, and to unpack, or access items, on the road. 

The biggest downside is probably the number of straps on the bag. They can get caught in airport conveyor belts, but I eliminate the problem when I travel by rolling up the straps so they aren’t loose, and by placing my backpack in the huge plastic bags provided at the airport. 

I’ve found that European airports do not usually provide these bags, so I stick an extra in one of the side pockets on my backpack for the flight home.

• Another option is to purchase a backpack cover or duffel made to protect a backpack while in transit.

Backpack Testing Period

The Osprey Ariel 55L has been my companion on three adventures so far:

• 3.5 weeks in Scotland and England
• 6.5 weeks around England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland
• 3 weeks in Scotland and England in the heat of summer

I am actually on my second Ariel 55 bag. While flying from Edinburgh to Belfast during the second trip, my bag got caught somewhere on the miles of conveyor belts in the airport; I picked it up on the luggage carousel to find 3 small holes melted into the fabric on the bottom. 

Luckily, Osprey has a fantastic All-Mighty Lifetime Warranty. 

Once I was home, my bag was shipped to Osprey, where they decided they couldn’t fix the holes. Osprey sent me a voucher to cover the cost of a replacement bag, no questions asked.

Backpack Size

When full, the bag is typically too big to be used as carry-on. I travel with another small backpack for carry-on and to use as a daypack while I’m touring around, so I always check my Ariel. 

Editor’s note: The newer Ariel AG 55 comes equipped with a removable top lid that converts to a daypack, making the need to pack an extra day bag obsolete.

For packing, size has been just perfect for me. I have no problem fitting all of my archaeology gear, and the rest of my clothes for my travels. I also use two of Eagle Creek’s Pack-It Compression Sacs while I’m traveling, which helps save a lot of space.

Backpack Fit and Comfort

I find this bag fits very well. Before I left the store, a staff member helped me adjust the torso length, and made sure I knew how to adjust the straps, so the bag fit me properly. 

With these adjustments, the Osprey Ariel 55L is very comfortable, and I am able to carry it for extended periods without any problems.

It is vital that my pack sits mainly on my hips (a common mistake of first-time backpackers) and lets them carry the majority of the weight, as I have some shoulder problems. The Ariel fits this bill amazingly.

So far I’ve carried it with anywhere from 25 to 45 pounds in it, and I have had no problems.

There is an option to have the hip belt heated and custom molded to your shape. I haven’t done this yet since it wouldn’t last very long if the straps get squished while traveling. 

If I do decide I want the custom molding, I have the option to return to the store where I purchased the bag and have it done. If you are planning to hike or a long trek, this would be a great option for additional comfort.

• Read more about the importance of backpack sizing in our ultimate guide to picking a backpack.

Highly Recommended

I would definitely recommend this backpack to fellow travelers, especially if you have shoulder or upper back issues and need your bag to be carried mainly on your hips. The Osprey warranty is unparalleled, and you simply can’t go wrong with this brand.

• Check out a review of the Osprey Ariel 65, or see all of the best travel backpacks for women.