[A self-paying review without any consideration] Why is Osprey's masterpiece, Unlimited Airscape 68, the "world's most advanced backpack"?

What if the world's top designers were freed from the constraints of time and cost, and instead used limitless ideas, the highest quality materials, and cutting-edge technology to create backpack

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has ever had such a dream-like story in their mind

The OSPREY Unlimited Airscape 68 we are introducing today is a mountaineering backpack that is currently acclaimed worldwide as the most advanced and experimental in the world, packed with the latest technology, materials, and designs (according to the manufacturer itself), with no compromises made at all costs.

It's been a year since its release in 2022, but with countless unique and innovative features (including an exceptional price), it still stands out in 2023 as one of a kind

Is this really a true "game changer" in the backpack market? Or is it just a "luxury item (concept model in a broad sense)" for a very limited audience, created by a manufacturer that's a little too forward-looking? Of course, the answer can't be decided as either one or the other. No matter how excellent a tool is, if it's not used in accordance with its intended purpose, it's simply useless

So what exactly is "new" and "great" (or disappointing) about this backpack? If it's great, what uses and styles does it suit? I've been carrying it on various trails for the past year, so I'll get right into my review

Key Features of the OSPREY Unlimited Airscape 68

The OSPREY Unlimited Airscape 68 is a 70-liter hiking and mountaineering (and travel) backpack suitable for all seasons, from weekend tent trips to long-term expeditions of over a week. Its cutting-edge, lightweight, and durable materials, a high-carbon stainless steel frame for superior load transfer and stability, an industry-first 3D-printed mesh lumbar pad, and a comfortable, unrestricted back panel make it unparalleled when it comes to carrying heavy loads comfortably for long periods of time in harsh environments. Osprey's unique customizable fitting system allows you to quickly adjust the backpack's torso length and hipbelt length to fit your body perfectly, even when wearing it. Numerous pockets and attachments allow for smart packing and easy access, reducing travel stress. The removable top lid quickly transforms the backpack into an 18-liter daypack, making it suitable for a variety of situations on long adventures. It includes a rain cover and a custom airporter travel cover.

Favorite points

• The heavier the load, the more you'll feel the difference. The back frame and various padding are stronger, more comfortable, and more stable than any other backpack
• Accurate and easy fitting system, including a cam-lock back adjustment mechanism that allows you to adjust the back length to your optimum while wearing the pack
• Large hip belt pockets on both sides (stretch open pockets) for ample storage and easy access
• Wide-opening U-shaped front zipper for easy access
• A very well-made 18-liter top-lid daypack

Interesting points

• The backpack itself is heavy (although I assume my luggage will be heavy too so it's not a big deal...)
• The most expensive hiking backpack I've ever come across (and the price went up again this year...sigh)
• Its robust and sturdy construction makes it suitable for long-term general hiking and trekking, but it is not suitable for alpine (climbing), fast and light, or day hikes

Main Specifications and ratings

Detailed Review: Why the Unlimited Airscape 68 is the "World's Most Advanced Backpack"

1: Design and Fitting - A perfect fit for any body type. An innovative adjustment system that leaves no gaps open

A masterpiece from a backpack legend

What's surprising about this backpack is not only its mind-blowing price, but also the sheer amount of new elements packed into it, and the sheer amount of innovative ideas it can come up with. The seriousness and passion of its creator, Mike Pfotenhauer, founder of Osprey and a legend who has been involved in backpack design for nearly 50 years and is still active today, is clearly evident

And it's no surprise. For over 50 years, Mike has designed backpacks for a wide variety of uses, from mountaineering, hiking, skiing, and mountain biking to through-hiking and world travel. His latest work, the "Unlimited" backpack series, is an extraordinary concept unthinkable for a typical company: "Pursue design philosophy and technology without regard for cost." It's a masterpiece that was the fruit of two years of development, brought to fruition by Mike's long-standing ideas and a team of elite staff from around the world. Common sense would suggest that raising the bar so high for a product is nothing short of a risk, and requires a great deal of determination and confidence. It goes without saying that this backpack is nothing but spirit and seriousness

Enough of the preamble here, I'd like to move on to the specific review, but first of all, the exterior (form) basically follows the design of a traditional mountaineering backpack (it's hard to imagine anyone dissatisfied with this stable form that has been perfected over a long history). I personally like the simple, uncluttered silhouette that gives a sense of security, and the calm, modern coloring

On the other hand, if you turn the pack over and look at the back, you can catch a glimpse of some unfamiliar parts, such as a mesh lumbar pad (described below) on the lumbar area of ​​the waist harness, a three-dimensional back panel made from a combination of different materials on the back, and unusually thick load lifters (straps that connect the backpack body to the shoulder straps) on the shoulders. These are clearly different from any other product on the market, and anyone who has seen a mountaineering backpack for a while will immediately notice this unusual atmosphere

An innovative adjustment system that allows anyone to easily achieve the perfect fit while standing

Anyway, the appearance may not be that surprising, but the surprise begins here: what I fell in love with most about this backpack was its incredibly exciting fitting system

There is no need to reiterate here how important backpack fitting is; it is something that manufacturers and mountain shops have been telling us so many times that we are sick of it

However, in the past, if you wanted to complete this fitting process by adjusting all parts, you would more or less have to take off the backpack and adjust the parts on the back (while estimating the approximate size)

However, the Unlimited Airscape 68 , this can be done surprisingly easily and accurately. The concept of the system, called "Fit on the Fly (or Auto-Lift Mechanism)," means "fitting while on the move (on the spot)," and it is a groundbreaking adjustment system that literally allows you to adjust all dimensions, including the torso length, while standing. Osprey had already the Aether Plus , but this model marks a major evolution.

Seeing is believing, so in the video below I actually film myself starting from a clean slate and fitting the waist harness, shoulder harness, back length, load lifters, and sternum straps all while standing (in particular, "Step 3" in the video shows the moment when the gap between my shoulders and shoulder harnesses is filled and the back length fits perfectly)

As explained further in the photo below, the steps from "1: Fasten the hip belt" to "2: Fasten the shoulder straps" are the same as with a regular backpack, but the Unlimited Airscape 68 , you can adjust the backpack's back length to your exact size by following the next step: "3: Pull the cam-lock back length adjuster located at the back of the armpits." This method is great because, unlike a normal backpack, where you have to take off the backpack, adjust the length, and then put it back on, it's hard to tell whether the length is actually right for you. However, because you can adjust the length while wearing the backpack, you can more accurately find the perfect fit. And if you feel even the slightest bit of discomfort while walking, you can readjust the fit immediately, as many times as you like. It's so much easier, more accurate, and more satisfying than ever before—it's simply fantastic.

*By the way, I realized this after filming the video, so I'll add that you can also adjust the length of the waist harness while standing, but this was already done in the video. As shown in the photo below, you can easily adjust the size of the waist harness by moving the part that is fastened with Velcro

This unique adjustment mechanism allows you to adjust the back length to fit your body while wearing the pack, and also pulls the load closer to your back (for reference, the back length adjustment mechanism is shown in the photo below). What's more, the load lifter that connects your shoulders to the main body is automatically set to the optimal length and angle at this point, so there's no need to adjust it again

Combined with the adjustable hip belt, it allows you to instantly achieve the perfect fit, even if you're not used to it. What's more, it doesn't increase the weight unnecessarily, and so far, there have been almost no drawbacks to this mechanism, which is impressive. Once you experience this, the fit of regular backpacks will seem outdated, and it'll be hard to go back to the old way of feeling

2: Comfort and Stability - Unprecedented load-bearing capacity and comfortable carrying

The surprises didn't end when I actually started walking in the backpack. To be honest, the heavier the load, the more comfortable this backpack felt to walk in than any other large backpack I've ever carried. I believe the reason for this unique feeling of comfort and stability is the back structure, which is also a first in the industry

For example, the lumbar area is the first backpack to feature a lumbar pad made with Carbon's advanced DLS 3D printing technology (it's also famous that Adidas used this technology to commercialize the world's first running shoes ). At first glance, the entire pad looks to have the same pattern, but on closer inspection, you'll see that the grid shape and density vary slightly, resulting in subtle differences in elasticity (see photo below. In other words, the cushioning strength is subtly adjusted depending on the area!). As you can see, the pad is highly breathable and doesn't absorb water, so it keeps you extremely dry.

So, without further ado, this grid of cushions with varying densities evenly distributes impact in this key area where the weight is most applied, reducing pressure on the lower back, providing exquisite softness, exceptional breathability, quick-drying properties, stable support, and a firm grip

What's more, what I personally like most is the frame structure, which concentrates the load on the lower back, minimizing the feeling of undue strain caused by the weight, resulting in outstanding load-bearing capacity and stability

The overall structure consists of a robust, flexible, and lightweight thermoformed polycarbonate frame seat that covers the entire back, surrounded by a lightweight and rigid high-carbon stainless steel frame that is integrated into the entire structure. What's surprising is that the bottom end of this frame extends (connects) halfway up the hip belt (along the dotted line in the photo below). This allows the weight of any load to be transferred to the hip belt, ensuring a secure fit around the waist without causing any strain on the hips. Incidentally, the official website in the UK lists the maximum load capacity as "30kg," indicating that it has enough capacity to easily withstand a full-scale mountain climb that lasts for several weeks

Last year, when I walked in the Northern Alps carrying a load of about 20 kg, this allowed me to walk with the same feeling around my shoulders as if I was carrying a load of just a few kg

Furthermore, the hip belt that supports the weight has just the right amount of stiffness, being neither too hard nor too soft, and has a silicone grip attached to the inside, giving it the perfect balance of being strong, gentle, and staying in place

Additionally, the thermoformed polycarbonate frame sheet (plus EVA padding along the grooves) that provides comfort to the back has calculated grooves that provide just the right amount of rigidity and breathability, keeping the center of gravity close to the body while minimizing stuffiness caused by sweating. Just because it's breathable doesn't mean it'll be cold in winter, so you can rest assured that your back will be comfortable all year round

3: Weight and durability - Lightweight and extremely durable hybrid material used -

Not only are the structures innovative, but the fabrics and materials used in the backpacks are also ambitious

The main fabric is a 210 denier hybrid fabric woven with high-tenacity nylon, which offers significantly improved abrasion resistance and tear strength compared to standard nylon, and a double ripstop grid of UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene). UHMWPE is a lightweight, highly durable fiber commonly known as "Dyneema," especially in ultralight applications. The superiority of this fabric lies in its well-balanced blend of nylon's ease of handling (though it's a fairly high-spec nylon) and Dyneema's outstanding weight-to-durability ratio

From my impressions after using it for at least a year, the surface of the very tightly woven fabric is smooth, snag-resistant, and extremely resistant to abrasion (of course, since it's ripstop fabric, it's also resistant to tearing), so there's almost no need to worry about it breaking or ripping

It also has a durable water-repellent finish that repels water well, so it's quite resistant to rain. Of course, if you're going to be exposed to heavy rain, there's a rain cover at the bottom of the backpack, so you don't have to worry

4. Storage and ease of use - All-stars of Osprey's long-cultivated know-how +α

When it comes to large backpacks, just as important as their strength to withstand heavy loads is the storage capacity that allows you to pack bulky items efficiently and the ease of access that reduces the stress of taking things in and out

In that respect, this backpack incorporates the convenient storage and ease of use found in various Osprey backpacks, while also adding new elements unique to this model, making it feel like a culmination of the packing know-how they have cultivated over the years

First of all, the main compartment is one compartment, but it has straps (sleeping bag compression dividers) at the bottom to secure a sleeping bag, so it's actually 1.5 compartments. You can open the rain cover and access your belongings from the top, and there's also a (now common) U-shaped front access zipper (see photo below). However, this U-shaped zipper extends all the way to the top of the side panel, making it easy to access items from the side as well as the front, a unique design feature

For convenient access from the top, simply pull the tab to open it

The tip of the U-shaped zipper extends all the way to the top of the side panel, so if you set the zipper on the side, you can access it from the side

The rain cover has two pockets with smooth zippers and reinforced laminate. The upper pocket can hold small, thin items such as maps and cell phones, or car keys in the built-in red key clip, while the lower pocket has room for slightly bulkier items

As is already common with Osprey's large backpacks, removing the rain cover converts it into a fully-fledged 18L daypack (see photo below). The shoulder straps are cushioned and even come with an adjustable sternum strap, making it extremely comfortable. It's not only ideal for short peak attacks during a traverse or side trips to water sources, but also functions as a carry-on bag when traveling by plane

The external pockets are also packed with exciting features. First and foremost, the most convenient storage is the huge mesh stretch open pocket on the side (see photo below, left)

There are pockets on both the left and right sides, the right one is larger and the left one is smaller but still a little on the larger side, but the pockets are located a little closer to the waist and have a large opening, making them easy to access.However, the opening is not loose and things don't fall out easily, making them very easy to use

There is also a reasonably sized zippered pocket on the left side of the hip belt (right in the photo below), which is convenient for storing things like your smartphone, handkerchief, and lip balm

Next, there is a zipper pocket on the front that can be accessed from either side (see photo below). It looks like it could be used to store larger items like jackets, hats, gloves, snacks, and maps. However, when actually using it, it's slightly small, and it's easy to get confused about which pocket you put something in, making it less convenient. Personally, I wish it had been combined into one larger pocket instead of being split into two, which I found a bit disappointing

Side compression straps are connected to the flap covering the zipper of this pocket, and together with the lower straps, they can be used to secure long items to the sides or compress the pack volume (see photo below). Snowshoes can also be secured to the side straps, and reinforced ski loops allow skis to be secured to the sides in an A-frame style, making this a great choice for use during the snow season

The bottom has straps to secure the mattress and a pocket for storing the rain cover (see photo below). You won't always use the mattress or rain cover, but it's nice to have them on hand

There are also two loops on the front for securing axes or poles (see photo below). What's more, these loops can be tucked away inside when not in use, which is a thoughtful touch. It's a small detail, but it's these details that give the bag an indescribable sense of elegance

The Osprey backpack also comes with a convenient "Stow-on-the-Go Trekking Pole Attachment" (see photo below), which allows you to quickly secure your trekking poles to your side when you want to temporarily store them away while walking

The hydration sleeve is located on the outside of the back of the pack and can be accessed from there (see photo below). There are two zipper sliders at the entrance, so the hose can be positioned on either the left or right, and the hose attachments on the shoulder harness are also on either side, a thoughtful design

As a touch of extra care, the buckles used on the backpack are sturdy YKK buckles made from Delrin, and all zippers (also made by YKK, of course) have large pull tabs that are easy to use even with gloves (see photo below)

And finally (although I haven't actually used it), the Unlimited Airscape 68 comes with a large travel cover that can completely store the backpack (see photo below, source: Lost Arrow official website). It's true that storing the backpack in the travel cover when checking it at the airport protects the hip belt, buckles, and straps, making it a great option for long-distance trekking or long-term expeditions.

5. Concerns: Are the extra-large weight and high price worth it?

It's just so heavy. My men's L/XL size weighs in at 2.9 kg. In fact, it's the heaviest backpack of over 60 liters I've ever carried. Its direct competitor, the GREGORY Baltoro 65, weighs in at around 2.2 kg. By comparison, UL backpacks like Granite Gear's BLAZE 60 weigh in at around 1.4 kg, more than double the weight

However, despite its weight, I can honestly say that it was more comfortable than the latest version of the Baltro when carrying a load of over 10 kilograms (this is the impression of two testers, including myself, who compared the two on-site). For this reason, if you're trekking with a fairly heavy load, the weight is more than offset by the comfort and convenience, so I don't think it's something to be particularly concerned about

On the other hand, in situations where you don't need such heavy luggage, this weight will literally become a burden, so no matter how many advanced features the backpack is packed with, you won't be able to make full use of those features

Bottom line: Without a doubt the most comfortable large backpack I've ever come across

OSPREY Unlimited Airscape 68 Men's OS50171 Marina Bay Blue S/M

created by Rinker

OSPREY

• Amazon
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• Yahoo Shopping

Everyone's needs for a backpack vary depending on their style and purpose, and the fit varies slightly depending on body type, so there is no perfect backpack that satisfies everyone. In that sense, it's not surprising that some people don't need the most advanced backpack. For example, there are people who prefer day hikes in low mountains, people who want to fastpack with a light load, or people who like technical variations of mountain climbing, and there are cases where a backpack is not suitable for activities beyond heavy loads, long distances, and trekking

However, excluding such cases, the Unlimited Airscape 68 is arguably the "strongest" large trekking backpack available today, with a wide range of highly versatile features and providing comfort and stability no matter how heavy your load. The cutting-edge materials and technology used, regardless of cost, are not just for show, and the development and creativity that allows new technology to be embodied as fully usable functions is as impressive as ever. This is all thanks to Osprey's belief in practicality and custom fit, and the know-how it has cultivated over the years

If you are a typical mountaineering enthusiast who wants a backpack for hiking and trekking, who plans to go on long tent hikes in the summer, and who also plans to use it in the winter, and who needs a larger backpack for these reasons, then this backpack is undoubtedly the most reliable on the market today

However, even though I am personally very satisfied with it, I honestly cannot say wholeheartedly that the unusually high price is worth it for everyone (although I'm sure most people will be satisfied with it). That's why I would recommend this item to people who are willing to pay a fair price to enjoy the outdoors safely and to the fullest, or people who are gear lovers and want to experience the world's highest quality backpack, and who need to be proactive in some way

By the way, Osprey also has a lineup of the Unlimited Anti-Gravity 64, a sibling of the Unlimited series. While it shares the same basic concept, it has a clamshell design, is suitable for three seasons, and seems to be aimed at a slightly lighter target audience. Personally, I would recommend the Airscape, which can cover a wide range of activities, from light hiking to snowy mountains and more challenging situations

Either way, if you're planning a big adventure this summer, this is sure to meet your expectations. Have a great trip with your new companion

   

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