Osprey Argon 85 Backpack Stable under big loadsDurable—after heavy testing, very little wear & tearEasy access to gear—numerous ways to get at all that cargo space Only minor quibbles: No hip-belt pocketsNo noticable difference after hip-belt moldingPrice is high, but still reasonable The Osprey Argon 85 backpack is a good choice for those wanting a comfortable backpack that is large enough for an expedition but isn't overbuilt or unnecessarily heavy. Compared with other packs in this heavy load category, the Argon 85 performed at the top of the class, especially in terms of comfort, stability and storage. StabilityI loaded the Argon 85 with 60 pounds, and it was quite to be stable. I would expect the Argon 85 to continue to provide stability with loads in the 65 to 70 pound range. BackpanelYou need a lot of frame to stabilize 60 pounds, but this one wasn't overbuilt. It rides fairly close to the back to maximize efficiency, but also allows a decent amount of airflow.

ComfortA heavily padded hip belt and shoulder straps make this backpack extremely comfortable. The load lifters, shoulder straps and hip straps, allowed for total adjustment, even on the fly. alienware vindicator backpack 18 buyThe ability to adjust your pack while moving is a must and the Argon 85 backpack made this easy.f stop tilopa bc backpack DurabilityThe Osprey Argon 85 proved to be tough and durable and showed little signs of wear even after being used for months in a variety of weather conditions and terrain. targus atmosphere backpackThe material on the Osprey Argon repels dirt and debris very well. Easy accessOsprey's strength is making packs that are really well thought-out for daily use.

The large loading opening on the Argon 85 allowed for easy access to the main compartment, while the zippered bottom access provided access to the sleeping bag compartment. It also provided side access to the main compartment, which makes packing and unpacking easier. It's a dicey proposition to count on a hydration bladder not popping when you've got 60 pounds of swaying load smashing up against it. So bottle pockets on big packs can be welcome. But instead of providing the standard two mesh water bottle pockets, the Argon 85 provides one mesh pocket on the right side, large enough to store a 1 liter size water bottle and a zippered storage pocket on the left side. That zippered bottle holder isn't large enough for some bottles. And on the 110-liter version we tested in Nepal, that zipper snapped off while forcing closure over one. Hip Belt The Argon 85 has a removable hip belt, which—with the loads this thing will carry—is critical for customers with different waist sizes.

The heat molding customization seems like more of a marketing feature than a real performance enhancement. The belt is quite comfortable even without the heat holding, which some retailers charge extra for if you don’t purchase the pack at their shop (I took the backpack to my local Osprey retailer per the instructions, but since I did not buy the backpack from this retailer, there would be a $20.00 charge to provide the heat molding service. This is apparently standard.)  The process itself consists of having the hip-belt heated for several minutes and then placed around your waist while still warm. You then wear the belt around your waist, allowing the belt to mold to your hips as it cools, creating a custom fit. After completing the process, I noticed no significant difference in the fit, or look of the belt. How We Tested It I tested the Osprey Argon 85 backpack for 35 days and over 150 miles in the Ozark Mountains of Northern Arkansas, on the Laugavegurinn Trail in Iceland and on the Paine Circuit of Torres del Paine in Chile.

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SnowboardSnowboardsSnowboard GogglesSnowboard ClothingSnowboard HelmetsSnowboard Pants WatersportsCanoesKayaksStand-Up PaddleboardsOsprey Argon 85L Review Trying to find the right backpack is a difficult thing to do. Take the complexity of buying a pair of boots, and multiply it by 5 or 10, and you start to get the picture. There are so many options ranging from fully accessible panel loaders with lots of pockets and attachment points, to lean ultralight top loaders with no pockets. Suspension systems range from nearly unpadded nylon straps to luxurious memory foam inserts on the shouler straps and waist belt. Just finding the right place to begin can be a challenge sometimes. As with buying a good pair of boots, the best place to start is usually at your favorite local retailer. A good shop, with a knowledgable sales staff will be familiar with many packs from several manufacturer's and can help you get started. My local shop Out-n-back is very knowledgable, and helpful. You will probably find that a smaller "mom and pop" shop will have a better sales staff that has actually used many of the packs than at a large chain sporting goods store.

Because I have a propensity to go far, carry a lot of stuff, and want to be comfortable doing it, I was excited when the Osprey Argon series was unveiled. The Argon line (for men) and the Xenon line for women offer essentially the same features. Osprey Argon 85 Panel ViewThe Argon 85 is Osprey's top of the line in heavy load carrying, deluxe suspension and fit packs. The pack I tested was complete with Airscape back panel, and BioForm shoulder harness and waistbelt. The waistbelt I tested is the CM A/X (Custom Moldable) belt. A special thanks to Scott at Out-n-back for taking the time to mold the belt and custom fit me with the pack, even though there would be no direct sale coming from his efforts. That is the true benefit you'll get going to a small specialty shop versus a large chain store. At any rate, once the pack was custom fit and molded to my unique shape it was time to use and abuse it. Osprey Argon 85 Side ViewI did most of the product testing through July and August, the hottest months of the year here on the Colorado Plateau.

With daily temperatures commonly near 100 degrees, I plugged away up foot trails, dirt roads, and across remote virgin terrain exploring. The Airscape panel actually performed as advertised; although I did sweat, I was considerably drier and cooler than with my older Gregory Robson Pro because the air is able to move more freely between your back and the pack. It was actually refreshing when a small breeze would kick up and I could feel the cooling effect. With heavy loads, the Argon functioned superbly. The split custom molded waistbelt cradled my hips perfectly, trasferring the load directly to my legs without cutting off my air suppy. On scree and talus slopes the pack moved nimbly with my body while scrambling. I also carried the Argon partially full on summit bids and peak bagging trips. I was easily able to compress any unused space with the well thought out compression straps. Empty, the pack only weighs about 6.5 pounds, which was worthwhile rather than carrying a separate attack pack.

The pack lid can be removed and used as a fanny pack, but I prefer the full harness to a fanny pack so I didn't really use that feature. I found the pack is low profile enough that it didn't get in my way when bushwhacking though trees and brush, but still accessible enough that I could easily get at my lunch, water, maps etc. One late afternoon during a downpour while setting up my tent, I was happy that I could just rip open the entire side of the pack and start chucking stuff into the tent rather than having to fuss with a top loader. The only real downside that consistently bothered me is that the ReCurve stays were hard to reach around to get things into and out of the stretch pockets on the sides of the pack, and the Airscape geometry pushes those easy access pockets just enough toward the back that I noticed I couldn't just stuff my water bottle in with ease (fortunately I typically use a hydration bladder). Now for the nitty gritty. The Pack as tested is 5100 cu. in. (85L), and includes both a fanny pack in the top lid, and an ultralight Aquasource Recurve that can be converted to use as day pack to carry your water.