3Bikes from United States, CT Public Profile

After doing two hikes with this pack (one about 11 miles and the other 7, both in mountainous terrain with a bit of scrambling) my impression is that this a very good pack for relatively light loads. I have been carrying about 15 to 20 lbs and the pack has done admirably with that. I do tend to believe that the carry system might have trouble dealing with substantially heavier loads. But, hey, if you want to carry heavier loads you probably need a 40 to 45 liter pack anyway. I have several packs in this size range, and the Aeon is definitely more comfortable than most. It hugs the back and moves with your body so it is great for scrambling and will probably be wonderful for XC skiing, too. I'm not yet convinced that zipper that give side access to the main compartment is really all that useful, since the side opening is fairly small. Anyway, I think top only access is good enough. An interesting alternative to this pack would be the Lowe Alpine Altus, which has a beefier carry system but is in other respects quite similar.