Customer Reviews Osprey Aphelia

I bought this to use while biking around the city and love it. The quality is so much better than the packs I've previously owned. The material is sturdy and looks like it is made to last. The front pocket is bigger than I'd expected and has plenty of room for my phone, keys, credit cards, and other quick access items. There are also a few slots inside the first compartment which I've used for things such as a small bottle of hand sanitizer. The main compartment is good sized and I've used it when I've needed to pick up a few groceries. Laptop sleeve is well padded. This is the pack I'll use to run errands on the bike or go on day trips.

My trusty Questa met an unfortunate demise recently so I was seeking a replacement (possibly a slight upgrade). This is not it. I used the Questa as an everyday pack for carrying a laptop, commuting by bike, and occasionally traveling and hiking. I love the look of the Aphelia, and the organization is fine (similar to the Questa). I do like that it is slim since I'm relatively small. The back ventilation is what I was most excited about, and it's good, but my spine pokes into the hard center area when I'm biking and it doesn't feel great. Not a dealbreaker though. My real complaints are some silly bells and whistles that Osprey has added recently that I don't feel help the functionality at all. For example, the compression straps don't stay in the little pockets. I don't really care; it's just kind of a bizarre wasteful design choice. My biggest issue is these insane water bottle pockets!! It is definitely more difficult to get bottles out of these pockets than those of Osprey's other packs, and MUCH more difficult to put the bottle back in while you are wearing the pack. Also, it is generally just more difficult to grab something out of the pack or throw something in while it's still partially on. You really need to take the pack all the way off to unzip it and load/unload even one small item. I'll add that I'm pretty petite and flexible, but I find reaching back to grab something from the side pocket quite uncomfortable compared to other packs. Seriously, did anyone at Osprey actually try this pack on? Or do you all have extra arms?? I only have two :( I think the Aphelia is comfortable once it's on (as long as you don't plan on trying to load or unload anything) and could be fine for certain applications, but I strongly object to the description: "thoughtful features to ease your every day." It is not good for "dashing around town." It is annoying and overly complicated.

I was on the hunt for a good multi-use backpack that could also be my personal item when traveling. After ordering SEVERAL different packs from many brands I settled on the Aphelia and couldn't be more pleased. Several domestic and international trips over a year later and I still love this bag and it is holding up nicely. The versatility of this bag to cinch down and be used as a laptop bag, or day pack, or stuffed to the brim for a weekend out of town, is simply amazing. The organization is just enough. I can easily pack my laptop, a few packing cubes of clothes and my toiletries with ease. The water bottle pockets are amazing. Large and snug. I usually use one side for water and the other for my hair tools or umbrella or as a quick access pocket for passport etc. My one, and really only complaint is that it doesn't have a luggage passthrough, so i generally wear it in the airport when I would probably prefer to stack it on my carry on. It's also a very comfortable pack for both my and my partner and we are very different builds.