Smaller capacity pack with good hip straps

[heracles26]

I have an osprey aether 70L and a osprey kestrel 38L

The aether being designed to carry more obviously has more robust hip straps which I find way more comfortable in comparison to the kestrel

I will be doing a 4 week trek in Nepal and will have a porter so will only need a smaller pack myself but the kestrel just doesn't feel as comfortable on my back as the aether does (especially with weight greater than about 10kg)

Should I take the aether anyway even though I won't be carrying anymore than 10kg say

Or is there a smaller capacity pack on the market that still has robust hip straps?

Cheers

[GPSGuided]

How small? Recently picked up a Mountain Hardwear Fluid 18 pack, the just superseded version. It has a decent supportive waist harness and is a perfect compact size for day walks. Unfortunately, the latest version has done away with an effective waist strap as for most packs of this capacity these days.

http://nextadventure.net/images/detaile ... _flame.jpg

[nq111]

The Osprey Aether cinches down on a small load really well (they are very well designed packs) and is not all that heavy. I'd just take that if you find it more comfortable.

[horsecat]

I'm not sure as I don't own one, but does the 70L Aether clinch down enough to be taken on the plane as carry-on luggage? I'd be surprised if it did. Excess baggage is expensive in and out of Nepal (and most internal flights there only permit small bags) so I'd try to take something smaller. The Deuter ACT Lite 40+10L has a nice hip belt and is very comfortable (and it will clinch down enough to take on-board, just).

Deuter ACT Lite.jpg

[GPSGuided]

Horsecat, I'd be careful with that ice tool on your carry-on.

[horsecat]

Horsecat, I'd be careful with that ice tool on your carry-on.

Yep, best leave that off when flying. Mind you, I can think of a few occasions where I could have used it...

[heracles26]

Thanks everyone.

I didn't think about internal flights! I'll only be catching one back to Kathmandu from lukla,I better look into that

[horsecat]

The kitbags go in the guts of the aircraft so you could always put your backpack in there if you really want to take a large one. It's a 15kg total limit per person for internal flights over there so every kilogram counts though. They usually only weight the kitbags so it's good to be able to take a backpack on the aircraft stuffed full of some of your heavier items. But the flying coffins they call planes are small (mostly Twin Otters) and the backpacks are all piled in the aisle or on your lap. It's only a 20 minute flight between KTM and Lukla so no big deal but if you've got a big pack it is annoying, plus you probably won't be able to see the view out the window

[GPSGuided]

...and the backpacks are all piled in the aisle or on your lap.

Doesn't sound like QF being the provider there.