Osprey mesh

“I've got an older Osprey Aether 60. (not the newer models)

Anybody have this?

The mesh on the side seems useless to me the way it's angled. How can you use it for carrying anything?”

“I carry breath mints in mine.”

“I've got an older Osprey Aether 60, and the side pockets aren't even mesh, they're packcloth and angled forward. I guess they meant for them to be used for drinking bottles? I dunno. Anyway, I put things in them I don't think I'll need much, but need quick access to, like my athletic tape and my first aid kit. I'll probably but my alcohol fuel bottle in one in the future. That's about all they're good for.”

“thanks bitpusher. I was afraid I was missing something.

I guess a little sewing is in order before the next trip.”

“Yup, pretty small. If I put a fuel bottle or a Nalgene bottle in one, I try to make sure that I use a caribiner to make sure it doesn't fall out because it's so tight that it could work it's way out.”

“On mine, those little pockets have cinches, so if something fits in there, I can cinch it shut and don't have to worry about anything falling out. But a nalgene is a different story, since it hangs out of the thing anyway. It would probably work its way out.”

“Same with mine, bitpusher. When you tighten the cinch strap, any movement of the pack and the Nalgene can tend to work it's way out. I attach the caribiner to the lid top loop on the Nalgene and around the cinch strap on the pack.”

“Yep, you can do that with a nalgene...I wouldn't suggest trying it with the Coleman nalgene knock-off though, their loops break. The loop on mine is already cracking and will probably break soon. Anybody ever try to put a new Nalgene-brand lid on a Coleman bottle? Do they fit?”

“I've not tried on a Coleman knockoff, but I tried with another knockoff to see if it would fit my MSR filter. No, it didn't.”

“I've got one 2-3 years old, and put Nalgene bottles, snacks, etc with no problem. Also the bottom of tent poles or a thermarest, further held by one of the side straps. Maybe your model is older.”

“BLISSter, you sure you got a 60? I don't think you can get a thermarest in the mesh we're talking about. It's right on the sids by the hips - not the back.

A Nalgene would be more than 50% out of the pocket.”

“Yes definitely a 60 but like you say mine may be newer. My Nalgene does stick out, not more than 50% as you say, but around 30-40%, but it is secure enough that in a dozen trips its never fallen out.

Try Osprey customer service, they were excellent with me. I had an issue where when I bought my pack 2 years or so ago, I was borderline between Med and Large so I bought a Large to get 200 cu" extra volume. Turned out to be a mistake. I ended up having the harness tucked so far in that one of the support rods popped thru. I sent it in, and they just ended up replacing my Large with a comparable Med they had on hand so I'm real happy.

I like the pack so much (for 3-season weekends) that I just bought the Aether 90 for weeklong trips or weekend family trips. Won't use it until next weekend.

Good luck with your pack!”

“Thanks BLISSter. I'll do that. If I remember correctly, one reason I bought it in the first place was because of their support.

Maybe they can provide a fix.”