Pack Size??

I am looking to get a new backpack (my first real pack, actually). I am currently looking at either the Osprey Aether 60 or Osprey Atmos 65. I will be doing mostly 3-season hiking for a maximum of 3-4 days. I can’t see myself doing anything more than that for quite some time – and more often will be doing just 2 day trips, but I want to get something that will last me.

Are those the right sizes to be looking at?

Should I be looking at a different model?

Thanks for the help!

I use an osprey exos 48. I personally think 50L packs are plenty big for multi day trips if you try not to over pack. As far as brand, go to a store and have them load them up with 20-30 lbs and wear them around the store after having someone at the store size your torso length to a pack. That will let you know what fits you. Different brands fit differently.

I am actually in the process of collecting all of my gear, so maybe those are the questions I should ask first. I am looking at getting a 2 or 3-person tent (really a 2-person but just with a bit more room for 2 to fit comfortably). I don't know what sleeping bag to look into (probably down since it packs up smaller, right?), inflatable sleep pad, and I am still trying to nail down the stove, cookware situation. So any suggestions along those lines would help tremendously!

I am looking to get a new backpack (my first real pack, actually). I am currently looking at either the Osprey Aether 60 or Osprey Atmos 65. I will be doing mostly 3-season hiking for a maximum of 3-4 days.

Are those the right sizes to be looking at?

For summer backpacking without technical climbing, 60-65L is huge. I have far from the smallest/lightest gear, and a 45L pack works for single-day technical climbing and up to a week or so of solo summer backpacking. If you buy a bigger pack, you'll just fill it up with more stuff. I'd look for the simplest, lightest thing you can find -- basically, a sack with a top pocket, compression straps, and a few external attachment points. The Aether weighs 4.5 lbs, while a similarly-priced CiloGear weighs less than 2.

I have an Osprey Exos 58 which is about as small as I would want to go for a week and still have room for a bear can.