50 or 60 Liter Aarn Peak Aspiration Backpack - Light Hiking GearLight Hiking GearBackpackLight Hiking GearPA - S/S - S/SPASSSSShort (50 Liters)3 - 5 Days

50 or 60 Liter Aarn Peak Aspiration Backpack - Light Hiking GearLight Hiking GearBackpackLight Hiking GearPA - L/S - S/SPALSSSLong (60 Liters)3 - 5 Days

50 or 60 Liter Aarn Peak Aspiration Backpack

$ 319.95 ~~$ 349.95~~

The Aarn Peak Aspiration balance pack is a versatile and dynamic day/overnight pack optimized for climbing, skiing and hiking. It’s perfect for those wanting a mid-sized pack with a full Pelvic Form hipbelt able to carry heavy weights with ease, whether for a simple day hike or even to the summit of Mount Everest!

Aarn Peak Aspiration summits Everest - Light Hiking Gear

The Peak Aspiration has a great set of features, allowing you to carry a wide variety of gear for diverse conditions and activities. Add optional Balance Pockets for balance, agility and load-carrying efficiency. Add Front Balance Pockests to provide better agility, upright posture and convenient access to frequently-used items. Also add Balance Gear Racks (see More Accessories tab) to this comfortable backpack to take the weight of climbing hardware off your shoulders when climbing. The new generation 4 model has a revised frame which is lighter and stronger, with an improved Multi-Flow pivot position for an easier-to-use hipbelt.

FEATURES

· Bio-Fit Shoulder Harness, with:

Adjustable back-length with 14cm range that allows back-length shortening with the pack on, providing a precision fit to a wide range of body sizes

Breathable stretch 3D mesh that auto-moulds to the slope of your shoulders

Flow-Thru stabilisers prevent shoulder straps distortion when top stabilisers are tightened

U Flow by interlinked bottom tensioners

Single main compartment with On-adjust backlength; 10cm range
Water resistant Dri-liner
Lid is extendable & removable; can be used as a bum bag
Hydration pocket, exit & attachment loop
1 front and 2 side stretch pockets
Custom-Fit frame: perimeter wire + hollow 6001 T6 alloy stays
True-fit shoulder straps, Flow-thru Stabilizers
Pelvic-Form Hipbelt
Web-loc side compression with hyperlon reinforcing when carrying skis
Web front compression with hyperlon reinforcing, plus loop-lock holders for vertical tools
Attachments for ice axes, snowboard, snow shovel, helmet, trekking poles (front and rear), carritools/ice clippers
Twin trekking pole attachments in front and behind

2 Backlengths with On-adjust backlength, 10cm range
Water resistant Dri-liner
Single main compartment
Lid is extendable & removable; can be used as a bum bag
Hydration pocket, exit & attachment loop
1 front and 2 side stretch pockets
Custom-Fit frame: perimeter wire + hollow 6001 T6 alloy stays
True-fit shoulder straps, Flow-thru Stabilizers
Pelvic-Form Hipbelt
Web-loc side compression with hyperlon reinforcing when carrying skis
Web front compression with hyperlon reinforcing, plus loop-lock holders for vertical tools
Attachments for ice axes, snowboard, snow shovel, helmet, trekking poles (front and rear), carritools/ice clippers
Twin trekking pole attachments in front and behind

SPECIFICATIONS

BALANCE POCKETS

Front Balance Pockets allow for high weights without feeling intrusive. Balance Pockets attach easily to Aarn’s comfortable backpacks and convert easily into a daypack after clipping on the shoulder and sternum straps. Hiking, backpacking, and exploring the outdoors has never been easier!

Either 10 or 12 liter front Sport-Regular Balance Pockets, or 15 liter or 18 liter Expedition Balance Pockets can be used with this pack. Pockets provide greater stability and balance, and a more upright posture. This translates to much less fatigue and strain.
Shoulder and sternum straps are included for converting the pockets into a daypack, which is carried on the front of the body for maximum security and easy gear access.
Front pockets have waterproof Dri-liners, accessible zip flaps to protect items from the rain, and four mesh exterior pockets with compression cords.
The design of the Front Balance Pockets, which includes four mesh exterior pockets with compression chords, is to provide maximum comfort, organization, and accessibility. Attach to the Aarn balance pack for an unmatched outdoors experience.

(Click on Buttons to See and Evaluate)

Sport Balance Pockets - Mid-volume: balances unobtrusiveness and weight carrying ability

Expedition Balance Pockets - Large-volume: for balancing heavy loads.

MORE ACCESSORIES

DESIGN

FITTING

WHAT MAKES AN AARN PACK DIFFERENT?

TESTIMONIALS

The Peak Aspiration Summits Everest!

"It was a real pleasure to take your Peak Aspiration to the summit of Mt Everest. The climb of Everest is a long climb involved many quite different phases. The need for a pack that is lightweight, dependable, flexible and above all, comfortable is key. At times, my pack was jammed to the rafters with things hanging off it in all directions. The Peak Aspiration handled all of this effortlessly and maintained its incredible comfort and balance. Everest can get very hot at times and the Peak Aspiration's back and strap mesh panels allowed surprisingly great ventilation when the temperature rose into the 30-40C range.

The pack had some great climbing features and despite being lightweight, there was no compromise on toughness or durability. I accidentally kicked my crampons into the pack many times and the fabric repelled them each time. The pack was dropped, lowered, bumped, sat upon and loaded countless times and survived magnificently. The use of the Balance Pockets meant that my gear needed quickly was always available without needing to take off the pack.

Thanks Aarn for designing a great mountain pack. I look forward to using it again, again and again."

John Zeckendorf

The Peak Aspiration is the most comfortable pack I have ever worn period. Not long after I left the car the first time I used the pack I was heard to say don’t even feel as if I’m wearing a pack. Later, I lent the pack to a friend for a trip his feedback to me was: you don’t carry that pack you wear it.
Mark Watson, Editor, NZ Climber magazine Test Review.

"Peak Aspiration with Sport Balance pockets has opened up a whole different world of backpacking. I can actually hike all day without upper body fatigue. Walking in a natural, balanced posture while carrying weight is absolutely amazing and light years ahead of all other packs. I don’t understand why such a basic, fundamental concept as balance hasn’t caught on. I tell anyone who is interested on the trail that once you experience a balanced load you will never go back to a traditional pack. Too many people worry about weight and not at all about balance - which is fundamentally more important.The whole system has been so well thought out and executed in terms of attention to detail and quality. Just the slight cupping of the hip belt makes a huge difference in terms of all day comfort. The idea of a Bodypack is one thing, but if the design and execution aren’t there, all else is futile. In this regard, Aarn has succeeded by far. I’ve wanted to tell you this for the past two years, but have been too busy actually enjoying hiking".Jeff Clopp, New Jersey, USA

"The Aarn Bodypack concept a great way to hike long distances with heavy (or less heavy) loads, and the Peak Aspiration with Expedition Balance Pockets is a great implementation of the idea. During the two GEA hikes I walked up to 13/14 hours a day with 20/25 Kg loads, on anything from flat, soft meadows to thick bush and very steep, narrow and rocky trails. During all those days, the weight of the pack and its impact on my back and neck has never been an issue. I have come to a point where if I stop it’s because either I am very, very, very tired in general, or I have walked so much that my feet hurt enough to not let me continue. In both cases, no back or neck pains worth reporting. There is also another thing that adds to the general comfort: you can lay your hands or forearms over the pockets while you walk. Besides greatly increasing comfort by balancing the load, the Expedition Pockets are big. I was able to store in them five liters of water, plus a stove, fuel bottle, compass, digital camera, lamp & assorted snacks. The maps were carried in the external pockets. I have always felt very stable while wearing the Bodypack fully loaded. This included very, very steep trails and where there was no trail - here the terrain was so steep and rough that I had to use my hands to keep going. Breathing and being able to see my feet on difficult tracks with two big, heavy bags in front was another big concern before getting a Bodypack. After one year, I can testify that these problems don’t exist". Marco Floretti, Rome, Italy

"On my latest effort using PA and BPC, I set a new record for a transit of the near 1000km Bibbulmun Track in WA. I started at the Northern Terminus at 5:29am Thursday 22/11/2012 and reached the Southern Terminus at 3:08pm on Sunday 9/12/2012. That makes 17 days, 9 hours and 39 minutes. I went self-supported using 7 very small food drops left out in the days prior to the trip and supplemented these with meals and food in some of the trail towns. The pack was great. It took a pounding (I was averaging 12-14 hour days) and there was lots of overgrowth and climbing through blow-downs. I had a fantastic time and thoroughly recommend the track to anyone looking for a challenge and adventure". Andy Hewat, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Pack Backlength (Capacity):

Hipbelt Size:

Front Balance Pockets (Capacity):

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The Aarn Peak Aspiration balance pack is a versatile and dynamic day/overnight pack optimized for climbing, skiing and hiking. It’s perfect for those wanting a mid-sized pack with a full Pelvic Form hipbelt able to carry heavy weights with ease, whether for a simple day hike or even to the summit of Mount Everest!

The Peak Aspiration has a great set of features, allowing you to carry a wide variety of gear for diverse conditions and activities. Add optional Balance Pockets for balance, agility and load-carrying efficiency. Add Front Balance Pockests to provide better agility, upright posture and convenient access to frequently-used items. Also add Balance Gear Racks (see More Accessories tab) to this comfortable backpack to take the weight of climbing hardware off your shoulders when climbing. The new generation 4 model has a revised frame which is lighter and stronger, with an improved Multi-Flow pivot position for an easier-to-use hipbelt.

FEATURES

· Bio-Fit Shoulder Harness, with:

Adjustable back-length with 14cm range that allows back-length shortening with the pack on, providing a precision fit to a wide range of body sizes

Breathable stretch 3D mesh that auto-moulds to the slope of your shoulders

Flow-Thru stabilisers prevent shoulder straps distortion when top stabilisers are tightened

U Flow by interlinked bottom tensioners

Single main compartment with On-adjust backlength; 10cm range
Water resistant Dri-liner
Lid is extendable & removable; can be used as a bum bag
Hydration pocket, exit & attachment loop
1 front and 2 side stretch pockets
Custom-Fit frame: perimeter wire + hollow 6001 T6 alloy stays
True-fit shoulder straps, Flow-thru Stabilizers
Pelvic-Form Hipbelt
Web-loc side compression with hyperlon reinforcing when carrying skis
Web front compression with hyperlon reinforcing, plus loop-lock holders for vertical tools
Attachments for ice axes, snowboard, snow shovel, helmet, trekking poles (front and rear), carritools/ice clippers
Twin trekking pole attachments in front and behind

2 Backlengths with On-adjust backlength, 10cm range
Water resistant Dri-liner
Single main compartment
Lid is extendable & removable; can be used as a bum bag
Hydration pocket, exit & attachment loop
1 front and 2 side stretch pockets
Custom-Fit frame: perimeter wire + hollow 6001 T6 alloy stays
True-fit shoulder straps, Flow-thru Stabilizers
Pelvic-Form Hipbelt
Web-loc side compression with hyperlon reinforcing when carrying skis
Web front compression with hyperlon reinforcing, plus loop-lock holders for vertical tools
Attachments for ice axes, snowboard, snow shovel, helmet, trekking poles (front and rear), carritools/ice clippers
Twin trekking pole attachments in front and behind

SPECIFICATIONS

BALANCE POCKETS

Front Balance Pockets allow for high weights without feeling intrusive. Balance Pockets attach easily to Aarn’s comfortable backpacks and convert easily into a daypack after clipping on the shoulder and sternum straps. Hiking, backpacking, and exploring the outdoors has never been easier!

Either 10 or 12 liter front Sport-Regular Balance Pockets, or 15 liter or 18 liter Expedition Balance Pockets can be used with this pack. Pockets provide greater stability and balance, and a more upright posture. This translates to much less fatigue and strain.
Shoulder and sternum straps are included for converting the pockets into a daypack, which is carried on the front of the body for maximum security and easy gear access.
Front pockets have waterproof Dri-liners, accessible zip flaps to protect items from the rain, and four mesh exterior pockets with compression cords.
The design of the Front Balance Pockets, which includes four mesh exterior pockets with compression chords, is to provide maximum comfort, organization, and accessibility. Attach to the Aarn balance pack for an unmatched outdoors experience.

(Click on Buttons to See and Evaluate)

Sport Balance Pockets - Mid-volume: balances unobtrusiveness and weight carrying ability

Expedition Balance Pockets - Large-volume: for balancing heavy loads.

MORE ACCESSORIES

(Click on Buttons to Evaluate and Purchase)

These allow you to clip climbing hardware on the larger models with Pelvic Form Hipbelts.

Alternative to sternum straps when Balance Pockets are not used.

Hold tent, poles, foam pad, etc. on pack sides.

Allow skis to be attached to the pack sides and locked to prevent movement

Allow a snowboard to be attached to the pack and locked to prevent movement

DESIGN

FITTING

WHAT MAKES AN AARN PACK DIFFERENT?

TESTIMONIALS

The Peak Aspiration Summits Everest!

"It was a real pleasure to take your Peak Aspiration to the summit of Mt Everest. The climb of Everest is a long climb involved many quite different phases. The need for a pack that is lightweight, dependable, flexible and above all, comfortable is key. At times, my pack was jammed to the rafters with things hanging off it in all directions. The Peak Aspiration handled all of this effortlessly and maintained its incredible comfort and balance. Everest can get very hot at times and the Peak Aspiration's back and strap mesh panels allowed surprisingly great ventilation when the temperature rose into the 30-40C range.

The pack had some great climbing features and despite being lightweight, there was no compromise on toughness or durability. I accidentally kicked my crampons into the pack many times and the fabric repelled them each time. The pack was dropped, lowered, bumped, sat upon and loaded countless times and survived magnificently. The use of the Balance Pockets meant that my gear needed quickly was always available without needing to take off the pack.

Thanks Aarn for designing a great mountain pack. I look forward to using it again, again and again."

John Zeckendorf

The Peak Aspiration is the most comfortable pack I have ever worn period. Not long after I left the car the first time I used the pack I was heard to say don’t even feel as if I’m wearing a pack. Later, I lent the pack to a friend for a trip his feedback to me was: you don’t carry that pack you wear it.
Mark Watson, Editor, NZ Climber magazine Test Review.

"Peak Aspiration with Sport Balance pockets has opened up a whole different world of backpacking. I can actually hike all day without upper body fatigue. Walking in a natural, balanced posture while carrying weight is absolutely amazing and light years ahead of all other packs. I don’t understand why such a basic, fundamental concept as balance hasn’t caught on. I tell anyone who is interested on the trail that once you experience a balanced load you will never go back to a traditional pack. Too many people worry about weight and not at all about balance - which is fundamentally more important.The whole system has been so well thought out and executed in terms of attention to detail and quality. Just the slight cupping of the hip belt makes a huge difference in terms of all day comfort. The idea of a Bodypack is one thing, but if the design and execution aren’t there, all else is futile. In this regard, Aarn has succeeded by far. I’ve wanted to tell you this for the past two years, but have been too busy actually enjoying hiking".Jeff Clopp, New Jersey, USA

"The Aarn Bodypack concept a great way to hike long distances with heavy (or less heavy) loads, and the Peak Aspiration with Expedition Balance Pockets is a great implementation of the idea. During the two GEA hikes I walked up to 13/14 hours a day with 20/25 Kg loads, on anything from flat, soft meadows to thick bush and very steep, narrow and rocky trails. During all those days, the weight of the pack and its impact on my back and neck has never been an issue. I have come to a point where if I stop it’s because either I am very, very, very tired in general, or I have walked so much that my feet hurt enough to not let me continue. In both cases, no back or neck pains worth reporting. There is also another thing that adds to the general comfort: you can lay your hands or forearms over the pockets while you walk. Besides greatly increasing comfort by balancing the load, the Expedition Pockets are big. I was able to store in them five liters of water, plus a stove, fuel bottle, compass, digital camera, lamp & assorted snacks. The maps were carried in the external pockets. I have always felt very stable while wearing the Bodypack fully loaded. This included very, very steep trails and where there was no trail - here the terrain was so steep and rough that I had to use my hands to keep going. Breathing and being able to see my feet on difficult tracks with two big, heavy bags in front was another big concern before getting a Bodypack. After one year, I can testify that these problems don’t exist". Marco Floretti, Rome, Italy

"On my latest effort using PA and BPC, I set a new record for a transit of the near 1000km Bibbulmun Track in WA. I started at the Northern Terminus at 5:29am Thursday 22/11/2012 and reached the Southern Terminus at 3:08pm on Sunday 9/12/2012. That makes 17 days, 9 hours and 39 minutes. I went self-supported using 7 very small food drops left out in the days prior to the trip and supplemented these with meals and food in some of the trail towns. The pack was great. It took a pounding (I was averaging 12-14 hour days) and there was lots of overgrowth and climbing through blow-downs. I had a fantastic time and thoroughly recommend the track to anyone looking for a challenge and adventure". Andy Hewat, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

PACKS - For Both Men and Women

Unisex- Regardless of gender, people come in all shapes and sizes, so we don't specify whether a pack is designed just for one gender or another; rather, we suggest choosing a pack based on your personal measurements. The sizes (i.e., capacity, length, width, depth + weight) of all our packs are listed in the Specifications section of the product pages, so take a look at this article and also use the following guidelines to help determine the right size pack for you.

WHAT IS MY BACKLENGTH, Short or Long?

The Aarn Back Favour, Hydro Lite, Little Llama, Liquid Agility and Mountain Magic packs have a standard backlength. For all other packs, you need to measure your body's back length in order to determine the appropriate size pack for you. Measure the distance from the top of your hip bones to the mid- point of your shoulder (where the shoulder strap goes over the shoulder) to determine your back length.

For accuracy, stand with your back against a wall with a hard covered book and pencil in hand. Place the book vertically against your side with the bottom edge of the book resting on top of your hipbone and the back edge against the wall. Mark the height of the lower edge of the book on the wall. This is the height of the top of your hips.

Now place the book vertically by the side of your head, with the back edge resting against the wall and the bottom edge resting on the mid-point of one shoulder (half way between your neck and the end of your shoulder - this is where the center of the shoulder straps should lie). Mark the height of the bottom edge of the book on the wall. This is the height of your shoulders.

Now measure the difference in height between the 2 marks on the wall - this is your back length.

If your back length is less than 15” (38 cm), choose a pack having a short backlength.

If your back length is 15" (38 cm) or greater, choose a long backlength pack.

WHAT IS MY HIPBELT SIZE, Small, Medium or Large?

The Aarn Back Favour, Hydro Lite, Little Llama, Liquid Agility and Mountain Magic packs have a standard size hipbelt, which can be adjusted to fit virtually any size waist.

Our larger pack models are equipped with Pelvic-Form Hipbelts, which come in 3 hipbelt sizes. The medium size is standard. To decide whether this will fit, use a tape measure to determine your waist size, as the top of the hip belt goes around your waist.

If your waist size is less than 33.5” (85cm) choose the small size, if it is greater than 37.5 ” (95 cm), choose the large size.

Choosing the Right Pack Model

Now that you have determined your measurements, visit our "Which Model" page to help you find the pack that is right for you.

FRONT BALANCE POCKETS & BAGS (for Aarn Packs)

Aarn front balance pockets come in pairs and attach to your Aarn pack before you put it on. They may be left attached or removed easily to create the best daypack for hiking or travel, depending on your needs. There are 3 categories of balance pockets and bags:

Hipster, Compact, Mountain and Marathon Balance Pockets

These ultralite Pockets are for use with small to mid-volume models that are equipped with Auto-Form hipbelts and Lite Shoulder Straps.

Sport, Expedition and Photo Balance Pockets

These pockets attach to the larger model packs equipped with Pelvic Form hipbelts and Flow-Thru Shoulder Straps.

Universal Balance Bags

Our Universal Balance Bags are a single unit that attaches to any brand of pack that comes equipped with a sternum strap and hipbelt.

WATER WIZARD PONCHO RAIN GEAR

From top of shoulder to top of hip bone:

If your back length is less than 15” (38 cm), choose the Short size

If your back length is 15” (38 cm) or greater, choose the Long size

PACK PROTECTOR

For packs up to 50 liters, choose small size; for packs up to 60 liters, choose large size.

COOLING NECKERCHIEFS

For Cool People: One size fits all

For Cool Pups:

7" - 11" neck = Small

11" - 14" neck = Medium

14" - 17" neck = Large

22" - 26" neck = X Large