Review: Aarn Natural Exhiliration Pack
Aarn Natural Exhiliration with Sport Balance Pockets
Aarn FlowMo Bodypacks are the world’s first body centered load carrying systems.
Using the findings of sports science, Aarn Design challenges traditional thinking on pack design. No longer just backpacks, their body centered load carrying systems are better described as “FlowMo Bodypacks”. They disturb the posture, balance and movement of the body as little as possible under load (unlike backpacks), and are thereforethe most comfortable and efficient way to carry load on the human body. In comparison to other packs Aarn packs encourage minimum effort load carrying, less shoulder, neck and back pain, better balance, stability, and convenient gear access.
I had the opportunity and pleasure to punish the Aarn Natural Exhilaration Pack. It is advertised as a classic top-opening day pack that gives high
performance, agility, and comfort. It’s one of ten packs offered by Aarn, all similar in features and functionality. Fully featured, it has proven to be an ideal companion for many outdoor activities. Add Balance Pockets for two to three day trips.
The Aarn Natural Exhilaration comes in two different torso lengths, either short or long torso. The short torso pack has an approximate volume of
30 L (1830 cu in) and an approximate weight of 1.3 kg (2.86 lbs). While the long torso pack has an approximate volume of 33L (2013 cu in) and an approximate weight of 1.4 kg (3.08 lbs). The key fabric material in the pack is a 500D cordura, 210D ripstop nylon. Key features of the pack include:
- 2 back lengths with clip torso-adjust, 15 cm range
- U Flow, V Flow, and Flexi Flow
- Waterproof dri-liner
- 3 outside stretch pockets
- 1 lid pocket plus 2 liter hydration pocket
- Stretch front pockets
- Auto-mould frame
- Auto-form hipbelt
- Closed cell foam sit mat
- Web-loc compression
- Ice axe, snowboard, snow shovel and trekking pole attachments
- Bodypack convertible with any model Balance Pockets
Compatible options for the pack are all models of the balance pockets offered by Aarn, X Flow chest straps, Lasso-Loc straps, ski straps, balance gear racks, and tool quivers. All this enabling you to go anywhere and do anything.
While spending time over the holidays with family I was able to bring the Aarn Natural Exhilaration on several hiking and hunting trips. I found that for longer trips the balance pockets function as advertised. A great deal of weight being transferred to the front of the pack took additional stress of my back. Another plus with the balance pockets is that they are very accessible being in the front of the pack. On a mountain biking trip the balance pockets aren’t as necessary as they get in the way but the pack still functions tremendously and provides superb comfort.
Compact Balance Pockets
I also found that fitting the pack was actually quite simple. With the two torso lengths, each respectively includes 15cm of adjust ability, I was able to get the pack adjusted comfortably to my fit within a few minutes. The auto-mould frame and auto-form hip belt were also nice features. I prefer a snug fit and these two features allowed me to achieve that by forming the pack to my comfort and feel. The pack I tested had the free-flow setup. For hiking it was great as it helped adjust to my appropriate back length and provided maximum comfort. If I were to try and do a trail run or a multi day event that involved more need of movement I would more than likely be best suited being equipped with a smaller pack and the U-flow or Omni-flow setup.
The fabric is strong and durable. There were several times during my hunting expedition that I was on some steep and rocky grades and the bag took a pretty good beating. After returning to camp later that evening I examined the pack more thoroughly to find it still in pretty good shape. In the rain the waterproof dri-liner performed as well as I expected. The Natural Exhilaration has a great top loading feature that covers your bag after items have been placed inside. This helped greatly in keeping my extra gear dry.
For me, the pack was extremely comfortable but I would have liked a little more freedom of movement. If I were to do any back country skiing or mountain biking in this pack I might remove the balance pockets, but that’s why it is so great. You can still achieve the desired comfort for any activity you choose to put the Aarn pack through. In short, I loved it, it will be making several other trips with me in the near future!
