Great pack to reduce some weight
351227
Great pack to reduce some weight. I'll eventually switch to a lighter model but this works great for now given the price. The only thing I don't like is that it's still a bit difficult to get a water bottle in and out when I'm hiking. If I use a full liter bottle (Smart water bottle) it falls out of the forward opening of the side pocket so it has to go in vertically, which isn't impossibe but is a bit of a struggle. If you are using a smaller water bottle it's super easy to get them in and out of the pockets because it will stay in the forward opening.
93291
I recently used this pack on a 20-mile backpacking trip and thoroughly enjoyed it. The pack is extremely comfortable and I love that it creates an air gap between your back and the pack. I never recall having the feeling of wanting to get the pack off my back. The pack did not create any hot spots or sore spots and I had only used it on one 6-mile hike prior to my longer trip. I love the shove pocket where I can stash items that need to be retrieved often like a water filter or light jacket.

Now for what I didn't like. The hip belt pockets are a complete joke. Do not expect to place a cellphone in there or even a topo map. I used them for a beanie in one and my headlamp in the other and even that was pushing it. Also, every strap on the pack has ample adjustment length, except for the all important top lid which has almost none, and this was frustrating at times.

The pack came in on my bathroom scale at 61 oz. (3 lbs 13 oz) and I have the medium size. North Face website claims 3 lbs 6 oz average. The pack is on the heavy side for a 50 L, but it was so comfortable that I will live with it for the foreseeable future.

For reference, I carried a max load of 33 pounds on my last trip and had a base weight of 21 pounds.
1462786
I like this pack a lot, it is very comfortable. It has a pseudo frame that contours to the back which makes it comfortable and allows it to breath well. This same support shapes the main storage compartment and limits the way you can effectively pack items into it. I can still get everything I need into it but an expansion zipper along this compartment would be really helpful. Otherwise I really like this pack, the water compartment works well and the Platypus bladder is much easier than my camelback. The helmet storage holds both a helmet and a jacket, or a hoodie and a rain vest without the helmet.
1414985
hard to get much smaller or lighter than this pack.  Yet it also carries enough for day hikes with plenty of room inside.  Really good.
2820434
All things considered I love this pack so far. I bought it as a lightweight day pack for around town, carry-on airplanes, and mountain biking. I have not submerged it yet but it held up fine in a rainstorm. Especially for the money ($30 on Amazon) I can't complain, however there are a couple of items to note. This pack has the same basic construction as a normal pack except for a weight bearing hip belt. The internal support seems to be a stiff piece of cardboard rather than polymer but I haven't confirmed that. Overall it's not quite as comfortable as say an Osprey, but for light loads it's fine and for my needs it's a great alternative to a traditional pack with a rain fly. If the back support was a curved piece of polymer it would be a huge upgrade but again it makes up for it's shortcomings in other areas. Plus a basic REI or Osprey pack would be $100+ vs the $30 this cost me. The water bottle holders are pretty small - they will fit most disposable water bottles but not a 32 oz Nalgene or equiv. The interior pocket is good for papers, small items, etc. but not much else. However I have several compartment packs (e.g. Eagle Creek) that I use to organize things anyway so I don't find the lack of interior pockets a big deal, especially in exchange for a big compartment. I'll take my DSLR camara bag and put it inside this along with a laptop, jacket, & snack no problem. Overall it's awesome so far, even with the few design issues I mentioned. I recommend it.
3200260
I love this pack. It takes the weight off my back when hiking, instead of using my backpack. I carry everything I need for my dogs and me for my usual hour/ two hour hikes. Has lasted and performed well for almost a year. I bought a second for a friend because it is so great!
4044976
Let me just start by saying I bought 4 different packs to test out and this one won. I used this on a 6 day backpacking trip through the Grand Tetons National Park. It held a bear canister and all my gear. With 3 L of water, the pack was a bit over 25 lbs - granted I pack ultralight gear and not many comforts. Great access in this pack with the front zip compartment and the top access. The side pockets are a bit tight, and a 1 L nalgene would not fit well when the pack is fully loaded. The pack kept the load off my back and the hip belt was comfortable but not over built like some of the larger Osprey packs. The top compartment was easy to get my hands in and had two separate compartments for quick access..
1653420
This back pack really does make the load feel lighter!  It is well constructed and has a good array of compartments and pockets--very well designed.  The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is that the buckles are a bit stiff and not easy to work with.  I'd recommend a redesign with an ergonomically designed buckle.

And there are *lots* of buckles.  The reason it makes the load feel lighter is a system of straps that you buckle and tighten so that the load is snug to your body and not pulling back and downward.  You don't have to lean forward to counterbalance that weight, so the weight of the load is distributed more over your natural center of gravity.  It is the most comfortable back pack I've ever owned.  But you have to be prepared to buckle and unbuckle a lot, if you're wearing it around town to walk errands.  (I live in a big city and use public transit and walk--no car.)  It would be most convenient for longer hikes, when you don't need to get in an out of it a lot.

It is sold as an "executive" back pack, which suggests part of the intended market is people who fly and take work on the plane.  It does have a built in laptop sleeve.  It is a handsome pack and, with the buckles fastened, looks less slouchy than packs usually do.  Looks-wise, another design change I'd suggest is some way to fasten the loose straps, so they don't just hang and look sloppy.  There *is* a way to make the waist strap look neat, but not the shoulder cinch straps or the chest strap.

All in all, an excellent pack, especially for those with back problems or those who want to avoid them.
2188773
Great little travel pack. Just finished two weeks walking through Europe (Iceland, Belgium, Amsterdam, Paris and London on planes, trains, boats, and ubermobiles: 18,000 steps average) and it held way more than I thought without an issue. We had two of them and they were seriously overloaded. Just had to restring the zipper rope ties a few times, once they tightened up there was no other problems. Highly recommended day travel packs for weight conscious travelers of Wow, Norwegian and Ryan Air restrictions. Great carry bag on planes too.
3919596
This is a great pack, I used it for the first time for a Spartan Ultra Beast (26 miles).  The pack has enough space to add an extra base layer of clothes and some other smaller items.  There are two exterior pockets that are great for gels or other small food items.  This pack will hold up to some rough treatment.  I threw it in the washer after hosing it off, and it looks as good as new.
4267170
First let me say, I am a large person. Now that that's over with this is a great little pack. Granted I'm not using it for day trips hiking but as the day today carryall to work and back. I used to carry a very large messenger bag by Timbuck2 and this holds all of that and in a much more manageable way. In addition to all day to day items it will hold 2 Chef jackets, 2 aprons, a small Android tablet, as well as a larger Windows tablet. Once you put the bladder in it , it does take away from how much it will carry. But I do not use it so often that it affects me. The satchel is extremely sturdy and took about a week to break in.
4168205
Great Pack! Enough space for city scouting. Could be better on the back so sweat won't accumulate so easy on your shirt. Also having 3 litter water bladder full can be tricky due to the size and shape of the pocket. Also would be nice to have an external water bottle collapsible pouch on the side(for when you're not carrying the bladder).
2216814
I use this pack every day to lug around my various stuff. This holds quite a bit and is comfortable to wear, seems to be holding up well to daily abuse. you could use this pack for a 1/2 day hike or great for traveling and out and about shopping.
2420186
I bought this pack for the perfect (for me) harness system, and the ultralight weight for a pack with a frame structure.  This pack definitely delivers, and is very light and very comfortable.  You can wear this pack all day without hardly even knowing you have it.  I use it as my day pack, and love it.  I think it would be too small to use as a minimalist overnight pack (some may disagree), and would be hard to load some items with the frame in place.  But if you took the frame out it may work.  While I like the breathable airspace the frame provides for, I think they over did the amount of curvature.  The pack sits about 4" or more off my back, and therefore changes your center of gravity more than a day pack should.  The breathability this affords is nice, but I think 1-2" would be fine.  All in all, its built very rugged, its stylish, it's light, its perfect for me so far.  The best day pack I have tried in my 6 years of hiking.

  It does not have any fancy organization, or special pockets for a multitude of things.  It has a main compartment, and a compartment in the lid I believe (do not currently have it with me).  But it has plenty of straps for tools, a hat, sandals, water bottles, hiking poles etc.  Can't go wrong.
4523551
A little pricey, but this is the perfect pack for my needs.
3934014
This is a great pack for a day in the woods or possibly an overnighter, but it would be crammed. This pack has great features that a more expensive pack would have and it's a great price for what you get. The waist strap rides a little bit high but it is not bad. This pack is very padded and comfortable even with about 20-25 lbs of gear in it. Overall this is a great pack but this is still not that big even though it will hold more than you think.
3823216
I carry this pack on day hikes in the desert, and it does just fine.  Fit is comfortable, and very adjustable.  I've worn it over a t-shirt, and over multiple layers in the winter without any fuss.  The only issue I have is that I'm relatively short (5'3") and if I stand up straight the bottom of the pack rides on my seat because it's a little on the long side.

It's VERY roomy, with plenty of space for a few extra layers or lunch for two.  I didn't realize how big the pack would be when I bought it, but now I'm glad I chose this one.  The side straps cinch the pack down nicely when you don't need all that room.

The new bladder design is great; easy to fill, easy to place in the pack, and it dries out quickly.

Overall a well-made, versatile pack.