Awesome pack! Purchased to replace a Maxpedition MPB which was getting too heavy for just one shoulder.I love having lots of pockets and carry a lot of (probably unnecessary) stuff! That's what I loved about the MPB.
This pack is made from extremely high quality materials and looks awesome. Plenty of pockets to satisfy someone like me, including two hidden pockets: one zippered compartment inside the first compartment which holds a lot of stuff. It unzips like a liner sort of and is unfinished inside. This pocket will go completely unnoticed by most people. The second is at the top outside and looks like trim or a styling cue but is actually a Velcro sealed pocket. Won't hold much, maybe an iPod shuffle and some headphones. Perhaps some plant material for you who partake in such things. But no one will dream it's a pocket. I only found out about both hidden pockets following months of ownership and tons of online research.
Also cool is the security friendly way it folds apart so you don't need to take out your laptop. I have yet to test this because I haven't travelled since I got the bag, but looking forward to it. Not sure if security will buy it or not but since the laptop is in a compartment by itself, taking it out and replacing it after X-ray will be a snap even if they don't.
When loaded (and I load heavy) the bag is well balanced and an easy carry whether using two straps or slung over the shoulder. There is a handy cell phone pocket with a Velcro closure on the left strap that holds my iPhone 4 with a bulky case just fine.
Overall the styling is super sharp, the materials, which appear to be mostly high quality/ballistic nylon are superior.
My only gripes with this bag are:
1. The zippers overall seem too be of slightly lighter duty than the rest of the construction
2. The very outside two zippered pockets zip UP to close. This concerned me because they are super smooth and could work their way down as one travels with it. I think it would be better to have them zip DOWN to close, so they don't come open on their own (I haven't traveled enough to find out if they do). However my solution is to not put anything mission critical in either pocket. You could also argue that having them zip up to close means if they do start opening, they will still be fairly effective even if half open.
3. When pulled tight, the extra strap length just flaps around with no place to be tucked.
Not having travelled heavily with this bag yet I cannot say for sure how it will hold up but I am pretty confident it will last for many many years. It seems over built, which is something I look for.
As for what it holds, I carry a ton of stuff including a larger laptop (15" I think, maybe 16"), iPod, iPad (In a bulky STM case), headphone amp, two sets of headphones, apple cables, laptop charger, zip ties, knife sharpeners, three pens, mechanical pencil, cards, passport, several flashlights, para cord, hand sanitizer, screen cleaning cloths, dental floss, extra contacts, an extra set of eyeglasses, the usual paperwork, and a ton of other stuff I'm sure I forgot.
It takes it all and still has room to spare
Buy with confidence, this is an extremely high quality backpack.
So far I love it!
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