I'm not a photographer and I don't need many of it's photog-centric (optional) customizations or enhancements.
I do however carry a lot of stuff around with me for weekends away (both short and long range trips from home). This is definitely my favourite backpack in its size and volume class.
The material is durable, the straps are ace, the design of each small component makes sense and instils confidence when I use it. I love the way it looks (big but unassuming). It can withstand a bit of abuse and handles really well in unexpected situations.
I have packed it in several different configurations with various loads and it hasn't disappointed me yet.
Great for travelling, great for casual strolls around the city, very handy for larger grocery shopping trips, and very helpful if your hobbies require carrying bulky or heavy stuff around.
Way to many great features to list here, the features of the bag are almost _too_ clever. Highlights are the easy stowage of the backpack straps and hipbelt. Love the handles everywhere and the main compartment opening, the theft-deterence details.
Low lights are definitely the weight and complexity. Would love a version that's a little simpler (4 ways to open it is a little excessive for non-photo uses) and weighs half as much.
This bag is brilliant. The attention to detail and brilliant features make this bag the ideal one bag solution. I've looked for ages and spent money on other alternatives including the Goruck GR2 and Aer Travel Pack (which I've now sold) but this backpack beats them all in my opinion. You get multiple ways of gaining access to your stuff, have the ability to expand should you need and you can unzip internal pockets to make a larger area inside should you require. Another bonus is the external straps which you can attach to the numerous attachment points to carry additional gear. I can definitely recommend this bag to anyone and if you're having reservations about the price I would say you get what you pay for so make the investment, you won't be disappointed.
The beauty, the build and the overall comfort that this bag has to offer really thrown me off, the improvement and versatile design that fits everyday use and even travelling is just out of this world. The organization it has to offer are just amazing and both the waist and the shoulder strap has been improved since the EDB. Usually, I had it in compressed mode but during my trip to Japan, and some part of Taiwan, I find the expansion is so useful when I stuff in souvenirs, jackets, my camera etc. What a monster bag and I barely felt fatigue after a full day carry of over 8kg item in the bag. I've been carrying my EDB for almost a year, and I was satisfied but this, I am recommending it to all who seeks the ultimate bag
First off, I'd give this bag 4.5 out of 5 stars, it's definitely a ‘A' level bag. Well thought out and does a bit of everything.
Cons: It's a bit long. I'm short, but with a relatively longer torso and the bag rests on my tailbone and butt. If it were an inch shorter there wouldn't be any issues. And because it rests there it rubs a bit. And what the heck is that little pocket on the back supposed to carry? Should have made it bigger for a wallet stash! Next, the snaps that lower the dimensions of the bag when not fully filled unsnap easily and do not snap as easily; small gripe. Last con: I wish we could have received high end YKK zippers. I'm nervous about these and don't know if they'll last high tension loads when this thing is jammed full.
Pros: great straps. Like, super great straps. I'm fairly wide and have pretty large shoulders and traps (and the alluded to large caboose) and these are very comfortable and accommodating. The materials of the bag are amazing; they shed water and dirt well. The stash pocket for the rain cover is genius and has saved me once already. (Pro tip: carry a little rain jacket in there for yourself as well!). Straps are an amazing addition and the water bottle pockets are perfect. Internal organization for stuff is pretty limited and I think assumes you're using the tech pouch.
I am a big fan of backpack and thru out these years have gotten several popular travel backpacks, as much as possible I try not to check in any luggage and use the backpack as the only storage for my travelling (mostly by air). Have not found any backpack that is perfectly suited until I received and use this backpack for my recent travelling.
Totally love the packing systems, the hidden pockets, good material quality, the sleek hidden mechanism for the backstrap. Do watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJRy3DlLbJ0 just to make sure you don't miss any feature that exist in this backpack. To me this is the most ideal backpack for my travelling.
I got this bag and have used it for so many little trips. It's been my carry on bag (packed with my camera and clothes - using the packing cubes). Also it's doubled as my daily work pack — tracking to meetings and coffee shops with my MacBook , mobile editing hard drive, & around town. It's also doubled as my set bag when I work on movie sets — bringing all my personal items with me.
Great overall bag and super well designed. So many sling options and ways to access contents/gear. Freaking well designed & also super slick!
I backed the project on Kickstarter and actually really love the bag. It's super classy and well designed for multi faceted functions.
Just two tidbits of feedback:
1.) Make all the zippers a little less stiff. They are good and solid, but the front pouch zippers and the big back zippers seem to sometimes stick (especially when packed decently). Maybe it's a weighted pack issue.
2.) Strap placement on the shoulders isn't the best. When fully loaded with clothes and a small camera cube, it digs into the shoulders deep. Basically they land too wide and are just not built like a true backpacking straps (unlike straps on Deuter, Kelty or even Shimoda Design's Packs). Those packs all sit just right. I went 20 minutes through security and my shoulders felt sore.