Like many others I love the bag. Side storage makes it so much more usable than my other simple duffel. I find that it carries well as a backpack as long as I do not overstuff the bag so that it can lie flat against my back. Well thought out and feature packed. I use it with PD packing cubes and they all fit in as advertised. It is a great travel system.
My main complaint is against the material. I live in Kenya and bought this bag to travel in the bush. I admittedly throw it in the trunk with a lot of kit and have strapped it to the roof once already. After a few trips, the material is showing a lot of wear, and not the nice wear of a well loved leather bag. It shows every bit of dirt and dust (same problem with the black camera cubes), and it does not wipe clean without water and a lot of scrubbing. The material is strong, but my beautiful, shiny bag is already looking tattered. The stylish design does not lend itself well to a worn look. If you have ever tried to keep a black car shiny, you will know what it is like to own this bag. I'm sure for normal use it would be alright, but I have friends with travel duffels from other brands that are much older but look much newer.
Shoulder strap broke on me at the airport. My medium format gear took a hard hit to the floor. First time a bag has failed on me like that. I would stay away from this bag.
I would have given this bag five stars but the backpack option wasn’t adequate. I have large shoulders and the handle straps are not sufficient to use as back pack straps. It seems that the idea of carrying the bag as a backpack was as afterthought but with no effort applied to really make that a function. Otherwise it’s a beautiful bag. I really like the way that the main compartment is accessed
This is the best duffel that I have ever owned. It's design is practical, sexy and functional. The quality of materials are top notch. I love love love this bag. Looking to add more to my luggage collection.