Lafuma Nazca 40 Daypack

Having a sweaty back in the spring, summer and fall doesn't bother me. But what a bonus for winter hiking, skiing, snowshoeing to stop for a break and NOT freeze because for once, you have a dry back! The pack feels quite light, even loaded down. I got this pack for my husband, but lucky for me, he wants something a little bigger. If he ever uses it, I'll not get it back, it's that good!

I'm using the pack to cycle to work at the moment, but I'll also be using it when I go on climbing and hiking camp in a few weeks. I really like the opening at the bottom of the pack as well as the fact that the top of the pack has a zipper opening that is nice and wide. Great storage and fits really well. Great pack! Great value!

Great in warmer or more humid weather because the pack is held out from the back to allow ventilation. You do lose some space with this feature.

Just returned from a five day trip to Zion and Bryce Canyon with this pack. Yes, it's hot in Zion this time of year but the ventilated frame design worked very well - no sweaty back, very comfortable to wear. The downside to the frame design is it makes the main compartment sort of curved shaped, which means it's hard to fit large bulky items (i.e. laptops). I had no problems fitting flexible items (clothing and stuffed drybags) and miscellaneous items (digital camera gear, food, water bottles, etc.) in the pack. Overall it holds a lot more stuff than you think it would. The construction is excellent and has several adjustment options (straps are fixed to the pack, but there are multiple load adjuster straps). Internal water bladder pocket works well. My only real complaint is that it could use more external attachment points - strapping trekking poles to it takes some creativity. One more thing, I was very hesitant to buy this due to the (ugly) green color as pictured. I'm glad I bought it though - the pack looks much better in person than the picture would indicate, don't let the color deter you. Great pack for the price.

Essentially I use it as my 'briefcase' at work. I like using a backpack for situations where it is not just a short walk between destinations. This pack definately meets the ergonomic requirement of resting on the back nicely AND providing plenty of ventilation on the back. While it is a tad awkward to fit something like a laptop into it, I've managed to do so quite effectively using a foam laptop sleeve in the main compartment. It also has more access points/pockets than my previous pack which is very valuable to me. Plus I can't wait to use this thing for a real hike.

I was really impressed - you can't beat it for the price. The frame makes it a little narrow, so that limits the capacity a bit, but for day hikes it's perfect.

First, I would echo other comments re: space...the design of this pack keeps the bag off your back, but at the expense of reducing internal space. But, even when I travel on long trips, I like to pack relatively light and this bag is perfect. I spent a month in China living out of a pack of this size, so if you're an austere traveler like me, this pack will be more than ample for dayhikes and longer excursions. External pockets and compartments also help make up for the loss of space inside the main compartment....comfortable to wear; awesome pack!

While this may not be the easiest pack to use or fill, it does accomplish one thing extremely well -- it keeps your back ventilated and mostly dry! And -- as it turns out, I actually use the pack because it's comfortable! The curvature of the pack takes some getting used -- and you do have to make some space concessions! But the arched back allows for great back ventilation. If you don't perspire much from you back, you'll be fine with a "regular pack" that sits on your back. As for me, this is a "backpack" that I actually use because it lets my back breathe. Everyone is different and comfort is a personal decision!

The attractive feature is the sweat-free back design. The problem is that the spring steel frame element has such a high arch (3+inches)that the pack volume is severely reduced, and the volume shape is a thick curve. Worse, if you put in a single large inflexible object, such as a computer, a book or two, or maybe some chunky outdoor gear, the object effectively blocks use of a large percentage of the space, unless you can cram lots of little things between the curved inner surface of the pack and the object. Do not buy unless you only load stuff that bends, or is so small it does not matter. I thought about taking out the frame, banging away to lower the arch (still leaving an inch of clearance and ventilation room), and reinstalling. Then I thought, forget that, and sent it back. Bought a Kelty Redwing 3100 and it is exactly what I needed. Sweaty backs never killed anyone.

Good hip belt, lots of compartments, great ventilation for your back. Nice little pocket on the hip belt for an ipod.