By Gear Hounded
from Western Ma on 02/22/2009
Pros:
Comfortable, Lightweight
Describe Yourself:
Avid Adventurer
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
I've used this pack backcountry skiing three times now, and I'm generally pleased. As other reviewers have mentioned, the vented back panel makes it different to load than traditional packs, especially if you use a dromedary in the pack ( as opposed to in the vented area next to your back, which works fine, but limits the ventilation). I've started to think of packing the right and left sides of the main compartment as separate halves, because the dromedary/ bowed stays make a hump in the center of the pack. I pack extra layers in a stuff sack, to make sure they stay dry, and I think I'll invest in two small sacks to replace the one I pack now, to accommodate this pack. The bottom line on packing: After trying a few different ways to pack the pack, it all fit nicely, and I could have fit more gear if I needed it.
I would prefer more pockets ( I'm fussy about gear organization), but the one zipper pocket it has is fairly generous, and I do like the hip-belt pockets. The hip belt is very comfortable, as is the pack as a whole. I really seem to notice the weight on my back less with this pack than any other pack this size I've used. I didn't notice the sway that another user mentioned, and I think if it were a problem I would have noticed it immediately since I've been skiing with + - 30 lbs. I skied with wet snow/ rain coming down one day for about two hours, and noticed no moisture in the interior of the pack, a nice bonus after my last pack.
Since my trips so far have been in temperatures mostly below freezing, I haven't given the ventilation feature a fair trial yet, but it did seem that my back was less sweaty from climbing than it has been in the past. I hope this holds true this summer in Morocco.
I think this is a great pack- the best I've used in this size- but, like everything else, a few small tweaks could make it better. I will definitely look for Osprey when I'm ready to buy my next pack.