Vaude Brenta 42 Backpack - Internal Frame

While shopping I found it difficult to tell where the pockets were in the descriptions and photos, so here's the data: . -The top flap closes with two buckles, it has an exterior zipper to a decent-sized gear pocket built into the flap. -Inside the flap is another zipper for a smallish-sized mesh pocket in the inside of the top flap. -The main body of the pack has two drawstrings at the top for a regular-sized load or for an expanded load. The main compartment does not zip shut on top - only drawstrings. -Inside the back of the main compartment is an elasticized pocket for holding a hydration pack. -The bottom of the main compartment is zippered, so it can be opened from below, through the large-ish bottom compartment. This is the lower, somewhat oval shaped section you can see in the photo. It zips open across the top of the oval. -The bottom of the lower compartment has another decent-sized compartment, accessed from the outside, which holds the rain-fly & has room for other small items. -Both sides of the pack have vertical zippered pockets for small items. Both of these side pockets have curved zippers that open up to expand the pocket size. You can see the half-moon shape on the side of the pack in the photos, the photos show the pockets in their compact mode, they get much bigger. -Outside the front of the main compartment is a handy stretch-pocket that buckles at the top (no zipper) which can be seen in the photo, it's basically a flap of stretch fabric held up by the center buckle in the photo. -The waist belt has shorter wings than some others I tried out, so there's no extra bulk in front of your abdomen when you're walking. The belt still gives good support. It has two full-sized zippered pockets built into the belt wings, with plenty of room for a cell phone, keys, a wallet, GPS, etc. I like being able to access the main compartment of the pack from the top or the bottom. This is really handy if you've got it packet tightly and need to get something you buried in the bottom of the pack. I also really like the expandable main pocket and side pockets - this thing will hold a big load if necessary. I use the front stretch-pocket a lot. I like that the suspension system is fully adjustable, so I can loan this pack out if I need to. It would be a great entry-pack for someone trying to figure out exactly which size they are because it's fully functional for many differently sized people. You could work out your own carrying preferences with it before investing in a more expensive pack. I'm 5'11" and my spouse is 5'7" yet we can both use this pack comfortably. The only marginally negative thing I have to say is the buckle for the waist belt is on 1" webbing. It's still extremely functional, but it's less comfortable than a 2" belt-strap and a 1" buckle doesn't seem as structurally sound as a 2" buckle would seem to be. So far, everything on the entire pack has been completely robust with no tears or broken anything. I've been using it daily for about a month and a half, and it seems very well made. Did I mention it's light as air? Bottom line, I really like this pack, and I would definitely buy another one. I compared Columbia, Osprey, and store-brand packs at two different sporting goods stores, and I'm totally happy with this one, which cost a lot less than many of the others I looked at.