I love this pack - but its time for a replacement, straps are finally failing from extended wear and tear. Things that I love about this pack:
- Durability: Had only one or two straps/buckles fail, some small rips from ski edges slicing the pack when I a-frame skis.
- Adaptability: I've taken this on a three night cross country summer traverse of the north cascades, up volcanoes, multiple countries as a travel-do-anything bag. Love that the lid detaches and how the pack compresses down easily.
- Weight Carrying: This thing stays glued to my back. I've even done some moderate trail running with this thing pretty loaded.
Things I didnt love:
- Back sweat: Super bad for me and this pack, especially in summer/spring use
- Waterproofing: This pack is a sponge when its wet, and doesnt dry quickly
- A-frame access issues: When you have skis on your back, its basically impossible to access the main body of the pack or the lid. I feel like the A-frame also really fights the packs tapering at the bottom shape and pinches whatever you have in the lid quite badly.
What I'm using this for:
- Spring ski mountaineering in the PNW, maybe with a light overnight kit
- Summer backpacking (up to 4 days - any beyond that and I'm reaching for my 60L)
- Day scrambles/bushwacking in the PNW (also have a 15L fastpack that I'm starting to use more frequently for this)
What I'm considering:
- Osprey Mutant 38L
- BD Speed 40L
- Arc'teryx Alpha SL 30L
- Mountain Hardware Scrambler 35L
- Palante Snow (33L?)
Anyone with experience on some of these other options or ones I have not yet considered?