>>2831560I recently got one of these, after like 10 years of using Gregory packs. I've taken it on a few trips this year. I have mixed feelings.
The lack of load-lifters is noticable, but not as bad as I expected. It's more the general lack of "contouring" or other ergonomics, it kinda makes it feel cheap (ironically). It's basically what others have said: "a roll-top bag with some straps." It feels kinda MYOG, even though they're a big company now with like a hundred employees and factory in Mexico. I think the sentiment that they're the "Apple" of packs is basically accurate.
I do kinda like the simplicity. The fact that there are basically no adjustment straps has sorta changed the dynamic of taking "pack breaks" for me, where before I took them sparingly and would rather stand or sit with my pack on because I didn't want to dick with readjusting a half-dozen straps each time I took it off, now there's nothing to adjust. It's almost the same as daypack, so that's kinda nice in a way. The lack of zippers and pockets has me packing more deliberately, I guess. I always hated pack lids / "brains" anyways.
I'm not sure about some of the materials. They use cheap grosgrain for a few straps which I'm sure is only saving like, 3 grams or something, over regular webbing. There are some bizarre design tradeoffs here and there, like they're really trying to cater to neurotics who cut their toothbrushes in half to "save weight". I kinda wish they'd make a version that's more durable than even the black version, for people who've realized that "features" are just complication / adjustments / shit-to-break, and that simpler is better, but without catering so explicitly to "gram weenies"
