I really like this pack. I use it as an every day pack for the local park where my dog and I go. Enough molle loops if you need to hang something on it, without overdoing it. My dog’s ball thrower, collapsible water dish, leash, and the occasional poop bag all ride on the outside of the pack, courtesy of those molle loops and elastic loop web dominators. I bought the Foliage Green which looks to me like a faded olive drab color. The one liter Nalgene holders on the side is what sold me on the pack. Water bladders can be nice, but dogs aren’t interested in trickle down bite valves - they want their water now and bottled water can be an uncomfortable carry without side pockets. It rained pretty good today and I could see the water beading on the surface of the pack. Whatever the coating on the pack fabric it does a good job of keeping the water out, nary a drop inside. The rubberized bottom is a nice touch and I like that the exterior will take a severe beating. I won’t feel concerned tossing this pack down in the dirt and the rocks. It’s really a well built pack. How does it carry? It is okay, seems to carry fairly high and tight on the back which is good for me. I bend over to pick up sticks to throw for the dog and the pack hugs my back with no floppy movement. Yes, as others have noted, the pack is stiff and so are the straps but they are more than comfortable enough for a day carry. The straps fit me very well, do not slip off my shoulders; in fact I rarely use the sternum clip it comes with. There are certainly more comfortable packs out there. I have two Osprey’s that would outstrip this pack for comfortable back panel and carry, but then my dogs throwing stick, water bowl, and poop bags would be riding inside the pack right alongside my coats, shirt, etc. One other thing that sold me on this pack - the colors it comes in - they are all colors I know and recognize as rugged, outdoorsy colors. So many of the main pack manufacturers are catering to the younger generations with the bright fuchsias, neon yellows, lime greens, ad naseum. Nice to find pack colors that a baby boomer can recognize and relate to! I like this pack for what it is, a simple day pack. No waist belt, nor does it have any kind of weight transfer frame work, just a padded back. I like that freedom of simple on/off and carry. It will tote what you need for the days outing, lunch, coat, etc. A definite BUY in my book, am very happy with this purchase! 7/21/18 Update. After two months of daily use I can add a couple notes on this pack: The shoulder straps carry just right for my frame, no slippage at all so I ended up removing the sternum straps completely to save the ounces and flapping around. Now the bad: The back panel is the weak spot of the pack. It looks like a seven year old designed it, some kind of poly? mesh with a thin foam underlayment and no support sheet of any kind. You WILL sweat at the slightest exertion or heat with this pack. What would I change? Put a serious light frame and ridged foam/air mesh with this pack and it would be perfect! Couple that with a removable waist belt and I would pay double price for it! I still like it for what I use it for, every day hauling dog equipment on the outside and my clothing items inside, but my four star rating stands. 9/17/18 Update: It was just a matter of time and I did get tired of the sweat inducing foam pad on this pack. I picked up an Osprey Stratos which has and elevated mesh back so no more sweat, plus it has a hip belt for better load transfer so more comfortable for long distances. I miss the molles on the Maxpedition but they really need to step up their game on back panel comfort.
