Reviews
Great for ANY application where carrying large or heavy loads is called for; just needs a small manual for its many adjustments.
I bought this backpack not for field-photography, but as a replacement for my previous College backpack pack I'd used for over four years prior. Look to the bottom for a summary; here's what I was hoping for, and how the pack measured up:1: I wanted the modularity and volume of the pack to accommodate a wide array of School Supplies and an assortment of tech neatly and securely; to say I'm pleased on this front is an understatement.I removed the majority of the dividers to leave the pack divided in two, space for the satchel in the bottom to hold smaller books, notepads and my calculator, and an open cavity on top to hold binders, larger books, and some accessories like a Bluetooth Speaker and Headphones. I've even snugly lied my bike's U-lock in front of the satchel for easy access while biking! The mesh inner pocket of the top section was perfect for my Kindle Paperwhite, my pens, pencils and laptop charging cables fit excellently in the front organization pocket, the hard-shell area contains external battery chargers, cables and Business Card holders. The side mesh pockets accommodate everything from larger cell phones to tripods and umbrellas thanks to the adjustable strap, and the vertical zippered slot nearest to the back fits my Macbook Pro with ease. The Rain Cover is easy to fit over the backpack even when it's stuffed full, yet it holds securely, and fits perfectly into the smallest front pocket. The other small pockets on the hip-hugging strap are great for holding change, small cables, or minimalist wallets with a bit of effort. Zippers glide easily and are ergonomic to operate thanks to the green silicon loops which have great visibility and add to the backpack's clean, modern aesthetic.2: I was hoping for the many areas of adjustment to distribute the weight of the stuffed Backpack evenly across my body; my previous pack was well-made, but did not offer adjustment beyond the standard pull-straps you'll see on every pack. This backpack ABSOLUTELY offers adequate adjustment options, and they all make a measurable impact on how weight is distributed, but my only gripe, as someone unfamiliar with such a robust set of adjustment points, is the lack of included literature that may inform me of sensations to look out for while adjusting certain areas (ie, where would weight likely shift if one tightens or lowers the sternum strap?, How should pressure be distributed in ideal circumstances, to minimize acute strain on specific areas of the back? etc.)Now, this in no way impacts the quality of the backpack itself, and to that end, I am still more than happy to award a five-star rating to this item, but after working with the pack for around a week, I'm still making adjustments throughout the day that don't leave me confident that I'm heading towards that ideal distribution of pressure. That being said, the level of upper back strain I was experiencing with my previous pack is already substantially lower with this pack with how I've adjusted it; I'm hoping to find that Goldilocks zone in due time as I continue to enjoy this backpack's immense utility.The only other thing I'd point out in terms of adjustment is that despite being 6'2" and slim, I found myself shortening the effective "back length" of my pack to a half-rung BELOW the Small sizing, to find the area where the pack best fit along my lower back's curvature. I've got no doubt this may be due to my torso being rather short in comparison to my legs, proportion-wise, but again, due to the lack of literature, I'm not even entirely sure I've adjusted that to properly accommodate my stature.As a final side-note/PSA, if you're frequently carrying a heavy load, you should be wearing a pack with more than just shoulder straps, period. Even if this pack doesn't end up being your choice, save yourself some long-term back issues and get a pack with straps that tighten to your torso, at the very least.Summary:Build quality: Solid throughout. Materials sturdy and reliableAdjustability: Robust, although no documentation is provided to help fine-tune the adjustments.Space: There's enough; you're going to have ample space, period. Don't let this be a point of debate.Customizability: There's enough; you'll be able to protect any set of components you put in here, period. Don't let this be a point of debate.Erganomics: Adjusted properly, the pack can distribute pressure along the body to minimize acute strain.Price: Absolutely worth it. Thoroughly recommended.
18/01/2022