I've mountain biked, backpacked through Australia/New Zealand, hiked, and done backcountry skiing with this pack. In every case it has been awesome!! The fit is perfect, and the pack sits perfectly on me, transferring the bulk of the weight to my hips. I fit in 3 weeks of clothing and gear and was able to carry-on almost every airline I used (except one with a 7kg carry-on limit!).

I ordered this pack along with 4 others to do a comparison fitting and measurement- and it was the best of the five. If you're looking for a winter skiing pack that can double as an all-around carry-on bag, this is the one. The other packs I compared this with were: Black Diamond Predator 50, Mountain Hardwear Diretissima, Mountain Hardwear Dihedral, and Arc'Teryx Silo 40.

The only gripe I might have with the pack is that I chose yellow- and it gets dirty very easily!

I've taken this pack from Mexico to Canada; hiking, flying, and floating and have yet to even frown at my purchase.
It fits comfortably, the padding is excellent even when weighted. Plenty of space, yet fits in overhead compartments and under seats. No "hot spots" develop after miles on the trail. Great material and stitching. I would recommend to anyone.

First of all, this pack has been great at everything I've used it for (mostly 30 min to 3 hour approaches to climbs, probably 35-50 pounds). I use the 42L and I am 5'9", 145 pounds, and it fits great. Surprisingly spacious given its streamlined appearance, as I have fit a rope, 16 draws, some additional gear, harness, 3 pairs of shoes, jacket, raincoat, lunch and a water bottle in it with little trouble. A notable plus is that no matter how much you fill the body, the brain remains easy to access. Some downsides are that the brain doesn't detach and that there are no outside pockets on the pack, but they are outweighed by its general functionality. The title of this review refers to the fact that a while back, a few friends and I were hiking near the Flatirons when one of them took a nasty spill, sustaining an open fracture to his shin. Turns out the spine of this pack comes out, as does the foam backing, and with some extra padding we were able to splint him up and get him out, using just a few jackets and this pack. Not a feature that will be used often, but nice to know it will work. He's fine, by the way.

I am a total "gear-head" and BD has outdone themselves again. Have used this backpack for multiple day excursions, mountaineering, climbing, backcountry skiing, SE Asian/European traveling. you name it, this bag can do it.

Big plus: the 42L can be carried on almost every airline with the exception of air korea.

Got this pack primarily for ice climbing and it has worked well. Good, sturdy construction and the pickpockets for holding ice tools work great. The strap under the top flap does a good job of securely holding a rope in place. Wish it had a shovel pocket and a gear loop to hold an ice axe. Other than that, comfortable, well-fitted pack.

It gets one star because it looks good and seems to be well sewn out of good material, but that's it.

For a 42 litre pack there's hardly any framing, just minimal foam padding and an aluminum bar that bends and retains the bend regardless of whether the bend fits your back. I removed the bar and at least I don't have a lump or two from that poking me. No matter what you do all the weight is hanging on your shoulders and back; none transferred to your hips.

I also have a BD Covert 32. Both these packs need continual adjustment to attempt the slightest amount of comfort. They're not capable of any melding with you as other packs I have are. They're just a big sack of excrement hanging there on your shoulders, similar to those frameless superlight bags with shoulder straps and no hip straps.

This pack won't last one season with me. My back is saying one of us is going to go, me or this pack.

I have not used this backpack to climb any mountains or do any day hiking. What I have used it for is to lug all my various stuff as I flew from Germany to Texas and then to Iraq. It is great. I use the top compartments for my electronic gear(plugs/cords/adaptors/etc...) and the main body serves as a nice catch all for my books, portable ipod speakers,and other gear. It really is also very easy on my back and it fits to me snugly and I barely feel the weight of the material in the backpack.