This is my second Arc'teryx backpack and I love it. It stores a ton of stuff, for instance This is what I fit in it last camping trip: 1 2/person tent, 1 15 degree sleeping bag, sleeping pad, long underwear, socks, fleece, micro-puff jacket, 2 Sigg bottles, jetboil stove and pot, 2 readi-meals, GPS, multitool, map, NW climbing routes book. I also plan to use it during the winter to hike the backcountry, its very comfortable to wear on a long hike and stows a ton!!!

I'm returning the backpack as the product description is inaccurate. Many thanks to Backcountry for their excellent customer service, however. This is for the 2009 model of the Khamsin 40 backpack. The product description here, on other web sites and on the Arcteryx website itself is incorrect, which after some emails was verified by an Arcteryx rep: their own incorrect product info has trickled down to all retail vendors--Arcteryx even has some photos on their website, but they don't exist in the model. The backpack does not have a full length side zipper -- there is no side access whatsoever. The backpack does not have full vertical suspension, but only two horizontal stays. In using the pack, this was very problematic as it would bow out and become extremely uncomfortable to wear without the vertical struts.

Otherwise, the pack is well made and looks nice. I found the kangaroo pocket a very nice feature as I've not had anything similar on other packs. However, lacking the support and side access (a reason for my purchase) this pack is "just another" pack without any particularly distinguishing features and, as said above, the poor suspension creates for a very uncomfortable load: as soon as you put on the hip belt, the weight of the pack bears down and bows the back panel out and away from your back putting weight squarely on the shoulders and partially on the hips and the lower back as it bows back in. (yes, the pack is correctly sized for me--the bowing is only a few inches, but very problematic).

When Salomon bought Arc'Teryx I feared that form (retail appeal) would win over function. With the new Khamsin I see I was right. They shelved the old Khamsin 38, an almost perfect pack, and brought forth the Khamsin 40. The "improvements" come at a weight penalty of almost 1 lb. For me, a deal breaker. YMMV.

Just the right amount of pockets. Too many straps/clips. Great exterior crampon pocket. Fits nicely. Lots of ways to stabilize it and make it comfortable.Nice ice axe strapping system. It accomodates the newer curved technical tools very well. All in all a solid performer.

I purchased this pack looking for a pack to carry all necessary gear for 1-2 night solo winter trips. 40L wasn't quite enough for me. I have a 21" torso and 38" waist and a tall pack fit very comfortably. The laminated shoulder straps are wide and spread out the load nicely. Pack is a fairly narrow cut so stuffing larger items (sleeping bag) down to the bottom is a little tough. In the end I returned it for a 55L pack.