awesome, the fit, comfort, handles lots of gear, very weatherproof, and big enough to hold lots of gear but compact enough so you can still move freely

Holds enough for going climbing for a day - harness, shoes, food, rope, some pro. May be a little small for a weekend backpacking trip unless I clip some things on the outside. I like the roll-top design, and the outside pocket is good for a map or guide book. The brain is a little small.

This is a great pack for hiking! The roll top makes it really easy to get in and out of the pack without messing with zippers.

Sweet pack. Very spacious. Wish it had some side pockets though.

The best feature about this pack is the HUGE fish-mouth-like opening to put your gear in! I climb a lot and I hate trying to stuff all my gear in the tiny opening that my old pack has. With the needle, all you do is grab the handle, and drop in your whole rack. The bag just swallows it all, like the whale chomping down on poor Jona. Plus, its the most comfortable pack I've ever owned. This is a great pack for climbing!!!

I usually try to find the least expensive gear that will get the job done. One of the exceptions to this frugality is the Needle 45 from Arc'teryx. This pack may be a bit more expensive than its siblings from Lowe Alpine or others, but it is worth every cent.
Its unique, roll-top main compartment is thirsty for gear and allows for a great way to shirk rain, sleet, and snow. It's super comfortable, requiring no break-in time at all, and all of the straps, pads, etc. are top quality. The water reservoir pocket on the back works great, but you'll want an insulated drinking tube for cold climbing because it is exposed, coming from the zipper to your shoulder. My only real complaint is that, aside from the reservoir pocket, there are no places to put extra water bottles. This can be cumbersome in dry places, especially if the interior of the pack has no room for extra water. But I've used my Needle 45 on numerous speed ascents of Colorado 14ers and hiked for miles and miles with it in Thailand. Overall, this is a great pack; it comfortably holds everything I've ever asked it to, and I have nothing but praise for it. I like it so much, I'm buying one for my fiancé'. If you're serious about 1-2 day Alpine Style, look no further than the Needle 45.

I haven’t yet started using the pack but just walking around campus with it on. I really like how comfortable the pack feels while wearing it. I hope to take a few day hikes and maybe even a week hike sometime later on when it gets colder. The shipping was quick and the transaction was smooth. Thank you. -Jonathan Seubold

simple headlamp, not hard to switch on, battery life seems good so far :)