the cloud walker is great for day hiking. i drink a lot of water, so the bladder lasts me about 3 hours of good hiking. it is roomy yet compactible and lightweight. i dig the removable waist belt, too. my only real beef is that i instinctively reach for a non-existent side pocket to put snacks and other handy things in. also, the waist belt sits a little high. all in all, this is a great piece of gear.

This is a great pack and good storage. I have 2 kids so the storage was a necessity for me and this pack provides plenty for a day hike.

I have had this pack for about two years now and have taken it everywhere with me. I use it on day hikes and have on a few short over nights. i put a 3.L reservoir in it and it fits fine full to the brim with water. It has a lot of room for an extra layer and food, and i really like the gear loops on the outside. I hang pretty much anything from them. It really durable to i have thrown it around and it has held up great no rips or tears yet.

The cloudwalker is a great pack for day hikes, around town use, even ultralight overnighters. The quality of the materials and stitching is top notch. Just what I have come to expect from camelbak. The zippered pocket in the front has a nice little organizer and the main pocket is surprisingly roomy for such a small pack. It has a flexible back panel that offer a little support, but if you stuff it the pack will deform and will no longer sit flat on your back. The 'frame sheet' is flexible enough that you can actually fold the pack in half to pack it. It is comfortable for me at a weight of around 15 lbs total. This pack has been dropped, thrown, folded and smashed, dragged, filled to the brim with geodes, and submerged, and is still no worse for wear other than a little tear on the mesh bottle pocket.
I really only have one complaint about the cloudwalker. The new generation (pictured here in black. The blue one in the detail view is a different generation) doesn't have a waistbelt. If it had one, I would give it 5 stars for versatility and value because at $60 you are buying a $25 bladder and a nice pack for $35.

I purchased the Cloud Walker for a day hike up Mt. Whitney next month, and like it more every time I use it. For me, the capacity is more than adequate, and when I don't carry a lot of gear it's small enough to be almost unnoticeable. As I responded to a previous question, I contacted CamelBak concerning the waist-belt that mine was missing, and learned it was eliminated in 2007 when they improved this pack (the specs are wrong). I've found the sternum strap is more than adequate to secure and stabilize this well designed pack, which has lots of unadvertised features (iPod grommet, trekking pole holder, etc.). The only thing the designers could improve is to make the three very small pockets in the front compartment wider. They're only big enough to hold pencils, and it would be great if they could hold a small knife or butane lighter. If you buy this pack you won't be disappointed, and the prices and service from Backcountry are an added plus. Good luck. - Dave

No removable waist belt on my Cloud Walker. No instructions but it works!

Bought it for my college-age daughter who hikes & does photography. All her camera gear fits, plus a bit of lunch/snack, as well as rain jacket. She is very happy with it, but I can't find the "removable waist strap"! Sternum strap, yes, but nothing for the waist. . .this would really bother me, but she's fine with it.

This is a great pack for day hikes. It’s just big enough to fit an extra layer, plenty of water, lunch, and my camera. The separate zip pocket for the hydration bag is very handy. The two straps on the side of the pack are great for adjustments as loads size changes. Overall this is a very versatile pack!