I used this pack for most of my AT thru hike and it was great. I started with the osprey ariel but decided to go lighter and got this pack. I love how basic and light this pack is but it is still very comfortable and has plenty of padding. I found that the hip belt on this chafed a lot less than the moldable hip belt on the osprey. The suspension system did a great job of distributing the weight between my hips and shoulders. It also has plenty of room for a 5-6 day trip. . The side pockets were possibly one of my favorite features. I could stuff a days worth of snacks in them and could reach them without having to take my pack off. Another great feature with this pack is that it compresses down to the size of a day pack. I use a short and am 5'5". I thought it looked really small, but it fits perfectly.

This is a fun pack to use. I used it for fieldwork- dayhikes packing in a lot of gear, hiking on trail and cross-country. The pack expands/compresses nicely so it is not flopping around when you have your gear out and still want to wear it.

For backpacking I really liked it as it is the first pack I have had that has had just the right balance between the weight resting on the hips and on the shoulders. I would slightly adjust the shoulder straps a few times a day to put the weight slightly more on the hips v. the shoulders and then back again so that my body would not get tired.

The two drawbacks are 1)that there are a lot of flappy straps that hang down- it was very windy and I got nailed in the face by a few good whips of a long strap- ouch. But I suppose you can easily remedy that by rolling them up with a hair band or something and 2) I ordered the size "short" as I fitted their sizing chart as a short (measured by inches from your neck to hips) but when I received the short it was waaaay too small and I still need to return it. The size "short" is extremely small. The back (the part that lies against the wearer's back) almost looks like the back of a small Jansport school backpack.

The single compartment might not be for everyone but I liked it. there are two side pockets and two smaller zip pockets for snacks etc that do just fine.There is just enough support in the frame in the back (part that rests against the wearer's back) that you are not poked by your gear.

An extra star for Granite Gear, as I noticed that two things that were criticized before I bought this backpack were fixed by the time I received mine: 1) the too-small hole for the hydration tube was made bigger and placed on either side of the pack and 2) the side compression straps that cinch down over the side pockets were made so that they don't go over the pockets (rendering the pockets unusable) but rather go through the pockets, still compressing the bag.

Using this pack inspired me to go light and I gave that a try and had a super fast backpacking trip- plus I think the weight in this pack is carried very nicely on the body.

The bag is light weight, plenty of space for 4-5 days in the woods with comfort items. Distributes weight onto the hips. padded nicely and does not chaff or pill your shirts.

Light, comfortable, plenty o pockets and places to add on the extras! I love it!