Great materials and design but disappointing fit

By Matthew S. Ranked #75 - Daypacks December 4, 2008

Obsessive compulsive and in the market for a new backpack, I ordered this pack, three North Face packs, and the more technical Osprey Atmos 35 to see which one I liked best. Like all Osprey products, the Circuit pack is made incredibly well -- great stitching, zippers, compartment design (including a dedicated semi-firm compartment for a 17" laptop, etc.

But unlike the Atmos 35 (same great quality AND great fit), the Circuit's fit was quite poor. The shoulder straps did not tighten enough for me, causing the pack to sit about 1.5 inches off my back and uncomfortably shift the weight of the books I inserted into my lower back. There was no way around this problem. If you have a wide torso (wide as viewed from the profile), this shouldn't be a problem, but if you have a narrow torso like me, I'd recommend you look elsewhere. (Incidentally, I ended up choosing the North Face Box Shot -- not as well made, not made from recycled materials, but a better fit. Because I needed a more school/work-oriented backpack, I didn't choose the Osprey Atmos 35, but that would have been my first choice for a more technical pack.)

View Details: Osprey Packs Circuit Backpack - 1900 cu in

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