Osprey Packs

Archeon 24L Backpack

Cool, rugged, comfortable perfect fit

Familiarity:

I returned this product before using it

Size Bought:

24L

Height:

5' 9"

Weight:

175

This bag is rad! This bag also fit snugly against my back, and more comfortably, than a handful of other similar bags that I tried. I give it 5+ stars for comfort and fit. I give it 5+ stars for cool-factor. I bought the "scenic valley"/green, and it is a super cool color, nice change up from standard black without being all bright. This reminds me of a lot of commuter-style packs, fairly rectangular in shape, plenty of options to strap their other accessories. I really love the clever side water-bottle pockets, which are a little hard to see in product photos but each side is a mesh pocket with basically 360 degree coverage, to keep your water bottle or other belongings from falling out when the pack tips over or if you're running/hiking/cycling in a bumpy environment. You have to kind of tuck the water bottle in the center of the side pockets like a pouch with the opening toward your back. The only downside of this design being it makes a quick grab of water bottle a little more fussy so may have to take pack off to grab your drink (i usually do anyway), but I think that's a worthy trade-off for having it secure your waterbottle/belongings much better than a typical top-entry pouch. The two horizontal straps across the back are removable or can be used to attach other accessory packs, maybe strong enough to hold a skateboard but probably not a snowboard(?). You can also remove the strap that goes across the waist (I rarely use a waist straps), but the way the shoulder straps connect you still have the side-panels of the waist strap in place. Still a very comfortable deluxe rugged pack. This would actually be a great bike/motorcycle pack if I didn't already have one, as it's weather resistant, stylish, rugged, and fits great tight against the back where a lot of packs kind of lean out off your back this one stays snug in place. Zippers are extremely heavy-duty, borderline a little tough-to-open but seems the focus is on being weather safe so that's also worth the trade off. I also like that on top of the shoulders there are two little straps attaching to top/back of the pack to further help pull the top of the pack back in closer to your shoulders. Has one big duffel-style open which is actually a little impractical with the two horizontal back straps in place as you have to maneuver the zipper under them, but I'd rather have that option than a lot of packs that are top-open-only. The laptop zipper on top can be used for quick-access just to the laptop, but that zipper also accesses the main compartment, the laptop zipper is just a quick way to get just the laptop out, very ideal for travel. The only thing I think the pack could use is perhaps an extra pocket on the back to quickly slide wallet/keys/belt when travelling through TSA, in addition to the one top pocket. That would easily be solved with one of the Osprey accessory packs that can attach, but seems even another slim pocket would've been useful in addition, but more pockets = more zippers = more cost and this one already a little on the pricier side. I bought the 24L in the I bought this pack to use primarily for travel as a bag that could fit a laptop, fit under airline seat, function as a second carry-on pack to combo with an airline roll-aboard/carry-on. It fits all of those criteria perfectly. I also, however also wanted a pack I could use for work-travel to carry my laptop in to customer meetings, and it just felt a little too rugged for my needs. After long-hard contemplation over a few days, I think I am returning this bag only because in my opinion it's just a little too rugged for my typical office/meeting use. I think it's much more travel/commuter pack that can get you to the office, but just a little less professional-office-guy looking for me. For an awesome airline travel pack, or moto / cyclist commuter pack, this this is phenomenal.