I've used this pack for a year and a half and it's done everything I've asked of it and more. First off the tech specs are wrong: the pack does have gear loops and ice axe loops, just look at the picture! There is a "shove it" pocket that could hold a shovel. I've overloaded this pack and it always had a little room for more. One liter platy bottles fit just right in the side pockets. I've wrapped a 3/4 ridgerest around a thermarest for winter camping and the back straps were long enough. I use the sleeping bag compartment to hold my two man tent. I shove my sleeping bag deep into the main pack bag. Everything else goes around the hydration sleeve. Rain gear goes outside in the right zipper pocket. Filter and mug in the left one(with room to spare in both). The top lid always has room for that one more thing. Snacks and camera in the belt pockets. I do agree that zipper work is a two handed job. When you get to camp ditch everything and this is the best working hydration pack ever!Remember this is basiclly an ulta lite "frame" pack. If you ditch your bulky, heavy gear and pack right this pack will see you anywhere.

I've used this pack for a year and a half and it's done everything I've asked of it and more. First off the tech specs are wrong: the pack does have gear loops and ice axe loops, just look at the picture! There is a "shove it" pocket that could hold a shovel. I've overloaded this pack and it always had a little room for more. One liter platy bottles fit just right in the side pockets. I've wrapped a 3/4 ridgerest around a thermarest for winter camping and the back straps were long enough. I use the sleeping bag compartment to hold my two man tent. I shove my sleeping bag deep into the main pack bag. Everything else goes around the hydration sleeve. Rain gear goes outside in the right zipper pocket. Filter and mug in the left one(with room to spare in both). The top lid always has room for that one more thing. Snacks and camera in the belt pockets. I do agree that zipper work is a two handed job. When you get to camp ditch everything and this is the best working hydration pack ever!Remember this is basiclly an ulta lite "frame" pack. If you ditch your bulky, heavy gear and pack right this pack will see you anywhere.

Three seasons, lightweight, weather resistant and it compacts like down.