I needed a pack to take with me on multi-day fishing trips. I read dozens of reviews and chose the Shasta because buyers consistently raved about its durability and suspension. I wasn't disappointed. However, I'm not a seasoned hiker, I only hike to get to the fishing spots. I decided to hike from White Wolf (in Yosemite) to the Tuolomne River. The 8 mile hike wasn't bad, and even the 3700 ft elevation was endurable. I didn't weigh the pack, but I'm guessing was 20-25 lbs. The dumbest part was thinking I could make a day trip out of this! I left the river at 5:00, giving myself 4 hours to get back to the camp. 8 hours later, at 1:00 am, I arrived. My legs were rubber, but I had no blisters or burns from the pack. It's hard to imagine completing the trip with a pack that didn't fit like a glove. In the future I will be much smarter about trip planning, but at least I know I have the right pack.