Bought this pack because it has heavier material than most and I get through a lot of packs. After a few weeks the zip on the outer compartment split open and I lost a climbing shoe. But I liked the pack so much I exchanged it for another. Same zip bust and will no longer close on first trip. I have the 35L and the zip on the small compartment comes apart sometimes too. REI - sort your zips out.

Walking off-trail thru Colorado scrub & forest is not this pack's stated design, but I hoped it might be versatile enough. The material is sturdy, and the pack is light overall, carrying 20+lbs comfortably on the hips.
Not-so-good for my needs:
1) Unless you fill the main compartment, the lid compartment won't stay on top of the pack, sliding down the back, even with the straps completely cinched up- this means it shifts around, and exposes the main compartment to rain & debris from above.
2)Aside from the lid compartment, I didn't find it quick & easy to get at stuff- Perhaps the zippers quicken after more use, but as resistent as they were new, I wouldn't want to deal with them in the cold, or frequently.
3) Safe storage for all my small stuff like keys, phone, batteries, lighter, headlamp, pen, compass, multi-tool, chapstick, wallet, snacks, etc.: Where do you put all this without overflowing the lid compartment, or without letting it all get lost in the main compartment? If you're using this pack for overnighters you can keep most of this in a small stuff in the main compartment- and I'll keep looking for a pack better suited to my needs- something all 'round sturdy, with 45+L capacity and several pockets.

Overall loving the bag. a few items i would like is more small compartments for small items. I ended up purchasing a Osprey addon bag.
Also it would have been nice to have a few more external straps. Its understandable why there is no compartment for a sleeping bag as its only a 50L bag but would like the straps to pack on the tent.