I love this pack. It's a great size (think daypack/school back pack) and has all the technical features you would expect from a serious outdoor pack. Absolutely the most comfortable pack I've worn in a long time, this easily became go to for work and beyond. Be aware, if you open the zipper all the way down to the bottom on one side with a lot stuffed in the front compartment, it can spill open if not opened cautiously. However, this zipper action is necessary to access the space at the bottom of the main compartment since this is a longer pack than most. My biggest gripe is that the pack is quite narrow. You CAN fit a laptop in the reservoir sleeve, but gets very tight with protection. Even with the Matador Laptop Base Layer, it's tight and bulges on the sides ... MoreI love this pack. It's a great size (think daypack/school back pack) and has all the technical features you would expect from a serious outdoor pack. Absolutely the most comfortable pack I've worn in a long time, this easily became go to for work and beyond. Be aware, if you open the zipper all the way down to the bottom on one side with a lot stuffed in the front compartment, it can spill open if not opened cautiously. However, this zipper action is necessary to access the space at the bottom of the main compartment since this is a longer pack than most. My biggest gripe is that the pack is quite narrow. You CAN fit a laptop in the reservoir sleeve, but gets very tight with protection. Even with the Matador Laptop Base Layer, it's tight and bulges on the sides slightly with a 13" MacBook. Will it fit? Yes. Was this backpack designed for laptops? Probably not. All in all, amazing for what it is and can't wait to use this for years to come!

This pack has become my go-to for long days out on the mountains. A lot of light packs are uncomfortable because of their lack of structure. This one hits the nail on the head. Its weatherproofing holds up to volatile New England winters.After using it for backcountry skiing for a season, I did add another brand's external helmet holder. You can clip your helmet using the clips that come with this bag, but it access was significantly faster and less cumbersome with the addition. The ventilation feels good on warmer days and its quick to open/securely close to put layers on and off.In the summer its a no-brainer for throwing in the bottom of a canoe, where the waterproofing consistently holds up to the test.Even though I put my gear through the wringer, the black ... MoreThis pack has become my go-to for long days out on the mountains. A lot of light packs are uncomfortable because of their lack of structure. This one hits the nail on the head. Its weatherproofing holds up to volatile New England winters.After using it for backcountry skiing for a season, I did add another brand's external helmet holder. You can clip your helmet using the clips that come with this bag, but it access was significantly faster and less cumbersome with the addition. The ventilation feels good on warmer days and its quick to open/securely close to put layers on and off.In the summer its a no-brainer for throwing in the bottom of a canoe, where the waterproofing consistently holds up to the test.Even though I put my gear through the wringer, the black color keeps this bag looking like its in good shape, so I feel good about using it as a computer bag on work trips.Overall a big winner. Highly recommend.

I needed a better packable backpack to bring with me on my multi-day mountaineering trips and this is exactly what I was looking for. It fits great inside my main pack and it's very lightweight for a backpack that has a frame. It's very comfortable and fits everything I need (ice axe, crampons, food, water, puffy jacket, harness, small amount of climbing hardware). If you need a lot of extra climbing gear, I would maybe suggest the 28L pack. However, it will be more difficult to pack because it uses the same size stuff sack. The flexible frame and waist strap keeps the backpack tight against your back. Frameless packable backpacks tend to swing around a lot or just not fit comfortably on your back, which I find annoying when climbing.The size and the slim profile ... MoreI needed a better packable backpack to bring with me on my multi-day mountaineering trips and this is exactly what I was looking for. It fits great inside my main pack and it's very lightweight for a backpack that has a frame. It's very comfortable and fits everything I need (ice axe, crampons, food, water, puffy jacket, harness, small amount of climbing hardware). If you need a lot of extra climbing gear, I would maybe suggest the 28L pack. However, it will be more difficult to pack because it uses the same size stuff sack. The flexible frame and waist strap keeps the backpack tight against your back. Frameless packable backpacks tend to swing around a lot or just not fit comfortably on your back, which I find annoying when climbing.The size and the slim profile also makes it perfect for mountain biking and skiing. I never really liked wearing backpacks in either of those activities because they always felt too bulky, but you can hardly tell this thing is there.

Best all around pack

I was looking for a versatile do it all pack that could be used daily, while traveling and holds it weight in the back country for shorter hikes This is the pack!! I must have 20+ backpacks for all different adventures but this is consistently my go to pack. It has all the bells and whistles you need and was well thought out in the design. I feel Matador is really understated for their gear. I can complete a solid day hike with this and in a few moments convert it to my day bag for my kids gear on an adventure. Only drawback is it does not pack down as small as many ultralights do but that is because it does it all. Does come with a nice mesh stuff sack but honestly worth the extra bulk. A plus is the waist belt comes off easily if not needed or want to shave some ... MoreI was looking for a versatile do it all pack that could be used daily, while traveling and holds it weight in the back country for shorter hikes This is the pack!! I must have 20+ backpacks for all different adventures but this is consistently my go to pack. It has all the bells and whistles you need and was well thought out in the design. I feel Matador is really understated for their gear. I can complete a solid day hike with this and in a few moments convert it to my day bag for my kids gear on an adventure. Only drawback is it does not pack down as small as many ultralights do but that is because it does it all. Does come with a nice mesh stuff sack but honestly worth the extra bulk. A plus is the waist belt comes off easily if not needed or want to shave some weight. I highly recommend the Matador pack blanket to go with this. I use it ALL the time and comes with me as much as the pack.

Best packable daypack for travel

Honestly one of the best daypacks out there, period, not to mention how packable it is. After a year of hiking and traveling this bag still looks great, has held up to lots of abuse, and I find myself continuously pleasantly surprised by the features and layout even a year later. The front pocket is fantastic, love that it's separate and enclosed. Great to keeping things separate like dirty items/flip flops/etc. The little stash pocket fits a lot more than it seems like it would, and I like that they put it inside the front pocket for a little extra security. I will say it is a little pricey for what you get when compared to other daypacks of the same price range, but the trade off of being able to pack it in the water bladder sleeve/laptop compartment of a larger ... MoreHonestly one of the best daypacks out there, period, not to mention how packable it is. After a year of hiking and traveling this bag still looks great, has held up to lots of abuse, and I find myself continuously pleasantly surprised by the features and layout even a year later. The front pocket is fantastic, love that it's separate and enclosed. Great to keeping things separate like dirty items/flip flops/etc. The little stash pocket fits a lot more than it seems like it would, and I like that they put it inside the front pocket for a little extra security. I will say it is a little pricey for what you get when compared to other daypacks of the same price range, but the trade off of being able to pack it in the water bladder sleeve/laptop compartment of a larger travel bag is worth the price especially if you get it on sale like I did. Game changer for carry-on travel.

Expensive, but best ultralight BP on the market

Best ultralight backpack on the market, although one of the most expensive options. The design is ideal for technical climbs, accommodating the carriage of an ice axe and poles efficiently. Notably, it maintains an excellent shape even when only partially filled, a feature lacking in many ultralight backpacks. My only suggestion for improvement would be relocating the keychain from the main compartment to the front pocket. Personally, I use this backpack for summit pushes during larger backpacking trips, and its compact size is nearly identical to the 18L version while providing additional space.

Good travel backpack

Bought this to pack in a back for a travel backpack at the destination. Ended up using it earlier, to move some things out of a carry on and use this as a personal item to shift weight around, and have some things more convenient under the seat in front of me.I like the internal small steel loop frame. The zippers are small, but that’s expected with a very light weight pack.The straps are comfortable, and using the top carry handle is comfortable enough for a bit of weight carrying it by that handleThe asymmetry of the main zipper isn’t a problem, I thought I wouldn’t like it but it works out well enough. The secondary compartment (smaller pocket) is deep, but I use organizational pouches, and a long travel wallet to hold receipts… when I wear the heavier ... MoreBought this to pack in a back for a travel backpack at the destination. Ended up using it earlier, to move some things out of a carry on and use this as a personal item to shift weight around, and have some things more convenient under the seat in front of me.I like the internal small steel loop frame. The zippers are small, but that’s expected with a very light weight pack.The straps are comfortable, and using the top carry handle is comfortable enough for a bit of weight carrying it by that handleThe asymmetry of the main zipper isn’t a problem, I thought I wouldn’t like it but it works out well enough. The secondary compartment (smaller pocket) is deep, but I use organizational pouches, and a long travel wallet to hold receipts… when I wear the heavier carry on as a backpack, and this pack on my chest, the outside smaller pocket is easily accessible right there without removing the pack.An iPad Pro is too big to fit in the hydration pocket (too wide), and there isn’t anything that protects things like laptops, so if you carry something in this, just be careful putting it down on hard surfaces.It’s a good pack for something lightweight and not too big. Can stuff a rain jacket, camera (I use small padded case inserts in the bottom of the bag), a few other essentials in the outer pocket (in organizational pouches if you like that sort of thing), and it works well.I prefer more organization and structure to a little day pack walking around, but this is an awesome compromise.Because I wanted it to fit under an airplane seat, this one does, but the top has to be bent upwards a little bit - works fine. The larger pack would be more difficult to do this with - instead of an inch or so, you’re looking at 5 inches that would need to be bent a bit to fit - the structured steel loop wouldn’t be great in that instance, with the larger version. This one works.Overall - I like the pack - was more surprised at the quality of the material, and even the zippers, for an ultra light weight packable backpack. The steel loop to keep the back somewhat structured is one of the key features I wanted, and it works great - bag stands upright on it’s own when leaned up against something, so you can get to contents easier if they are at the bottom of the bag, and it’s not totally full of stuff - that’s the only way to keep structure on other packable bags, keep it stuffed full - this one is nice that you don’t have to do that. Also means the little compression straps on there will actually work to compress contents. The bag isn’t a shapeless blob.I had buyers remorse right when I hit the button, but after getting the pack I was less remorseful, and after actually using the pack, I started looking at other matador products. IF you think you’d use a small pack that can be packed up, but not as light as some other really packable packs, and like the idea of the steel loop to keep some bag structure, get it.I would totally buy this one again for travel, and would totally buy this size - lies flat inside a carry on bag if you just want to pack it.

Great for petite hikers and commuters

Pros:- Fantastic size for shorter people, and bag size and profile is great for everyday commuting and day hikes. i haven't tried taking it carry on yet, but plan to for next holiday.- A+ comfortable carry. The adjustable hip belt, chest strap and great padding for such a light bag is great. Never worried about getting caught in the rain with this bad boy.- Good pocket design, not overly engineered. i like that i can thread the compression straps through loops in my umbrella or drink bottle so nothing can be taken out of the external pockets. I can even fit an ipad or surface pro in the suspended water pouch.- Packs down into a suitcase for a good day pack.Cons:- it won't stand up by itself when packed out. i use a hero clip under tables or behind doors to ... MorePros:- Fantastic size for shorter people, and bag size and profile is great for everyday commuting and day hikes. i haven't tried taking it carry on yet, but plan to for next holiday.- A+ comfortable carry. The adjustable hip belt, chest strap and great padding for such a light bag is great. Never worried about getting caught in the rain with this bad boy.- Good pocket design, not overly engineered. i like that i can thread the compression straps through loops in my umbrella or drink bottle so nothing can be taken out of the external pockets. I can even fit an ipad or surface pro in the suspended water pouch.- Packs down into a suitcase for a good day pack.Cons:- it won't stand up by itself when packed out. i use a hero clip under tables or behind doors to keep it off the floor- when this thing is stuffed, it can be a pain to get things at the bottom, but you'll get that with any top loading backpack. the volume can also be a bit awkward, you'll need packing cubes and pouches to get the most out of the 18L which can get chewed up quite quickly.- the trekking pole loops can't be removed without cutting them off.- the external pull tags are short and difficult to find and can't be locked. i replaced mine with coloured paracordoverall, extremely functional and comfortable carry!

Spacious light/minimal and comfortable backpack

This is an incredibly lightweight and minimal and packable backpack that holds a lot and is really comfortable even when fully loaded. I used this as a travel backpack, and found it to fit very well under the seat of the airplane, carried a substantial amount of stuff both on the plane and on the trail, and was comfortable, even when loaded down.The only real negative for my use was the lack of a padded laptop sleeve (my 15" Macbook fits perfectly fine in the main compartment, but there's absolutely NO padding - you could easily fit a sleeve on the laptop and still put it in the bag).I added shock cord to the gear loops, and was able to stash my jacket on the outside.The side pouches hold a full 1L platypus water bag on each side. The secondary compartment is ... MoreThis is an incredibly lightweight and minimal and packable backpack that holds a lot and is really comfortable even when fully loaded. I used this as a travel backpack, and found it to fit very well under the seat of the airplane, carried a substantial amount of stuff both on the plane and on the trail, and was comfortable, even when loaded down.The only real negative for my use was the lack of a padded laptop sleeve (my 15" Macbook fits perfectly fine in the main compartment, but there's absolutely NO padding - you could easily fit a sleeve on the laptop and still put it in the bag).I added shock cord to the gear loops, and was able to stash my jacket on the outside.The side pouches hold a full 1L platypus water bag on each side. The secondary compartment is full-length and holds a massive amount as well as the main compartment. The zipper opens up fully on one side, meaning you can easily reach to the bottom of the bag, even if it's fully packed.I'm incredibly happy with this bag.

Surprisingly Comfortable

I researched this extensively before buying! I wanted a packable backpack for day walking/hiking when I'm travelling but one with a hip belt not a waist belt. I'm 179cm and this pack fits really well across my hips. I loaded it with 6kg today ( loads of space to add more!)and went for a longish walk and it wassurprisingly comfortable on my shoulders.I have lymphedema in one arm and comfort is amajor factor in any lightweight style pack. Although it is 28L, the pack looks very compacton my back unlike an ordinary pack of that sizeIt is easy to twist and compressinto its bag too. Overall, pleasantly surprised and I will use it regularly at home, not just overseas.