Trying to find a 15-20L pack with running vest style harness and a proper breathable back system is rare to find, especially with hip belts. This is the closest I found, and hopefully a sign of designs to comeI carry this pack for photography. I put a fujifilm lens in one of the front pockets, 380ml bottle (500ml bottle also fitted) in the other strap, snacks etc in the hipbelts, and i carry the camera in my hand.Anything I need to hand is up front or in the hipbelts.Anything I need to replace throughout the day like drinks stays in the side pockets.Anything I may need rarely, like a coat or first aid kit, stays in the back. The pack very rarely comes offPro’sHipbelts - score 8/10 - one zipped, one elastic mesh. The hat i left in the mesh pocket stayed there ... MoreTrying to find a 15-20L pack with running vest style harness and a proper breathable back system is rare to find, especially with hip belts. This is the closest I found, and hopefully a sign of designs to comeI carry this pack for photography. I put a fujifilm lens in one of the front pockets, 380ml bottle (500ml bottle also fitted) in the other strap, snacks etc in the hipbelts, and i carry the camera in my hand.Anything I need to hand is up front or in the hipbelts.Anything I need to replace throughout the day like drinks stays in the side pockets.Anything I may need rarely, like a coat or first aid kit, stays in the back. The pack very rarely comes offPro’sHipbelts - score 8/10 - one zipped, one elastic mesh. The hat i left in the mesh pocket stayed there all the time, and my wallet fit in the zip pocket. All good.Running style harness 8/10 - I’d like the pockets slightly larger, similar to the ultimate direction 20 pack (UDFP20), but it fitted everything I needed. Just…. The loops are annoying though. They need to be tucked away, or they make an annoying scratching sound on anything plastic in the pockets.If a bottle is in the strap with the zip pocket, be careful putting things like bank cards in the zip pocket. They tend to bend….Airscape 7/10 - not as breathable as my UDFP20 (9/10), but much better than the abysmal Black Diamond Pursuit 15.With Airscape and the hipbelts being used properly, I got sweaty, and slighty warmer than I’d like, but it was manageable. Release the hipbelt to get some more air around the lower back, and i started to slowly cool down. I’d say airscape doesn’t really promote airflow, but maybe a little bit of air movement…. And the area around the lower foam sections basically collects sweat :/Side mesh pockets 7/10 - They work. Deep and nothing will pop out. But to get anything out whilst the pack is on your back, requires more flexibility than I comfortably have. It’s quicker to slide the pack off one shoulder and access everything that way (also, see con’s - compression straps below)Front mesh pocket 8/10 - it does have one, well hidden. You have to unhook the toplid to access it best, but it’s deep, and anything in there wont get lost. Cleverly, the top section that covers the pack opening appears to be waterproof, if a little smallCon’sHook and cord top loading system 4/10 - it just seems limiting. I hate to use it with gloves, and im not sure it makes a huge difference with compression/load change etc.Also, because access is only via the top, and the bag being relatively small, if you want anything from the bottom, like my poncho, waterproof trousers, first aid kit, coat etc…. Everything at the top has to come out or be rearranged. A side access zip would have been a blessingMy UDFP20 is just much easier to open. Pop a couple of clips, tear open the velcro, and im in. It also has a side zip going right to the bottom. But maybe people who use Osprey packs a lot, will have a different opinion (this is my first Osprey pack for years)Carrying the bag 6/10 - definitely a bag you wear, rather than carry. I’ve “dialed it in” according to the Osprey Youtube video…. But on me, I always felt it pushing into my lower back, and oddly, like someone was gently pushing a bar across my lower shoulder blades. it’s not uncomfortable at all, just odd. Also, where I felt the bag, was the sweatiest of all, and that sweat remains long after the bag has been taken off.Side compression straps 3/10 - they squash the top opening of the mesh side pockets if nothing is in there. You can still use the side opening, but seems like an odd way to compress a pack. There must be a way for any compression system to put the strap between the pack and the mesh pocket?That said, they do work to compress the pack wellConclusion - It’s the best of a very select few packs. And is much closer to great than bad. But a few changes could make it better. If this had an airspeed system, it’d be close to perfect.The only alternates I found in this size were the Black Diamond Pursuit 15 (2/10) and the Omm Phantom 18, which I’ve tried in a shop, but didn’t work for my intended use. Also, the OMM back system didnt look that breathable to me.Review written after 12 mile hike in mud, frost, through fields, along back roads, over hills and in woodland, temp’ going from -2 to 8C on a March morning. Pace approx 20mins per mile (although I was taking photos at regular intervals. I have also used it doing 17 mins per mile over six miles, and there is little difference), pack weight (including pack) approx 5kg, wearing lightweight breathable hiking gear, two layers on top.

Perfect for all sorts of hiking or trail running. Fits well with a huge amount of adjustability and lots of useful pockets. It's also highly water resistant.

Tried this as a potential option for the spine - the back was a little too stiff for my liking and really heavy. More suited to hiking rather than running (it is including in the running section when filtering). It is still very functional and sturdy, but too over built for my needs.