CamelBak M.U.L.E. NV

I have owned many daypacks and this is it...

I love this pack! Great creature comforts as far as straps go, buckles, compression, pockets etc. The fit is great with the swiveling straps and customizable chest/waist straps. I especially love the fact that inside the bladder pocket they added an extra strap to hold the bladder in place (major bonus).

I currently have 9 other packs (ranging from my 70 ltr multiday pack, to a small waist-pack for bouldering and school backpack of course). And this is my favorite pack of all. I have been through quite a few day packs too searching for the right one, including a few other Camelbaks and some of the Osprey series (which all of my big packs are and I love them).

This is the one though! It is intended for mountain biking and that is what makes it a great pack. They have made it well balanced, and slim, adding all the organization you need, it is magical.

My favorite part of the pack is the cinch pocket where you can throw an extra layer or whatever you need and just stuff it down. That was the major selling factor for me (since I was trying to decide between this and the H.A.W.G.). I have used it for a many a day hikes, the gym, and around town in general. Lately I have been getting around on my trusty longboard and it makes for a great around the town pack, holding my laptop and a few other in town essentials.

I did say the con was no bottle holder and I know you are thinking "why do you need one?" most of my hiking is done with my best friend at my side (a mini-australian shepard) and the guy needs a drink every once in a while, it's a little too hard for him do drink from a drip nozzle so I try to have a bottle on hand for more volume. If it had a place for my bottle other then in the cinch it would have gotten 5 stars, but alas 4 will have to do.

If Camelbak ever decides to make a cross between this and the H.A.W.G, forget about it! It would be the perfect pack period.