JanSport Solstice

I bought this daysack for a 2 day long distance cycle ride with the intention of holding all my gear. This included raingear, cooking equipment, tent, sleeping bag, mat, food, liquid and all the other bits and pieces. Yes, it was a bit of a squeeze. The complete load was around >7Kgs including the weight of the bag.

What I like about the pack is the 30 year guarantee - now theres confidence in your product! The zips are big and purposeful. Nothing worse than cheap zips that split open. The pack isn't the lightest (everything has to be ultralight these days) but it's well made with plenty of internal compartments, good access, decent sized pockets too. It is hydration compatible with hose routing through the top of the pack. The hydration sleeve has its own separate zip compartment which also houses a little separate pocket, handy for keys, valuable, small camera etc.

Other than the main compartment there is the smaller middle compartment which has a little organizer sleeve on the inside. And on the very outside is the outer compartment accessed by a frontal zip. This makes for organizing your kit so much easier.

On the outside their are two mesh bottle pockets either side of the pack and a single loop for walking pole. Two main compression straps help to compress and stabilize the pack. In use the pack has good comfortable straps. There are chest straps and waist straps. The pack sits highish so the waist strap won't be taking any of the weight.

I read a review where the reviewer complained of the load falling below the waist strap line. I did not experience this and the pack kept its shape fully loaded. As mentioned before I couldn't get the waist strap to take any load - the pack and the straps are not really long enough to do this (like most daypacks).
The back of the pack has wicking and worked very well. Comfortwise, I found the pack to be more than adequate - cycling with 7Kgs cross country over hilly terrain for 2 days with no real complaint is a testament to this.

The pack isn't waterproof so you may need a pack cover should you be planning a trip in unpredictable weather.
I really liked the strength of the pack, and the numerous compartments. Nothing broke, no zips failed, this pack is a reliable workhorse which I got at a bargain price. The pack size and shape made it ideal for mountain biking.

My wife and I where sick of packing too much when we traveled overseas. We decided that we would buy new backpacks for one of our trips, and only take them. I found this backpack in REI for a steal, and I use it for everything. This is my daypack for every hike, trek, and walk I take. One day it swallows a laptop for work, the next it takes all the water and supplies for two people to summit a "14er"... Buy yourself a hydration bladder and this pack, and you will never look back.

Comfy, light, and capable. I've bought three other Jansport bags because of this! I’ve drug it through some incredible places, and it comes out with nary a scratch, super strong, and as all Jansports, warranteed forever. Only downside is that fully loaded (and I mean loaded! 30+Lbs) you might have to add a sheet of cardboard or plastic to the inside close to your back to stop "The Bulge" from ruining your hike.

Excellent bag, very good quality. I use it for commuting and bicycle riding. Light and comfortable.