The North Face Angstrom 30

Why 4.5 stars and not 5? Because in my eyes it doesn't get a 5 unless it can save my life... so 4.5 is excellent in my ballpark!

This pack is simply amazing! I went to DSG (Dicks Sporting Goods) to pick up my new pack that I had reviewed many times on their website and via reviews here, the North Face Bigshot, when I got to the racks I ran across this pack. It was not on the website and i hadn't seen it, so didn't really consider it at the time, but I decided to compare the two at hand. This one won hands down for me!

The pack is really ruggedly designed. The laptop/hydration system pocket is essential for me, and the "Exo-Lite" back paneling is phenomenally comfortable! I still sweat, it won't stop that, but it keeps the pack from 'gluing' itself to your back.

I have taken it on one weekend trip so far and it performed great. I take it, loaded with phonebooks and water for weight, routinely on training hikes anywhere from 3 to 6 mile training hikes. The included rain fly cover is pretty handy, although I haven't needed it yet. Pack is a lil on the heavy side, but it is a 30Liter pack, so it has to be durable.

One thing I would change, and may consider my own adaptation would be a 'daisy chain' somewhere for lashing, but the bungee cord systems works for most applications.

If you want a GREAT pack, and are willing to pay the $$$ required to get it, then this is your pack.

I'm a big fan of this pack. It's attractive enough to be used in the city or to school, but with it's very useful hipbelt it is also a good trail pack. The hipbelt can be totally hidden for city use, you don't have to remove them like others packs I have owned, perhaps my favorite feature.

The webbing is useful, I use it for drying my hat or socks typically. The bottle pockets hold a Nalgene 1 liter or standard sized bottle equally well. I wish there was better organization in the exterior zippered pocket, but it is adequate enough. The bladder pouch is great, can hold two 70z Camelbaks with ease, but do that and you better pack light, because you're already at 16lbs or so.

Having said that, the shoulder straps are comfortable, and with the hipbelt it handled some overloading. On a cruise stop in Key West, I had to of loaded 30lbs into it, and for the 3-4 miles I walked it carried and breathed well. Not sure how it would feel that heavy on the trail though, I don't pack that heavy out there with this pack. It also has usable belt pocket and built in rainfly/pouch.

Lastly, I'm not quite sure if this pack is indeed a 30 liter pack. At times it seems to be true to size, other times it doesn't. I'm not sure if that makes sense!

Obviously, I would recommend this product. The .5 star deduction is due to the organization pockets in the exterior zippered pocket, which are hard to use at times.

I have been looking for a day pack that keeps most, if not all, of the weight on my hips while keeping the load close to my spine. I have shoulder problems and the Angstrom 30 is very comfortable. This pack spreads the load from the neck to the hips without bulging out as many packs do, which are nothing more than book bags.

The two water bottle pockets are nice. The included rain cover is a real nice addition, and it fits nicely over the pack. The zippered pocket for the rain cover could be used for something else. I do trail maintenance and the pack easily accommodates my 18" hand saw and short handled loppers.

This is the day pack that I have been looking for.