Surprisingly comfortable, great features - Exped Explore Backpack - Men's

Really well made pack - the two "frame bars" are kept off the neck area with a concave spacer - a big deal since I am on the shorter side and this keeps the pack off my head / neck - the pack has enough adjustability to fit just fine. The hip belt and lumbar pad are a little stiff at first, but quickly broke in and are extremely comfortable. The load lifters have two sets of attachment points which I imagine folks on the shorter + taller extremes can use. The front access is great and the fact that the side access zips have two zippers to access from top or bottom is a nice touch. Interior security pocket, key fob on inside of one of the floating lid compartments, give just enough pocketing and storage options. It's not a curved trampoline pack, so the suspension is more standard - meaning the bag's back is straight and easy to pack. For a bag this size that can carry this much weight that is a better, more supportive suspension type (IMHO). That being said, there is still a little airflow above the lumbar area since the pad has so much padding.

Material seems tough and the side pockets and hip belt pockets are of the same fabric as the pack body, not mesh, so I'd imagine they will hold up better than traditional mesh pockets. The bellowed water bottle pockets also help to compress the contents of the lower portion of the pack, for three compression points per side. The "rapide" hooks, as they call them, are a nice addition and easy to unhook while still feeling secure. There are a ton of lash points on the front daisy chain, bottom, top of the pack, and the way the top set of compression straps connect to the front pocket of the pack allow you to configure them in a few ways based on what you are tying down.

Now, nothing's perfect... so a few little quirks... The access zippers do have storm flaps, but the way the velcro is positioned, I'd imagine they are susceptible to some water getting in. Now, it's not advertised as a waterproof pack, so fair enough - I did pick up a raincover.. However I think if they placed the velcro over the "bottom extent" of the zip position, this could help. The back system is easily adjustable, and to do so you un-velcro the lumbar pad. While it's certainly secure enough, there are only two small velcro circles that keep the pad affixed. While wearing the pack this obviously isn't an issue since the weight keeps it in place, but occasionally while moving the pack (read: throwing around the back of the car) you can accidentally "pull" the lumbar pad's velcro apart. It's not a biggie since the adjustment stays in place, and it's an easy home fix should it actually be a bother on the trail.

Regarding weight, it's just over 4 pounds which isn't light by UL means, but for a 60L pack that is rated to carry 50+ pounds, it's really a reasonable weight.

All said... Super comfortable, tons of adjustments, and just enough pocketing and features. Good work Exped.