This pack is solid, dependable, and an absolute dream for those who need a compact, yet strong, pack to bring inside a larger pack or bag. MHM is my favorite pack company, and they definitely do not disappoint. It is great to see a company put so much thought into a relatively niche product like a compactable approach pack.
My primary use for this is for traveling. I simply throw the Champ 24 into my Patagonia 120L Black Hole duffel with my clothes and use it as a daypack for my camera, a jacket, water bottle, and whatever other gear I need for the day.
The stitching and materials are all on par with every other MHM pack, which is to say that the Champ 24 is built like a tank. The pack is built from the same materials that make its Switch 24 (which I own, and love), and Salute 34 so excellent. Even the small amount of gear that I mentioned above caused my Eddie Bauer Packable Backpack to rip at the seams, but my Champ 24 has successfully carried upwards of 18 pounds (when my wife's Eddie Bauer ripped open and I had to carry both of our things) with absolutely no problems. I think the Champ 24 emphasizes the functional by being a tough, well-constructed pack; it carries everything with one main compartment and a small outer stuff compartment. The Champ's fabric is also water resistant in practice (though not waterproof when exposed to heavy rain or prolonged precipitation). The back panel has just enough structure to keep the pack and load formed properly against the back, and the wide shoulder straps are comfortable no matter what is being carried.
I absolutely love MHM's attention to detail in the Champ 24 and concentration on the truly important features a packable pack should include: solid construction, capacity, and comfort, all without sacrificing portability.
Minus one star for the difficulty in re-packing the bag into its stow configuration, and because I feel its a little on the heavy side (although that's probably just the price you pay for rugged construction).
I would recommend this pack to anyone in a heartbeat.
This review was written in the old system and had content requirements that are different than reviews written today.