User Review: Arc'teryx Naos 70

Summary

Simply the best all round pack.

I got my Arcteryx Naos 70 pack for $195 on clearance and couldn't believe my luck. I am absolutely in love with this piece of kit.

The build quality is bombproof. Arc'teryx used glue to bond the seams. When they stress-tested it, the AC20 material tore before the seams did. The pack is almost air-proof when properly sealed (I say almost because I love my pack too much to try putting my entire weight on it).

Features I like are: 

• the waterproof fabric (essential in my part of the world),
• the two kangaroo pockets on the sides of the pack (one of which has a hole to the outside so that you can drain any wet gear separately),
• the huge detachable lid (into which I can comfortably fit trousers, soft shell fleece and jacket)
• the expandable / contractable pack size. The roll-top will shrink the pack down to about 60l, but can also expand up to 94l.
• the carry with a 15kg / 30 pound load is mega-comfortable (and that was with the pack placing all the weight on my hips before I adjusted the shoulder straps)

The downsides are obvious:

• the Naos is pricey. I would pay full price for it any day of the week. There are a lot of other 'top spec' contenders out there but this pack is the only one I'd pay the full price for.
• associated with the price point is the pack envy you will endure on the trail from disgruntled fellow-hikers.
• the top-loading design is unavoidable given what the pack is built to do, but the detachable lid and kangaroo pockets will easily allow access for any necessary gear / food / clothing while hiking on the trail

I can't say just how much I love this pack and how happy I am with it.