EMS 5500

Great bag. There is one little thing I don't like. The floating hood hangs over the bag and needs to be tied back when you are not carrying a full load. The bag is otherwise perfect. Very versatile. I recommend an expansion pocket or two to help organize your gear. Double dasiy chains on shovel flap are great for attaching whatever. Elastic cord I used to hold my gore-tex jacket for when the temp. dropped in the mountains. Four loops on sleeping bag compartment are great for therma-rest sleeping pads. This bag is what you want for big weekends to a good week of backpacking.

The EMS 5500 is confortable and good in the crappiest of weather. However the detachable lumber pack slides off the top if the pack isn't fully loaded. This problem is solved easily by folding your sleeping mat in half before you roll it up and putting it in the top of the pack. I like this pack because every thing I need for a 5-7 day trip fits inside. Creative lashing is not needed.

This pack is great for pretty much anything. The snow-shovel flap on the front is perfect for stuffing a piece of clothing you just took off (assuming you're not carrying a snow shovel), and the daisy chains work well with jansport's pockets.