The North Face Dayhiker

OK -- it's taken me months to figure out how I need to properly sport this hip pack. Until this point I was of the opinion that this pack was most lame! It kept slipping down my butt and feeling all jiggly when I had it loaded with my accoutrements d'vivre...even with the suspension straps maxed!

Yeah...so anyway. This Dayhiker pack needs to be sported on my side against my hip or just aft of it. The buckle then sits just in front of my opposite hip. The shoulder strap is adjusted so's to bear only a slight amount of the pack's load-weight. This latter feature is especially e-z to adjust for comfort while on the move through difficult terrain. I use the strap to mount a small fixed blade. This way my tool is lying directly across my chest and is accessible by either hand and in a flash at that.

While sported in this manner, the North Face DayHiker comfortably holds about holds my entire load out for a PJ party in the wilderness. This consists of:
*One nalgene of H20, MIOX, Camp tramp (a hefty item), leatherman, poncho, compass, ferrocium stick, 50' of 550 cord, 7x30 steiners, couple of beeners, aid kit and mess.

I've used this pack for plinking with the AR. The Nalgene mesh pockets work well for mag dump-puches. Carried all my AR mags, handgun, 3-4 handgun mags and ammo without soreness and discomfort.

my overall opinion is: this pack took averything I dished it on my adventure outings. It's comfortable to wear when loaded and the only thing I might suggest changing on it is make the shoulder strap wider...like, twice as wide and make it of sturdier nylon so it's a little stiffer for those of us who prefer to mount gear on shoulder straps. Hi-speed, Lo-Drag. Steal yourself one.

Brilliant purchase. I use this bag daily as my briefcase at work, I take it to the beach or music festivals to lug necessities around, I use it as a carry-on when flying on planes.

Has plenty of room, pockets and stash pocks, over the shoulder carry strap (which is removable), hipbelt is easily tuckable into the mesh back padding.

Would highly recommend to the avid hiker/traveler or as I said use as a briefcase.

Update: November 17, 2009

Only thing I would add...The 2 side stretch bottle pockets. I can put a Camelbak 1.5L bottle in there and it will fall out.

Other uses...Frisbee Golf bag, laptop case, beach bag, messenger bag (has top carry handle...actually its uses are limitless. Dream it and you can use it.