Wow! This is an elaborate pack for a daypack! The product arrived with a more image-driven - as opposed to informative - hang tag. I wish manufacturers would put more information into their product literature.

The suspension system
The waist belt is stiff and sturdy, and only very lightly padded. The manufacturer says it is made of ultra-breathable foam, but it feels very stiff for a foam. At its smallest, the belt measures approximately 27 in (69 cm). Extended to its full length, it is approximately 55 in (140 cm).

The shoulder straps are lightly padded toward the top and curved. The adjustment straps are approximately 16 in (41 cm), creating plenty of room to find the best fit. There is a sternum strap that extends to approximately 13 in (33 cm). The sternum strap slides up and down vertically along an approximately 3 in (8 cm), nylon-cord track.

Inside the bag there is a horizontal zipper above the hydration bladder pocket. Unzipping it reveals a very rigid plastic framesheet and a metal stay, providing further load support.

Features, outside of the pack
I'll start with a description of the outside of the pack, as if I was walking behind someone who is wearing it.

There is a center, vertical zipper, with a cord-and-plastic pull, approximately 7 in (18 cm) long. Opening it reveals a small pocket, including a small mesh restraint. It's about the right size for some energy bars and a small pack of tissues.

On both the right and left sides of the zippered section are multiple, slotted lashing points, and a single, removable strap and plastic buckle that is threaded through one of the lashing points. The lashing points are cut into some sort of suede-looking plastic.

All of these features are on what the manufacturer calls the "shove it" flap, which is attached to the main pack at both near the bottom and at the top compression straps.

The top compression straps can be extended to a full 13 in (33 cm), creating more room behind the shove-it flap.

Above the shove-it flap and on the main pack bag is a 5-loop daisy chain. This is sewn to a piece of Kodra, which is attached to the same type of material the slotted lashing points are on.

At the bottom of this part of the pack is the ice axe loop and two small webbing loops. The manufacturer calls the axe loop retractable, but I haven't figured that part out yet and no explanation is given on the hang tag.

On each side of the pack, there is a mesh water-bottle pocket. These truly are pockets - they are backed by the same type of Kodra as the bottom is made out of, forming a complete pocket that is in turn attached to the main pack bag.

Just above the water-bottle pockets are the bottom compression straps. Each one extends to approximately 9 in (23 cm). One end of each of these compression straps is attached to the main pack bag using a triangle of the same suede-like plastic listed above. The pack was received with one of these compression straps threaded through its buckle while twisted, but it was easily corrected.

Attached to the very bottom are the vertical compression straps that buckle up with the top pocket on the flap.

On the very top of the bag, there is a zippered pocket. The zipper is covered by the double-ripstop nylon. Inside this pocket there is a plastic keyring clip. Just below this pocket is the hydration port, which appears to be made out a rubbery plastic material. The haul loop ends are sewn near each side of the hydration port.

Under the zippered pocket, the pack has a storm collar which extends approximately 6 in (15 cm) above the main body of the pack.

On the side of the pack that faces the back, there is padding at the small of the back area and two small padded areas up higher, toward the shoulder area. According to the manufacturer's information, the mesh that covers this panel is  moisture-wicking material.

Initial fit impressions
With a 17 in (43 cm) torso, I'm at the top of the scale for the manufacturer's suggested fit range. When I slid the bag on, it rode comfortably on my hips where it should be. Empty at first and then with some gear stuffed in for a fit test, it's obvious the bag fits...but I may be pushing the size range for the women's bag. The sternum straps rides up much higher than I am used to. Additionally, my upper arms are on the big side and I'm relatively broad-shouldered. I'll be interested to see if the bags rubs much in this area under full use. (I've added my bicep and shoulder measurements to my bio section, as this may be relevant to my comfort and the reader's understanding of the pack fit.)

TEST PLAN

Activities, locations and conditions
This pack will see extensive dayhiking and trail running usage - at least 200 miles over the four-month testing period. During this time period, I currently have planned a multi-night trip to central Kentucky, which will include dayhiking opportunities. I will also carry the pack during my October Grand Canyon rim-to-rim dayhike and during short visits to Zion and Bryce. Additional trips during the testing period will include weekly hikes or trail runs in Michigan's lower peninsula. In these areas, the pack may be subjected to a variety of conditions, including:

• Hot, humid conditions (high 80s F [30+ C])
• Rain, ranging from light mists to strong downpours
• Cool-to-cold, late-fall, early-winter conditions
• Loads ranging from bulky but lightweight (changes of clothing) to compact but heavy (carrying sufficient water for long, hot hikes in dry areas)
• Off-trail bushwhacking through terrain ranging from heavily wooded to thorny bushes to open meadow
• Use during trail maintenance duties

Questions to be answered
Function:

• How big a bladder can I fit in the hydration sleeve?
• Is the fit appropriate for my size and shape? Will these curved straps be an issue on my upper arms?
• What types of things can I fit under the shove-it flap? Is there really a need to allow it to expand out so far?
• Would this pack be of sufficient size for an overnight or weekend backpack?
• Is there sufficient air flow along the back panel? Does the wicking air-mesh fabric on the panel do its job or am I left sweaty and clammy?
• Is the waist belt foam really ultra-breathable?
• How well do the water-bottle pockets work? Are they too shallow to carry Nalgene bottles without them easily falling out? How about differently sized bottle?
• Is the pack stable enough to use while running?

Comfort:

• Is the hip belt foam sufficiently padded and comfortable for my needs? How about the shoulder straps?
• Is this pack comfortable under a full load?
• Do the compression straps allow the load to be compressed enough to allow a small load to be carried comfortably?

Durability:

• This pack looks as if it's bombproof. Does the durability live up to the tough-looking construction?
• Can the pack withstand bushwhacking? Does it snag or tear easily?
• How well does the stitching hold up to capacity loads?
• How well do the zippers hold up to capacity loads?

THIS IS COOL

• The overall design is very cool. I really like the idea of the shove-it flap as opposed to bungee-type cords, for instance. It looks like I'll be able to shove a 200-weight fleece jacket under it, draw it in tightly and not have to worry about losing it
• This looks like a totally bombproof bag, sturdy and well made
  
• LOTS of lashing points -- great for hanging stuff outside of the pack
  

THIS COULD BE IMPROVED

• I wish there were elastic water-bottle straps on the shoulder straps

Backpacking and dayhiking experience
I've hiked and car camped all my life, mostly in Michigan, but also in South Dakota, New England, Kentucky, Florida, Ohio, Indiana, and more. I have been backpacking since 2002.  I put in extensive mileage dayhiking and trail running with a pack, as I train for ultramarathons and adventure racing events. I have competed in both sprint- and expedition-length adventure races and gone as far as the 50-mile distance in ultramarathoning. I have dayhiked from rim to rim in the Grand Canyon and will do so again in October.

Pack-use experience
I choose from a variety of packs depending on my mileage, weather, available support and more. The dayhiking and backpacking packs I use regularly include Camelbak Isis, Salomon Raid Race 300, Outdoor Products lumbar hydration pack, Mountainsmith Ghost, Osprey Aether 60, and a Coleman fanny pack.

Thank you to EMS and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test this pack.

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