Great pack but after a half dozen uses (skimo training/backcountry) there are a few tweaks for v2.0 that'll make it a better pack. Pros: Materials, form, function, initial durability are good. 22l Volume is perfect for avy tool set, shell and puffy, water bladder and snacks. The separate top compartment is great for small items/snacks/glasses. Back panel is comfy and doesn't get hot - great stuff! Front of pack will hold iphone and a 500ml flask (not fill to rim but almost). Great size - large enough to bring what you need. Challenges: Crampon/sneak pocket on side (similar to race packs) is a vertical internally arranged pocket (not a horizontal one with false floor) and can barely fit a pair of race skins. Not sure how crampons would fit. There is no top to the pocket either so it's like a vertical partition. Once you take something out and have a full pack, it'll take some stuffing to get it back in. Skimo packs have figured this out, different design doesn't work in this case. Second, the hydration pocket is attached to front part of pack (as you open the main compartment), not against the rear part. So the weight is outwards, the sleeve zipper zips to the opposite side of pack than hydration port, so you have a bladder by your avy tools, with a hose right in your way and traversing from the front to the rear when you unzip pack, and there's only one exit port (left sleeve, not right side like most). It's very limiting, can get in the way when you open your pack. I assume BI did this so the bladder wouldn't interfere with the back panel zipper but it's not a good tradeoff. Back zipper is so limiting in it's opening that it's not the most useful anyway. After using many skimo speed packs, this pack is a welcome relief in terms of comfort (just enough padding), structure, size and just enough features to make it awesome. Just wish the above issues could be resolved- it'd be the best pack on the market for light and fast missions otherwise.
