Columbia Mobex Pack

Played with it at the store today. It seems like it is a very good pack for everything other than backpacking. The structure of the pack is granted by some sort of vinyl tubing-like material. It will definitely lose its intended structure and take the structure of your items when it is loaded up.

I would probably look to some of the other manufacturers that don't bring their stuff from China. Like a cottage company.

Mountain Laurel Designs
Six Moon Designs
ULA

Just IMO…

Travis:

Much depends on your intended use. For example, I wouldn't buy this pack because I use water bottles instead of an internal hydration bladder — and this pack doesn't have side pockets. OTOH, that may be a non-issue for you.

If this is for day trip use and if your pack weight is relatively light — then the "beefy" hip belt might be an overkill — making for an unnecessarily bulky and heavy pack.

I like the "X" compression cords design though.