Experience with SMD Fusion 65?

I am not sure how many they have left, but I will do my mini-review for others to read in case they might want to try to get one before they run out… I took my 1st generation Fusion 65 on its maiden voyage over the weekend to Dolly Sods. It had so much room that I actually carried our Bear Vault 450 so that the pack would be full and it wouldn't be funny looking on my back. It fit easily. I put my tent in the side pocket, and the shock cord my wife added on that side was really helpful in holding it in place. I ended up with a total pack weight of 24.7 lbs, including two 20ish ounce bottles of water, and our food in the BV450. The pack carried great, no shoulder soreness at all. The weight felt centered in the small of my back with a little weight felt on the sides of my hips, and somewhat of a tug where the sternum strap crosses my chest. I did have a little trouble keeping the hipbelt up on its original spot, which was where my Iliac crest was an inch or so below the top of the hipbelt. It slipped down some to where the iliac crest was just above the top of the hipbelt… If anyone knows, does this mean I just need to tighten the shoulder straps, or is the pack too long, and just needs to be shortened a bit? All in all, it has been the most comfortable pack I have had! I have only had 2 other packs though, an Osprey Volt, and an Osprey Talon 44, so I don't have a lot of experience with packs! My other question is, do I pull the trigger and buy the closeout 50l one as well? I think the 65 is maybe too big for most of my 3 day weekend trips.

Get the 50 if you think you'll use it. It's only $100! I love my half-price Fusion 50!

Yes it is very tempting to buy the 50 as well if any are left…the 65 is too big unless I put the BV450 in it. If I don't it isn't even full enough to fill out the shape at the top. It's probably because I put my tent on the outside. Here is the only pic of me with the pack on during our trip. It has the BV450 standing up dead center in the top. As you can see, the sternum strap is very tight on my fat ass! The problem is, it has no more slack to give, and I can't detach it and hook it back on a little higher on the shoulder straps. I guess I will have to try to lose 25 lbs so that it works better. Other than that, no complaints!!! Pay no mind to my dinner, a Sheetz sub, attached on the outside with a carabiner. lol I don't normally hike with that.