By Kerry from Northampton, MA on 3/6/2007

I may not be the best judge about backpacks as this was my first, but I was very pleased with the product. Traveled around Australia for 2 months and never had a problem or complaint. Good lookin' bag too!

I consider myself a mid-weight backpacker: not "traditional" heavy weight but also not super light weight. For me, the Shadow is perfect. I've never had it completely full (my longest trip has been 3 days) which means it would work for someone who carries more than my usual 25 pounds. The cut away by the neck is wonderful = my load never touches my head or interferes with my head movement. My main complaint is that the bottom is lacking necessary straps for holding where I'd normally carry my mattress. I'll need to take it to a good shoe repair shop and have some added. The only other negative is I wish they had used different attachment points on the back other than the numerous loops...difficult to secure items to the outside of pack.