REI Co-op  Lookout 40 Pack - Men's

Bought this bag so that I can begin to walk to work ( approx 3.5 mi x 3 days per week). I use this bag as gym bag also ( the gym is along my way to/from work). I extremely impressed with how this bag feels on back when I am walking , I do not feel any weight at all. I am carry approx 20 -30 lbs on my back . The weight is evenly distributed. I am very impressed with the storage capacity of this bag. I can bring gym clothes, equipment (perfect push up, ab wheel and EDC fanny pack along with some snacks if needed. My only complaint is that there is not enough pocket to store small items on the inside of the bag. The external pocket are more that enough for anything you may need.

I bought this pack to use day hiking. It is replacing a 10 plus year old pack by a name manufacturer that had given me many years of great service, but just wasn't up to date with respect to pockets, materials, et al. I took the Lookout for a test hike yesterday in the mountains and I couldn't be more pleased. First, between the hip belt pockets and the side pockets--see picture--I had access to everything I might want to get at on the move, without taking off the pack. The fact that I could reach back and open and close those side pockets meant I could get to everything I needed without stopping to take the pack off or asking someone for help. The side pockets are long and slender and run behind the water bottle pockets. The hip belts pockets are easy to reach and work the zipper and will hold a small camera on one side and a couple of energy bars on the other. The pocket on the front of the pack is long and deep and has several other mesh pockets, one of them zippered, for storing and organizing your stuff. The main compartment is sizeable and has a bladder sleeve and a port on each side. Second, there are also numerous lash options: the side compressions straps, the two bottom compression straps and the four lash tabs on the back of the pack, which if outfitted with shock cord or a couple of straps will carry a pair of snowshoes. Finally, and this is the most important thing when I choose a pack, the thing carried very, very comfortably. I had it loaded up with about twenty five pounds of gear and water and I had it dialed in perfectly after only a little bit of experimentation. Stability on the trail was good and it was easy to make micro adjustments to the straps for that perfect fit. The only downside I can see is that, for me, it's about 5 liters short on capacity. It's perfectly sized for me to carry my stuff for a long day in the mountains. However, sometimes when I hike I carry stuff for my trail partners and I can already tell for that use it's going to be a little bit too small. Not a big deal, but something I'll have to keep in mind when I'm deciding which pack to use. Bottom line, a great workhorse day pack that I expect will give me many years of good service.

I got it specifically to use as carryon luggage for travel to europe with versatility to double as a daypack and overnight camping. When I loaded it up for an overnight mountain hike it seemed a bit awkward compared to my sierra designs and north face packs. It seems even if getting the large, that it fundamentally is a bit of an odd fit on taller folks. Attaching my thermarest to the bottom straps just did not make a very comfy ride and there is zero back ventilation which makes for a wet hot back. It may be a bit better if I don't load it up too much for hikes.

I use this for travel, as it is too large for a day hike, and too small for backpacking (unless ultra-light style). I spent 6 weeks in Australia with this pack. the large central compartment with panel opening makes this easy to pack, especially if you put clothes in several stuff sacs first. The straps on the bottom are perfect for extra shoes, a sleeping pad, a jacket etc. Very comfortable to carry. Its much lighter than a wheeled carry-on and unlike some backpacks, it fits in airline overhead bins.

I got 2 of these in black when on sale. Price was GREAT and I though these would be roomier than 2 of my Traverse 30 packs (excellent). Somehow it wasn't as easy to fit all of my stuff from Traverse 30 into these. Configuration is different and I'm not sure why, but I decided to keep Traverse 30 as our "go bags", but kept these anyway - the price was too low and they are really well made. Maybe will give them as gift or find another purpose. Had I not already had Traverse 30, I might have even given 5 stars :) I am not a backpack snob and not a professional backpacker, but REI gear seems to have attention to detail and quality. And VALUE :)

I was concerned about this pack sagging due to the size of this pack (about as large a daypack as you can find) and the fact that it comes with only a single compression strap across the upper 1/3rd of the pack, but it holds loads small and large beautifully. For smaller loads, distribute the load across the various pockets, reserving the main compartment for lighter gear. The compression straps will actually pull the bottom of the pack slightly upwards, providing a very well balanced pack, even for small loads. My only complaint about this pack is that the load lifter straps tend to get loose very easily - as in I set it down for a few minutes and it's loose when I put it back on again. Not a major issue for me, but something to note if that is an important feature for you...

I purchased this pack a couple of months ago and absolutely love it! I've been an avid hiker for the past seven years and it's the most comfortable pack I've ever owned. I hike anywhere from 8 to 16 miles most weekends and am able to carry everything I need including a 3-liter hydration bladder, extra bottles of water, food, jacket, first aid kit, emergency locator beacon, safety rope and other essentials with room to spare. I especially like the wide padded shoulder straps, wide waist belt, waterproof pocket for keys and I.D., easy-adjustment straps and roomy interior pocket designed for a 3-liter hydration bladder (not included). The pack material is strong and easy to clean and the lack of exterior netting is a positive for desert hiking as it prevents snagging on sharp desert shrubbery. All of my hiking shirts are made of quick-drying fabrics so back perspiration is never an issue with this pack.

So I just purchased this backpack at the same price as advertised. It is a great pack for the price. I took it camping and it held up to what i needed. It could be a bit larger, but for backpacking, hiking or camping, it works really well. It has bottom loops for strapping on a tent. It has trecking pole attachment, but i ended up buying 550 para cord to tie my towel on the back of it. I had 2 canteens on the side pockets. There is also another compartment next to the water spot where i put my keys and phone. It is easy access while the pack is on. the side pockets along the waste line is a great addition. I put my keys in there and water proof matches. Plenty of space to a point where i ended up over packing for the camping/backpacking trip. I recommend this backpack to those who want a decent priced pack and something that can be used as an everyday backpack. Great buy. GREAT buy.

This was a great back pack, I used this pack on long hikes, did not treat too well. It looked like new 5 years later in 2016. I wish REI would bring this exact back again. The new one does not have any compartments.

I try not to get my hopes up when I order anything on line because one can only tell so much from an on screen photo. This pack exceeds all my expectations. I should have known. REI has never disappointed me.