Big Agnes  Sweetwater UL 60 L Pack

I have taken this pack on three day hikes (20-30lbs) and one overnight (40lbs). Overall I'm very happy with the pack and plan to use it until it falls apart more than I can fix. I am not an ultralight backpacker but someone who appreciates very utilitarian and comfortable gear. For comfort: I did have collarbone discomfort after two days of 40 lbs but no discomfort at 30 lbs day hike, hips were totally fine. I would say just as comfortable as other packs but moves with the body better due to double sternum straps/ how the back straps are attached. I have the size medium pack set to 18". 5'9", 150lbs, size small/ medium womens shirts The good: Front pockets are delightfully big, they fit a full poptart and are an excellent place to keep go to items - phone and map (I love them so much I refuse to buy backpacks without them). Double adjustment strap on the hip belt was an easy place to clip things like a trash bag to for picking up trail trash, I thought the hip belt was equally as comfortable to other large packs, maybe slightly less sweaty with the cutout. Giant water bottle pockets each fit a 1L Nalgene easily when the pack was full and a 1L and 24oz when the pack was partially empty - water bottles are easy to remove and put back while wearing the pack AND they stay put because the elastic is so high. Side compression straps do an excellent job at keeping everything equally tight and are easy to adjust, the double sternum strap is the best feature to ever exist on a pack, it really helps balance weight. I was able to run the last mile of the trail with about 20 lbs in the pack. So many little gear loops all over the pack for attaching everything you could ever want, haven't tried it yet but looks like snowshoes would fit on the back very nicely. Non removable brain holds essentials and doesn't flap around when the pack is only half full but also still covers the top when the pack is full. Fits the Backpackers Cache bear can both sideways and upright without pressing into the back panel. Improvements: I added an extra clip to the top of the front pockets to make sure my phone couldn't fall out, I think the top elastic should be tighter here. Water bottle pockets have developed quite a few small holes from scraping against granite rock which may be a problem isolated to certain Adirondack trails, would appreciate a slightly more robust net fabric at least on the bottom half of the side pockets. Mesh pockets on the hip belt would be cool too - things like chapstick, headlamp, bug net that I wouldn't want to all put in the same pocket. I would appreciate two interior gear loops like the exterior ones. One on each side of the top back panel to clip a first aid kit/ headlamp bag/ just help stay organized. I like the lack of zippers and pockets but small items had a tendency to fall to the bottom when the pack was half full. Other: Only a light rain was encountered, water beaded up on the outside of the pack but did not use the rain cover. Hip belt straps are very long, I will be trimming them. I did miss the double straps, typically for tents, on the bottom of the bag but substituted with some paracord which I actually liked better as there was more adjustability

Very lightweight and seems sturdy. There are two things about it that have me rethinking using the pack on my AT I thru hike in February. First, is the extremely cumbersome strings on the outside. After packing it with gear, and trying to use the binding strings, I found that they are really annoying to keep organized without getting tangled. Second is the from gear pocket. With the sloping sides, it’s really difficult to store much of anything in it. This pocket would work tons better if the material was one rectangular shape. All in all, it seems like a good pack and it’s very comfortable……I just feel, for me, that it would become more annoying than anything on a thru hike.

Took it on a short 2 day trip. Found that by then end of the first day the hip belt was digging into my hips so aggressively that I actually started to bleed. Wearing the pack by day 2 was incredibly uncomfortable. Other than the hip belt I found the pack to very well designed with useful oversized pockets and plenty of room for goodies. The sounded pockets were super nice for my phone, snacks, and bear spray if needed. Overall though it's a total flop, I wish they allowed returns because I will not be wearing this pack again.

I used this pack for a 3 day adventure in the mountains of the Eastern Sierra, mid summer conditions and temps. This pack is incredibly comfortable and has great ventilation in the back, the straps are super comfy as well. Super spacious interior and I LOVE the gear loops/tie downs on the outside, they're burly and super durable. The exterior pockets are great, we fit a ridiculous amount of gear in those, including dog food, fly fishing gear and more. This is my perfect pack for mountain adventures!

super light durable and has great adjustability used it on a hike in hike and it fit perfectly

Out of the box, it was clear the various external strings meant to keep fear intact were too long. I daisy chained it to reduce the snag potential, but that still happens. Add to this the silly clip that runs from the base of the pack to secure the flap, which invariably comes off ALL.THE.TIME. This isn't the worst part. No, if only. That belongs to the shoulder straps. I might as well be hanging this thing by very sharp shoe string, because that's exactly what it is. My shoulders were destroyed on an 18 mile overnight trip to the Sawtooth Wilderness. It appears the lower tightening strap runs through the shoulder pad on the lateral side that takes all the weight on your collar bones. Ugh. Adjusting the hip belt…nada. The chest harness pockets…nada. The shoulder strap adjustment on the frame…you guessed it…nada. Lastly, this pack creaks like an old wooden ship during the hike. No amount of adjustment corrected this. I had maybe 25 pounds in the pack. Sad that I gave up my old reliable pack for this light weight version, even at the weight savings. Why bother trying to cut weight if you're going to literally injure yourself on the first day out with those stupid shoulder straps. Missed the mark Big Agnes.