Compression straps are a design feature that I find essential it secures the load tight to your body and takes all the stress off the zippers , if you are an active outdoors person or traveler you will learn to love compression straps
I think you might be overlooking the dual purpose of those "compression straps." Many of these Osprey day-packs have these straps in these places so that they are compatible with larger travel packs, like the Farpoint 80. The straps on the Comet and others day-packs attach through loops onto the back of bags like the Farpoint 80 and buckle, so that they piggyback, giving a person two bags, without having to carry two bags at the same time. Similarly, many of these bags can also attach from the front, so a person traveling with a large pack on their back can access a day-pack that is attached from the front (think turtle shell) without having to stop and take off a large pack to access items in the smaller bag. These are very functional for people who would use them in dual situations. For those that consider them an inconvenience, scissors are of a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things.
Thanks! Actually ordered one BEFORE I watched your review, but it hasn't arrived yet. Your review made me feel really good about deciding to make the purchase. Cheers!
Hey! Thanks for this review! I have first seen it back in December 2015 and read the article on your site and it convinced me to get one of these backpacks. Since then I have been using the backpack every day, stuffed with my notes, gym clothes, lunch and laptop, and I couldn't be happier with it. It holds up perfectly, looks almost brand new.
really enjoyed the video. Very thorough. I will say as for the bag not having a hydration bag hook that is probably due to osprey making a firm hydration bladder thats stands erect on its own. I have one and it works great.
You should show how the pc fits its own pocket and how much cm remain over it, and also if there is a suspension that avoid the pc to touch the bottom of the bag. The compression straps, in my opinion, are in the correct position and they are so useful to keep the load closed by your shoulders, mainly if the bag is low loaded and the load is small: the straps keep fixed all the stuff. You have only to open them before opening the zip. I think the bottom straps instead have to be redesigned: when you put a bottle in that mesh pocket they don't allow you to compress the bag and the load. However thank you for all these reviews: they're very helpful.
I think you lack to see how the compression straps on either side of the bag can be used to fit a large variety of objects while also aiding to compress. It's very useful if the bag is full and you want to bring a jacket, sweater, sleeping bag or even a therm-a-rest. I love when bags have this feature as it seriously increases how much you can carry. Thought I'd shared this tip.
Great review thanks. I want to buy an Osprey but can't decide on which. I want something solid, but simple. This one seems to have a bit too many compartments and your observation at minute 9 convinced me to keep looking: 30L is too much. 25 or 28 sounds more like it. The search goes on!
Great review, thanks! The only thing is you complain about the compression strap only to later put your camera bag inside the backpack and say that the backpack is slightly too big and the camera bag is loose and can shift inside--why don't you use the compression strap?
Hey there, great review! How's the laptop compartment? Is it well padded? I've encountered some bags with a "dedicated laptop compartment" which was essentially nothing more but another flimsy pocket...
Indeed. Too bad that they did not design it for multiple functions. Think how simply it would have been for them to install a clip for a water bladder!
I'm using mine with a Camelbak antidote with unbottle insulator, and it's fine. I think that the purpose is for a bladder because it has the elastic on the straps to hold your mouthpiece.
City folks. Pfft. This guy is not qualified to review packs. Compression straps can be used to carry long items like skis, trekking poles, fishing rods etc. Good packs have had them for decades.
+beahaven The sternum strap is adjustable, but, according to a female friend of mine, this pack fits men better than women. You might consider the Osprey Celeste Pack--it is specifically designed to fit women. Hope this helps.
Though a thorough review here, you focused on so many useless information but skipped the most important one. In the separate pocket for laptop, there is no padding inside?! Are you Ok with that? How it suppose to protect the computer if you have a tiny laptop, say, 13 inch macbook??
Yup. I have done that. The only thing I would say is that a well designed compression strap that does not cross over the zipper means that the manufacturer has focused on details that likely means the rest of the pack is well-designed. I think of it as a red flag when a company has compression straps over the zipper.
Crossover Day Pack Reviews, I disagree. The fact that they have included quick release buckled on the straps shows they acknowledge that they are placing a strap over an access point, but aren't willing to compromise the functionality of properly placed compression OR a large opening for access. I would think a bag that is poorly thought out would have compression straps too low to be useful or without buckled to quickly release the compression for access.
Compression straps are a design feature that I find essential it secures the load tight to your body and takes all the stress off the zippers , if you are an active outdoors person or traveler you will learn to love compression straps
I think you might be overlooking the dual purpose of those "compression straps." Many of these Osprey day-packs have these straps in these places so that they are compatible with larger travel packs, like the Farpoint 80. The straps on the Comet and others day-packs attach through loops onto the back of bags like the Farpoint 80 and buckle, so that they piggyback, giving a person two bags, without having to carry two bags at the same time. Similarly, many of these bags can also attach from the front, so a person traveling with a large pack on their back can access a day-pack that is attached from the front (think turtle shell) without having to stop and take off a large pack to access items in the smaller bag.
These are very functional for people who would use them in dual situations. For those that consider them an inconvenience, scissors are of a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things.
Thanks!
Actually ordered one BEFORE I watched your review, but it hasn't arrived yet.
Your review made me feel really good about deciding to make the purchase. Cheers!
Hey! Thanks for this review! I have first seen it back in December 2015 and read the article on your site and it convinced me to get one of these backpacks. Since then I have been using the backpack every day, stuffed with my notes, gym clothes, lunch and laptop, and I couldn't be happier with it. It holds up perfectly, looks almost brand new.
really enjoyed the video. Very thorough. I will say as for the bag not having a hydration bag hook that is probably due to osprey making a firm hydration bladder thats stands erect on its own. I have one and it works great.
Cool. Thanks for sharing this info, Jon.
You should show how the pc fits its own pocket and how much cm remain over it, and also if there is a suspension that avoid the pc to touch the bottom of the bag.
The compression straps, in my opinion, are in the correct position and they are so useful to keep the load closed by your shoulders, mainly if the bag is low loaded and the load is small: the straps keep fixed all the stuff. You have only to open them before opening the zip. I think the bottom straps instead have to be redesigned: when you put a bottle in that mesh pocket they don't allow you to compress the bag and the load.
However thank you for all these reviews: they're very helpful.
I think you lack to see how the compression straps on either side of the bag can be used to fit a large variety of objects while also aiding to compress. It's very useful if the bag is full and you want to bring a jacket, sweater, sleeping bag or even a therm-a-rest. I love when bags have this feature as it seriously increases how much you can carry. Thought I'd shared this tip.
Great review thanks. I want to buy an Osprey but can't decide on which. I want something solid, but simple. This one seems to have a bit too many compartments and your observation at minute 9 convinced me to keep looking: 30L is too much. 25 or 28 sounds more like it. The search goes on!
Not often you hear a reviewer praising waist belts, but I agree!
Great review, thanks! The only thing is you complain about the compression strap only to later put your camera bag inside the backpack and say that the backpack is slightly too big and the camera bag is loose and can shift inside--why don't you use the compression strap?
Would you recommend this or the Osprey Nebula for carry on (put under the airplane seat) and travel/commute?
I need the compression straps - I run with my backpack, and a GOOD compression system is vital to me!
Great review! I'm convinced. Thanks!!
What kind of camera pouch/bag is that? What kind of body and lenses can it hold? That's a great alternative to a separate camera bag. Thanks!
I like the camera insert you have - would you mind sharing the maker?
It is made by Timbuk2. The small size.
Awesome review, REI bound tomorrow!
Where did you buy the bag for your camera?
Hey there, great review!
How's the laptop compartment? Is it well padded? I've encountered some bags with a "dedicated laptop compartment" which was essentially nothing more but another flimsy pocket...
Would this be good for middle school?
Which camera bag do you have? What camera/lenses do you carry?
I have a feeling the port at the top of the pack is for a headphone cable which could be routed to a tablet?
Indeed. Too bad that they did not design it for multiple functions. Think how simply it would have been for them to install a clip for a water bladder!
I'm using mine with a Camelbak antidote with unbottle insulator, and it's fine. I think that the purpose is for a bladder because it has the elastic on the straps to hold your mouthpiece.
Great review, helped me to make a choice.
what kind of camera bag do you have?
You mentioned that you reviewed the flapjack - can you share the link?
goto: daypackfinder.blogspot.com
Nice review. I've decided. I'm getting one.
City folks. Pfft. This guy is not qualified to review packs. Compression straps can be used to carry long items like skis, trekking poles, fishing rods etc. Good packs have had them for decades.
Is the sternum strap adjustable? A higher position would make it more comfortable for a woman?
+beahaven The sternum strap is adjustable, but, according to a female friend of mine, this pack fits men better than women. You might consider the Osprey Celeste Pack--it is specifically designed to fit women. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the suggestion.
+beahaven The Celeste (blue color) has a price reduction on Amazon and I bought it. Thanks for the suggestion. Looking forward to trying it out.
Osprey makes their hydration bladders with a frame that keeps them stretched without a hook.
Osprey Comet or Nebula? I can't decide!
David Hernández I’m in that dilemma right now...what did you end up getting?
Manchester in the house!
Very helpful...thanks!
Are the zippers lockable??
Thanks
Could you fit 5 1 in binders in the main part?
I can't see why not. It would fill up the main compartment, though.
Thoughts on the Farpoint?
+Jacob Ziech Absolutely love mine!!!
9:15
Though a thorough review here, you focused on so many useless information but skipped the most important one. In the separate pocket for laptop, there is no padding inside?! Are you Ok with that? How it suppose to protect the computer if you have a tiny laptop, say, 13 inch macbook??
Goto: daypackfinder.blogspot.com for more reviews and details
is not for a bladder, is for a headphone
Just cut off the damn compression straps, better they have them for the people that will use them.
Yup. I have done that. The only thing I would say is that a well designed compression strap that does not cross over the zipper means that the manufacturer has focused on details that likely means the rest of the pack is well-designed. I think of it as a red flag when a company has compression straps over the zipper.
Crossover Day Pack Reviews, I disagree. The fact that they have included quick release buckled on the straps shows they acknowledge that they are placing a strap over an access point, but aren't willing to compromise the functionality of properly placed compression OR a large opening for access. I would think a bag that is poorly thought out would have compression straps too low to be useful or without buckled to quickly release the compression for access.