For the money, you cannot go wrong with this pack. Let's go over some of the finer points. First off, it is one of the few MOLLE back packs that can fit and comfortably carry a 17" laptop. It fits, with room to spare. Not the greatest padding for the laptop compartment but then again this was not exclusively advertised as a laptop bag. There is some padding that would help in case of a drop, not from the roof of a building mind you but if the pack slips off your shoulder when you stagger into work half awake and go to set it down. Yeah, I have done that and from my should to the thud on the floor, all was still well when I fired my laptop up. Would not be hard to add a padded sleeve for those time you are planning to run a marathon or are in the habit of tossing your pack off a building loaded with your laptop. The other compartments are decent and afford plenty of space to store ALL of my EDC items and pouches I use on a daily basis and a few just in case items such a mini first aid kit and a spare change of socks and underwear.
Zippers..... I have not had ANY trouble with the hardware on the pack even though I was skeptical when I first received it as the zippers felt less than robust as I am used to heavy duty YKK on more expensive packs. They have yet to let me down and I use this pack EVERY day of the week solid for the last two months since buying this pack. I am in and out of it often and have yet to have a failure, snag or issue with them.
The stitching on the pack isn't epic, it is about what a person would expect for an off brand pack. There are some hanging threads here and there but no glaring stitching issues to speak of. I simply took a little time and trimmed the threads that I was worried about, which by the way, weren't many, maybe 12 or so that needed trimming. I have had no busted seams or failures to report as of yet.
I had read another review complaining about the pack not being water proof, if you read the description, it says it is water resistant not waterproof. Most of my high end waterproof packs have a roll top with buckles as waterproof zippers are very expensive. I have been caught in the rain with this pack and can say it was NOT wet on the inside. The way the zippers are mounted helps cover the teeth so water does not pour directly into the pack if rained on. I am sure with enough time, water will seep into the pack if exposed long enough. I figure if I was going to be heading out in the rain with the pack, I would be smart enough to have a simple cover (which I do as they are only about $10 here on Amazon) or maybe have an umbrella or poncho handy to cover it since I keep expensive electronics in it.
The MOLLE is great, not awesome but great. I say that because one row of the 3 on the side of the pack are not quite the full mil-spec width so I had to use different attachment straps than I normally use. So far, it has not been an issue. I have two tool organizer pouches mounted using Vanquest pouches and two utility pouches, one that came with the pack (which is useful) and one off brand that holds the items I need just nicely.
Overall, I would recommend this pack to anyone wanting a decent, affordable MOLLE pack that gives the user options as to mounting pouches and other hardware to the exterior.
I was NOT paid or compensated for my review as I purchased and use this pack on a daily basis.
Update - 11/1/2023 - I just wanted to give a long overdue update on the pack. I am still using it daily, yes, it has some wear and tear but no threads have pulled out. I did reinforce the shoulder strap attachments with Dyneema thread I purchased off of CountyComm's but that was more for piece of mind. I still carry a 17" laptop in the bag along with a host of tools and electronics I use on a pretty much daily basis. This past spring, I sprayed the outside with some off the shelf water proofing agent and it has helped keep shred the water better on rainy days. For $35 this backpack is an ABSOLUTE steal of a deal for the capacity and molle options. Will update if anything changes.
Update 5/2/2024 - I have had this pack for roughly 3 1/2 years now. I use it EVERY DAY. When I say I use it, I mean my chubby little meat claws are rummaging around inside grabbing tools and electronics that I use for my occupation. This pack has held up WAAAAAY better than I had ever hoped or expected. It is STILL going strong albeit the straps are really starting to show their age as the padding is all but shot. BUT the rest of the pack has endured everything I have thrown at it on a daily basis and has never let me down. ALL of the zippers are working well and function just like they did when I purchased the pack so hats off to the steely eyed missile man who designed them.
I may look into either replacing the straps or retiring this guy and buying another one since they are actually a little cheaper than when I bough this one. I am SOOOOOO glad I didn't waste my money on some top of the line name bra...
