Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have several bags, slings, shoulders, backpacks, etc. I have or have had all levels of quality and functionality covering several manufacturers, too (including companies like Osprey, Thule, Maxpedition, Vanquest, Vanguard, Mountainsmith, Deuter, Tumi, and Camelbak, off the top of my head). I guess you can call me a bag man.This new Hikelite from Osprey is a quality bag but far from perfect. I've had it over a month and here are my impressions. I'm not a retailer so you get the real thoughts here and not some salesman's push, too. First for good points, its comfortable and easy to wear with nice adjustments at the top of the shoulders for help with loads. The mesh backing is nice for handling sweat but its rigid so you cannot pack this bag well or fold it in any way. The waist strap is removable and adjustable from the back as well as front so there isn't a lot of excess webbing in front and you get a much cleaner look with a good fit. I would like, however, to see a wider waist strap on the hikelite. Its just ok with the current size (an inch?) but I'd much prefer if it was another half or even full inch wider. Its just a stabilizer strap this thin and not help with carrying a load. Its actually uncomfortable to use with 15-20 pounds now. As for storage options, its a nice size at 26L but it has very minimal organization and nothing like what I expected from Osprey with cheaper bags even. My Daylite Plus has significantly better organization options and that one is on the lower end of Osprey packs I think. The zippers and pulls here are all good and typical Osprey quality. You'd think the two zipper areas would both have double zippers at least but only one does. Really, Osprey? Why cheap out on such an obviously helpful feature? It can't be due to weight concerns because your zippers are plastic and this pack already weighs over a pound a half. I really like the newer & lighter material used in the admin area for my shades and scratch-free qualities on whatever I toss there but its only a dump pouch with no slots to keep your phone, wallet, keys, whatever separated even a little. There are also no slots for even a pen; just a key fob with a small slip to fit one or two keys max. I don't know anybody who wouldn't like to see some simple slots put in there to at least hold a wallet and phone anyway. Its not just for neatness and protection of these things. Its also for quick access issues. Its just a dump pouch now. The main pouch is simple and functional as a large dump pouch would be. It has no organization except a thin place to put a bladder if you like. Unfortunately, Osprey doesn't include one here though so you'd have to get one yourself. You really need a bladder for hydration with this pack because the water bottle side pockets are terribly short with no secure feeling for things in there at all. I've taken this bag to the market and found it excellent for carrying stuff for the day but there are many better choices if you are thinking of using this for work, walking around, or for commuting as its really just a large dump pouch with a cool mesh back. If you want to put a laptop in there, put it in its own case with soft outer protection because there is no padding or safety for any expensive electronics in the Hikelite. None! Its got stretch pockets on the sides that can hold shorter bottles well but I mean shorter! I wish there were some securing features on them though or a zippered compartment instead of just a pouch on one of the sides, too. There are compression straps in the water bottle areas but they are so low on the mesh pouches (about an inch from the bottom of the pocket, no kidding) that they don't really hold anything over 6 inches high, max. I guess you could super squeeze the bottle down there at the bottom and it would help but then it would stink trying to free it for a drink. This needs to be taken back to the drawing board, Osprey. The compression straps there must be for strapping down a trekking pole, tripod, etc. You do still have that big stretch 'dump' pouch in front for things though but you have to take off the pack to access anything you put there and it will be open at the top so its not secured that well. Having little zippered pouches in place of the low stretchy open ones would have been excellent for quick things like cash, wallet, snacks, keys, too, and you wouldn't have to take off the pack like you do now. A little zippered mesh pouch instead of one of those little water bottle pouches would have been so much better for securing stuff. Check out the Vaude Wizard 24 or the Vaude Uphill 24 to see what I'm suggesting if you like. Other little things to note are that the sternum strap is way too long so a keeper would have been nice there. Keepers everywhere there is webbing, in fact, would be nice IMHO at this price. Also, the rain fly is cool to have but its huge and my guess is that its a leftover from some other larger pack. Mine is the shiitake (very dark grey, almost black) color, by the way, and it looks nice with the yellow compression webbing. I just don't get much use out of them except for keeping the bag small looking when not filled. I wish they were a couple inches higher to at least have the dual purposes of holding water bottles in place. Actually, I use to my cheaper & older Daylite Plus pack over this Hikelite when I want to use an Osprey anyway. I'm going to probably gift it because it really isn't anywhere near what I had hoped for (and I really wanted to love this one). Finally, and saving the best for last, the system used here prevents your back from touching the pack so you don't get extra sweaty and have to deal with that nasty stuff. Its a great system for lessening sweat issues and I live in warm climates so that is very important to me. Several companies do the same mesh suspension as Osprey though and at much better deals so don't think you have to pay just for this feature here. I have a Vaude Wizard 24+4, for example, that has the same back as this Hikelite but its a much better pack in every way, has very nice organization options, expands from 24 fro 28 liters and its more comfy to wear. It also cost me $34 on a nice Amazon sale vs. the $100 price tag here. I'd take that Vaude over this Hikelite on any day of the week at the same price even. Its a no brainer if the $34 deal is still up! This pack has potential but just comes up short big time in some key ways. Lastly, I'm a bit annoyed at the super positive reviews from some big backpack name folks (like Backcountry Edge and some British sellers on Youtube, for example). I trusted in those reviews and have come to learn that they were really just trying to sell the pack and not review it honestly. Thats why I went overboard here with as much detail as I could think of so the next buyer has some legit data to look at and decide if its still what you want or not. If I had that option, I wouldn't have gone near the Hikelite. Overall this is a 'C' backpack (at best now) and could easily be an A but it needs to correct the following in my opinion: 1. Lengthen the short water bottle holder pockets (or include a bladder if you can't) and make one with a zipper closure, 2. Add a double zipper to the little front pouch, 3. Correct the height of the compression strap over the side pouches, 4. Beef up the current skinny waist strap in size and with a little hip hugging, and 5. Add some admin options to at least secure some shades, a wallet and cell phone separately.