TETON 55L Scout Internal Frame Backpack for Hiking, Camping, Backpacking, Rain Cover Included

General info: I am 5'2", 115lbs, 32E bust size.I just bought this pack, and after my initial inspection, it's awesome. I bought the hunter green version, and I like it. The green doesn't seem to be as 'bright' as the picture; a nice, neutral color.Why do I like this pack so much??$$$ (!) -- I was looking at a slightly larger $200 pack from REI that got worse reviews than this pack did. Great value for the money spent. It feels really solid, and it's comfortable for me. If you are a larger, taller person, you could probably carry a bigger pack, but this size is fantastic for my needs. My dog has his own hiking pack from Ruffwear, so he can carry his own food, toys, and blanket anyway :PSuper Adjustable -- there are straps everywhere. You can adjust the shoulder straps to fit your torso length. With a little finagling, I was able to move the chest strap up so it sits comfortably above my chest, removing the issue of being squished in a most awkward fashion. I had no idea when I read the description, but you can even take out the aluminum stays (the actual frame) and *carefully* bend them to fit the contour of your back. Awesome! I wouldn't plan on attempting this alone, and I will probably only do it if I find that I might be able to make it more comfortable. seems pretty good to me so far.There are little straps and and external pockets everywhere! I have some collapsible water bottles with carabiners that go really well on it.I haven't gotten my new sleeping back yet, but I will update as to whether or not it will fit in the designated pouch. If it doesn't, I think I could squish my pillow or a jacket into that pocket and use the 2 long outer straps to attach the sleeping bag. I doubt it could fit a rectangle sleeping bag ever, or a 0F mummy bag, but it may be able to fit a 20F compressed mummy bag. Again, if not, the outer straps most certainly will.As for the bag being good for a carry on, totally! You will have to be careful with how you pack it, but you could do it. It also depends on the airline. They all are so confusing with their different rules, but my old wheeled carry on was wider than the frame on this pack.I will update my review of the pack as I get some practical use in during travelling and camping. I should be going camping a few times in the coming months. Yay (!) California weather (: At some point I'll be flying home for a holiday, so I will be another guinea pig with that.______________________________Update #1:My sleeping bag fit in the designated compartment with a little extra room to spare! I could probably shove a book and some socks in there. However, there's no way it would have fit without the compression sack it came with. For reference, my sleeping bag is the "Ledge Sports FeatherLite +20F" mummy bag. I'll be camping in Northern California (winter = 45F at night), so it works for all seasons for me. If you need to use a 0F bag, unless it's a really expensive, specially designed compression bag, it probably won't fit inside this pack's designated compartment. You could fit it in the main compartment, though, and put some other stuff in the bottom section.

I got this backpack after weeks of researching all the different kinds. I went on a three day, 28 mile hike at Myakka River State Park, in Sarasota, Florida. This was my first hike, so I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a pack. The pack has plenty of room in it. I packed way to much because of it. In one of the side pockets I put all of my smaller stuff, mp3 player, fire starter, lighter, headlamp, and digital camera. And in the other I managed to fit 1.5 lbs of trail mix and a large package of beef jerky. In the top there are two pockets one on the outside and one on the inside. On the outside pocket I put my poncho, and first aid kit, and a pack of cigs. It has two mesh pockets on the side they are plenty big I put a 1 liter water bottle in each. They held fine and didn't fall out at all. The sleeping bag compartment is small but you can fit regular sleeping bag in it. I don't know if you could fit one of the winter bags. It is a tight fit but if you push, pull and zip enough you can get it in there. The zippers appear to be of high quality. The main part is very large, I fit 5 liters of water, two large cans of beef stew, and three days worth of clothes. I attached my tent and fold up stool on the bottom loops on the outside of the sleeping bag pouch. My pack weighed about 45 lbs when it was all packed. It was my first trip and I learned a lot like, don't wear boots, and don't pack to heavy. The only thing I have to say negative about this pack is the shoulder straps don't really have the padding I would prefer. My friend had a Coleman Hiking pack, his shoulder straps had/ a lot more cushioning on it. And the things holding on the chest straps are always falling off and I had to slide the chest connector up the shoulder straps every time I took my pack off. I can think of nothing else negative to say about it. Overall excellent pack, for a steal of a price.