PARTICULARS • SIZE: I ordered the Wapta in size L, which is 32L. The hip belt size M fit my frame perfectly (32 waist). This larger capacity than my usual smaller packs gave me a lot of flexibility. The pack was not too large to use as a minimal day pack…on the Pyrenees bike trip I removed the hip belt and barely put anything in the pack body, so it cinched down nicely and did not interfere with cycling, the exception of course being the sweat factor from being on one’s back whilst tackling big climbs in the heat of July. For day hikes there was plenty of space; same for peak bagging. I tested the pack to its volume limits on Mt. Rainier’s Northern Loop Trail in October, where the temperatures (and weather) required more gear. I had one overnight so packed a NeoAir XTherm pad, an OR Helium Bivy, and a Nunatak 15 degree bag. Add in two days of food requiring an Ursack (staying in a cross country zone) and additional warm clothing, and I was just able to get 2 twists on the roll top closure when everything was in the pack. This was more than my 3 day Wonderland hikes despite carrying 6 pounds of food, as my kit then was considerably less bulky • FEATURES • This is the first pack I’ve owned where I could actually get the water bottles out of the side pockets without having to take the pack off. Nice. The top strap came in handy when I packed a bulky Blizzard Survival Tube for my CCW Wonderland trip as my shelter and sleep system; it was always secure and didn’t cant to one side or the other. I like the solid fabric front pocket, and I didn’t worry about items sliding out the top when I was bent over ‘schwacking because the elastic is tight and robust. The standard side straps were used when I had to fold and secure my poles whilst peak bagging, and I could also clip a large nalgene in when I knew my posture would not always be upright. Although I occasionally stowed a hat and/or gloves in the bottom pocket, I actually didn’t use this much. However, I am thankful that the material is solid and not mesh, as of course this is where the pack makes contact with the ground every time you take it off. Finally, the side pockets were where I stowed my inReach, spare battery pouch, Nuun tablets, ibuprofen and fold up toothbrush, and there was room for more. Of note, on another pack I own the side pockets actually interfered or made contact with my arms during locomotion..not a problem with the Wapta. The shoulder pockets I use for my phone and headlamp. • COMFORT • This is the most comfortable pack I have ever used. Granted, I never exceeded probably 15 pounds, even fully loaded with food and liquid. But even at its heaviest, I hardly noticed it on my back and never had to stop to relieve the shoulders or stretch. I go long periods without stopping, upwards of 3 hours, and even then it will only be for 5 minutes or so. This is the ultimate measure of a pack for me…do I need to take it off? Not this pack. Also, I trot the downhills, and the bounce is minimal. Despite no internal frame, it feels like the hip belt actually takes some measure of weight off the shoulders.• DURABILITY • So far I am a big fan of the Aluula Graflyte. I’ve been out in some mucky weather, where I placed the pack on wet, muddy, pineneedly crud. Any crud cleans up easily, and it’s also the first pack I’ve owned that didn’t retain at least some stains. But the ultimate test was one bushwhack that lasted nearly 5 hours, through chest high grabby bushes and tightly spaced trees with dead poky branch stubs. My arms had numerous blood spots and bruises from being stabbed or scraped (I’m old with thin skin), my legs got trashed, and the pack would catch on said branches, or the roll top buckle would catch to the point of breaking branches. Even the skinny side straps got snagged but emerged intact. On another peak I had to crawl upwards through high alpine trees to reach the summit block, sometimes scraping against rock and snagging branches at the same time with a fair amount of my body weight adding to the mix. So far, once the pack was cleaned after an excursion, the material looks the same as when I unpacked it on arrival. This stuff is tough. Lastly I’ll add that it did fairly well in continuous rain or mist over multiple days, and although I can’t say the contents were bone dry, there was no standing water in the pack and things were only slightly damp (the pack is seam sealed).