“I love the backpack - it forces me to carry only the essentials. What keeps it from 5 stars? 1) The water bladder - too many issues that left me without hydration on the first three trips. That is a strike out, so I tossed it and replaced with a CamelPack bladder. I provided detailed information on its faults to customer service with no resolution. 2) The front section could use a dividing panel. It accommodates a small box with the included zip bags, but a panel would allow you to slide a box in from the top without disturbing the zip bags. The way it is designed, you must lay the pack down and carefully place your small box over the zip bags. Not a deal breaker, but inconvenient. 3. A level bottom so it is self-standing.”
“Took this on a recent fishing trip and it did not disappoint. Great construction, nice and light and plenty of storage space for my tackle. The water pouch was an excellent bonus. One that didn’t live up was the Velcro rod holder. Started unthreading a bit but a quick couple stitches fixed that. AFTCO doesn’t disappoint quality products that are worth the money.”
“I’ve owned several backpacks/bags/sling packs but none are like this. The soft plastic bags set it apart from all the others. Use to throw my plastics in mixed bag and put it in my pocket. Wouldn’t know I was out of something until I couldn’t find it. Now I can organize stick, creature, and paddle tails. The bag is comfortable too, can wear it all day. It’s slim and hugs your bag unlike some of the other brands. Hydration pouch is a bonus! Plenty of room to carry a 3600, pliers, scissors, wallet, keys and soft plastics but not too big where you don’t want to carry it around. Love the rod holder too, can carry two rods and still fish. The bag stays in my truck with a rod for any situation.”
“I was trying to downsize from a larger backpack that I seemed to always overfill. I wouldn't use it because it was so heavy. I decided to just take a few baits and bags of plastics for a trip around a pond. This works great for that. Quality AFTCO construction as you would expect. I don't use the hydration bladder so I'm not sure how heavy it would be with it. Only issue I have would be true for any backpack vs sling pack. You have to take the pack completely off to get to the contents. Sling packs, on the other hand, allow you to just move the pack to your front for easy access. I prefer the balanced carry comfort of a backpack though.”
