LOWE ALPINE - AirZone Pro+- 35:45- Azure..

I purchased my Airzone Pro a year ago after looking extensively and trying out too many packs to name here. I used it during my training period for about six weeks and tried to learn about it's various features and why they should matter to me since I wasn't a hardcore hiker until recent years. It proved to the a comfortable pack first off, secondly, I realized it was going to as durable as I had hoped prior to buying it.The real function of this pack came into play on my 100 mile Camino Portuguese in September of 2017. The main cavity in the pack is accessed from the top and the side. The side access was a life saver for me. I soon realized I didn't have to be a "pack strategist" get the most out of it, I simply put the things I thought I might need in easily accessible layers that I could SEE once the side was opened. Further, it made packing a few items at the top an easier decision. In the end I didn't have to UNPACK my pack to get at something during my daily 15 mile hikes because all items in the pack were easy to grab either from the side or the top. Since this pack is a 35-45 liter model the expansion came in handy for adding things I purchase at the end of the trip to take home to family as gifts.The top pouch is quite large too, it held things like first aid items, cell phone or small tablet (wifi was everywhere on the walk and came in handy when a map was required to find our hotel each day), quick snack bars, sun glasses, etc. The netting on the back of the pack was perfect for keeping a light jacket or extra shirt and on the side of the pack you can stow your hiking poles. The hip belt ended up having more than enough space for my cell phone (I put it there instead of the top pouch after a day or two on the trail) and even a smaller water bottle.This pack as a place for a one liter water bladder but I decided a water bottle approach suited me better after my training so I didn't bring it.The pack has a built-in rainfly too that proved to be indespensable when the rains came (twice) during the walk. Also, the pack does not rest flat on your back either so your back can 'breathe" while you are wearing the pack. In the end the pack did not look worn and didn't suffer damage despite the rough treatment I put it through for about 10 days.

Lots of pockets of all the right places

A good functional product.