I am generally happy with this pack. I have been increasingly conscious of the weight of my backpack and this 2017 Model 48L Exos shaves two pounds plus from my Atmos AG with minimal loss of features. I was reluctant at first to switch because as an old school backpacker the Atmos AG was the most comfortable pack I have ever worn. Other UL range packs seemed to be glorified bookbags with fancy material or nothing more than duffle bags or large dry bags with shoulder straps and a few mesh pouches. This pack is basically a pared down version of the Atmos with a similar suspension and mesh that lets your sweaty back breath and keeps items from pressing on your back. Your shoulders do take more of the weight than the Atmos even with the frame but since you are typically only carrying 25-30 lbs you rarely feel the pull on your shoulders.With the lighter weight you will have to be more careful with the material in the wild, the mesh pocket is great and has great stretch but it is more delicate as a result. Laying the pack on it could tear it if placed on sharp rocks etc. The pack doesnt like to stand on it's own so you need to be mindful when you put it down as to not tear either the mesh pocket or the mesh back panel. The water bottle pockets are great, while worn with the bottle in your right hand, push your slim bottle through the side opening of the mesh pouch on the left side then push upward and it is properly sitting in the bottle pocket. Then you can grab your bottles or replace them without taking off the pack. You will have to take care with the thinner webbing and smaller buckles in places. And the fact that certain things like the armstraps, brain etc, are connected to the pack with short 3mm paracord loops rather than sewn into the pack mean this pack is not meant for rough treatment.The armstrap and hipbelt pockets, color and lighter weight are why I chose to buy this 2017 version at the end of the 2018 summer instead of the current model version. The new 2018 version removes the pockets completely, increases overall weight and changes the colors in a way I didnt care for. I was surprised to see this change. To improve on this pack they should have made it out of waterproof material (xpac or similar,) enlarged the hip belt pockets to accommodate large cellphones, added cinches to the small armstrap pockets, made the brain-less flap removable and possibly added some stretch mesh pockets to the interior.Even with the odd changes and limitations with the new model vs the old, this pack is the most direct value to the dollar out there in the UL game, perhaps a tie with the Gregory Optic. You can pay more for features that suit you better but you will pay disproportionately more in almost every case. The current sub-$200 price range for this pack gives you a great pack with a great warranty.