Pingora Lucid 25L Hiking Backpack

Hands down, the Lucid 25 is the best pack I have used in the 20-30 liter range for a variety of reasons. I purchased this pack to use on the Camino de Santiago trail in Spain. I have done the hike on six different occasions, but every pack prior to the Lucid 25 has had something about it that just didn't work well for me (size, comfort level, stiffness, lack of pockets, water-bottle holders, etc.). I ended up ordering and trying out about 20 different packs in preparation for this trip, and the Lucid 25 has been awesome: 1) Quality: The materials for this pack are incredible. Everything from the zippers (which simply glide when you open or close them) to the mesh (which is much more substantial than I've found on many other packs), from the attachment points and buckles to the fabric they used, everything feels like the highest quality possible. I was so impressed by how rugged, yet how light it is. 2) Comfort: First off, I'm about 6'1'' and weight about 175 lbs, so keep that in mind. The comfort of the pack was unmatched. Most of the packs I tried on were either too stiff or too flimsy. Some would bunch around the waist or near the shoulders. Some would rub along my beltline and become irritating. However, with the Pingora, it never feels like I'm even wearing the pack. One thing I love are the underside of the shoulder straps, which have no-slip grips on them to keep the pack from sliding off your shoulders. They are light and extremely breathable, but not so light that they feel cheap for flimsy. The waist belt is also comfortable and doesn't have any weird attachment points that always seem to land right on my hips. If you feel like it needs to be a little more structured on the back, just find a yard sign, cut it to the shape of the hydration sleeve, and that should do the trick. 3) Hydration: The water-bottle holder on the outside has the perfect stretch and depth for a smart water bottle. It holds it snuggly without making it impossible to remove. I haven't used it for much other than that. There are also two smaller easy access water holders on the front shoulder straps for flexible water bottles. Additionally, if you like to use a hydration bladder, there is a sleeve inside the pack reserved for one and an exit spot for the tube. 4) Exterior storage: This is probably one of my favorite aspects of the Lucid 25. On the side opposite the water bottle holder, there is a small zip pouch which is great for holding quick access items. I use it to hold my rain cover and headlamp. The shoulder straps also have two small zipper pockets underneath the water bottle holders. They are perfect for holding my glasses and my Google Pixel 7. The belt has two small pockets which are perfect for small snacks or candies for the trail (the perfect jolly rancher stash). On the main body of the pack there is a stuff pocket with expansion darts where I can easily access my rain jacket if necessary. There is also a zipper that runs lengthwise up one side of the pack giving access to an additional pocket for storing other items. Finally, there is a top pocket for storing smaller items. It's extremely easy to access anything in this pack. In addition to the storage compartments on the pack, there are a number of included straps and points for attaching walking sticks or other items when not in use. 5) Main storage: The main storage has a good shape to it that makes it easy to access any of your items, especially if you use a couple of compression packing cubes. Whether I hike the entire Camino or a few portions of it, I normally pack the same number of items, which are more than enough for the 3-4 weeks that it takes to do it. In my Lucid 25 I carry the following: 2 pairs of shorts, 4 shirts, 2 pairs of underwear, 3 pairs of socks, a pair of flip flops, a pair of lightweight travel shoes for when I'm in town, rain jacket, a towel, a sleeping bag liner for the hostels, toiletries, medications, a journal, headlamp, rain fly, first aid kit, and drying line for clothes. I also include a hipbag for smaller travel organization (my in-flight bag) and a small bag that I can use as a personal item if I decide to make any purchases before I leave. Yes, I fit all of that in this pack and I still have room in it (maybe I'll take my hammock next time). The total weight of the pack with everything is under 10 lbs (except snacks and water). It really is the perfect bag. 6) Customer service: They also have some of the best customer service I have ever seen. I had a question about the bag and a minor defect that it had, so I sent a message to the company and received a response the next day from Mike, one of the owners. I was amazed to see how well they take care of their customers. Mike was extremely quick to respond and offered to replace the bag with a new one, which was shipped off the next day. Absolutely amazing the care and pride these guys have for their packs. Final Review: If you're looking for a fast packer, you like to travel l