This is a large versatile pack. That was my target and it works. For the money, be certain you want a pack of this size and versatility. I can use it for my work with room left over. I can travel with it. I can camp with it, fish with it. It simply adapts to what I need with margin for extras. When my wife borrows it, she isn't as big of a fan. She loves when we travel but for her typical use it is overkill and with so many compartments she finds herself guessing what is where. I have a smaller simpler leather pack that she prefers to use. My only complaint would be I get tired of black as the choice of better packs. I do wish there was a liner or even light built in that would allow contrast, it is so large it does feel a bit like a black hole. What can I carry with room to spare? Large laptop (15 inch) Water bottles, phone, charging battery for phone and iPad, iPad, pack jacket, note books, books, glasses and sunglasses, keys, wallet, pens, a puppy or 2 kittens, pocket knife, snacks, gum, AA batteries, small flashlight, leatherman, spare shirt, baseball hat, wife's stuff, and still have room for more. It fits well with proper adjustment, adjustments stay in place even with heavier load and it is easy to readjust for next load. I have never had a "cool" (temperature) pack but I have had hot ones. This one has been as cool as my coolest (temperature) pack that it replaced. Seams, stitching and zippers all hold up well, zippers stay zipped and are easy to open when I want them to. I don't know if the manufacturer is ok with this but it washes well in the washer when I put it in with jeans or towels and dries out very easily afterwards. I don't think I'd call it water proof, but it has had a dunk and kept stuff dry and been in heavy rain and shed the rain off better than I expected. It never absorbed water in either situation which I was grateful for. But, I may have just been lucky as well. It does become less stiff and more comfortable after a week or two of use.