NP. It's a great pack and More people may appreciate it. Sure it doesn't quite match the usual Bushcraft Uniform, and it doesn't take PLCE side pockets, but you can beat it's comfort. Esp when you consider it weight about 1kg.
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Since they released the 2014 version with the compression straps going under the mesh side pockets, from what I can tell every review I've found has been positive.
My EDC pack is an olive green 30 litre Karrimor SF Sabre which might look a bit "bushcrafty" but the lack of strap adjustment and support makes it painful for me with more than a few kgs in. While I'd love to be able to use retro-cool 1950s Scandanavian army packs or something I made myself, having had both shoulders rebuilt 15 years ago I need to nurse them so its going to have to be a case of performance (and comfort) over style. The Lightnings are for lightweight hiking and mountain walking (the 1kg weight is a real bonus) rather than bushcraft per se. Though not as "bushcrafty" as a bergen, I still have an ancient but perfectly serviceable Karrimor Condor in olive green and brown which should just about get me past the bushcraft fashion police checkpoint on the way between my car and pitch at meets!
The 60 I've ordered is the older model which seems identical but for the straps going over the side pocket (seems an obvious oversight) but I'll either live with it or re-route the strap - the price was too good to miss.
I'm going to live with the packs for a bit but can foresee a few bungee/dyneema related mods in due course but one I'm going to do right away is to string some bungee cord across the base to take a foam seating mat to make it accessible and give the base a bit of protection.
One thing I have added to mine is the Flash pocket, this is a stretchy stash pocket on the front that is really useful for things like wet tarps, well worth getting.
Curse you (and Sunndog), I had promised myself (and SWMBO) that my post Xmas spending spree was over but I've just ordered a Flash pocket - £7 from Above & Beyond. That's it though, "Santa's" Xmas bonus really has definitely all gone now, honestly!
Just remember to make sure the zip on the pocket is properly closed so you don't soak the contents like I did...
I'll bear that in mind!
The (lack of) arrangements for a hydration bladder one thing on the pack that does seem a bit half-@rsed. There is no sleeve or proper attachment point for the bladder and having the hose exit through the (otherwise) waterproof zip effectively renders using a platypus etc. unworkable unless you can guarantee that you will have no rain all day. It should be possible to design a port for the hose that does not go through the pocket without affecting the integrity of the pack. Although I'm a fan of hydration bladders (especially for cycling and driving in hot places) I do sometimes worry about not being able to keep track of how much is left unlike when a nalgene/Sigg bottle. Having the option for a bladder would be nice but I can live without one and 1 litre nalgene/Sigg bottles fit neatly in the side pockets and IMHO are more use when camping.
I'm in the process of writing one too. Want to use it for a couple more trips first.
I won't steal your thunder and will await your review and thanks again for pointing me in the direction of Exped, a brand which was not really on my radar.
