“Pros:
- Fantastic size for shorter people, and bag size and profile is great for everyday commuting and day hikes. i haven't tried taking it carry on yet, but plan to for next holiday.
- A+ comfortable carry. The adjustable hip belt, chest strap and great padding for such a light bag is great. Never worried about getting caught in the rain with this bad boy.
- Good pocket design, not overly engineered. i like that i can thread the compression straps through loops in my umbrella or drink bottle so nothing can be taken out of the external pockets. I can even fit an ipad or surface pro in the suspended water pouch.
- Packs down into a suitcase for a good day pack.
Cons:
- it won't stand up by itself when packed out. i use a hero clip under tables or behind doors to keep it off the floor
- when this thing is stuffed, it can be a pain to get things at the bottom, but you'll get that with any top loading backpack. the volume can also be a bit awkward, you'll need packing cubes and pouches to get the most out of the 18L which can get chewed up quite quickly.
- the trekking pole loops can't be removed without cutting them off.
- the external pull tags are short and difficult to find and can't be locked. i replaced mine with coloured paracord
overall, extremely functional and comfortable carry!”
Hey Deb! We're thrilled to hear that the Matador Beast18 has provided you with an extremely functional and comfortable carrying experience. We value your feedback, and we hope you continue to enjoy your adventures with this backpack. Happy hiking and commuting! - Kez
