Vaude Cluster 10+3 Backpack

Extremely well made lightweight day hiking pack with of all things an external frame! The mesh back is so cool, literally. Shoulder straps adjust from XS all the way out to XL and are easy to adjust and secure with a wide velcro strap. The thing I like best and my kids play with most is the raincover that tucks in under the main storage compartment. I am taking this for nine day camping trip with daily hikes and it fits two 500-700 ml water bottles, lunch, snacks, small first aid items, sunscreen, hat, rain jacket and my phone. Well designed zippers open in front of water bottles. Very comfortable to wear fully loaded because of the hip belt. And, it's German. : )

Just used mine on a trip to Desert Island, Maine (Acadia Park). This worked great for short day and 1/2 day hikes. It is very light weight. The frame keeps the pack off your back and allows for air movement. There is a rain cover incorporated in the base of the pack - I used it and it works. There is also a small piece of fabric with four hooks that attaches to the outside of the pack. This allows you to stuff a jacket to the exterior and not take up space in the main compartment. There are loops in multiple locations for a variety of options. I used the two shoulder strap loops to attach my Nite-Ize glasses cases (sunglasses and reading) - this worked great for access. The two exterior bottle packets fit the two Liberty water bottles (from STP) perfectly. It looked small in the video that STP posted, but in use it worked very good. The one I received had a "M" stamped at the base - making me think it was a Medium size. If STP had a specified Large size as compared to the one I received, I'd probably go with that due to my physical size (6 ft 205 lbs.). Howner, this one marked "M" worked great.

It's totally over-engineered, which is to say it has more features than I think would ever be needed on a day hike -- and certainly not listed in the catalog description. But it's all good! This would not be a good item, however, for a larger/heavier person as the straps just fit a guy who's 6'2" and 220# -- if you exceed either of those, I don't think it would fit.

quick delivery.
good design.
thanks.