Osprey Argon 85

This bag can definitely take the weight. With 2 weeks of expedition gear and rations being hauled over boulder and snow fields, around steep ledges/ lakes/ reindeer trails... I always felt like I could count on this pack to not destroy my back/ hips. I really like the side water bottle holder that is a type of nylon fabric and keeps a 1 liter Nalgene completely secured away. I also tucked my map for the day into this pocket with the water bottle. The brain is a good design but I would have preferred one pocket instead of the two (one small one large-- the small is useless). The outside mesh with the osprey logo on it is a waste of material in my opinion, but came in handy for picking up random trash. The gear loops on the bottom of the bag I cut off mid trip and fashioned them into a belt for my pants when I lost mine, I wasn't sad to see them go as it was one less thing that could potentially snag. The brain I would also take off and empty and use as a seat around camp to keep dry and warm. It's supposed to be a day pack but it wasn't ever particularly useful for me-- it wasn't comfortable to wear as a fanny pack and too small to keep a essentials like an extra layer, first aid kit, and water in for a day hike. That being said, I do like the false bottom and compression straps for keeping a small load in a large pack for impromptu peak ascents on an expedition.
The bag material is good quality, this is my second osprey bag and the other I use for canyoneering. Both have taken a serious beating on rocks and still look new.
That being said, this pack is kind of like a fancy car in the outdoor world. It looks good, but it isn't always the most functional for the way that I've taken a liking to packing. Too many straps/outside pockets and with the frame, it can be hard to really stuff the bottom of this pack full. I'm a big believer in keeping everything your hiking with secured inside the pack so you're not leaving a gear trail to your campsite, and to keep everything dry by lining the bag with a garbage bag and tying it off at the top.
Overall, I like this pack and I'll continue to use it, but the next expedition pack I get won't have so many external pockets and other features that are really more of a design element.

OK. I'll try and make this straight to the point and clear. I wouldn't go as far as to say that this is the best pack ever. It doesn't have every feature I'd like for mountaineering. For example, it could use some webbing loops like two daisy chains or something for more strapping. However, it is definitely a good all around pack and it's definitely a good purchase. It carries load much better than my last pack which was something closer to a rucksac made by REI. I recently took the pack with me to climb Mt. Shasta. I hauled up tons of gear including a 60m climbing rope to practice some snow climbing stuff. The most packed it got was on the descent from base camp. At that point rope, sleeping pad, probe, shovel, ice axe, crampons, snowshoes, helmet, WAG bag, top rain/snow shell, were all strapped on the outside of the pack. The rope, top shell, and WAG bag were secured under the top flap. It was a little awkward getting it all strapped on. I tie a cordlette using four small loop sewn into the front of the pack. Things definitely fit better when I'm wearing at least one of either my crampons or snowshoes so that both aren't strapped on. The shovel head fits well in the front wide pocket. The hip belt comes out, but I'm not sure from which points I would haul the pack from. I personally like the bottom access...I put my sleeping bag and bivy sac in there (easy access). The top flap has lots of space for store oft-used items. There's a strap inside at the top that compresses from the top. I found this useful for securely the rope as well. The fanny pack option is a little annoying. The buckles come out and get in the way. I don't even like the concept of a fanny pack...I prefer bring a super thin stuff sack type pack (but I don't normally do that).

Only had this pack for a few weeks. Used it on a 20+ mile backpacking trip in Moab, UT. Worked great. One complaint, however, is the small stretchy pocket on the outside has a pin hole in it from where it snagged on a boulder. The material is not the type of material that would withstand sharp or tear situations. Only other complaint is the pack does not come with a drinking hose magnet for the chest strap like the smaller water bladders do...nor does the pack come with a water bladder and hose. You can purchase these in a package for additional $$, but I would have liked to see them come with the pack for as much money as I paid for it. Overall I am very pleased with the pack so far however. I would recommend it to a friend. I own an Osprey day pack / water bladder (3L) and love it as well.

Thought I'd write a review of this bad boy after owning it for about 3 years. I've backpacked for about 12 years, and this is the best pack I've had so far. I won't get into all the technical bells and whistles because everyone has their own opinion on that stuff. I've used this pack for ski mountaineering and general wilderness backpacking. I have spent entire days with this pack wading up rivers, sneaking around casting to wary trout while nearly forgetting I had 65 lbs. on my back. Moderate to long alpine trips in the Rockies, 2 months in the New Zealand bush, light loads to massive loads, it really does it all while keeping you as comfortable and pain free as you can be while hauling around a bunch of weight on your back. Don't fret over the price either, worth every last penny.