Marmot Zephyr Daypack/Overnight pack--Opinions?

[enderwiggin]

Just picked one up from the always slightly-overpriced Sport Chalet. I originally went in to get a Camelbak to replace the 2.0 Liter one I use running with something with some cargo room.

I'm starting to expand my runs/day hikes past city limits, so I wanted that cargo space for a 'just in case' kit. Plus, I decided lashing a rolled-up hoodie to the back of my Camelbak, and shoving essentials in the wallet-sized zip pouch was getting a bit ridiculous.

I picked the Zephyr just on gut impulse, but it was a near-tie between it, and the Camelbak Asymetrix 20, which is similar in size with slightly lower cargo capacity and more pockets. Also, the Zephyer has a mini frame, where the Asymetrix is frameless.

Thoughts, opinions? I've noticed a bit of 'bounce' from the Zephyr even with the compression straps tightened all the way down, and the waist and shoulder straps snugged. Is this something I should pretty much expect with all packs?

The 30 day exchange or return timer is counting down...

 

[storl]

The Zephyr is pretty nice and has some cool features, but I ended up skipping over it. We have one of every Marmot pack from the past couple of years at work, and I ended up going with the Garmsal instead. For me, it came down to the Zephyr, the Vapor, and the Garmsal. I like the open air back of the Garmsal and Zephyr, since I tend to get pretty sweaty. The Garmsal just seemed more well laid out to me. I am upgrading from a Camelbak as well, and just wanted something with more room and a more substantial frame. It seems like the Garsmal has more of a vertical carry, where the Zephyr extends the load away from your back. That could just be my imagination though.

I don't know how easy they are to find, but try the Garmsal and see what you think. It has quite a bit of room, about 500 more cubic inches than the Zephyr, but there are plenty of straps to tighten it down when it is not full. Besides, you can make a big pack smaller, but you can't make a small pack bigger.

 

[enderwiggin]

It's not just you, I noticed the "reverse potbelly" effect on the Zephyr. The bottom of the pack is huge, and there's no compression strap to suck it back in---everything slides down to the bottom. That's the part I was a little annoyed with, since it seems to bounce around a bit more than necessary.

I'll have to go back to Sport Chalet and check out the Garmsal--It's a good excuse to go back

Either way, I'm really liking the mini-frame on this brand of backpack.