Mammut

Seon Cargo 35L Backpack

Great build quality, but not perfect

This is my third Mammut Seon backpack. I have the Seon 18L 3-way (almost perfect, just too small for multi-day use), the Seon 25L, and now this. What ties them all together is thoughtful and rugged build. Each one of them is made with high denier fabric that, in the case of the 18L and 25L, has definitely passed the test of time (several years of daily commute and weekly travel use, and still looking brand new). I bought the Cargo 35L because as a frequent traveler, the 25L has been used a lot the past few years for 2-3 day business trips, but it's just a little too small. I think the 35L would get me to a full week business or leisure trip, provided I don't need a lot of extra layers. The upside with it is the large main pocket makes packing a breeze, and the wide clamshell opening makes packing/unpacking quick. The shoe pocket is useful too and runs the whole height of the backpack. That means you can fit a lot in there, but it comes at the expense of the main pocket, since the backpack can't expand. My complaints are that it's very tall, so it looks a little silly, and even though it's marketed as a do-everything backpack, i would never wear this thing on the trail as it lacks essential features like a sternum strap, waist strap, and breathable back padding. Nonetheless, as a travel/photography bag, I think I'm really going to like it, it's just not a "single backpack for everything" if that's what you're looking for. Finally, the fact that the zippers are all nearly against your back makes it very secure against theft, but it means you pretty much need to take it off and lie it down to get almost anything out. there are 2 top pockets that can be accessed without laying it flat, but that's all. No problem for me, but could be annoying if you plan to use it as a commuter or student who wants to access things regularly. Also, it includes dividers in the larger top pocket which are great for camera equipment (body + 2 lenses or so)