Short version: I love everything about this bag except for the water bottle holders on the sides, which I wish were taller.Longer version:Use model and context:I got this pack to haul my school stuff to, from, and around campus. My usual load is a laptop, charging cables, 4-5 notebooks, a textbook or two, lunch, snacks, an extra layer, a large water bottle, and other small school items. Most name-brand schoolbags of sufficient size seem to skimp on quality or water bottle sleeves, so I've recently turned to military-style bags. I first tried a relatively inexpensive bag from Mardingtop, which was high quality but not deep enough to comfortably fit all my stuff. I bought the DA Ghost and 5.11 Rush 72 to try in parallel and see which one worked out better.Noteworthy features on the Ghost:I use one of the hydration bladder pockets (the one just in front of the back panel) to hold my laptop. This creates extra usable depth in the roomy main compartment, while giving my laptop some extra padding. I also love the "stuff-it" area between the main compartment and the removable organizer pouch. This is a great spot to put lunch, layers, or anything else that doesn't pack well. My only small gripe with this feature is the fact that it's open at the bottom, with only two alligator clips on the bottom to hold stuff in. This restricts that area for use with bulkier items. (The Rush 72 wins here because its "marsupial-style" pouch is closed on the bottom.)The zippered interior mesh pockets keep wires and smaller devices out of the way, and the dedicated sunglasses pocket on top provides easy access without need for a bulky case. While I don't see myself ever fully detaching the organizer pocket, it provides ample space and separation for pencils, erasers, snacks, and the like. It has replaced the separate pencil pouch that used to float around in the main compartment of my old bag.One unique feature that I really appreciate is the “combat vent” padding system on the back panel, shoulder straps, and hip belt. Most bags tout some sort of air-flow technology, but the Ghost is the first pack that has actually created a lot of separation between the back panel and my back, which significantly reduces back sweat when biking.The YKK zippers feel very sturdy. They don’t pull very smoothly, but this minor annoyance is only due to the zipper covers that help keep rain out.Areas for improvement:The only significant issue I have with the Ghost is the water bottle holders. While they are technically big enough to hold a 40-oz. insulated water bottle, they are a bit too short for comfort. Secure enough for biking and walking, but not running or jumping. Also, it’s a good thing that the hip belt is removable, because it’s too long for me even when fully shortened. (I’m a short guy with a small waist.) I wouldn’t use the belt for school anyway.Verdict:Although I'd take the 5.11 for wilderness survival due to its higher capacity, huge zippered side pockets for water bottles, and superior "marsupial" pouch, the Ghost ultimately seems more practical for an everyday bag. The Ghost is more than big enough to fit all my gear, but compact enough to look like a normal-sized backpack. (The Rush 72, while not uncomfortable, is enormous even when empty.) The short side pockets on the Ghost are a bit annoying, but the "combat vent" back panel is a truly helpful special feature. I'm hoping this bag will last me for many years of abuse, and I'll update the review over time.For me, this proved to be, hands down, the best bug-out / survival / 72-hour bag I have found. As a rookie, I made the number one rookie mistake, which was to purchase a bag (not this one) before compiling all that I would need for the 72-hour scenario. Don't do this. I ordered a 5.11 Rush 12 and quickly exceeded its capacity with minimal gear for a 72-hour excursion. The quality of the Rush series has been well established and that bag was no exception, however it lacked space and weight management capabilities. I ran into the same issue with the Rush 24 (no waist belt). The other issue I had with the Rush series was the 1000 Cordura fabric. It is exceptionally strong, but also thick meaning that when the bag was full, it was truly full. It lacked that 'flexibility' I was looking for. With regard to pockets and organization of all of your gear (fire, filtration, first aid, etc.) all the Rush bags proved exceptional.So it all came down to the Rush 72 and this bag above. Although the Rush 72 held more gear internally than any bag I had tested (including this one), it simply was not comfortable for me once loaded. The Ghost proved to be superbly comfortable, offered adequate room and organizational capabilities and finally, allowed for dynamic customization of its function.First off, the zippers fly! They are easy to grip and never snag. Fit and finish are tough and svelte. While the Rush 72 extended laterally beyond my small frame, the Ghost just seemed to manage the contents in a more controlled way.Next, the wide straps, the air-flow along the center of my back, and the mesh with striated padding were together one of the greatest reasons I ultimately selected this pack. The Ghost just felt like an extension of myself; it moved when I moved, never swinging, and distributed weight expertly.I could go on and on but everyone has already touched on the laser-cut Molle system (awesome), its highly water-resistant construction, the color options, etc. For reference, I am 5'6", 130 pounds, and broad shouldered. When I first shouldered the pack, I was certain it would prove too large, however I found that it is so incredibly adjustable, that now it is as though it was sewn just for my frame.One last thing to add is the care that Direct Action and Amazon took in its packaging. It arrived in a large box, inside of a large Direct Action tote bag, wrapped in a plastic bag.Bottom line is that this bag is the real deal. You want to trust your bug-out-bag as you are counting on its contents to potentially save your life. I have faith in this bag.The FINEST tactical backpack I have ever owned and guess what? I am a teacher and use it as a mobile office/Bug-out bag! To begin, I've never had so many compliments about a backpack before! Second, this is fully functional and carries everything I desire and more. It is obvious that they built this backpack with functionality in mind. It is roomy and built like a tank! The fabric is A+ and it also has water resistance to it too (The bag is made from a laminate 500D Cordura ). I attached an MSM Patch Panel to the front of the MOLLE just to keep handy teacher things such as pens, pencils, etc. I plan to attach two small pouches to the side to complete the backpack. Everything about this backpack is heavy duty from the zippers to the thread, to the stitching. I have never had a backpack so finely made as this. One of the main features that led me to choose the Ghost is the detachable admin pocket/beavertail. As a teacher, it just worked for my most important go-to items and can also double as a quickly detachable medic pouch. This part of the pack is one of the elements that makes it so flexible and modular, as it detaches to become a standalone grab and go bag, complete with its own carry handle. The organization of this pouch is fantastic. The back is well padded with a nice thick slab of closed-cell foam on each side. It's quite comfortable and functional. All around I can't say enough about this pack and there are only five stars available. I would give it 10 stars it is built that good with obvious quality in mind! Thank you to Direct Action Customer Service who followed up with me to see if I was happy with my purchase and my response was: ABSOLUTELY! Buy with confidence and don't consider any other 72-hour pack. Totally Awesome!!This became my EDC bag very quickly.The front removable pouch is very well laid out - carries a couple of diaries, journals, medication, pens, etc. When I initially got the back I thought I would take this part off and leave it at home - using the Ghost almost like Direct Action's Dragon Egg bag. However it has proven itself so handy that I left it on the bag.The reason then that I chose the Ghost over the Dragon Egg were the youtube reviews that mentioned the zip covers on the Ghost in terms of giving it more help in terms of water proofing. And you definitely need that in Ireland. The material is very stiff at the beginning but gets more pliable with time and use. At first the main compartment zippers are almost tough to open - not because of the zips or anything, but because the material is tough and stiff. After a few weeks, it opens perfectly, and quickly. The rubber coated zip pulls are very easy to use too.The bag is easy to carry on my shoulders - I'm a bigger guy and I have no problem with the straps or the back padding. I did remove the waist support as I wouldn't be carrying enough weight to require it. It comes out very easily. The shoulder straps are very easy to adjust - sometimes maybe a little too easy, as they seem to slide when all of the weight is on one strap and I hold it a certain way but this is so rare that it doesn't bother me at all.Side pockets are super useful size for water, etc - taking my oversized thermos easily. I normally carry a small folding umbrella on the other side with no trouble either.The daysack it’s self: the main daysack is a decent build and design, it’s good for those going on extended patrols or someone looking to have a decent 72hr bugout bag.The secondary removable compartment:This is the square pouch you see on the front of the daysack, i removed this as I did not require it on there and it was easy and simple to remove, it also could be used as a jacksack for someone who could fashion some shoulder straps as it has female clips on all four corners.The belt: the hip pad that is seen on the daysack can be removed and within the daysack a three point yoke is stored, it can be made into a light weight belt kit. The belt itself has 16 columns of Molle and is a small/medium size (30-32) but seems like a good build but I haven’t properly field tested it yet.I brought this here in 2015, looking for an quality everyday pack with bug out capability.After 5 years of daily use it has never failed me, it's not the biggest capacity but if you go in expecting that you won't be disappointed. It's ultra sturdy, fits a 5'11 man snugly with the waist and chest straps..no wobble even fully loaded. If you go for a plain color it doesn't stand out as "tactical", just a regular looking pack.The only signs of wear are some loose threads where things have been attached to the molle straps, all zips, straps and pockets are still in perfect condition.It will comfortably hold enough gear for a weekend camp or several days of getting from A to B if you have separate sleeping arrangements.Well worth the price for a pack you might not have to replace for 10 years+.Bought it for the padded waist belt to carry 20 kg weights when out running. Loved it so much I ended up buying 2 more, one for my GF to carry her weights when out running and one for daily use for work. Even water resistant when caught in the rain on the motorbike. Far Superior quality to my previous 3-day packs, with lots of storage pockets and a very comfortable back pad. Highly recommend!This pack has been completely awesome and has survived the hardest tactical test of all - its been used for the past two years as a baby bag. Day in day out, from being thrown out of vehicles to projectile vomiting, this pack has seen it all. I have to give a big shout out to the simply brilliant service of Direct Action who just serviced a product return with no questions and with such grace - thanks to everyone at DA - class act! If this bag can survive two small kids it can survive anything. It swallows amazing amounts of crap and looks like new from the outside. If I had to pick fault (and I'm really picking here), the proofing had begun to wear on some parts of the bag and the rubberised shrink fit zipper pulls started to crack; other than that a great pack. The pack gets lots of comments and a bit of envy from guys forced to carry their partners girly diaper bag around.