Okay, so I purposefully waited a while before reviewing. I got this bag in June, 2015, and I was thoroughly impressed when I received it. I am a backpack guy, however, and I didn't want to praise the quality before I tested it. By the way, I do not work for any company associated with the brands which I review here, and I did not receive anything from them other than what I paid for. Here we go!The pack was shipped quickly, elegantly, and came with a canvas shopping-type bag with the company's logo on the side. It is the little things, folks. The canvas bag is slim and has two lengths of handles for shoulder carry or briefcase-style carrying. One thing about those canvas sacks - they are never masculine or stylish, no matter where you get them... unless you get it from Direct Action. Enough about the shopping bag.The first thing people notice about the pack is the paracord handle on top, and people do notice it. The handle is solid, extremely comfortable even with a full bag, and with a purposeful break in a melted seam, it will provide you with two cords totaling 5m. There are attachment points on either side of the handle. Under the handle, there is a flap for your hydration tubing. This pack will actually accommodate two bladders. There is a dedicated bladder pocket right behind the back padding, accessible by opening the velcro on the top and dropping the bladder down into the bag. I keep a three liter bag in that pouch for when I need to fill it up, but this pack can hold water bottles so well that I rarely use the bladder. Another bladder could theoretically be held in the padded laptop pocket which has fastener for the bladder if you choose to use it.The next thing people notice is the laser cut MOLLE on three sides of the pack. This is heavy duty, light, and low profile. I don't have attachments on the pack now, but I put them on when I got it and they fit swimmingly. Very stable. The pack is not waterproof, but I have never had any issues with water getting into the pack while wearing it, and I have been in some serious downpours with this backpack. If you set it on the ground, the drainage grommet will allow water in through the bottom. You could fit a #2 pencil through the grommet, so it isn't too big.The side pockets are very low profile and useful until you unzip one side of the pocket. Then your pocket is quite large, capable of fitting nearly any water bottle or adult beverage in a can/bottle. You'd think unzipping and expanding would make it flimsy, but the fabric is sturdy and the whole pocket it supported by an adjustable strap. While we are on the straps, the ancillary support/closing straps on the bag are well placed, quality built, and able to be rolled up into a velcro closure to minimize sound/snagging. When the bag is less than full or empty, cinch down the sides and the bag is very stable. The zippers are quiet, and the rope by which to grab the zippers are covered in heat shrink plastic. There is no jingling or worry of these breaking on my pack. I am impressed with this detail. The main straps are very comfortable and sewn incredibly well, but also lightweight. The curve of the strap gives me confidence even when I sling one over the shoulder and go. There are ample connection options on the straps and the chest strap is comfortable, but subdued so you don't even notice the strap if you choose to not fasten it.The size of the pockets is perfect for EDC. I have been very comfortable for a couple days with it. If you plan to stay out for much longer, you may need a bigger bag, but you didn't buy this bag for that anyways. The larger pocket will hold two six-packs of bottles on top of each other and a 15" Macbook Pro, to give an idea of the volume. The main compartment zips open about halfway down and is not clamshell, which I prefer. On a larger bag, I like the clamshell, but this size is perfect for half-zip and allows the bag to sit upright even when it is empty and open. The main pocket has a top-entry, zippered, mesh compartment on the front. This is useful, but out of the way. I keep a pair of gloves and miscellaneous small tools in it.One note: to get the 15" Macbook Pro out of the pocket, you have to fold back the top part of the pack, including the handle. This is not difficult and actually acts to better secure the device.The next smaller pocket is an organizer's dream. It is a clamshell pocket, giving easy access to all of the features. Three pen holders of various widths will fit chapstick or lighters. There are two stacked elastic bands next to that. I use them to securely hold both a knife and a flashlight. Another pocket on this row holds a wallet or multi-tool. It is a fold-over velcro closure so it keeps the contents out of sight and this makes the pocket somewhat expandable. Two flat pockets behind these are about six and seven inches deep (estimated, I don't have a ruler handy). Keep flat things in them if you want to use the velcro closures, but if you don't care about that, throw some food or books in them. It's your bag. Below all of these pockets is a velcro-closure mesh pocket that goes to the bottom of the pocket. I keep earbuds and an iPod in it, but it can hold more than that.The most unique pocket is on the other side (fold-down section) of the clamshell. It is clear plastic and would be great for easy map reference or identifying information. It is accessed from he bottom-up zipper. I keep a fun painting in it with laminated maps behind, just in case...Onto my favorite part of the pack... The outermost "small" pocket, right behind the webbing, is actually why I bought the Dust. It fits PERFECTLY a Bose Color Soundlink speaker, which I keep charged and in the pack at all times. When I am biking, hiking, walking around downtown, I am always playing tunes from my pack. My Dust really brings the party. I have to wrap the speaker in a handkerchief or shirt because it moves so much air that the webbing will occasionally rattle, but filling it up a bit removes the sound. This is such a great pairing that I had to mention it.Go ahead and buy this backpack for short-term trips and EDC. It is the best in it's class. My plan is to save up for a larger bag from Direct Action to replace my older 3 day bags. This is my first product from the company, I have no doubt that I will be just as happy with their other packs. Direct Action does things right. Good luck!Edit, 13 October 2016: Still loving this bag. It is showing no wear. I spent a lot of time outside in the rain during Hurricane Matthew, speaker and all. I just covered the bag with a universal waterproof pack cover which I keep in the bladder compartment at all times.
