Update: I have used this all summer including trips to the beach. Still awesome!!This item had very few reviews when I decided to take the chance and buy it. It fits all the things I was looking for- ease of use, lightweight, compact, and most importantly, to hold my hiking poles.Well, I've had it for a few weeks and have used it a few times and love it. It actually is very roomy but not so oversized it gets in the way of sitting on a bench, stump, or trolley tour. It easily holds my 20 oz Corkcicle water bottle on the side but note, the pack is lightweight so it won't stand up with the bottle (or poles) attached to the outside or the side pocket. However, there is also plenty of space in the actual bag part to store the bottle, wallet, keys, camera tri-pod selfie-stick, and snacks. If you have a hydration bag, there is room for that as well but your body will warm it right up as there is no padding between you and the bag. But in a pinch, it will hold it (I have a 2L and it fits) with the tube coming out of the top. AND you will still have room for your other items! I found it to be quite versatile with the outer pole straps. I used one side for a hiking stick (foldable) and the other strap I used for the selfie stick when I had items purchased from a gift shop to store.Zippers work really good. They are surprisingly good quality given the price, and they slide very easily.I recommend this bag to anyone looking for the same things I was looking for. You won't be disappointed.Used this pack for numerous hikes and loved how much it held while remaining lightweight. I used the external straps to help secure the water bottles on the side high worked well. It was also easy to fold up since the zipper on the pouch is double sided.Wasn't sure about durability, but this is a keeper. Not an EDC pack but... Perfect for concert/festival water carry (when water is gone? Fold it up and clip it to your belt). Perfect for overflow in a bike bag if your shopping grows unexpectedly. Perfect for day hike to carry that extra jacket, food, drink. Again, when empty? Fold it up and clip it wherever, or just carry it. Weighs next to nothing. Caveat? Sharp objects. The material seems very solid and strong, but anything sharp I would imagine would pierce it easily. From outside or inside, so I keep an eye out for snags like branches or whatever, and wrap interior sticky-pokey things in something soft.Perfect light weight back. Surprisingly it hold a lot. Great for traveling and hiking. Love it! I would totally buy againI love the backpackIt was not heavy , good for water ridesA must for amustment parksI am delighted with this pack. Small but agile: it holds the supplies for an afternoon outing such as binoculars, camera, wallet, phone, and all that stuff. Plus two water bottles. All in a small package. I have been using the pack that goes with water bladders to serve this purpose, but this is far better. I did miss having a hook to hold keys where I could readily retrieve them. I remedied the problem with a carabiner attached to the interior handle in the pocket of the main compartment; works perfectly.I bought this for my Hawaii trip. Just got back - this backpack is not only light weight and compact but it holds a lot. I took it on every single adventure - from water activities, to hiking, to ATV mud riding. It has several zipper compartments for small items, a back pocket inside that I put all my camera gear in and I could store towels and extra clothes in it. Then, it folds up into itself so it is easily stored in my suitcase.I love this product and I would highly recommend it.This is perfect to take along when we travel doesn’t take up much room since it packs into a small zipper pouch. When we are hiking and decide to take along some snacks water bottles etc. this comes in very handy.I can only comment on the item I received rather than the product in general but the cotton handle had started to come away from the bag very soon after purchase and without any weight being in the bag. This was very disappointing. I then noticed that the same was beginning to happen with the arm straps. I had already set off on my five week trip at this point so am only now able to return the product for a refund.This was exactly as described. We were looking for a backpack that was light but something we could use for walks when we travel abroad. You aren’t going to use it on a major camping trip but for a days hike it’s perfect.fell apart at the seams before i'd even used it.. useless waste of money, don't bother.