Customer Reviews Osprey Bitstream

At first I love how the bag suited my daily commute needs, it was the reason for buying it anyway. But quickly got into the habit of taking it for day hikes with my camera and its size is perfect for overnight light hike ins or packing for a few nights out at a friends. The cell phone/sun glass pocket is easily accessible while the bag is on your back even keep a quick access cards I need up there. The bottom pocket is a bit of a mystery to me still. I've found it's a good place to keep things you wont need regularly or that you tend to grab when stopped to get into it.

Given it's designed with a sleeve for a laptop and other urban peripherals, it is missing quick access pockets for rail/security passes, wallet and mobile. Currently I have to remove the pack just to access those items especially the passes.

Got this to travel with and hike. There are a lot of great compartments along with the two side pockets that allows for easy storage.

The description on this site does not match the pack: Water Bottle Pockets -YES Grab Handle - Top padded grab handle for quick and comfortable carry -- HANDLE NOT PADDED NO Scratch-free Zippered Pocket - A scratch-free zippered pocket is the perfect place to store sunglasses or electronics -- NOT A FEATURE OF THIS PACK -- a bib drawback because there is nowhere convenient for your mobile phone. Front Organizer Pocket -YES Lower Zip Compartment - Lower zip compartment at the bottom of the pack contains a removable PowerHouse cord organizer - YES Blinker Light Attachment - YES Laptop Compartment - YES Internal document sleeves - YES Top U-Zip Access - YES Zippered Stash Pocket - YES

BAD NEWS: I bought this pack for school, and honestly, I'm a little disappointed. First off, the bag I received was not what was pictured. The zipper pulls and color of the pack (flat black) don't match the picture (heathered black) - even the shape (design) of the pack is marginally different. I saw other reviewers report this as well but I wasn't convinced I would have the same experience - now I am. In a school setting, you will stand out from the crowd, but not necessarily in a good way. The pack goes up and over your shoulders and narrows much more drastically toward the bottom than the pictures depict. If you use a Nalgene you're going to be disappointed with the basically non-existent water bottle holders, which are small. GOOD NEWS: While this pack may not be the best fit for a school backpack, I could see it being a good hiking daypack. It's pretty comfortable despite the awkward shape of the pack. I have limited experience with this type of pack, but it's very adjustable in my opinion. I imagine it would fit most people. For reference, I'm 5'11" and weight 165 lbs. It fits all of my school stuff with room to spare. So you have a better idea: Laptop, textbooks (1-2), several folders and notebooks (3-4 total), planner, calculator and a few other things. The Powerhouse is great - it beautifully stores (and organizes) my Surface Laptop charger, iPhone charger and ear buds in separate compartments. OVERALL: It wasn't the pack that Osprey featured on its website and it's awkwardly unconventional for a school setting. But despite its several shortcomings, the pack is pretty functional and most other companies don't back their products like Osprey does (All Mighty Guarantee).

The odd shape requires a different packing style from most conventional backpacks. Fabric didn't seem as durable as other options. Bottom pocket makes it more difficult to stand upright on its own. I like the more subtle branding/logos on this model compared to some that are very in-your-face.

I just bought this bag and was immediately struck by the unique landscape. I'm packing for a long work trip and ordered this to supplement a carry on bag. I haven't left yet, but even just packing is a different approach. At first I was puzzled by the smallish bottom compartment; I wish it could fit shoes. The power pack cube is stowed there but with that component inside there's not much room for anything else so I opted to stow that in the main compartment and use the bottom pocket as a convenience pocket. I think it'll be convenient on the plane with the back stowed under the seat so that the bottom pouch faces out, for easy access to plane essentials. Other strange thing is that the top of the bag is so wide. The bag almost looks as if it's upside down shape wise, but there is something that seems to 'work'. I just hope the top fits under the seat! If it's annoying, that could break the deal. Capacity looks pretty solid, but if you are used to having spacious side / front pockets on previous bags for organization you will need to adjust your approach. Again, I'm open to the change but it may not be for everyone. This is really a bucket to dump into but the multiple laptop/tablet etc pockets (there essentially 3) certainly help. The secondary laptop zipper access is a great idea. The front organizer pocket is small. Really comfortable to wear, and I love the top shoulder strap adjustment capability. I bike casually and think it will work well but haven't actually tested yet. WHERE IS THE SUNGLASSES POCKET? description says its there but I can't find it. Nor can I find an owners manual online for this model bag. Odd.

Not a bad looking bag. Soft pocket is large enough for a phone, but nothing else. Zipper pulls are very hard to pull given the bend of the zipper and they are very small. It will not stand up on its own, must be leaned against a wall. The lower pocket is almost useless and hard to open. Perfect size for carryon, but would not recommend for a daily bag.