Video Review: the Osprey Momentum 26L - $103

Video review:

The good stuff:

This pack is one of the best of those I have reviewed so far.  It has everything I need and then some.

- expandable size (eliminates need for compression straps)
- excellent suspension system
- retractable key lanyard in pocket on shoulder strap
- shoulder strap phone pocket
- ability to convert into a duffle bag
- large side mesh pockets - will fit full-sized Nalgene

- separate laptop section
- organizer on front panel instead of inside of main compartment
- separate hydration bladder pocket that doubles as place for shoulder straps when converted to duffle bag
- great zipper pulls
- stiff frame sheet
- waterproof cover built into a zippered pocket in bottom of pack

The bad stuff:
- deep zipper covers makes it hard to unzip compartments - why needed if you have a waterproof cover?
- no place for my sunglasses
- thin waist belt; why not 1.5 inches with wings?
- color: love it or hate it - mostly hate it.
- phone pocket on shoulder strap is too small for anything but and iPhone 4 or smaller
- discontinued by Osprey
- limited divided organizer - why only one slot for a pen?

Grade: A

Photos:

Osprey Momentum 26L - front

Suspension system.  Note the two pockets on the shoulder straps.  The one on the left is for keys and the one on the right is for a cell phone (limited size).

Retractable cable mounted inside of the key pocket.  Handy!

Side mesh pocket - huge!

Smallish organizer pocket.

Main compartment (expandable) with a set of organizer pockets.

Bottom of the main compartment.  That bulge is the pocket that holds the waterproof cover.

Padded laptop compartment with a pocket for a tablet.

Pocket for a hydration bladder.  Note the "hook" at top center for suspending your bladder.  This also doubles as a zippered pocket for the shoulder straps.  See below.

Suspension system tucked away in the pockets to reveal a duffle bag-like configuration.

The waterproof cover in a zippered pocket at the bottom of the pack.