Mountainsmith Endeavor Video Review (Features Score: 17.5; Access. Score: 6.3/10)

Overall:  Pros = 24.5 points; Cons = -7.0 points; The Mountainsmith Endeavor Features Score = 17.5 points. (Score sheet posted below.) Accessibility score: 6.3 out of 10.

Video:
There are two thing that I really love about this bag: 1) It is more compact than most of the bags I have reviewed - comparable to the STM Quantum, and 2) the large water bottle pocket that stows when not in use (similar to the ecbc Lance crossover day pack that I own and love).  Overall, it is clear that some thought went into this bag.  However, there are some details that would have made this bag even better.


The first issue is that there is not quite enough outward expandability for the two pockets on the front.  When you fill these pockets with a reasonable amount of stuff (see the images below and you will note that I have not put in a large number or bulky items) the contents push in towards the center section of the bag as much as outward.  This ultimately means that if you are using the center section for camera equipment (what this bag is designed around) and you are using the front pockets, it becomes difficult to zip up the bag. Everything is really tight. I also think that Mountainsmith could have helped themselves by placing the center compartment's zipper more along the middle of the bag.  As it is, the zipper is directly behind the front pockets leading to stiff kinks and dips in the path that the zipper must follow.

Additionally, the front pocket on the right of the bag (when you are facing it) only has a single zipper.  Each time I use this zipper, I have to go around two 90 degree bends to access items in this pocket.  90 degree bends are tough on zippers and inevitably the zipper must be wiggled to get around these corners.  If they had simply installed this zipper to open from right to left instead of left to right, it would have eliminated the need to navigate both of these bends to access items in this pocket.  After all, one only needs to unzip to the top left corner of this bag in order to dig into this pocket.  This is not a huge deal, but it is an annoyance that could have been easily rectified.

In general, it just feels like Mountainsmith did not test this bag adequately before they started to manufacture it.  This is often the case with their bags - good concepts sunk by bad design details.  They really need to hire me to test drive their bags before they go to market.

Accessibility:

A bag's accessibility is rated on a 1 - 10 scale (10 = most).  Three major compartments are judged.  The accessibility score for this bag:

Organizer pocket(s) = 5. The right pocket zipper opens the wrong direction and both pockets feel tight as they compete for space with the main compartment.
Main compartment = 5.  Deep zipper shoulder, a balky, mis-placed zipper, and a small zipper opening hurt this compartment's core.  With the camera insert in place, one also has no shot at using the file folder pocket.
Laptop compartment = 9. Why is it not a TSA friendly design?

Overall accessibility: 6.3 out of 10.


Photos:

Front of Endeavor showing two large organizer pockets; there is also a large Velcro secured panel pocket on the left organizer pocket

Rear of Endeavor showing the luggage piggyback sleeve and open file folder pocket

Detail of the side of the bag; note the proximity of the middle compartment zipper to the front pockets

Side of bag showing stowable water bottle pocket

Luggage piggyback sleeve from above; held down when not in use by Velcro

Open file folder pocket (iPad mini shown for scale)

Separate padded laptop compartment holding a 15 inch MBP

Padded center compartment without camera insert (bag is greyish green not blue as shown)

Camera insert in place

Two small zippered pockets in central compartment

Smaller right organizer pocket (only one zipper and it opens from left to right when facing the bag - a bad decision)

Larger left organizer pocket (two zippers); iPad mini shown for scale

Item	Points +	This Bag	Notes
Made with Cordura or similar nylon material	2	2
Straight stitching, doubled in high stress zones, taped seams - well put together	1	1
Made with soft polyester making it flexible, quiet, gentle on clothing	2
Stout zippers, large pulls, and hardware	1
Reinforced bottom for durability and/or weather resistance	1
Compression straps to slim bag	0.5
Large external water bottle pockets	2	2	Cool design!
Separate, external access to laptop compartment	3	3
Separate iPad pocket	3	3	Sort of
Fleece-lined external pocket for eyeglasses or phone	3
External pocket for eyeglasses or phone	2
Large rounded or paddded handle	1	1
Handle centrally placed (front to back)	0.5	0.5
Multitude of pockets for organization	2	2
Open slide in pocket for file folders (internal)	2
Open slide in pocket for file folders (external)	2	2
Ability to slide over handle of rolling luggage	1	1
Laptop section that is TSA friendly (opens up without laptop removal)	1
Flat bottom and perpendicular sides allow bag to stand on own	2	2
Organizer panel within an outer pocket to allow to easy access	1	1
A dedicated cell-phone pocket	1
A dedicated cell-phone pocket that is large enough to fit an iPhone 6	0.5
Large padded shoulder pad with stick coating	1
No Velcro used to keep flap closed (quiet and professional)	2	NA
Xtra bright inner lining allowing you to see items easily	2	2
Light inner lining allowing you to see items easily	1
Stiff build that maintains the pack's structure when loading/placing	2	2
Outer lashing points for attaching accessories	1
	Total	24.5
Item	Points -	This Bag	Notes
Soft material that will not wear as well as nylon	-1
Simple handle that digs into hand	-0.5
Cannot stay upright due to design	-3
Tips forward when sitting - unstable	-1	-1	Needs laptop to counter
No fleece lining in outside pocket for glasses	-1
No fleece lining in the laptop or tablet pockets	-0.5	-0.5
No pass through for attaching to rolling luggage	-1
No dedicated tablet pocket	-2
No external pocket for glasses, phone	-1	-1
No flap for weatherproofing	-1	-1
No external pocket for holding a water bottle	-1
No lash points	-0.5	-0.5
Handle in middle prevents easily hanging bag on hook	-0.5
Poor hardware choice or design (small zippers, placement of compression straps, etc.)	-1	-1
Lack of reinforced bottom allow for excess wear and poor weatherproofing	-1	-1
Black interior making it hard to see item in the bottom of bag	-1
No open file folder pocket	-2
Velcro closure for main flap (loud and unnecessary)	-2
No strap or buckle to hold laptop in pocket if in main compartment	-1
No dedicated laptop sleeve	-0.5
The dedicated cell phone pocket will only fit a small phone	-0.5
Thin or nonexistent shoulder pad	-1	-1
Handle is located in such a way that picking up the bag kicks it into your knee	-0.5
Deep zipper covers that impede opening	-2
	Total	-7