Buy this if you need a lightweight backpack for occasional use. It's great as  an overnight bag to carry some clothes and toiletries or to stuff your jacket into while shopping. Buy a heavier duty backpack is you're going hiking a lot or using it for school.  I had been using a cheaper 1-pouch pack for a few years; upgrading to this, with its multiple pouches and better-designed straps, was a great decision. Love the two webby side pouches, which come in handy to hold a water bottle on one side and wet umbrella on the other.