UPDATE October 15, 2012:

it's held up pretty well, not daily use but a couple times a week, and it almost always got used for twice monthly plane/bus travel. the zipper pulls have started to bend a little such that the tabs will fall off. but the fabric and straps don't show any fraying or loose seams, and the waterproof coating inside isn't rubbing off anywhere.

more importantly, the price now is about 2x what I paid last summer. which is still an ok price for this pack, I think, but I really wish I had bought 2 or 3 more of them back then!

original review August 18, 2011:

sturdy, heavy fabric, blue/grey color is pretty understated - not gaudy at all, straps and webbing seem quite strong. for sixteen bucks, there really can't be much complaint. this may be the least I've ever paid for a day pack, and quite satisfied.

cute that the cell phone pouch, on the shoulder strap, must have been designed in the 90s - long and thin, will just barely fit a current smartphone (but it will if you try!)

no exterior pockets, but plenty of straps and clips to hook water bottles on.

honestly hard to better than this, even for 2-3x the price.