I've had this bag since '03 and I still love it.  When I first got it I thought it would maybe last one trip because it is very light-weight, but wow, it's durable!  My pack has gone with me on five trips to Europe and also functions as my gym bag.  My only complaint is with the side mesh pockets.  Water bottles don't fit snugly and often fall out when you set the bag down.  Deeper mesh pockets or a compression strap of some sort would make this a perfect bag.  I have the black one and now have the red one also.  It's really soft as one reviewer noted, a nice soft pillow when stuffed with a jacket or sweatshirt.  Buy it, you won't be disappointed.