Osprey Radial pack 34 Review

                

Osprey Radial 34 review/reflections

Overall, this gets 3 out of 4 stars

Elements I really like/love:

• The zipper pull tabs are the best I have ever seen
• Bright green color is very visible and seems to make an impact on drivers
• Blinky clip strip is excellent and should be found on every pack everywhere
  
• There is a sleeve under the blinky clip to clip back the waist strap when you aren't using it
• The double pocket in the far back (when accessing the pack) has two compartments- great since I carry both a laptop and ipad
• Second pocket has a diagonal topped slot in which I keep my glasses- they don’t fall out, but come easily when fetched
• Hidden rain cover. Brilliant.

Elements which could use improvements:

• Water bottle/side pockets- don’t hold tall bottle at all, secondary internal pocket in one of the side pockets interferes with the pocket’s usability, zippers require two hands to close, making it unlikely I will store my wallet or phone there. If there was a loop or something to hold onto while zipping, two handed closing would be easier. 
• Small front pocket is too small- would like it to hold my phone and wallet, key clasp is not purposeful, since it doesn’t keep keys from falling to the bottom of this tiny pocket
• Second pocket back- too deep, items fall to bottom, which takes up space in the next pocket back- suggest it is shallower
• Not enough pen slots (which I use for other things, like a spoon, sharpie, mat knife)

• Third pocket back-Document pouch- the reinforcing tape for the mesh pockets on the other side of the divider obstruct documents from sliding easily down. I solved this by inserting a piece of cardstock, so documents now slide in easily.  This really should not be necessary.
• The handle on the top- should be black, because my hands are often dirty and this shows clearly on the bright green-
• The helmet clasp- the idea is great, but the shock cord is too short and rather cumbersome. ***UPDATE- I have gotten used to this and can make it work well for me.
• Make it lighter in weight