With its array of useful features and refreshing lack of useless bells and whistles, the Spyder Sopris Backpack towers over the competition like the iconic Colorado peak that shares its name. This pack features diagonal ski carry, horizontal and vertical snowboard carry, an ice-axe loop, hydration compatibility, and a segregated interior skin pocket. The roll top closure sheds water, while the mondo cell air-mesh back panel feels good and breathes well. Spyder even gave this pack a lined eyewear pocket to keep your lenses mint while you bootpack that chute up to the ridgeline.
Bottom Line: Everything you need, nothing you don’t.
I bought the black-colored version, which doesn't seem to be in stock any more. The black version has a big white spider on the back (which appears faint gray on the spyder.com image).
Took this out for 10 days in Utah (resort-side and backcountry). I carried: 1 L water bottle, fleece, vest, sunglasses, camera, extra mittens. That about filled it up, so obviously this thing is only appropriate for day trips. The diagonal ski-carry worked out well, although your planks hang really far off to the side over your left shoulder - I couldn't tighten 'em down any further. I am a 5'10" male, the pack fit well on my back. I could see it being troublesome for shorter people because the back panel is pretty tall. The roll-top enclosure takes some getting used to, but it certainly does a good job at keeping the snow out. Actually the whole thing is pretty water/snowproof - believe me I took some spills and nothing got wet. And the material is really tough so I expect to get a lot of mileage out of it (and for $100 daypack, I better!).
I'm back at school, and using it as a smaller bookbag. It carries my 15" (screen) laptop just fine, but it's a stretch to add more than one large textbook in addition. It's also pretty "strappy" - I'm gonna try to rubber-band the waist straps to keep 'em from dangling. If you're looking for something that will double as a campus-style bookbag, this is certainly not the best backpack - maybe look at some of the TNF bags.
I think the "Bottom Line" in the product description above is 100% accurate ("Everything you need, nothing you don't"). This is a technical backpack designed for the backcountry. If this doesn't describe what you will be using the pack for, I'd keep shopping. If you're skiing resort-side (and just off-piste) honestly most bags will do fine.
