Review on 🎒 Optimized Radial Commuter Backpack by Osprey Packs by Robert Pearson

I bought this pack to replace my previous Radial 34. This is the third version of Radial I own (2 of 34 and 35). I mainly use it for travel, office trips and short overnight trips. I love the features of the bike version as it also allows me to visit the grocery store on my bike. There were several reasons I attempted to make modifications to this model which are listed below. In the month that I have owned this bag I have made 3 trips including one international. I made my decision last night; I won't be using this bag again on my flight home. I will either sell it or give it away. Pros: * The 34L size is perfect for my use cases * It has a luggage strap to attach to a trolley bag when you don't want to carry it on your back or when you're sitting at the airport. (That's one of the reasons to buy) >>> SEE Bad on this one.* Fewer pockets to find and store things. Some needed but not as many as I see in other bags.* Expandable size, zips up to full size 34L. Otherwise a little less. Nice to have when needed. (Reason I made the purchase) * It has a frame to stand on its own (love that feature) * The bag isn't heavy * Fits under the seat on an airplane. Yes, you lose legroom, but I still take it out and tuck it under my feet for most of the flight.* Has a built-in rain cover to protect you when you need it. (very nice to know it's there during a big storm) * Zip expanders are a nice touch. They seem to be durable. * Adjustable shoulder strap for better back support (reason of my purchase) * Height adjustable button for shoulder strap. (Nice feature that's hidden until you look) *Side zip pocket is very handy *Mesh support to keep pocket off back is nice. It provides ventilation.* The chest strap is comfortable. (A must have for me. All 3 bags I own have this) *Waste Strap for extra support. (I don't use it at all) Cons: * The material is thin, folds easily and feels cheap. My other models have stronger material and don't fold like this one. This is a problem when there are a lot of things in the bag and items can fall out.* The zippers of the main pocket and the front cellphone/glasses pocket get stuck in the zipper. Very annoying, especially trying to get something in a timely manner. I thought I ripped the bag multiple times trying to unravel it. Bag close-fitting. This actually makes it so that you cannot easily slide your fingers between them. (That's the key point)* It doesn't have an insulated laptop sleeve, the main compartment has a Velcro pocket. When the bag is full it's not easy to get gear at all.* The flex of the frame seems to me to be overly curved, more so than the older Radial model. (I tried bending the frame to fix the problem but that didn't work). This affects how the laptop sits in the bag. As a result, the Velcro on the laptop and the lining pocket do not close properly. Other models do not affect the laptop. This slides the laptop out, causing the second pocket for my iPad to slide out as well, which then limits the space in the rest of the compartment. It's harder to get a device than it should be.* The pocket for various items like maps, pens, paper, etc. is too deep. The depth also affects the space in the main compartment. There's also no separate zippered pocket for storing things like a work ID or business cards. Just a few patch pockets. The old version has a half depth and an additional mesh pocket.* The frame, extended or not, does not fully support the bag. He falls. My other bag doesn't.* The water bottle bag doesn't have a loop to keep the bottle securely in the bag. My bottle fell out of this bag, my other bag has never fallen out in the few years I've owned it.* The mesh pocket doesn't go well with the bag. The helmet clip is annoying. I tend to put my phone or other things in there to hold temporarily. This bag is awkward to use.* The shoe/dirt compartment in the main compartment is pushed into the main compartment where the older version would slide out without compromising interior space. It took several trips to create this list and eventually get me back into my other bag. If you need this bag, check out another version of Radial 34 and compare specs.