I have one, the model with the mesh back and a frame to keep the pack off your back . Small, like 1800ci. Seemed like a great idea for my archery hunting since it is usually warm by mid day.
I tried to like it for two years, it just did not fit me well. I'm pretty tall 6'4, so that may be the problem. Held up well, and it took a lot of use/abuse. It might end up on the EE cheap, I really have too many packs.
This year I had to have something different that I knew would fit. I'm in my pack most of the day, and carry a pretty decent load for elk. Water alone is 8 lbs. So I bit the bullet and am trying a Kuiu ultra 3000 CI pack. A little bigger than what I need, but all the outerwear I strip off as it warms up from 30 degrees to 60+ can now go into the pack instead of hanging off it.
Just got it , so adjustable I think it would really fit most, but I got a tall frame anyway. Cool thing is I can put an elk quarter in between the pack and frame, get back to camp, pull the bag off and use the frame as a freighter.
I'll see, first I gotta stick a elk. Did a few short hikes already and this is easily the most comfortable pack ever on my back.
Back on your question, I think the badlands stuff is pretty well made and has a lifetime warranty. The hydration bladder pocket on mine was a poor design since it took three hands to get a full bladder back in, but that was handled with some camelback quick couplers and a 10 liter bladder I hang in camp. I can fill my camelback without even taking a pack off my back, and have.
Here's some pics of my old and new.
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