Are panel loaders the best style?

Why I prefer panel loader or clamshell packs vs top loader or "traditional" style packs. We look at offerings from ‪@vanquestgear‬, ‪@mysteryranch‬, and ‪@HillPeopleGear‬.
Vanquest Addax 18 & Ibex-35
Mystery Ranch Urban Assault 21
Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Connor v2
#travel #adventure #luggage #backpack #pack #bag #adventure #explore

[@KentuckyWoodsman]

I prefer a Clamshell too! Seems a much better design for convenience.

[@the_gear_shak]

Agreed! Thanks for watching man

[@SurvivalSavvvy]

Clamshell packs weigh more because its more zipper. I prefer a top load with a zipper on the side to access what's inside the pack. I drop a trash bag in and the drop anything I do not want getting wet inside it and that fills the pack 1/2 way. The other 1/2 is some items like a cooking kit etc.... Anything I need easy access to is in the lid. I have never carried shoes in my pack I am wearing them. :) The pack I run is the KUIU PRO LT 5500 Pack

[@the_gear_shak]

Sounds like a solid setup 👌

[@22LR.addict]

This is definitely my favorite style of pack!

[@DannyRiskit]

I prefer top loader/bucket style....I just see more zipper as more points of failure

[@jamescrews3516]

Love that Connor pack!! But I might go for the ibex. Been looking at it alot lately. What size is your ?

[@the_gear_shak]

The is the Ibex-35. I ran it as my hiking daypack for a good while before switching over to the Tarahumara and then finally settling on the Connor.
The Ibex is a great pack, just was a bit more than I wanted for a day of exploring the hills and hollers around here. I use it now mainly as a suitcase and cargo pack on my motorcycle than anything else.
The Connor is just the right size for me, and I like the built-in water bottle pockets more so than having them hanging off the sides of the Ibex. One downside is the waist belt is an additional purchase on the Connor where the Ibex is included

[@jamescrews3516]

@the_gear_shak nice man! Thank you for your info on it plus great videos. I thought it was the 35. Man it's so tuff to make a decision but with videos like yours helps out so so much brother!

[@the_gear_shak]

@jamescrews3516 Thanks I appreciate the words! If you look back through my Packs and Bags playlist, I have a video showing my Connor loadout and my Tarahumara loadout. Those are pretty well the same as whatxI had in the Ibex-35 during it's time as my daypack, there was just more extra space

[@docnasty9472]

Clam shell my favorite can see everything after unzipping