Exchanging my new S-19 for an S-25

[R1776]

I just got my S-19 today and tried it out.
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I trek 1.5 miles, each way, over to the University every day.
It is a lot uphill, and the last part involves going up about 80 steps.
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The trip always puts me in a bit if a sweat, the first thing I do when I get to the university is to go the restroom and put on a dry shirt.
The trip back home is not as strenuous.
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I was happy with my previous pack, a North Peaks Gear pack.
It is black with some fake leather trim.
However, one of the main shoulder straps is about half torn off where it attaches to the pack.
I have on idea how much longer it will hold together. So I ordered an S-19
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Let me describe my North Peaks pack.
In the main section I carried about a two or a three-inch stack of papers that I have printed out.
Life is about reading from this stack and new documents being added to the stack at regular intervals.
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I also carry whatever book I happen to be reading.
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I usually carry three cans of Diet Shasta soda and an artificial ice baggy thing.
I manage to stuff all of this into an insulated baby bottle carrier designed for two bottles.
It is shocking just how perfect this setup has been.
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I also carry a Dickey’s Big Yellow plastic cup. They have the most wonderful barbecue.
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Also, I carry a clean dry shirt and a medium lite jacket.
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The North Peaks has a big square zippered external pocket on the back.
I put a lot of desk draw stuff in it including my cell phone.
I like that nothing is likely to fall out when I open it.
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The last time I weighed the full pack, it weighed 10 pounds.
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I read a review backpacks in Sweet-home and their pick was the S-19.
So I ordered one. Black outside, steel inside.
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It arrived and I tried it out.
It looked about the same size as my old pack.
However, when I put everything in it, it was so tight that I had to ‘work’ to get the zippers to close.
I am sending it back and exchanging it for a larger S-25.
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Hopefully, I will be happier.
I feel that I will have to get used to the vertical side pockets, I hope I don’t regret losing my big pocket in the back.
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Some things that I definitely liked.
1) The back of the pack has some kind of webbing.
This really helps keep my shirt from getting so wet.
It is not perfect, but it is better and I love it.
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2) I like the interior zipper pocket in the main pocket, the perfect place to put my book.
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3) The S-19 seems to maintain a better backing shape regardless of how you pack.
I often had to re-pack the contents of my old pack to get the shape, as to how it fit my back, right.
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So soon I should be getting my replacement S-25.
I will the report back after I try it.
Hopefully I will be grinning from ear to ear with happiness.
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Any comments are encouraged,
Thank You.
RJ

[solo]

Cool review thanks!
I think you will find the S25 much larger and able to fit all your items, however they will no longer be "packed" as it has so much room to spare.
You face the same problem I had when ordering a pack. Really the S19 fits my need but the fact that sometimes I must carry workout shoes would not work out for the S19 due to their shape (they fit comfortably in the bottom pocket or main cabin). Similarly the fact you carry a big yellow cup (light weigh but odd shaped) and other odd shaped stuff throws the S19 into a tizzy since it's so compartmentalized already (and I bet at the end of the day your S19 is easy to carry).
Good luck and I would be interested in hearing your review of how the S25 works out for you.

One more thing, if you haven't placed your order yet, what are your thoughts on a smart alec? Seems like the one huge pocket may work better for you.

[Peruvian]

2) I like the interior zipper pocket in the main pocket, the perfect place to put my book.
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Interior zipper pocket? Am I missing something? My S-19 doesn't have this.

[Fever39]

just wondering, how tall you are? i feel that at 5'6(my height) slim figure, i am the biggest to ideally carry a s19, anyone bigger or taller tends to dislike the s19 and aim for larger bags...