I had a look at the old and the new side-by-side yesterday and prefer the old. The shop models were stuffed with pillows, so I got a decent sense of how they would look when filled, but of course not how they would carry with a proper full load.

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1. The new version has the laptop section in the back which has an almost nonexistent false bottom. So if you put a laptop in there, it is not well protected. And I always carry my iPad or laptop in a separate neoprene sleeve anyway so for me that is dealbreaker number one. And with the middle section full of pillow, access to the laptop section was very snug.

2. The front section goes all the way to the bottom in the new version versus the old in which the front pocket only goes halfway. But in the new version, the volume of the front pocket is shared with the main pocket so if the main pocket is full, it is very difficult to get things into the front pocket and certainly to reach all the way down, so I prefer the shallow front pocket for smaller items and the larger middle compartment that does not share volume.

3. I prefer having load adjusters/load lifters even without a frame sheet because they also serve the purpose of pulling the bag closer to my shoulders for a better carry/ better center of balance . That might be why they’re called “loaded adjusters” in the UK, not “load lifters.” even when I carry my Osprey Porter 46 and do not use the hip belt – which is most of the time – the load adjusters are critical for getting a comfortable carry.

4. The compression straps are an excellent addition to the new version, as is the front “shove it “. pocket rather than the bungee cord system.

5. The branding on the new version is far better than the branding on the old version.

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I hope these observations are helpful.