Like most photographers, I've owned a wide variety of backpacks and bags over the years, always searching for the perfect one. While perfection is elusive, this the the closest thing I've found in a backpack, and it's currently my favorite bag. Of course, what works for me may not work for you, but here's what makes this bag stand out for me:-Quality construction. The pack is well built (as I'd expect from Tamrac) with thoughtful touches like corded zipper pulls and a sturdy grab handle on top.-Comfortable to carry. The straps comfortably distribute weight across the shoulders, and the waist belt can be removed if (like me) you prefer to be without it. If you do like to use the waist strap, you'll find this one is wide and well padded. I'd be comfortable wearing it on long hikes, but for day-to-day use I rarely want it so it's nice to be able to leave the extra bulk behind.-Thoughtful Tripod Carry System. If you carry a tripod regularly, you may be initially put off by the somewhat unusual configuration, but after getting used to it I've found it superior to anything else I've used. The large bottom pocket doubles as a foothold for the tripod, meaning your not going to want to carry small items in that pocket while you're carrying a tripod. I haven't found this to be a huge sacrifice. The advantage is that you have abundant space to anchor your tripod's feet. It's easy to fit two of the legs into the pocket to keep the tripod stable - none of the wobbling around you get when the tripod is hanging on by a single foot in one of those tiny tripod pockets that are typical. Then there are two straps that keep the tripod secured to the front of the bag, and a third strap at the top of the bag that holds the tripod head close to the pack. It's the most secure system I've found on a backpack.-Space. The "slim" designation in the name means the bag is only about 4 inches deep, so it's not ideal if you're carrying a gripped full frame body (though the bag isn't rigid so you could make it fit). My Canon 5DSR fits comfortably with a bulky L-bracket attached, and there's room inside for an assortment of lenses. I've currently got mine loaded with the 5DSR, a 70-200mm f2.8, 11-24mm f4, a Tamron 150-600mm, and a 50mm. The bag is tall enough to accommodate the 5DSR with the Tamron 150-600mm attached. There's also room for a 15" laptop in the front compartment.I do have a few minor issues with the bag. Since the it opens in the front, you'll need to release the top tripod strap before opening it when you're carrying a tripod. It also means you need to set the bag down on it's back to open (on the side that you'll later have against your body) which is less than ideal if you don't have a clean place to put the bag down. The mesh padding on the back, which helps keeps you cool when you're carrying it, tends to pick up sand like a sponge if you put the bag down at the beach. It cleans up easy enough, but it's worth noting if you're a regular beach-goer.If you want a low-profile backpack, need to carry a pretty complete selection of lenses, and don't need to carry a gripped body, this is one of the best choices out there.