"Anyone use this pack?"

The short answer is, a whole bunch of folks use and love this pack. I'll give you a brief answer to all your questions; this is one of the 5 most talked about packs on most sites, and nearly everyone likes it. To get way more information than you ever wanted, go to the BackpackingLight and BackPackGearTest websites. It's been reviewed extensively on both sites.

I've loved this pack since I first put it on about 5 years ago; the only other pack I've even considered is its frameless sibling, the Virga. I could never get my load below the 20 pound capacity of the Virga, so I'm happily using the Vapor Trail.

To answer your questions:

Is the 40% stat true? I have no idea - but if everyone else is as smart as me, it should be. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Is 3600 cubic incehs decent? That depends on the bulk of your load. If you use a synthetic sleeping bag, synthetic jacket, closed-cell pad, and other bulky gear, probably not. If, like me, you use a down bag and jacket, Thermarest 3/4-length pad, and solo tent, it's probably plenty. (I carry 24 pounds in cold weather, and haven't ever completely filled the extension sleeve on the pack.)

Will it fare OK in different locations? Sure - the pack doesn't really know where it is; it's you, your skills, and the appropriateness of your other gear that will determine how YOU will fare in those locations. The pack will just go along for the ride.

My favorite feature of this pack is the plush backpad - it actually saves some weight, if you're carrying a full-length inflatable pad. You can downsize to a 3/4 length pad, and put the empty pack at the foot of the pad; it's large and soft enough under your legs to extend the pad to full length.