Thanks for your replies Kurt and Scott. It makes sense about the compression straps taking most of the stress off of the zipper. I do have a MR longbow and actually like being able to access the bottom of the bag with out dragging every thing out. But I obviously don't carry huge loads in it. Just boned out deer with no camp.
I like the idea of the sky 7400 being two different pack sizes in one pack
, but with out sacrificing anything. Seems like when you see a product trying to do two different things it usually does neither very well.
Need to get back home and out of the lesser 48 so I can catch a few more marten to pay for a new pack!
