Bought new in August of 2010 from MR. NICE frame is Med waist and Med yoke. I took it to a seamstress and had the side pouches removed, then sewed back on with #10 YKK zippers. This mod saves just under a pound when I dont need the extra space, such as just dayhunting. When I need the extra space for bivying, I zip the sidebags back on and its good to go. The NICE frame also has the pocketed waistbelt. I have packed out 2 boned out muleys and 1 black bear with it. I have cleaned it after every packout, but there are a couple small bloodstains that wouldnt come out. It is 100% other than that with no rips, tears, etc. Photos of all angles and with/without sidebags attached.