Shadow Guide 23

The Shadow Guide 23 is a top-loader backpack that’s available in two sizes — 23 liters (you’re here now) and 33 liters. There's a lot that's new in this pack, including a new back panel design that reduces weight and increases air flow. The included (yet removable) internal frame w/aluminum stay saves weight without sacrificing the integrity of the frame itself. The Shadow Guide utilizes our Edgeless Shoulder Straps, which first debuted in 2019 and have garnered a reputation for a new level of comfort. 

The built-in laptop compartment with an exterior side access zipper fits an even wider range of laptops than the Synik 22/Synik 30 thanks to the Shadow Guide's rectangular back panel. It has three quick-access zipper pockets for small items and one spacious main compartment that cinches closed with a drawstring. Back to the zippers for a second — all of the zippers on this pack are reversed YKK Racquet Coil zippers with a C6 Durable Water Repellant (DWR) coating. You’ll find that these zippers offer good weather and abrasion resistance and zip open/shut like butter. We’ve snipped the metal zipper pulls off and replaced them with cord pulls so you don’t have to.

This is a pack for those who appreciate simplicity and spaciousness. There’s less going on to distract you from the bones of the pack — and the bones (shoulder straps, frame, back panel, materials, main compartment) are arguably what matters most.