OverLand Equipment Acadia pack

Review by Arnie P

Overland Acadia

Acadia back view

The Acadia day pack was provided by Overland Equipment for the purpose of this review.

The OverLand Acadia appears to be a very computer friendly and sturdy pack. The Acadia is rugged for daily use going to the workplace and also suitable for outdoor fun during leisure hours. I really like being able to slide my computer into a pack rather than dropping it in from the top.

Data and features

Dimensions: 11.5″ x 12.5″ x 5″

Weight: 2.0 lbs

Materials: Made of ballistic nylon

Colors: Black/Dusty Blue

Durable 540 D and 1680 D Ballistic Nylon

Comfortable breathable padded back panel

Fleece lined pocket for sunglasses/camera/cell phone

Padded shoulder straps (2.5 inches wide)

Adjustable breast strap horizontally and vertically

Heavy duty carry handle

Computer compartment

The computer compartment is accessed by a vertical zipper with a short fob attached to the zipper tab. Since the computer compartment has a side opening, there is less of a chance that moisture will get to the computer, if caught in the rain. I have not been entirely at ease dropping my computer into a pack from the top. With the Acadia I can have a firm grip on my computer as I slide it into the pack horizontally. My 13.4 in laptop fit easily into the Acadia and in about a week I will be trying my new 16.4 in laptop. I will be writing about that in my next report. I feel very comfortable carrying my laptop in this pack. At first I was concerned about the stability since this pack does not have a waist belt. The generous sized shoulder straps combined with a breast strap that is adjustable vertically as well as horizontally seems to prevent any shifting of the pack on my back. There was no bouncing of the pack as I walked with a laptop inside. Overall I find getting my laptop in and out of this pack very easy and quick.

Acadia computer compartment

Other compartments

There are four compartments accessible from the exterior of the Acadia. The computer compartment discussed above is placed closest to one’s back. The main compartment is placed forward of the computer compartment and upper and lower smaller compartments are forward of the main compartment. The main compartment has a double tabbed zipper with fobs that are slightly longer than the zipper fob for the computer compartment. This main compartment zipper is protected from the weather by a fabric flap and is spacious and unobstructed. By my measurements, it is slightly over 15 L. Inside and at the top of the main compartment, is a zippered mesh pocket that is about 10.5 in wide by 6 in high. The top smaller compartment has a vertical zipper with a very small fob attached to the tab. This compartment is fleece lined and is about 7 in wide by 5 in high. It would be a good place to store items that are sensitive to being scratched. The bottom smaller compartment is larger than the top compartment and has a double tabbed zipper that opens 3 sides of this compartment. This compartment is about 10 in wide by 9 in high. The flap of this compartment has 2 small pockets, one zippered and one open. The zippered one is mesh, has a fob, and is about 4 1/4 in wide by 4 1/2 in high. The open pocket has fleece lining and is about 3 1/4 in wide by 4 1/2 in high. The fixed side of this lower fixed exterior compartment has an open style mesh pocket with elastic across the top and measures about 10 in wide by 4 in high. I really appreciate mesh pockets because they allow for easy identification of items.

Acadia vented padding

Hydration

This pack has an external corded sleeve which easily holds a 3/ 1/2 in diameter water bottle. I tend to use a lot of water and would have liked to have an external water carrier on each side of the pack.

Initial impressions

I use the handle on a pack a lot and the handle on this pack appears to be really strong and durable. I use the zippers a lot and these zippers look like they will take a lot of use. I am looking forward to using this pack in my volunteer work where I use my computer a lot. Check back in about a month and I will have more to say about this Acadia.

Acadia water bottle holder

Overland Equipment Acadia pack update
5-14-2010

In my initial article I mentioned the Acadia is a computer friendly day pack. Unfortunately, when my new laptop arrived, I found that it does not fit in the sleeve because it is less than ½ in too wide. My new laptop measures 15 ½ in by 10 ½ in by ¾ in. If it were thinner it may have fit into the computer sleeve; however, it does fit in the main compartment of the pack. The Acadia still remains a fantastic pack for my 13.4 in laptop. It has been great using the Acadia for my tutoring classes. It allows me to easily carry all the material I need for the class. These items include: legal size notepad, calculator, cell phone, camera, and miscellaneous items I may need for the class. I sometimes attend professional seminars and the pack is well suited for that purpose also. These all day seminars are sometimes 9 hours long and I have been able to fit everything I need in an organized way.

On the trail

I have used the Acadia mainly for day hikes of less than 4 hours. The ventilation for my back is good. This is probably because there is no waist belt and this allows for air to pass between the pack and me. I have hiked in temperatures of 85 F and did not get very sweaty. Without a waist belt, the weight of the pack and contents is shifted all to the shoulders. The shoulders straps are well padded and are able to handle fairly heavy loads. I have carried about 12 pounds for several hours and have not had any discomfort in my shoulders. I have done some bushwhacking with the Acadia and the pack did not get caught in the bushes. Occasionally I have had to crawl under a fallen tree and I have been able to do this easily without getting caught by the tree. The pack has done well with a lot of trail abuse and is taking the punishment very well. Overall I am pleased with the Acadia, I will use it to carry my smaller laptop and for all my shorter day hikes. Please check back in about a month for an update.

heading toward Artist's Bluff

looking at Liberty Gorge

Overland Equipment Acadia pack update a last look

6-18-2010

During this period I used the Acadia for going to meetings and short hikes. Going to meetings is a lot better without having a waist belt. There is a lot less space available at meetings and the extra straps tend to get in the way.

Carrying 2 laptops

I had not planned for this situation but it happened anyway. Shortly after receiving my new laptop it failed and I returned it to the manufacturer’s local store. They had me take back all the original packing material, as well. When I received my call to pick up my repaired laptop I was expecting it to be contained in some kind of packing material. I put my old laptop in the sleeve of the Acadia and went to the store to pick up my repaired laptop, as I had some questions about the old laptop. I got my questions answered and put it the laptop in the compartment sleeve and then my repaired laptop came out and more questions were answered. Since the new laptop did not contain any packing, I took it and inserted it into the main compartment and it fit well. The battery chargers and cords for both laptops fit well inside the main compartment also. The load was now about 16 lb and being in a large mall I had a long walk to the car. I was very pleased with the comfort in this situation. Now that I know it can be done, I will probably be carrying both laptops in the Acadia sometime in the future. I have continued to use the Acadia for my various volunteer work and to go to seminars. The paperwork I carry is usually in standard notebook size and the Acadia protects my papers very well. The comfort is very good even with 2 laptops. Getting the pack on and off is also quick and easy.

On the trail

I have hiked on the Horn Pond conservation area several times, once on a hot sunny day with a temperature of 85 F. There was very little breeze and the humidity was high. The pack provided very good ventilation for my back and I did not get very sweaty. The trail is not long but there is a hill with a steep accent to a multi stage summit where there are excellent views of Boston.

This is a pack I will be using for my volunteer work, attending professional meetings, and on shorter hikes. I am looking forward to using this pack for many years to come. The reliability and usability is excellent. I wish to thank Overland and 4alloutdoors.org for the opportunity to test this pack.