I'm an Osprey Convert. I got an Aether 70 last year and love it. It hauls a ton and is (by far) the most comforable pack I've ever owned. Price/performance (especially load carry per weight and comfort) definitely exceed my expectations for a multi-day pack.

That said, I like my Dana Alpine (pre Mystery Ranch / K2 split) even though it weighs a ton compared to packs made today - even for a 5500ci capacity pack. For what it's worth, I think Dana Gleason found it more profitable to sell his bomb-proof designs to the military than to compete in the cutthroat 'outdoor gear' industry in the near term.

Back on topic, my all-purpose day hike pack is an REI Talus 35, which is low-cost, high-comfort, and right-sized for virtually all of my NW spring-summer-fall activities... I might even call it a heavy-duty 1 day pack that isn't camo!