Sleek, modular packs cut weight and look cool, but I always check that every flap is reachable, that a water bladder has a place, and that the seams stay strong when you’re lugging 30 kilos. Fashion can mask a weak spot or bad ventilation, and in the field a look that says “modern” only matters if the modularity actually works. I love the trend when it boosts function, not just the aesthetic.