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It being my first backpacking trip, I was having to outfit myself with a lot of gear. While I wasn't quite ready to drop the BIG bucks on truly ultralight gear, I did take the opportunity to find that sweet spot between weight and cost savings. I set modest goals for my big-3 weight, and knew that since I would be carrying a more traditional backpacking tent, camera gear, and a bear can full of 10+ days of food, I'd likely need a pack that could handle some weight comfortably. The Maven was that pack. This pack manages to provide all the bells and whistles as the traditional favorites, while still being lighter weight overall. The suspension and "carry" doesn't feel compromised or watered down. The pack wears fantastically well, and in 225+ miles of walking with it, I never once had a single complaint. Not one. Seriously.
I could talk all day about the fit and features of this pack, but to give you an overall idea of how "worth it" it is (for me)... Through a stroke of that obsessive dedication I mentioned earlier, and some seriously good luck, I managed to get my hands on Gregory Deva 68L at an REI Used Gear Sale. The pack was in brand new condition, only the inner sidekick hydration sleeve was dusty. The price was $99. I had an $88 dividend, making the price $11! I could buy my first backpack for a whopping $11. It was the deal of a lifetime, how lucky could I get? But there was a problem. I had loaded up the Deva, and spent 3 hours walking circles around the store. The Deva was a fine pack, with some awesome features, including a few I missed on the Maven. But something about it just wasn't right. It was like it was lacking a "spring in its step." I knew that the Maven was the better pack, for me, for this trip, and for future adventures. It was lighter, fit better, felt much more streamlined, yet still handled a heavy load like a dream. Only the Maven was full price. Was I willing to pass up an $11 pack? Yes, I was. Because I knew the Maven was well worth it, and it did not disappoint. If you are new to backpacking and dont have all the expensive ultralight gear or anticipate occasionally carrying loads in the 30-40lbs range, I would HIGHLY recommend the Maven!
As jimbolaya mentions, one of the side pockets allows you to orient a water bottle at an angle, so you can pull it in and out without removing the pack. I can't really speak to this, as I prefer drinking from a bladder or soft bottles. On the JMT, I carried a 1L platypus Hoser bottle on the exterior of the pack, in the side pocket, routing the hose over the shoulder strap. The soft bottle traveled beautifully in the stretchy side pocket, was super easy to remove and fill, and I was able to reach back and feel how much water I had left. Also, I had no issues with punctures, sloshing, or leaking, despite the more exposed placement.
As for ventilation, I found the Maven quite comfortable. I dont think I have a photo, but on heyheynicolep's post below, she shared a good side-view. You can see at her lumbar area there is a little space (almost enough to pass my arm through), that is where the mesh and suspension sort of keep the pack away from your back, allowing airflow. Higher up your back, at the shoulders, the pack does rest against your back, but as it goes down your back there is space between the two. So I while did experience some back sweat (I think that is inevitable with ANY pack), I haven't yet found it to be excessive or uncomfortable... even on hikes in Los Angeles, CA (hot/dry) or Atlanta, GA (hot/humid).
A simple, but great feature is the angled water bottle holder. Takes some practice but when you get the hang of it it’s AMAZING.
I have two complaints about this pack after about 700 trail kms. First, like you, I find the hip belt pocket size quite small. Does not come close to fitting my phone (iPhone 6S with otter box). The second problem I have is a bit worse. The adjustable sternum strap does not stay in place. Ever. I keep my sternum strap as low as it allows, but always slides upwards and quite easily.