Hi ahteok...
Wow...New Zealand. Envy you guys. It depends on how you will be traveling in NZ. If you guys are backpacking 100%, meaning you will be carrying your pack with you all the time, then yes, a hybrid or convertible pack like the one you mentioned is okay. HS are okay but they are not really built for serious use and abuse. NZ terrain is rough, that is why many of the packs from NZ are almost bombproof. You mention Spore, so I take it that you have visited Sports Connection outlet. In recent months, some of their retail outlets have been closed down because of drop in sale. Go to Shaw plaza, there is one there still, ground floor. 6 months in NZ, I suggest you go for something better.

By the way, the other way to travel in NZ is to buy a van. It may cost you a bit more but it gives you GREAT flexibility in terms of going places, and with a van, you can sleep inside, which is something really common. My friend just came back a few months back. They bought a van for under NZD5000 with a bed behind. Travelled the entire country in 6 months, seen lots of places and saved a LOT on accommodation. I would strongly suggest that you do not try to camp out in NZ unless you are very well verse and well equipped with the right tent. Buy your gear here, much cheaper here.

Hope that helps.

Hi ahteok! Wow...if I knew your GF was going down to Sg, would have asked her a favor to bring back a pack for me!! He..he..
NVM that

About the 'zip' that separates the two inner compartment, I am not sure which zip you are talking about. If it is the INNER zip that separates the top and bottom compartment, then I honestly never use them. I find them a nuisance honestly. But if you find them useful, I think one way s to make sure that the lower compartment is filled so that the stress from the upper compartment does not break the zippers.
All packs made of cordura like material will have the 'flaking' problem you mentioned. The 'dust' or 'powder' you describe is actually the waterproof coating. After some time, this coating will surely come off. I have seen it in almost every backpack EXCEPT for Macpac because the use cotton based materials.

There are several ways of dealing with it. One thing is for sure, your pack will not be water repellent anymore. Don't worry about waterproofing, it is just a sale gimmick. NO pack is waterproof unless you invest your hard earned money in brands like Arcteryx. I think the best solution for you is to try to remove the 'powder' as much as possible. Yes, they will stick to clothes etc in your pack and that is just very messy. You can slowly brush them off. What a friend of mind did was to put the entire pack into a washing machine, (remove all metal pieces first), put inside the bag a few rough steel wool and wait and see.

BUT since you will be going for a trip soon, maybe its not a good idea to try something like the above. My recomendation is that yoiu brush off as much as you can. Also, am not sure how you want to pack your pack but it is a good idea to waterproof everything in your pack. Two ways you can do this.

A...the more expensive way...buy pack liners, these are soft, silicone impregnated nylon. They can be costly but weighs almost nothing. But about 3 for your gear. Put clothes in them, so that they are waterproofed and then kept inside your pack

B...the cheaper (my way) method is to invest in some high quality black garbage bags. These bags are NOT easy to tear and they are solid. Buy a few, some extras just in case. They work the same but so much cheaper on your wallet.

You can use Nikwax if you like but I won't bother. They work better for jackets etc. For packs, just get a rain cover. I honestly think that nomatter what you apply on your pack, it will get wet, your clothes will only survive IF you waterproof them INSIDE your pack.

Well my friend, I really do hope you and your friends have a good time in NZ. Take lots of pics yeah.
Hope this helps!