Mountainsmith Lumbar-Recycled Series Tour TLS R Backpack

Not so much a review but an ode to the pack this one is replacing. If you have any doubt about spending a few extra bucks to get the Mountainsmith, here's your muse:I bought this to replace the prior Tour pack I bought nearly 20 years ago. I'm a television news videographer and my last pack went through hell. Here's what I wrote about it on Facebook:Today I'm retiring one of my oldest and dearest friends. I got this pack in St. Louis in 2000 after someone broke into my news vehicle at KPLR and stole my old one. The old one was blue. I forget where I bought it...probably the South County Sports Authority. They didn't have any more blue ones, if I recall. Only red.It lasted longer than my marriage and it is older than both of my kids. It's been coast to coast, to Super Bowls and World Series games, the Indy 500 and Monday Night Football. It's been inside two space shuttles, Presidential debates and crime scenes. It's been sniffed by numerous secret service dogs and been around my waist when I've interviewed Presidents, Royalty, Actors, musicians and criminals. There's not many places I've been professionally that it hasn't gone with me. I've replaced the straps twice. I've increased the diameter of the straps to fit the diameter of my waist, and recently decreased. It's been carried by many good friends and co-workers. Reporters, anchors, interns, other photographers. If you look into the nooks and crannies of the pockets you might find some confetti from the 2002 Super Bowl, or some dirt from the pitchers mound from the old Busch Stadium after the Cardinals won the pennant in 2004. Or the mound at Shea Stadium after Wainwright struck Beltran out looking. You can probably still smell some old musty champagne from those games as well. I'm not going to stick my nose in it, you can trust me.I'm a little sad to see it go, but it's time. It's done it's job and it's time for rest. Godspeed gear bag, you were the best of the best.

This will easily hold all of your day hike essentials, lunch for one, a two persons first aid kit and emergency items in case you may have to spend the night in the woods. A extra layer of clothing can be strapped to the front of the pack using the shock cord or under the pack using the straps. The pack is built tough but not over built like Maxpedition gear. The hip belt is adjustable from 26 to 52 and is very comfortable. The size of the water bottle pockets on the sides concerned me at first. They appeared to be very small and I didn't think anything bigger than a 20 oz water bottle would fit. Surprisingly, I was able to fit 1qt GI canteens in them. They fit snugly but not so bad that it would be a hassle to take them in and out. That's 64 ounces of water with the two GI canteens. I can't find my Nalgene bottle right now so I couldn't say if one would fit. I also purchased the shoulder straps with the bag. I think the straps are a must if you plan on filling the bag and carrying two bottles of water. For dayhikes, I think I'm done with backpacks. This is much more comfortable and your back will stay cool. If you like to pack light for dayhikes but don't want to sacrifice the essentials, this is a perfect option. If you prefer packing a little more than you actually need or for winter dayhikes, you may want to go with the Lumbar Day pack which is the next size up.

This is a potentially great pack, but the "new" design really blew it on the water bottle holders. The older version had mesh pockets with an adjustable cinch cord that would accommodate 4x10 Nalgene bottles easily; to get that size bottle in this pack's pockets is a herculean struggle. Even bicycle-size bottles are a bit of a job to get in, and both are nearly impossible to manipulate while wearing this pack. Otherwise, this pack is built and functions very well. I'd suggest buying this pack only if you never intend to use the water bottle holsters. I really hope Mountainsmith corrects this problem on future versions, as I really like this pack and would buy another if they do!