MountainsmithTour Lumbar Pack

Love this bag! I plan on using it for short day hikes to carry my own gear and enough water for both myself and my dog. I opted for this 2016 version for reasons of being frugal. The 2020 version was way out of my budget. This bag alone does have some weight to it so with the amt of what I plan on carrying, the bag does tend to pull away from the middle of my back. I assume the 2020 version is probably lighter. I have ordered the add-on strappettes to solve this issue and am eagerly awaiting their arrival. I'm only 5'4" and I have a rather short torso so it does almost look like a backpack on me. But I wanted to go with a lumbar pack because my hydration backpack wasn't large enough to accommodate water for myself and a separate bottle for my dog. Additionally, I was overheating too much with the unnecessary coverage over my back from a backpack. The material feels super tough and the zippers are nice and big, they don't feel or look cheap! The bright yellow interior really helps you look for items within the bag. The bottle holders will easily accommodate two 32oz nalgene bottles. Although the bottle holders are mesh, they do have a solid middle panel running down the length of the pockets to give added structure and strength. I'll likely switch to Nalgene's Lite version bottles to reduce a smidgen of the weight as I have the tritan one now, a taller tritan-like bottle and also a Hydropak. My only two complaints: I wish both sides of the lumbar panels have pockets (there is only one pocket on one side only) and that if the straps for the waist buckle had a place to tuck in the loose ends. Right now the loose ends just dangle and are quite long. They do have elastics to hold them in place but they don't hold the loose ends tight and will become undone with on-going movement. I am otherwise super happy with this bag. It can definitely hold a lot (2 water bottles, a light jacket, small to medium size first aid kit, snacks for myself and dog, flashlight, keys, wallet, cell phone, extra cell battery and a enough room for other small items. You can strap trekking poles to the bottom of the bag but it doesn't cinch tight enough to make it a tight hold or you could strap a towel or mat there instead which will be a tighter hold. I love the webbing on the outside as I'm able to clip a dog bowl and any other miscellaneous items to it in multiple places on the front of the bag. You aren't tied to only one location on the bag. You can easily bungee cord your jacket on the outside. There is a fast access pocket right behind the ribbed panel that lies against your middle back. You could easily store a map or cell phone there. I didn't think the black and yellow looked that great in the stock photos but it's actually really nice in person! Again, for reasons of saving some money, I went with the black and yellow as it was the least exepnsive and I'm more than satisfied. Also inside the main compartment, there is a neoprene panel which I assume protects small electronics from other items in the bag. I have heard of some folks using that pocket to hold a water bladder instead of using water bottles. You would just need a horizontal style bladder and there is a port for you to run the tubing through if you wish (even though the port is for a headphone cord). Get this bag, you won't regret it! I just highly recommend getting the strappettes as well for more comfort and stability (and also if you plan on packing your kitchen sink in there too!). This also makes a very nice carry on bag for traveling. The lumbar panels have a place to tuck in and it comes with a strap to wear this bag as a messenger style. I took a pic of the bag with my 60-ish lbs dog for size comparison.

There are so many different pockets and places to put everything you need on a day hike. You can also buy a separate water bladder for this pack. If we fill it too full and it’s heavy for a Fanny pack, meaning it can tip back as you wear it, we attach the shoulder strap. While the shoulder strap is not totally comfortable while hiking, it does the job until we use up some of the water. Usually it’s because we are carrying a lot of water for us and the (older) dogs. We don’t want the older dogs carrying any extra weight, so we do it for them.This is our second pack. I had one originally and my husband liked it so much he got one for Father’s Day.

Husband, here. Bought this as my father's day gift to myself. Bought the Mountainsmith shoulder straps to go with it and the short version, I love it. I usually road cycle by myself and after getting stranded a few times from multiple flats/mechanical issues I figured I needed to carry more stuff. I was already using a fanny pak that was a hair small for carrying my tubes, tools, CO2, extra pump, etc but not having any room left over. (Like errands to the store on the way home or stopping by the pool for a few laps) This pack is perfect to a tad big but as they say, go big or go home. Still in the medium size of the Mountainsmith line. I probably could have been OK with the next size down, the Drift. Pack is well constructed and looks like it will last longer than I'm going to. I purchased the shoulder straps because the fully loaded previous pak would sag and after getting up out of the saddle it would hang up on the saddle when I went to sit down. Tried to find straps to fit the previous pak but nothing looked like it would work so I just figured I'll get two things that looked like they go together. And these do, very well. First ride I loaded the pack up with all my riding stuff, a 2L camel back and a 10 lb dumb bell because, why not. Whole pack was about 20 lbs. Excellent padding in the waist belt, never felt any pressure on the back. I did start to notice some shoulder fatigue after 15 miles and also the next day. Second ride I just took out the dumb bell, loosened the shoulder straps a little and I hardly noticed it there.Only negative issue for me is I'm a 32 waist and the waist belt is cinched down almost all the way, which leaves plenty of strap flying in the breeze. I'll have to come up with a solution for that.Water bottle holders hold my Otterbox defender cased phone/snacks just right with easy access. Several tightening straps around the pack keep it all snug and secure. I may not get a lot of street cred from the more fanatic cyclists wearing this but NBD. I'd rather not be thumbing for a ride again. Good luck out there!

This is the same model that has been around for ages, and with good reason. It is a tough, durable lumbar pack that solves the in between loads scenarios, and/or when you don't want something overheating your upper back. It fits as much as a smaller day based backpack so in that it fits the bill nicely. Some general complaints about all packs these days is that the water bottle holders aren't very reliable if you are moving around vigorously, encountering bumps, ducking under downed branches, etc. Depending on your bottle, it may fall out. The zippers are probably overbuilt as is the material, but only those weight conscious should be discouraged. I cannot decide if the strip is a blessing or curse, i.e. if not using it, you have to stow it away somewhere, it may get lost.. In general, it is a nice option though. If someone wants a larger lumbar pack, this is one of the few go to options out there. I would highly recommend it if your are considering a lumbar pack for hiking, biking, tolling about... It would be great for an urban pack as well especially with the strap, and some ladies use them as purses.

I was looking for something between a normal fanny pack or pouch and a full blown courier bag, and the Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack works great. It is a very tough and high quality pack. It has a lot of room for my gloves, toque, keys, wallet, cell, diabetic supplies, etc., etc.. I really like the shoulder strap option and find it very useful. I haven't tried it in its true role as a fanny pack but will soon. Although the buckles are apparently proprietary (thinner than I've been able to find anywhere locally), Mountainsmith has been great and allowed me to buy a belt extension from them to allow it to fit over all my winter clothing.

Este bolso es perfecto para llevar tus cosas ordenadas. Te ofrece la posibilidad de usarla como un bolso de mano, colgado al hombro, así como también como una cangurera. El material es de lo mejor, incluso puede llevarse al campo y resistirá sin problema si eres una muy activa, ya que esta lista para la aventura. La recomiendo, es de lo mejor.

ロードバイクのツーリングに使っているのをテレビで見て、これだと思い購入。1日乗ってきたインプレ：装着してみて、あと少し、しっかり締めきれない感じが残る。ばしっとフィットする満足感に至らない。まず腹部のメインのバックルをはめる。そしてスリングを引き、締める。そのあと、サイドのスリングを締めるのだが、ここがいっぱいまで締めても、どうもしっくりいかない。改良の余地はないだろうか。かなり以前、他社のバッグを使っていたが、非常にフィットできた。基本的には似た機構で、サイドのスリングがよく働いていた。これはやや大型なので、バッグ全体が重くなりがちだ。そのため、上手な装着、締め方をこれから探っていかないといけない。長年、名作とされてきたバッグだから、きっと上記は、まだうまく使えていないことによるものなのだろう、と思っている。

Long time later I still love this bag. Great for quick trip out grab a couple drinks and snacks and a book and even a hammock and chill. Love love love the bag. Own lots of packs from hazard 4 to 5.11 etc this is top quality

Great bag. Well made and comfortable to carry. I bought this to carry my camera which with a padded insert holds the camera and an extra lens with filters.Very good bag