Mountainsmith Day Lumbar Pack - Concrete

I've owned three of these now over the decades.The beaver tail sold me on getting the new one. The earlier shock cord style was not as effective IMHO. There is also a concealed zipper pocket on the reverse side of the tail.The current shoulder strap system is different from earlier versions but still strapette compatible. This one is somewhat more complex but gives more stress control and stability. And minimizes dangling excess strap. Adjustment is a little fussy as it tends to coincide with where I want the pad to be a lot. It has slipped a bit longer a few times too. Might need an additional triglide to hold tight.Waist belt is good, easier to adjust than older models. But you've got more total strap involved which is more total weight. Love the zipper pocket. But it's a bit more bulky tucked away than prior versions.Compression isn't quite as good as older models, by the beaver tail offers a bit of compression too. And see below about changes to the front pocket.The front pocket access is a bit more work to access because of the beaver tail. It doesn't have bellows expansion of older designs so it robs space from the main area more now. But more of the quick access items can move to the waist belt pockets instead.The tablet divider is stiffer and more structured than the earlier version I have. The loop label inside is actually useful for clipping pens, small flashlight or knife.Material seems as good as ever, and the upgrades are in keeping with my current use practices. Stitching was good by modern standards, but not as clean as older versions.

2年以上前に購入。ショルダーベルトが長すぎで、身長178cmで最も短く調整して何とかちょうどいい位。背の低めの人はもうどうにもこうにも長すぎだと思う。おそらく「TOUR」なら良いのかもしれないが、「DAY」は本体そのものが長いのでベルトが余ってしまうのだ。また、一番外側のゴムのフックが外れやすいし、機能的に使い勝手も悪い。旧モデルも持っているのですが、総じて旧モデルの方が優秀なバッグであった。この現行モデルが出てすぐに買ったのですが、これら欠点がマイナーチェンジされることを期待したい。

Unlike an internal frame pack, these don't have flexible metal that can be bent to conform to the specific lumbar of your back. instead, they curve a bit, but the taller the pack, the more unaligned it becomes to the lumbar portion of your back, depending on your height. Unlike an internal frame full pack you don't have a webbing to cover the cureves or a framesheet to just bypass the lumbar cure. For me the tour feels fine, but the Day feels like there is a gap (even though someone looking at you probably wouldn't see it). Its the weight sitting on your hips compared to the lack of such on your lumbar. Just makes it feel like there is a gap.Both fit fine, but I find myself gravitating toward the Tour the most often. Unless I am going to be carrying kit for the family, then it's the day or if I am commuting with over ear headphones, the Day wins hands down.I like these because the family can easily access it when it is on. Also, the shoulder strap really helps with weight distripution and with making it a quasi messenger bag when needed as such.

My "day hikes" are more like a few hours hikes. And they are on trails that the county maintains and people are there every day. I don't need a larger pack and can always ask someone for help if I need it. (I love mountain people) This has built in holders for two water bottles and adjustments to make if fit well. I do recommend the optional shoulder straps. It's a small pack but the water, camera, lens's, snacks all add up some weight and it's nice to have the straps to keep all well.

Mountain Smith has always led the pack (excuse the pun) when it comes to Lumbar packs, in fact, I don't know of any other brand that does these packs this large. I love mine because it allows me to carry just enough to be comfortable while on a summer scramble in the mountains here in Seward Alaska. In the summer while traveling up high in the alpine it can be hot and yet within a few minutes, the weather can change so having a change of gear is essential. There are water bottle pockets on both sides of the pack, I have a Nalgene quart water bottle on one side and my bear spray on the other. Both I tie in with a small cord for a lanyard as I tend to lose them as I pass through the dense brush on my way out. The only issue I have is with the front panel that is attached with webbing on the bottom and shot-cord on top, the shot-cord always comes loose and I'll have to figure that out before my next trip. (THE PHOTO) Self at Exit Glacier the sign indicates where the glacier was located at the year indicated, pretty sad how far it has receded.