Customer Reviews

Mountainsmith Circuit 3.0 Recycled Backpack

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this pack as a compromise. I was unable to afford a Gregory or an Osprey the size I needed. I got more than I expected for the money I paid.

SUSPENSION SYSTEM:
The shoulder straps and hip belt are both pretty standard for a high-end pack. The back pad is made of a single piece of rigid closed-cell foam materiel that has molded valleys designed for ventilation. This makes the pack feel comfortable against even bare skin, an important consideration if you backpack shirtless. The Mountainsmith torso adjustment system is not like any other I've seen. In place of a cumbersome ladder system as you find on many packs, Mountainsmith has come up with two torso adjustment straps that cross underneath this back pad and are lengthened or tightened with a simple pull or release of the tension buckles. This makes torso size adjustments a breeze!

Fully loaded the pack rides comfortably on the hips, and does not pull on the shoulders. I have had problems with other packs hurting my shoulders and back but this one has never hurt at all. I've carried as much as 60 pounds in this pack and it felt like I was carrying only half that much weight.

SIDE POCKETS:
These are huge. Each one can hold two Nalgene bottles, or a large MSR fuel bottle, and my socks. I no longer have to dig around for these things in my pack as I did in my old single compartment bag. The pass-through sleeves, which are behind the side pockets, allow you easily carry tent poles or similar close to the pack.

BACK CENTER COMPARTMENTS:
In the middle of the pack of the pack, stacked vertically one on the other, are two zippered compartments. The top one is smaller and water-proof (the perfect size for a trail guide), but I use this pocket to hold my rain cover, which unfortunately must be purchased separately. The larger under compartment contains two large mesh pockets, which keep all your small essentials handy, as well as a fleece-lined eyeglass case. Across the back of the pockets is looped an elastic cord, good for carrying wet raingear, or keeping a fleece jacket extra-handy.

DRAW-STRING DIVIDER:
Like most internal frame packs, the Mountainsmiths' main compartment is divided between the lower third for the sleeping bag, and the upper two-thirds for clothing, food, etc. And like most internal frame packs these are separated by a removable divider. What is different about the Mountainsmiths' divider design is it opens and closes like a stuff-sack. Pulling it tight effortlessly compresses your sleeping bag. It's a simple innovation that must be experienced to be appreciated.

THE TOP LID:
As expected the top compartment can be removed to form a serviceable detachable lumbar pack. This is a pretty standard feature in packs these days. The difference in the Mountainsmiths' design is that it includes a waterproof "map pocket" which I use to hold my wallet, camera, cell phone, and papers.

MAKING IT BETTER:
I wish this pack came with elastic straps across the top of the lid, which would come in handy to dry my socks. I wish the hip-belt came with a zippered pouch to store a camera, sunglasses or a snack. (I had to buy the accessory pouches). I wish SOMEONE would come up with a way to accommodate a bear canister (which is becoming pretty standard these days) at the same time as a full hydration bladder. I've seen no pack which accommodates these two items well together.

CONCLUSION:
Overall the Circuit 3.0 exceeded my expectations. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't trade my Mountainsmith for a Gregory or an Osprey, even though a comparable high-end pack would cost two or three times as much. I have no regrets purchasing this pack.

Great backpack. Its exactly what I wanted - lots and lots of space, durable, and light. Its very compfortable. I've used it on several trips in the desart so far with temps into the 90's, and its done the trick.