Customer Reviews

Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the best lumbar pack I've ever Had

I use it primarily for knocking around town with my camera gear or day hikes with food/water/stove and a few extras and it works great for both.

The capacity is just right. Not to big like some I've seen where you might as well add backpack straps. Not to small, it can hold what I need it to.

Features
I have a couple of camelbacks but I was looking for something a little faster and cooler that is easier to access. With the Camelback if I want to carry something other than water I have to unsling it to get at it. I have small kids so I frequently have their milk or sippy cups and having to unsling it whenever they want a drink is a pain. But with this the side mesh pockets can hold 2x 20oz bottles and make access a breeze.

The fact that it goes on the waist instead of the back is also a big plus. I live in Texas and the summers are hot and humid. So not having something strapped on my back makes life a little cooler.

Access to what you need is easy, its not a long tube like the camelback. Of course you can't hold as much. But if your not taking that much you don't have to fish around as much with the same kit to find something.

The all important Strap
The strap is one of the best parts, its amazingly useful. When you have it loaded up putting it on your waist can be tricky since it sags a bit. Trying to get it on the right spot and clicked up can be challenging. But the strap makes it easy, slip the strap over one shoulder to take up the weight and slack, snap the belt, synch it up and slide the strap off and your ready to go.

Also when you access stuff the strap is great, if your under load the main body of the unit is under compression (keeps it tight and stable) but this can make it hard to pull things out. Slip up the strap, take off the load and unsnap the belt and its easy to go fishing.

When you need to run fast the unit and flop up and down making it uncomfortable, just bring the strap up and take some weight off and you can run without a problem.

Or you can just use the strap and stow the waist belt (it slides in underneath the lumbar support) and use it as a bag. The strap pad is quite good.

If straps are not your thing you can detach it and just go with the pack. I was worried at first the strap might get in the way but I've never had problems and its always there when I need it.

Pockets Everywhere
This pack has a lot of pockets. There is of course the main pocket which is shaped and kind of rectangular, this is where most of your business goes. Attached to the inside front is an envelop sized zipper pocket, useful for loose change, batteries and other small knickknacks.

In the front is another pocket, though if you've got the main section loaded up and strapped down this pocket isn't very useful. Its not bellowed or anything so the main support pulls on it. There is a plastic key clip inside. I use it for a mini LED flashlight.

In the back you have your lumbar pad, nice mesh coated foam. It has a pass thorough behind it from left to right on the sides. This is where you would stow the waist belt if you were not using it.

Then behind that is another pocket, open at the top that runs the height of the pack. Useful for large flat things that stick out like maps or pamphlets. Not really big enough for a book. You could fit a DVD case in but that would be pushing it.

The side mesh pockets just make the unit, there not as deep as I'd like but I've gone up to 20oz gatoraide bottles and never lost one.

A normal around the town load for me will be 2x 20oz bottles, a heavy pro F2.8 lens, Flash an extra small SLR body or point and shoot camera, table tripod, extra batteries, 50mm lens, remote triggers, a few snacks and knickknacks. It handles it all very well.

Out in the woods I might have the 2x 20 oz bottles, water, mini stove (snowpeak), titanium pot, spoon and some freeze dried food and munchies for the day and maybe my SLR or a flash. Getting things out can sometimes be tricky but it works.

If I need a jacket or a shirt I'll have it strapped to the outside as long as its light. The further out you hang something the more you notice it.

Belts and Handles and Mounting Points
The waist belt is broad and comfortable, the inside is mesh coated. It has a good balance of stiffness and flexibility. It wraps around your hips pretty well and distributes the load well. It has 2 stablizing straps on each side to get your load nice and balanced. There is a small plastic clip on a nylon strap in the middle. The clip is to small for much except running 3/4 inch webbing through it, but throw a carabeener on the stap and you've got more utility.

The buckle is the large 50mm snap type, easy to operate, works well. You can tighten the belt from either side.

On the bottom are two more stabilizing straps, so you can shrink or tighten the bottom if need be. I've found if you full extend them you can use them to hold thinks like a therma rest, a tarp or an umbrella. Pretty handy. Also two more strap loops

On the front is a shock cord webbing. Does a good job of holding a jacket and still giving easy access to the main compartment.

On the top are two carry handles, very nice touch, use them a lot.

Construction
All the external zippers have nice yellow nylon pull ties with rubber coated ends on them. Easy to see, easy to use.

The external bag is high quality condura like nylon, the inner lining is light weight ripstop. Its double sewn in all the critical places.
A note on color
I originally bought this bag in black, returned it and got the red bag. My wife though it more attractive but more importantly was finding things. You had black straps and black zippers on a black bag. It just all blended together and I found myself having to hunt for openings and straps more than I wanted to.

The only "problems" I have with the bag really isn't a flaw of the design, but rather a limitations. If you have it all tightened up it can be hard to pull things out, most of the time you have to un-strap the belt to get some slack. Also when you adjust the load you often have to adjust some of the straps to snug it back up again or loosen it up again to fit right. Be mindful of that and you won't have a problem.

Also if you load it up too much it can sag and be not as comfortable. You'll have to figure your exact point (it depends on how well the belt rides on you). For me (I'm thin) I can carry a decent load and still be fine.

So to summarize
Pros-
Great design, wonderful strap and pockets, great flexibility with adjustments and mounting points.
Cons-
None other than watch your configuration

Conclusion-
A great bag, not as big or as high capacity as my camelbacks but more useful in most conditions.

The pack has tons of storage space. I'm using it daily around an industrial site to keep my camera, tools, glasses, and notepad handy but not in hand. I only have one gripe. I don't use the over-the-neck strap and it doesn't seat well against the small of my back if I've got the pack loaded up. Other than that, it's very sturdy and has lots of extra loops that carabiners can be hooked to.

I purchased this pack to hold items I use while Geocaching. I wanted something that would hold all the essential items while not being horribly big. This pack easily holds all the items I frequently use, plus my digital SLR and an extra lens. It carries well over the shoulder and very well in its lumbar pack form. I highly recommend it and if I need a full size daypack, after getting this glimpse of Mountainsmith's quality products, I would shop with them first.

I have found this to be most useful on day hikes, particularly for carrying camera gear and snacks/water for the day. Comfortable, durable and easy to use.

I've had mine for several (5+) years now and it is terrific, especially on hot days. It holds everything needed for a day in the woods. I'll load up with 4-6 .5l water bottles, snacks and photo stuff in the main compartment and attach a rain jacket in the bungee straps with room left over. What I like best about this pack is that the weight is on your hips making you more stable on difficult terrain. When you tighten the waist strap and pull in the lumbar straps, it becomes a part of you. Very secure. It's nice to not have a pack against your back with the attendant sweat soaked shirt. There may be better packs that have come on the market since I bought mine, but I doubt it.

So easy to use and fits amazingly well! I have sensitive traps which are aggravated by any weight put on them. This is the perfect solution when I go backpacking!

I bought the Tour for basically one reason: to carry a few items, i.e., T-shirts, lunch, odds and ends, to and from work while velo commuting. Accordingly I aim this review at cyclists considering such an option for their rides.

If you're aggravated by ventilation inhibiting and fatiguing messenger bags or backpacks and the design of your bike precludes panniers, lumbar packs present an excellent alternative.

Prior to use I anticipated the Mountainsmith would require modification and supplementation in order to fit the bill so I wasn't surprised when the stock item wasn't entirely satisfactory.

First to go: the shoulder strap. I found the Tour's stock strap to be the only element of the overall design that was mediocre. It's too narrow and its integrated shoulder pad, because it's not adequately secured, constantly shifts.

Out it went, replaced by a wider and longer strap (sans shoulder pad) from a duffel bag. While riding the original strap's shoulder pad was superfluous as lumbar packs are not meant to be primarily supported from the shoulder; very little weight if any is slung from the shoulder.

The replacement strap was attached via carabiners to two loops thoughtfully designed into the pack (for miscellaneous uses) on either side of the its main zipper. A alternative mount to the original design that I found superior.

Next, the pack's capacity which, for my purposes, was a bit underwhelming. One 10 liter zip sack from Outdoor Research (mounted atop the main compartment via carabiners) effectively doubled the capacity of the Tour with no extra bulk added (when the zip sack was empty).

Blinkies and U-Locks were easily mounted as well with the pack's numerous loops and shock cord webbing.

The Tour's integrated -- and redundant for cyclists --bottle holders, because they employ cinch corded mesh enclosures rather than just fabric loops, easily double as storage spaces for tool pouches, snack food, etc. Nice touch.

Compartmentalization of the Tour's interior is simple and practical: one main and another smaller zippered section suitable for keys, camera, wallet, etc. The bright yellow interior makes it easy searching in dim light.

A tuck away waist belt accommodates recreational cyclists who want the Mountainsmith to double as a shoulder slung purse/pack while out of the saddle. Well designed versatility.

Conclusion: the setup is ideal for velo commuting with light cargo: my ride is more enjoyable and ventilated and less sweaty and tiring than with a traditional backpack. The Tour's numerous adjustment straps allow for precise positioning and comfort while its quality construction attests to its durability. The configuration is NOT waterproof, it's water resistant, so deluges will result in soggy contents -- if that's a concern pack with plastic bags.

All in all count me very satisfied.

This is a great pack. it's big for a fanny pack but not uncomfortable. Holds a lot, has nice pockets and easy to use zippers. Converts to a shoulder bag when you want something a little more stylish. We recently spent 2 weeks in Europe and this bag worked for hiking, biking, sightseeing, and small carry on for flying.

This pack is perfect, it holds more than you need and sits well on the hips. Keeps arms free to move and is easy to get into. Just right.

I've had lots of belt-type packs, but this one was just right for the amount of stuff I wanted to take along. The shoulder strap is a big plus, sometimes, it's handy to just sling over my shoulder and be a "man purse" ....ech., but when trail running it gives the belt pack added stability, which I didn't expect. This is a very well though out and constructed tool.