View Full Version : Mountainsmith packs
Anyone have experience with Mountainsmith packs? Their prices seem solid for a humble college student like myself but how do they hold up on the trail?
I've had 2 Mountainsmith packs so far. I love them. They're comfortable and really well built. My current pack is a MS Phantom. I would highly recommend it. I know what you're going with the college thing. Campmor.com usually has some decent packs for good prices.
Adam
I currently own a Mountainsmith Tour. It's a very well made pack. It's very comfortable and durable, and I'd definitely recommend Mountainsmith packs.
rswanson
08-24-2006, 15:48
Mountainsmith's discontinued Mountainlight line was well received and reviewed by most of the backpacking community. My wife owns one of the Mountainlight series called, I think, the Muse. It's been very durable and has all the right features at @ 3000 c.i., or thereabouts, and under 3 lbs. The pack has seen use on the AT and out west as well. No noticeable wear after much scraping across slickrock and some bushwhacking to boot. I have no idea why they discontinued this line of packs since the weight-to-volume ratio of their packs seems to have gotten worse.
Anyway, you can still get various discounted models from the old line from Sierratradingpost (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/). I see they still have the Mountainsmith Ghost (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/product.aspx?baseno=85659&CN=Mountainsmith-Ghost-Backpack), medium torso, on closeout. That pack was very popular and has received tons of good press from all kinds of hikers. Do some Google searches and see for yourself. At 3000 c.i. you have to pack efficiently for longer hauls but its a great pack for the price.
Creek Dancer
08-24-2006, 15:57
I use the Mountainsmith Chimera. This is a ladies pack, but they make a men's version as well. I have seen them on close out. The pack has no bells and whistles, but it is relatively lightweight. The pack fits great, carries the load well and is reasonably priced these days.
I have 2 Mountainsmith Persuit packs, about 4300 cu. in. I believe this model has been discontinued. One is mine, the other is my grand-daughter's. 2 outside pockets, 2 water bottle holders, expandable top lid. The suspension system is very adjustable, I am 6'2" wt. 170, she is 5'6" wt. around 160 and no problem getting perfect fits. Very comfortable for me at 35-40 pounds total. I have never been out over 2 weeks, but for a few days to a couple weeks they have served very well. Other than being a little dirty they are still as good as new.
Hana_Hanger
08-24-2006, 20:22
I own two Mountainsmith packs as well
The Tour and the Ghost
I LOVE my Tour and at times wish they had made it a tad bit larger. Besides its light purple/lavender how could I not love it! :P
When I wear it...I forget it is even there...of course this is the lumbar or fanny pack.
I usually day hike with it and the Ghost I am trying out at the moment.
I have to adjust to all the pockets and goodies being gone from it.
Either way I feel the Mountainsmith packs are very well made, and comfortable.
WILLIAM HAYES
08-24-2006, 23:07
I used Mountainsmith packs and still have one in the garage
they are well constructed but heavier then other packs check out the equinox packs very light but you have to take care of them.
Hillbilly
TJ aka Teej
08-24-2006, 23:45
I purchased a Mountainsmith Maverick several months ago from Kittery Trading Post, $98 with a free pair of poles. Campmor has the same deal in its latest catalouge. Sturdy, roomy, comfy straps and hipbelt. Only have about 15 nights/230 miles on it, but I recommend it. The free poles have held up better than the Swiss ones from Wal-Mart I beat to death!
I love my Mountainsmith Specter, which I believe is a discontinued model. It is large, but light for its size. I have not had any issues this pack over the past 5 years, doing 50 mile hikes, other than the shoulder suspension strap loosen easily. This is definitely a quality pack.
Ramble~On
01-22-2008, 08:25
I purchased a Mountainsmith Maverick several months ago from Kittery Trading Post, $98 with a free pair of poles. Campmor has the same deal in its latest catalouge. Sturdy, roomy, comfy straps and hipbelt. Only have about 15 nights/230 miles on it, but I recommend it. The free poles have held up better than the Swiss ones from Wal-Mart I beat to death!
Wow this is an old thread. I just picked up a Mountainsmith Maverick with the hiking poles for $78.00 and $14 of that was shipping. A friend recently stopped by sporting one of these that his wife had gotten him for Christmas...after taking a long look at it I had pack envy.
:rolleyes:I wish people would quit coming over here showing me new gear.
Anyway...a few seconds looking around on WB and I found this old thread.
It looks like this pack is being phased out.
LIhikers
01-22-2008, 08:49
OK, while we're on the subject of Mountainsmith packs, does anyone have anything to say, good or bad, about their Boundry pack?
www.mountainsmith.com/products.aspproductId=78&categoryId=8&subCategoryId=7&subCategory2Id=1 (http://www.mountainsmith.com/products.aspproductId=78&categoryId=8&subCategoryId=7&subCategory2Id=1)
I've had a Mountain light for 15 years and will be buying another mountainsmith when it finally falls apart. I love it
I currently use a Mountainsmith Phantom of their now discontinued Mountainlite line. I have been very happy with it, but I am not sure thier current models are in the same league.
kyhiker1
01-22-2008, 12:52
I also have a Mountainsmith Maverick pack that came with two hiking poles.I have owned this pack since May 07 and with around 350 miles on it is holding its own.The poles have held up as well,better than the Swiss brand poles.:sun
Auntie Mame
01-26-2008, 22:32
I have been loading a lot of different packs with my winter gear and I liked the Boundary pack the best out of a handful of larger volume packs. It carries well, holds a lot, has great pocket layout, if you are into that sort of thing, and weighs 4# 6oz. I got mine from Campmor for $119, but Backcountry Edge has them for less, $99 with free shipping and returns. I think it might be the pack for the cooler part of the AT this spring. Good luck.:sun
LIhikers
01-27-2008, 01:18
On my way to go hiking today I stopped at Campmor and looked at the Mountainsmith Boundry. Then I had them load it up with weight bags (they only had 25 pounds) and some packing to fill it out. I spent some time wandering around the store with it on and it felt pretty good. Both the shoulder straps and waist belt are well padded and seem supportive enough. It's 4577 cu. in. and weighs 4lbs 6 onces. So I purchased it for for $119 and got 15% off since I'm a member of the NY/NJ T.C. Now I can't wait to give it a try
Ramble~On
01-27-2008, 06:44
My pack got here yesterday and for $78.00 total I am pretty happy with this deal....really happy I should say...I was worried about fit as with all things ordered via the mail and no hands on ya never know.
So i guess I'll throw some stuff in it and take it for a walk.
$78.00 included shipping and the free Rhyolite trekking poles...not a bad deal at all. I found this deal on Ebay through the Outfitter at Harper's Ferry and I think they had some left if anyone's interested.
Nearly Normal
01-27-2008, 08:41
I have the Spirit. A good light day pack model. Could double as an overnighter in the hot summer with very light gear.
johnarthur39
04-19-2008, 14:01
I have three Mountainsmiths, the Phoenix, a Lumbar Day pack, and the Shavano 75. The Phoenix and Shavano are both regular size torsos. I have very happy with all of them. They are very reasonably priced with good features, adjustable to fine tune the fit, carry well, and very durable. I am very satisfied. I think they are under-rated.
shampine
04-19-2008, 17:46
On my way to go hiking today I stopped at Campmor and looked at the Mountainsmith Boundry. Then I had them load it up with weight bags (they only had 25 pounds) and some packing to fill it out. I spent some time wandering around the store with it on and it felt pretty good. Both the shoulder straps and waist belt are well padded and seem supportive enough. It's 4577 cu. in. and weighs 4lbs 6 onces. So I purchased it for for $119 and got 15% off since I'm a member of the NY/NJ T.C. Now I can't wait to give it a try
I think you will love it,I just took the very same pack out for a walk. Great fit,etc. Seems to be a lot of features for the money. The only Moutainsmith I own,will surely buy more.
Shampine
Dirtygaiters
04-19-2008, 20:12
I notice stores only carry one side of the Mountainsmith Boundary. What do you owners of this pack think of its one-size fits all design? Does it adapt to larger and smaller torso lengths?
LIhikers
04-20-2008, 20:31
I've got a Mountainsmith Boundary but have only used it once, so far, on a 2 day one night trip. It was plenty comfortable and carried well even though I had it packed kind of lopsided.
Dirtygaiters
04-20-2008, 21:17
I notice stores only carry one side of the Mountainsmith Boundary. What do you owners of this pack think of its one-size fits all design? Does it adapt to larger and smaller torso lengths?
Sorrt I meant to say size, not side.
LIhikers
04-21-2008, 16:41
I notice stores only carry one side of the Mountainsmith Boundary. What do you owners of this pack think of its one-size fits all design? Does it adapt to larger and smaller torso lengths?
It's easy enough to make the adjustments. But if it doesn't cover your torso size there's no practical way to make it bigger or smaller than it's meant for.
Chef2000
04-21-2008, 21:34
I have three packs from mountainsmith two in Mountainlite series. These packs are great, after my thruhike i had some small repairs, I sent it to them and they gave me a brand new one, no charge. Greta packs , great service.
HippieHiker
04-21-2008, 23:03
I have a mountainsmith, its about 5000 CI. Its perfect for those three day 25+ mile loop trails that my friends and I do.
in asian countries mountainsmith releases a cheaper series of models called the "downtown"
a lot of people in korea use them. they can be bought online i think, maybe via ebay. mine was 60 bucks, holds 3400 cc and only weighs 2 1/4 pounds. seems pretty reliable, comfortable too. looks just like a mountainsmith i used to have.
Mountainsmith puts out great packs at a good price, period. From big 'ol 4500 ci packs down to waist packs, you'd be hard pressed to find another manufacturer offering this kind of durability for the price.
UpHillPuffer
09-01-2008, 00:00
I have two mountainsmiths: one is a daypack which is almost 20 years old (and other than color fading) and as good as the day I got it; last fall I got a circuit 3.0 (5370 cu in) and have used it on a number of hikes as well as a few overnights. The scoop on the Circuit is that it has a great number of pocket so it is easy to organize stuff; plus the main body of the backpack allows you to put long and wide stuff in and out from the top or the bottom of the pack.
All in all the Circuit works great!
LIhikers
09-04-2008, 09:06
I've got a Mountainsmith Boundary but have only used it once, so far, on a 2 day one night trip. It was plenty comfortable and carried well even though I had it packed kind of lopsided.
I've got more experience with this pack now and thought I'd report back.
I've used it on a bunch of 1, 2 and 3 night trips. Plus, this August my wife and I hiked the AT in Vermont for about a week and a half. We didn't do a good job of managing our food on this trip and with food and water the pack weighed 42 pounds. Even with that weight it was comfortable as the day is long and, with a pack cover, kept my stuff dry despite the heavy rain of the first few days of our trip. I strap our tent, and my thermarest pad, on the outside of the pack so there was plenty of room for the overstuffed food bag and a few other things that I carried. Our stove and water filter fit in one of the outside pockets and the fuel bottle was in the other. In my opinion it did the required job well. I'll certainly consider Mountainsmith in the future for my pack needs.
Mine just says PCT 45 on it, maybe it's just a PCT 45 but I like her. I can't really strap much too it but the frame is really well built and around 3000 cu. i. I can solo for 4-5 days with all the lightweight stuff in it. Good pack.