Gear Review: Mountainsmith Mayhem 35 WSD Daypack

The Bottom Line: The Mountainsmith Mayhem 35 WSD is a daypack designed specifically for women. Rather than trying to be the lightest daypack in this category, Mountainsmith chose to focus their attention on durability when designing this pack. This pack is intended to be taken as a carry-on travel bag one weekend and then out in the backcountry the next.

The Mountainsmith Mayhem 35 WSD daypack. Photo by: Crystal Sibson

When testing this daypack, my first thought was that it was built tough. This pack is rigid with a spring steel wireframe suspension and material that feels thick and durable. Mountainsmith used Cordura HP fabric in the construction of this pack, which is known to be durable and resistant to abrasions, punctures, tears, and scuffs. Mountainsmith is so confident in the durability of this pack that they back it with a lifetime guarantee; they promise to repair or replace the pack, no matter what.

The Mayhem 35 WSD daypack is aimed more toward the general user, and it is perfect for someone wanting a pack to use as a carry-on when traveling or who needs a pack for casual hikes or lightweight overnights. This pack has a convenient zipping side pocket that is perfect for stashing a passport, wallet, keys or any other items that need to remain accessible. There is another zipped stash pocket at the top of the pack with a key hook on the inside to make finding your keys effortless after a long day of exploration. The main zipper on the pack wraps around the top and all the way down one side of the bag. This design makes for easy access to those items in the top and bottom of your pack.

For added cargo space, Mountainsmith added a large mesh pocket to the front of this pack. This added cargo space is secured by a fabric loop and metal hook. One disadvantage in this design for securing the front pocket is that the strap easily comes unhooked if the pack is not full or if there is no tension on the hook. On the left side of the pack there is a mesh pocket with a pass-through compression strap that is perfect for a full-size water bottle. There is another water bottle pocket on the right side of the pack that is angled forward. Although this pocket has an adjustable bungee cord, it doesn't tighten small enough to prevent items from falling out of the pocket if you lean forward. It would not hold any of my water bottles in place. This was the only feature on the pack that I really wasn't a fan of.

The pack's hip belt has a stretch mesh pocket on the left and a zippered stash pocket on the right. Both pockets were large enough to hold a cell phone. Additional features on the Mayhem 35 include trekking pole attachment points, rear daisy chain attachment loops, and a chest strap whistle. While hiking, the Mayhem 35 pack was very comfortable to wear. Mountainsmith used Anvil Airway ridged EVA back panel padding for a comfortable fit. Even though the pack was comfortable, I felt the back panel was lacking airflow.

Overall the pack is durable and performs very well on a non-technical hike. When things got technical on the trail, I felt as though the pack was throwing off my balance at times when scrambling. There were several instances where I felt safer taking off the pack and handing it up to climb. For general use, this pack would be very reliable and long lasting.