Mountainsmith Tour WSD Lumbar Pack

Gear Specs:

Weight: 1lb. 9oz.
Volume: 6L
Dimensions: 10.5" x 9.5" x 3.5" (L x H x D) Waistbelt: 28"-50"
Materials: 610d HP Cordura®, 210d nylon embossed liner
Collapses to 14" for portability/storage/travel
Zippered front panel pocket with key clip
Smartphone compatible waist belt pockets (Fits up to iPhone 7+ and Galaxy S6)
Interior foam padded sleeve for tablet carry

Why I Love It:

Sturdy design, high quality zippers, seams, and fabrics.
Easily transforms from an urban commuting bag to a trail-ready pack.
Women-specific design kept my lower back comfy for 10 miles.
Plenty of space to pack snacks, an extra layer, water, and a few assorted sundries.

Where I Use It:

For long hikes near urban environments
For trails at sunset when I need a jacket stashed
As a camera bag on trekking days

What Could Be Improved:

The bag could be a lot lighter. I love that it feels rugged and ready for adventure, but for a 6 L bag, 1 lb., 9 oz. is a lot for trail running, mountaineering, or sports where low weight is key.
I would love to see the optional rain fly on the Mountainsmith website included in this price.
I don’t own a tablet, and the bag was a bit too short to fit a small laptop. This would make it difficult to use as a bike-commuter bag for people who need to stash a laptop.

Where to Get It:

Mountainsmith.com ($74.95)
Backcountry.com ($63.48 - $74.95)

Mountainsmith has made yet another durable, affordable lumbar pack that transforms easily from an around-town messenger bag to a trail companion – this time with a women-specific fit that’s sure to make your lower back smile. This bag would be perfect for the long-distance day hiker who doesn’t like the weight of backpack straps on their shoulders. It would also make a great fit for adventurers who bike commute to work and then hit the trail right after for sunset. It is a beautifully versatile piece that is a great alternative to many women’s backpacks.

I tested out the Tour WSD on a 10-mile hike up and down the Santa Monica Mountains in Malibu, Californa. I don’t own a 1-liter Nalgene, so I tucked my giant, 1.5-liter water bottle into the provided pocket. Surprisingly, it fit pretty well, though a 1-liter would have been perfect. I folded a thermal base layer into the main compartment, along with my iPhone 7+, keys, sunscreen, lip balm, and plenty of snacks. I was impressed that there was room to spare after all this – I could have packed a thicker extra layer had it been colder!

I was particularly impressed with the array of pockets that the Mountainsmith Tour WSD provides. There’s a secret stash pocket in the back, a front pocket with key clip, a padded inner pocket for a tablet, a headphone port, two cinching water bottle holders, and a bungee attached to the outside for additional storage. It felt much larger than a 6-liter bag.

I trail-ran for about 2 of the 10 miles, and I found the pack to bounce quite a lot, so I would mainly recommend it as an urban adventure pack, travel carry-on, hiking pack, or biking satchel. It is versatile and comfortable to wear while walking, hiking, or biking for extended periods of time. If you’re the kind of trekker who is always on the go from one activity to the next, or if you find bulky shoulder straps on traditional backpacks annoying, the Mountainsmith Tour WSD lumbar pack is a great, high-quality choice for your next epic.