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By Chaz from Denver, CO on 09/02/2008 Pros: Comfortable, Easy to Pack, Lots of Pockets Cons: Bulky, Long flapping straps Best Uses: Backpacking, Short Travel Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Have a Mountainsmith fanny pack that's lasted 15 years (and still working), so when it came time to replace my older daypacks this seemed like a PERFECT choice.
It wasn't.
While the Approach is clearly very well-made, and well-designed with tons of clever pockets and a really excellent suspension system, I found it to be just a little too wide for me to use for more technical hiking (in the Rockies). Basically, if you swing your ams backward with hiking poles or if you're scrambling, you'll occasionally be limited by the side pockets (if they're full). This was worse for my kids, who have narrower backs.
If you have a wider torso, or hike mostly on well-worn trails, this pack might work out better for you. The other option would be to use the side pockets for less bulky items, although they seem to have been perfectly sized for 1 liter nalgene bottles. There are also plenty of compression straps to compact such a load properly.
I actually returned it (and my kids') and we're getting narrower, simpler packs. This is thanks to STP's very accomodating returns policy, which essentially takes the risk out of buying online, and for which I am very, very grateful.
By Hollowdweller from WV on 08/27/2008 Pros: Durable, Easy to Pack, Good Back Support, Good Padding Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational What Is Your Gear Style: Minimalist Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend I've had this pack maybe 2 seasons now. I keep trying to "upgrade" but keep going back to this pack.
If you are going hiking in cold weather you are going to be hard pressed to get everything you need in this pack, although it SEEMS way larger than 2000 cu in.
HOWEVER in warmer weather with lightweight gear this pack is tops in my book.
Where do I start? First the padding and back offer excellent support. I'm wide shouldered and some packs close straps crimp my shoulders. Not so with this one.
The side pockets are large enough I put a water bottle in one and my Lafuma Warm N Light 600 down bag in the other. Great side pockets.
The little net pockets under the side pockets are great for paracord, candle lanters etc.
I have taken this on a 4 day trip and it worked fine.
In the main compartment I can get my tent, Big Agnes Trail pad, extra clothes, food bag cooking pot and stove. You need to use a lightweight tent to get it in there though.
The sort of open pocket behind the front pouch and the main compartment is great to store my pack cover, raincoat, and other stuff you might need for instant access.
One caveat is don't fill the pocket full of heavy stuff or this pack will pull too far back on you.
But overall this is one of the best if you are pseudo lightweight hiker like me and is insanely inexpensive. Just remember keep the weight under 25 lbs.
By AJRyan from Albuquerque on 08/26/2008 Pros: Durable, Good Padding Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend I like this pack a lot so far. I don't understand another reviewer's comment on the zippers. They are YKK and I thought that was the best brand. I guess the zipper on the main compartment could be a larger size. Also, I don't know how you can compare an ALICE pack with this luxurious Mountainsmith pack. I've schlepped an ALICE pack before and hated it.
This is a comfortable pack with a lot of bells and whistles. Adjustment and compression straps everywhere. Lots of compartments and little pouches. Heavy duty waistbelt. Lots of padding on the shoulder straps. Nice wicking pad along the back. The only thing I could complain about is too many features. It's a complicated pack with straps hanging everywhere.
Great pack for a bunch of uses By PL from NY on 08/23/2008 Pros: Durable, Easy access to all the co, Easy to Pack, Good Padding, Large Main compartment, Very comfortable, Well made and designed Best Uses: Camping, Short Travel, Weekend Trips Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer What Is Your Gear Style: Comfort Driven Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend I was looking for a good sized, but not huge pack ... and I found it! So far I have used this pack for a long weekend in a hotel, a few days camping, and a regular weekend away and it has worked out perfect for everything.
The main compartment is large enough to fit a few days worth of clothes and so easy to load!! The front pouch holds all my little stuff securely and the inbetween area is great for magazines and papers!
It is very comfortable to wear, although I have not used it for actual backpacking yet.
I am very happy with it and would recommend it.
By Swampthang from Harrisburg, PA on 07/29/2008 Pros: Easy to Pack, Good Back Support, Good Padding, Well organized Cons: Bulky, Oddly sized, Weak Zippers Best Uses: Field pack, Overloaded day trips Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer What Is Your Gear Style: Minimalist Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend Comments: I'm a field biologist and was looking for a new field pack. (Something to carry bug spray, sun screen, field ID books, food, rain gear and all the other things you'd usually carry when spending a day delineating wetlands). Typically I'd use an ALICE pack but I wanted something more comfortable (and new as I am a collector of packs). I'm finding that this pack feels a tad too big to be a good field pack, but a tad to small to carry on weekend (2 night) backpack trips. I know you can I've carried an old-style Camel Back HAWG on fast packing trips before, but I don't think I'd take the Approach out for more then a day at a time. The zipper to the main compartment is too small and not trustworthy. I carried this pack a few miles back in to a lake in the Adirondaks for fun and found the side water bottle pockets didn't hold my Sigma bottle if I had to bend over to tie my boot or wanted to pick something up. It's a well organized pack, but would be better a tad smaller as a day pack or a tad beefier as a weekend backpacking pack. If you're looking for the latter go with a top-loading style pack like the Gregory Z-Pack.
Versatile, light-weight, comfortable By Adirondack Jack from Warrensburg, NY on 07/28/2008 Pros: Compression straps, Easy to Pack, Good Back Support, Good Padding, Many pouches Best Uses: Backpacking, Camping Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational What Is Your Gear Style: Minimalist Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: I've had this out for an overnight in the woods. Despite its compact size, it handled all my gear, including an inflatable trail-boat with paddles, and did so considerably more comfortably than my old, larger, external frame pack. It feels good on the back and hips, nothing binds or hurts. I'm sure it will handle 1 to 3 day long camping trips well. I am very pleased with this purchase, and the price was half of what I expected to need to pay.
excellent minimalist pack! By lagunabch from Laguna Beach, CA on 07/22/2008 Pros: Durable, Easy to Pack, Good Back Support, Good Padding, Strong Zippers Best Uses: Backpacking, Camping, Weekend Trips Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational What Is Your Gear Style: Minimalist Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: Perfect for those times when you want to do the minimalist backpack/camp thing.
By Oregonian from Salem, Oregon on 07/16/2008 Pros: Durable, Good Back Support, Good Padding, Strong Zippers Best Uses: Backpacking, Camping, Extended Travel, Weekend Trips Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational What Is Your Gear Style: Comfort Driven Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: I was looking for a backpack with lots of room, different compartments for various uses, and adequate padding for hiking and short trips. This backpack meets all my needs for value and use
By Boonite from Wake Forest, NC on 07/15/2008 Pros: Durable, Good Back Support, Good Padding, Strong Zippers Best Uses: Airline Travel, Backpacking, Short Travel Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational What Is Your Gear Style: Minimalist Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: Great bag, lot of room
By mollysnow from New Mexico on 07/15/2008 Pros: Durable, Easy to Pack, Good Back Support, Good Padding, Strong Zippers Best Uses: Airline Travel, Backpacking, Camping, Short Travel Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer What Is Your Gear Style: Minimalist Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: Great for long day hikes, carrying your books (and even your computer!), compartments for everything, and the blue was the perfect color!
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