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By Renagade19 from N.C. Piedmont on 05/21/2008 Pros: Easy to Pack, Good Back Support, Good Padding 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: Not to big, not to small (so far). I'm using the pack for overnight hiking and it holds what I need comfortably. The zippers could work easier but are of good quality. Carries very comfortably. Haven't had it long enough to see about the durability.
Solid pack at a great price By Tom from State College, PA on 05/20/2008 Pros: Durable, Good Back Support, Good Padding Best Uses: Backpacking, Camping, Weekend Trips Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer What Is Your Gear Style: Comfort Driven Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: As a field geologist I'm not "comfort driven", but I carry a lot of heavy equipment (including rocks) so I'm not a "minimalist" either. The Approach does this well and I like the arrangement and style of the pockets. The pack is also durable and comfortable to wear (I'm 6'1" and big). My only nitpick is the zippers. They're okay for the small pockets, but Mountainsmith should consider using a big zipper at least on the main compartment. I have an older MS lumbar pack which has big zippers and they work very well, so it's surprising MS doesn't use similar zippers on this pack. The main zip on the Approach is adequate, but usually requires two hands to open and close, partly because of interference from the rain flap covering it.
Overall I rate this pack high and recommend it to anyone who needs a quality pack at a great price.
By Travel junkie from Albion, NY on 05/19/2008 Pros: Durable, Easy to Pack, Good Back Support, Good Padding, Many bonus features, Pockets for organization, Strong Zippers, Waterproof Best Uses: Airline Travel, Backpacking, Camping, Extended Travel, Short 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: This is my second Mountainsmith Approach pack, even though the three-year-old one is still in great shape. The fear of having to replace my old one (although probably in many years), and maybe not having this model still available, made my decision to purchase a back-up very simple. I've browsed other packs since buying my first one, and nothing compares to the features and value of this model. I've enjoyed these packs so much that two of my hiking partners who admired them have purchased their own. It's great as a carry-on, a daypack, or an overnight or weekend pack. Minimalists could go for longer - the bottom straps and places to hang or fasten extra gear make it extremely versatile. The added, updated features (extra pockets, velcro tie-downs for poles, etc.) have convinced me to put the new one into use, and keep the older one as a back-up. You won't be disappointed with this purchase!
very excellent pack for easy trips By runningthedistance459 from boyne city michigan on 05/15/2008 Pros: Durable, Good Padding, Strong Zippers Cons: Not Enough Compartments Best Uses: Airline Travel, Backpacking, Short Travel, Weekend Trips Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer What Is Your Gear Style: Minimalist Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: really liked the internal frame concept and the fact that it really feels like a bigger pack when it isn't.Quite comfortable too. really liked that it was hydration compatible and that it had a lot of room.
By Dex... from Gilbertsville, NY on 05/07/2008 Pros: Durable, Easy to Pack, Fits my longer frame, Good Back Support, Good Padding, Great Quality, Love all the compartments, Strong Zippers Best Uses: Backpacking, Camping, Weekend Trips Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational What Is Your Gear Style: Comfort Driven Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: Extremely comfortable and well-balanced. It is the perfect weekend or day pack. Since it's Mountainsmith, all the details are there...zipper covers, extra compression straps, pockets, water bottle sacks. Even at twice the price, I don't think you'll find a better pack for going out on a day hike or spending a weekend hiking or camping. It does it all.
I plan to buy one each for my son and daughter and my friend at work plans to get one for his son. It's a great all-around pack.
Great quality/value for $$$ By Rock from TN Smokies on 05/05/2008 Pros: Durable, Easy to Pack, Good Back Support, Good Padding, Strong Zippers Best Uses: Airline Travel, 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 Comments: -School
-Day Hikes
good deal all the way around By Jackrabbit from Wapiti, WY on 05/01/2008 Pros: Durable, Easy to Pack, Strong Zippers Best Uses: Airline Travel, Backpacking, Short Travel, Weekend Trips Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer What Is Your Gear Style: Minimalist Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: the pack is ideal for quick trips or extended stays if your are comfortable washing your clothes in mountain streams. I was able to hike for 6 days in the wilderness with this pack only.
i would recommend this product By fisherman from lomita, ca on 04/13/2008 Pros: Durable, Easy to Pack, Good Back Support, Good Padding, Strong Zippers Best Uses: Camping, Extended Travel, Short 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: great pack. has the features i was looking for.
Perfect All-Purpose Pack-Refined Quality By Dan the Bass Man (not the fish) from Santa Cruz, CA on 03/28/2008 Pros: Comfort, Compressibility, Durable, Easy to Pack, Good Back Support, Good Padding, Numerous Lashing Points, Organization, Panel loading, Strong Zippers, Versatility Best Uses: Airline Travel, Backpacking, Camping, Extended Travel, Perfect Grab and GO, 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 Comments: This pack has been refined over the years (version 3.0) into an excellent all-purpose pack. From a daily urban grab bag with the waistbelt stowed, to a few days' ultralight summer adventure, this pack has got you covered with style and organization. I am a backpack JUNKIE and have at least 10-15 backpacks of all sizes; this one is an amazing blend of comfort, style, organization, versatility, and low weight for all of it's features. I bought a Lily (women's version) for my wife, one of these for a friend, and two of these for myself! It is the closest thing to a perfect pack for me. Attachment points everywhere; small pockets where you need them, a place for everything; even your keys and sunglasses. This may be the Holy Grail I have been searching for--a pack that excels at everything, in all environments, up to a few days' out. Maybe I can finally clear out the closet a little...MINOR nitpicks: A waistbelt pocket or two would be nice, but would be very easy to attach. It would be nice if the side pocket zippers went all the way to the bottom; they are a little sticky, but I think they will smooth out with use. More zipper would mean more weight though...All in all, a super refined pack that I heartily recommend (take it from the backpack junkie). I even like these closeout colors better than the new Recycled 3.0 version, which looks identical in features and construction (except for the recycled fabric).
"I will be getting another" By Happy Camper from Wilson, NC on 03/14/2008 Pros: Durable, Easy to Pack, Good Back Support, Good Padding, Strong Zippers Best Uses: Airline Travel, Backpacking, Camping, Extended Travel, Short 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 bought this backpack after a lot of research. So far I've used it on an extened airline flight and it worked out very well packing a laptop and a bunch of other things weighing quite a bit. I plan to be trying it out soon on a weekend backpacking/camping trip.
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