Mountainsmith Approach 3.0 Trekking Backpack - Internal Frame

I tis a wonderful Bag not too big not too small and I like the design .

What a great pack for the price. Can;t beat it!

I haven't actually hit the trail with this backpack yet. I've just tried it out at home. It is sized so that either my grandson or I can use it!

This is the fourth mtnsmith I have owned over the last 20 years. I think their design continues to improve. This pack is huge (for a daypack). Very comfortable, easy to load, and seems to be as tough as nails. Also enough bells and whistles to make you happy. I am 6ft2in and 195 lbs. This pack fits like a glove. Get it. Do it. 4, 3, 2, 1, ...

I use a backpack every day. I don't drive, so I use it to pack everything from groceries, work material, school material (graduate lit students carry a lot of books--a lot), changes of clothes, food, water, etc. Since I carry so much, I like the lay-out of the pack: two side pockets, a small front pocket, and the main body pocket; this design is the single reason I settled on the mountainsmith as a replacement for my worn out Rokk Socorro. Unfortunately, some of the compression straps are in weird places that makes zipper access difficult--that is, access to necessary materials. I nearly have to unpack everthing to get one item, a hassle for sure. The waist belt also seems a little insubstantial, but I've probably not walked more than five miles at a go with it yet.

Great pack for 1 to 3 day hikes or for the minimalist in mind. Zippers bind under use if you are in a hurry but work well when patience is applied. I use it for a general carry all but can't wait to use it on a weekend camping trip.

I used the backpack on my trip to the Olympic Peninsula for extended day hikes. It was perfect for my husband and I to pack our gear in, we only needed the one pack! We took turns carrying, it was easily adjusted to fit both of us. It was fantastic, very waterproof too! Important for the area! My first mountainsmith product and not my last! You won't regret this purchase!

I used the pack while hiking most of the popular trails of yosemite, so my reviews will reflect hiking in such terrain. The manufacturer put a lot of thought into the design of this pack. Capacity was NOT an issue with this pack - it is very spacious (easily carried 30 pounds). There are two side compartments for storing liter bottles, which is convenient when sharing drinks with others. However, I could not access the bottles from the side compartments without first removing the pack, so I found myself fastening nalgene bottles to the chest straps of the pack for quicker access to them. The pack is very durable and dirt repellent, and *sweat absorbant*. Men with sweating "problems" will appreciate the sweat wicking material that will help transfer sweat away from your clothes while remaining fairly odor free. The pack has velcro straps for vertical carry of trekking poles, and with some ingenuity you could expand the velcro capacity in order to support a pair of poles on each side. Not sure whether this is an issue specific to this day pack or all packs in general, but the pack became very hot and caused a lot of perspiration when it was tied closely for steep ascents. Once it was loosened, however, some air flowed managed to flow through and I felt more comfortable. I would buy this pack if you plan to carry more than a couple of water bottles. You could easily overload this pack with 60 pounds of supply, so be careful who you hike with or you may become the pack mule of the group.

This pack is the most comfortable for its size pack I have ever worn. The chest strap and waist strap are just perfect. My wife wore mine on a recent hike and had to have one also. It is also tough as nails. I highly recommend it!

Bought this to use as a "go bag" for a communications emergency response group I belong to. Well built, many pockets to put various things in. Really like the easy access, large pouch in the back. The pack also doubles as a great long day or overnight backpack. Zippers are rugged and quality enough and big enough...they are "sticky" to unzip but I think use will fix that. Comfortable and well padded. I am 6'4" tall and it fits just right plus Mountainsmith quality--can't beat it for the price!