“Mountainsmith Lily Trekking Backpack”

“I bought this pack for winter day hiking. It is large enough to contain important safety equipment that's advisable in remote areas in the winter, including a 15-degree down sleeping bag; extra fleece jacket, mittens, and hat; food for 2 extra days—everything you hope you never need but that could ensure your survival if you got caught in the woods at night. A sleeping pad could be strapped to the bottom. In the summer you might be able to use this pack for 1 night in the woods if you travel lightly—especially if you sleep in shelters and don't carry a tent. There is definitely room for a down sleeping bag and quite a bit more. Mountainsmith has much better pockets than any other manufacturer, in all of its packs. Other manufacturers say their packs have several pockets, but they're usually flat and have little volume. The Mountainsmith pockets extend well out from the main body and add considerable volume and LOTS of convenience. The Lily is no exception. The pockets are large, well placed, and very functional. The best unique feature is the shovel pocket, which adds a lot of extra space—the elastic mesh on the side of the pocket extends out a good 4" at the top. You can easily stow your mittens, hat, and fleece jacket in there to have easy access to them without opening the main compartment. The padding on the shoulder straps and waistbelt is adequate for the weight you would carry in a pack of this size—most likely 10 to 15 lbs. The suspension is also adequate for that weight. The straps are placed a couple of inches down from the top, to better support the weight (compare to a bookpack, on which the straps are attached directly at the top of the pack, allowing the weight to sag on your back). The material is excellent—rugged, cleanable. This is really a fantastic pack. It has all of the features of a full-sized backpack, reduced in size. I LOVE this pack and highly recommend it.”