I'm not a biker but I was searching high and low for a daypack to take on my upcoming group tour of Vietnam. I was struggling to find the right volume of pack. They all seemed either too big (18L) or too small (10L). I had never heard of Mountainsmith. I found my bag brand new with tags still attached at a resale store for about half price. I'm not planning to use the hydration bladder on this trip so I was searching for a tall and kind of narrow front netted pocket for holding my 40 oz Hydroflask during our daily activities. Our tour operator provides us with regular access to filtered water to fill water bottles. In my experience, water bottles always are tipping out of side pockets on backpacks! This one is so perfect and I can support it a bit with the exterior cord. The front chest pockets are amazing and a unique feature for a backpack. I can fit my iPhone 17 Pro Max + case in one and might put some bathroom supplies in the other (tissue, wipes) for easy access. I wanted my phone to be safe from phone snatchers (so not constantly in my hand or hanging out of my pants pocket), but also at the ready, as I take a lot of photos. Those three pockets are what immediately sold me. It took a lot of wrangling, rethinking, and adjusting but I think I finally got this pack to fit correctly on my petite but curvy frame. This backpack is also big enough to take on the plane as my carry on, since I'll be checking my main suitcase. I did a trial packing run and fit a change of clothes/ underwear/ socks/ pajamas in a compression packing cube. I'll be able to fit my device chargers and essential medications and toothbrush as well. Once I'm reunited with my suitcase, I'll keep all that stuff in the suitcase and use the day pack for a sun shirt, hat, sunblock, mosquito spray, water bottle, phone, etc. I wish I could find a really good overview video of the backpack and all its features/ functions/ adjustments (something more detailed than this one) because I’m probably missing something. It would be helpful to see the backpack on a woman’s body, as we are built differently!

Great straps, ruggedly built, and very comfortable. Love the pouches for phone, ranger finder, etc. Totally changed the versatility of my evo lumbar pack for scouting and elk archery.

Well built, versatile access pouch, roomy.

Great poles!

Mountainsmiths are always very well made, it's my third bag that I've owned. I only wish this bag had auxiliary loops for tools and accessories on the outside.

I bought the predecessor of this pack in the 1980’s, loved it used it for a lot of things. Over time, it mostly became a day hike and beach bag until finally giving out around 2010. I was so happy to be reunited with my old friend! It’s the same but better.

Completely changes my Day lumbar pack. Loved these style shoulder straps on my Zerk 40. Could not be happier.

This pack is the most versatile pack on the market. Pockets and storage everywhere but nothing gets lost due to the different colored zippers and pulls.
The blaze orange interior makes it impossible to loose even the smallest item. The strap pockets can hold a marathon bottle, GPS AND radio. The external tiedowns hold trekking polls, snow shoes, and mountain axe perfectly.

Awesome addition to the EVO

I had the same issue with learning how to assemble the walking support. Ended up calling MtSmith directly for instructions and they kindly answered my questions (this was before the video). Now the video serves as a helpful reminder of the solution. Compact, sturdy support for travel -- highly recommend for the cane handle.

Best Value. Everything I've purchased from Mountainsmith, two backpacks, a plethora of hip bags a varying sizes) have been high quality, durable and at a very competitive price point. The zippers and material on their bags and packs are beefy, a stand up to daily use and abuse. We get outside and use their bags 5 or more times a week and they have stood up the last two years without any issues. I couldn’t be happier with all my purchases from Mountainsmith (and I’m an grumpy old man, so that’s saying something).

Mountainsmith has built the perfect pack for hiking a Camino route. The only problem is that the hundreds of thousands of hikers that do Caminos every year have never heard of it. I would have used it in 2024 on my last Camino if I had known about it.( I've had the 40L for. years and love it.) It will be what I use for all future Caminos. The generous front pocket, pockets on the shoulder straps and especially the large zippered brain are perfect for this use. Maybe do a product video or put one in the hands of a prominent Camino youtuber to get the word out and this pack can get off the discontinued list. The only thing I'd change is the slide sternum strap. The "t" style would work much better.

The Mountainsmith Day lumbar pack is incredibly versatile. I use it for backcountry skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer, and the first thing I have to say is that it holds a lot of gear.

When I’m skiing, I can fit an extra down jacket, a vest, gloves, and a neck gaiter. On top of that, it still holds my ski waxes, a first aid kit, two large water bottles, lunch, and other miscellaneous supplies. It all sits comfortably on my waist thanks to the belt system. The four cinch straps (one above and one below the hip on each side) keep the pack snug so it doesn't bounce. It distributes the weight so well that the load feels much lighter than it actually is.

Another nice touch: the water bottle pockets actually stay open, making it easy to slide bottles in and out on the go. These packs are made of extremely rugged material and last a long time. Plus, they’re backed by a lifetime warranty—I’ve only had to use it once, but it gives me great peace of mind. I can’t recommend this pack highly enough!

I ordered the Timber EVO and it arrived yesterday.
As with all of the Mountainsmith items I have, it is well made and offers a lot of different uses.
Carrying a concealed weapon will be one of them. My Kimber Micro 9, fits in it in the upright position. The Black patch on the inside panel, in the pictures , is moveable to any position on the inside panel. The strap on it is permanently attached to the black patch and holds the weapon.
I haven't tried this , YET , but a strap of velcro from the Hardware store should let me make a holder of a spare magazine for the Kimber micro 9. I'm thinking of two , one on each side of the handgun.
Depending on which weapon ( that will fit ) you want to carry , it can be moved and adjusted to that weapon.
I can adjust the strap so my Bond Firearms , Grizzle , derringer fits in it. I'm sure several other handguns will also fit in there. There are a lot of differed adjustments that could be made.
There is an inside zippered ( mesh ) pocket and an outside pocket.
The outside pocket is where I intend to keep my cell phone when using the pack.

Great!