First, to be clear: this review covers the Day EVO Lumbar Pack together with the Strapette EVO. I bought them as a combination, and I don't think my experience with the lumbar pack would be the same without the Strapette.

Before I spent this kind of money, I searched everywhere. Amazon, AliExpress, Temu. I desperately wanted a lookalike, maybe with cheaper materials, but with the same carrying capacity and the same fit. I even bought two bargain packs. For $20 they were pretty good, but you get what you pay for. Nothing I found came close to the quality or the fit of this setup.

Here's why capacity matters to me. I hike alone in bear, mountain lion, and rattlesnake country, right off I-80, with two 15-pound dogs. They love to hike, and my mini pinscher mix thinks he can handle himself, but come on, he's 15 pounds. I carry everything they need. As a woman hiking solo, I've also had a couple of close calls with sketchy people, so I carry deterrents for both human and animal predators. On top of that I bring emergency food and water for myself and the dogs, because as winter gets closer the weather in the mountains changes on a dime. My goal is to get all three of us back to civilization in one piece.

I didn't want a full backpack. I'm 51, carrying a few more pounds than I used to, and a big pack is too much for my grandma frame. This lumbar pack was the answer. It's a stretch for my budget, and I haven't once regretted being broke this month because of it.

The fit is the whole story. Between the pack and the Strapette, there are so many straps to dial in the load to the right parts of your body. I'm carrying more weight than with any previous pack and I'm far more comfortable. Proof: I wear a bear bell so mama bears hear me coming from a long way off. I had to move it down to my boots, because no matter where I clipped it on the pack, the pack moved so snugly with my body that the bell wouldn't ring.

Fit for women. I worried this wouldn't work for a woman, especially one blessed by generations of grandmothers with a little extra in the upper chest area, if you know what I mean. It fits me really well.

My one small complaint: the upper sternum strap on the Strapette slides up and down, and because of my chest it keeps working its way up until it pops off. A flatter-chested person probably wouldn't have this problem. I wish the top strap were built the same fixed way as the bottom one. I've made it work by not cinching it as tight as I'd like. If it really bothered me I'd sew it in place, but it doesn't.

Pockets and organization. I saw someone complain about too few interior pockets. Honestly, there are so many attachment straps inside and out that you don't need a bunch of fancy little pockets. There are outside pockets, more outside pockets, an inside pocket, and endless options for rigging gear.

Even with my wider girth, the padded hip section wraps far enough around the front that I can reach my knife and bear spray without taking the pack off. I first tried mounting them on the waist strap itself, but that was uncomfortable on steep climbs. On the hip padding they're comfortable and easy to grab.

The Strapette's front pockets are essential for me. I keep my stun gun, poop bags, phone, treat pouch, a head net for when the gnats get bad, and my e-collar remotes all within reach. Without those front pockets I'd be writing a very different review. With them, everything I need is at my fingertips.

Bottom line: if you need serious capacity in a lumbar setup and real comfort under load, get the pack AND the Strapette. I haven't found anything else that compares.

Pack is a great size with an inner concealed zipper as well as an outer zipper pouch. Can hold a wallet, sunglasses case and a cell phone.main zippers are small to keep any pesky pick picketers.

I bought this as my first backpacking shelter 14 years ago. I brought it on The Long Trail, hundreds of miles on the AT, and dozens of shorter trips. I gave it to a friend to use for bikepacking with his son and it was heavily used. More than a decade later it was returned to me and it’s still good to go. I’ve never had a tarp or tarp tent last more than a few years because they see so much use, but this one is surprisingly extremely well made for the price. It’s outlived far more expensive tents and tarps that I’ve owned. I would 100% get another one.

I bought this pack when it was on sale, and i am happy I did, because it is a very nice backpack with a lot of features I was looking for and more. First off the 40L, you can definitely fit more than that, the side pockets are BIG ive thrown my big wayer bottle there and more no issues. The small mesh pockets on the outside are great for smaller stuff and I use them a lot more than I thought, the daisy chain on the front and back, just clip your random things there and are out of the way. The dual side pockets are 👌 they expand for big things and smaller items they dont pop out. The front mesh is big enough big items and clothing. I appreciate that the top can roll down and clip to the sides OR can clip to itself, so you can use the buckle straps to hold other items, when clipped to each other, tempted to clip a skateboard 🛹 😉
Feedback for the next version, add some closure buttons/clips/velcro for the roll top to keeps the lips closed.
Add a bottom pocket for trash, same material from the front stash pocket, add another one on the bottom for trash or other items that can be packed there
But overall im happy with this backpack, there are other more luxury brands but this one just feels fancy in itself

I just purchased a few Zevo 20L packs for an outdoor event I was hosting. The top influencers in the space were all blown away by this pack and thought it was super cool and feature-rich. I was really impressed with the craftsmanship, features and style of this pack. It's a day pack+, IMO with the flexibility of the roll-top and ability to strap gear on the exterior. I will be using this on ALL of my day hikes to my fishing spots in Colorado.

Putting it through the ringer with daily saw and trail work, very durable. Useful pockets and straps. Adjusts and loads comfortably. I have multiple thru hikes and more trips out of a backpack than I can count; this has become my new do-it-all pack for most of my trips that don't involve a glacier or weight over 100lbs, but it really shines with chainsaw work in the woods.

very practical!

This Fanny pack is perfect. The pocket sizes are just right. The little pocket on the back works really well for small things I need quickly. I like the new waistband setup without a tail hanging out. I have had a Mountainsmith fanny pack for many years, which I have always liked. This one is even better,

I love my Fanny pack! Sleek but highly functional. Two main compartments but great versatility in each one with separate pouches inside. I usually wear this slung aRound my chest and am appreciating the location of the buckle for easy on and off this way. I’ve been wearing a mountainSmith fanny pack daily for years now and finally treated myself to a new one. These last forever and our great for daily use.

I really like my Roo. It’s made very well and carries small handy items within easy reach when on the move.

I haven’t had a chance to use this yet but it seems well made and is quite a bit lighter than my Osprey. I love the features and pockets with the ability to carry 4 liters of water (2 liter bladder and pocket large enough to hold an additional 2 liters per f water for when I ride the great divide basin. I’ll give a better review when I’ve used it for bikepacking

Tecent trip to the Sierra. Unusually cold and windy, as I was etecting ot for the first time.I was in good shape with this great product.

Hands down the most versatile little pack I've owned. Originally bought it for a trip to Europe to keep essentials, valuables, and water close at hand. It performed flawlessly as a personal item under the plane seat—fitting a full change of clothes—and was a lifesaver on the ground for daytime outings and impromptu picnics. I loved it so much abroad that it’s now my everyday carry back home in the States. 10/10 recommendation!

I needed a light weight camera kit bag when I left my backpack home on shorter hikes and quick day adventures. It required a main pouch just large enough for an extra lens, spare battery, cleaning supplies etc. It had to have accessible water pockets for my water and bear spray. Lastly it had to be comfortable and durable. Well, I'm happy to say that I found it with this Drift Lumbar Pack and it's just about perfect and will see many miles of photography adventure with me. I highly recommend this product and have become a real fan of Mountainsmith gear. I will be a return buyer 100%.

really works great to distribute the weight of all my junk in my Tour EVO pack. I hunt grouse with a recurve bow, and our season coincides with chanterelles, so I need the weight distributed well, which the pair does wonderfully, with enough space for a grouse and some mushrooms!