2023 Tour

Fit Note: I wear 30" - 32" waist pants and I have to cinch down the hip strap on this pack within 1/2" of its minimum size. If you're smaller than me this pack may not go small enough to ride correctly on your hips.

After rupturing a lumbar disc, many of my favorite activities are off the table. I can still hike though -- I just can't wear a backpack. This bag lets me go for long dayhikes without making my partner carry all the essentials and food, because the load is entirely on my hips. It's also great for bringing along toys, treats, and water when taking the dogs to the park. The volume is just enough -- with thoughtful packing -- to bring along the 10 essentials plus lunch and layers in fair weather. I like having nothing on my shoulders; my arms can move freely for scrambling and my center of gravity is low. It's cooler in warm weather but also warmer in cold weather because the insulation in my jacket isn't compressed across my shoulders. I like that I can spin it around my waist for quick access to contents, even while walking. Yet, it is a surprisingly stable. I would absolutely not run with this bag, but it's secure enough for hustling down scree or boulder-hopping.

ORGANIZATION
The water bottle pockets are versatile - they fit a 32oz. nalgene, 24oz. hydroflask, or bike-type water bottle. I've never had a bottle pop out by accident, yet I can get them in and out while walking (with practice). Very few "normal" backpacks allow that! I like the oversized zipper pulls (gloves), the quick stash pocket is large enough to actually be usable (again, gloves!), and the bright inside lining is very helpful when hunting for small items. The dividers and zipper are well-placed; easy to access but if you're not using them, they don't get in the way. The hip pouches are also well-done; they're not so big as to rub inside my forearms when I walk, but hold enough to be valuable. I comfortably carry my phone, keys, dog-poo bags, and energy bar, and can get items in/out without fussing. The left-side stretchy mesh pocket fits a range of object sizes and shapes and prevents them from bouncing. It's best for phone-shaped items, though. My iPhone 13 goes in and out with one hand.

STRAPS
There are "delta straps" to snug the pack up against your back, plus top and bottom compression straps to keep it from bouncing when it's not full. All those extra straps stay out of the way pretty well, unlike some packs which seem to just be straps everywhere! Speaking of: the hip straps tuck away behind the padded panel, which keeps them from getting hung up in car doors or flopping around if you're carrying by the handles. This also means there is a "tunnel" behind the lumbar pad, so you can stuff something in there if you need more support.

CRITIQUES
This pack is solid on all major points, but there are a few details that could be better for me. I don't use the included shoulder strap nor the optional strapettes. It's cool that these options exist but the upper anchor points for them get in my way. The bottom anchors are nicely-hidden metal rings, but the top anchors are plastic side-release buckles on large webbing loops. They don't tuck away anywhere and tend to flop over the zipper opening when I spin the bag around to the front, which often makes re-zipping a hassle. I wish the top anchors were the same as the bottom ones: low-profile metal rings.
The double carry-straps get in my way. Obviously they are good to have, but I would prefer a low-profile handle that lies close to the body of the pack. These straps tend to flop into the main compartment and slow down access -- and there's two of them! Also, they make the bag look visually messy, and honestly a little bit cheap since they are just simple webbing loops.
The hip straps have very long tails. This is unavoidable because of the forward-pull adjustment arrangement (which I like very much), but I wish there were some integrated way to manage all that extra slack while wearing the bag. Like if it could be tucked behind a flap or strap somewhere. I usually cram them into my lumbar area but they tend to work their way out.
The bottom compression straps were a bit disappointing for me. I was hoping to use them for lashing a jacket to the outside of the bag -- the provided stuff-pouch is big, but can't fit a jacket if the rest of the bag is already full. Unfortunately the strap length is optimized for compression only; there's no extra to accommodate the bulk of a jacket. This avoids having long 'tails' slapping around all the time, which is good -- but I do wish there were some integrated way to strap on extras. If not the compression straps, then maybe a set of anchor points where I could attach my own straps, which I have plenty of.

This is a solid pack that solves a real problem, and is genuinely nicer to use than a small conventional backpack. I will definitely continue using it even after my back is strong enough to carry a load again, because it'...

I originally bought a Tour pack about 9 years ago and loved it, especially once I put strapettes on it. It came apart on the belt and Mountainsmith replaced it free of charge with the 2023 model. Slight decrease in durability (no more ripstop) but several improvements and slightly lighter. I day hike nearly every weekend in southeast Louisiana year round and this pack carries everything I need, while leaving my back open so I don't die of heat stroke. Even better, I can pack it in a carry on suitcase and hike trails wherever my job takes me. Super comfy and packed with features, this is one of the best hiking purchases I've ever made.

Straps work well with pack. Comfortable and holds plenty.

This is my go to waist bag. I've pretty much dedicated it to playing disc golf as it holds up to nine discs easily along with my phone, water bottles, towels for wiping discs, etc. it’s perfect for a fast fun game.I also love using it for hiking as there's plenty of room for food and gear. It has excellent water bottle holders that will hold larger bottles and you can bring clothes and even extra shoes in case of muddy trails or rainy weather.

I bought this pack because I had shoulder surgery. I wanted a pack that I could put sweaters/jackets and carry 2 quarts. It is excellent. I like the capacity and the design.