Best Lumbar Pack?

J

jlouis976

Joined
Feb 25, 2008
Messages
396
So I've been debating for awhile about a few different lumbar packs for day trips and I figured that you guys would be a good bunch to consult. The two that I have really been looking at are the Maxpedition Devildog

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and the Mountainsmith Tour
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I prefer the more tactical looking style/ruff use bags like the Maxpedition, but I am open to anything that works well. Do you guys have any recommendations or opinions on these types of bags?
 
I haven't studied the available models lately but one contribution I can offer concerns shoulder straps. On a medium to large lumbar pack, I find them very helpful when you load the pack with water and other heavy items. When you are walking fast or over uneven terrain, they can help reduce bouncing and increase comfort.

With a lighter load, sometimes I loosen the waistbelt and let the lumbar pack hang loosely by the shoulder straps so my lower back can dry off a bit.

I have some older Gregory lumbar packs but I don't know what Gregory's current stuff is like.

DancesWithKnives
 
I have the top pack and a pack similar to the bottom one. I like the smaller one better and I dont have straps for it. The devildog holds a bunch but it pulls my pants down and it annoys me to wear a single shoulder strap. If I am going to have straps, I might as well just wear a backpack. My 2 cents. I'm thinking of getting rid of the devildog...
 
Rockywolf said:
I have the top pack and a pack similar to the bottom one. I like the smaller one better and I dont have straps for it. The devildog holds a bunch but it pulls my pants down and it annoys me to wear a single shoulder strap. If I am going to have straps, I might as well just wear a backpack. My 2 cents. I'm thinking of getting rid of the devildog...
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I sent you an email about getting rid of the devildog. If you have any pics or details let me know. I would be happy to help you out.
 
I don't use shoulder straps on the small lumbar packs. I usually have them loaded lightly enough that they seem to ride pretty comfortably without extra support. Where the shoulder straps really help me is with heavier loads.

When I need to carry more than most lumbar packs will handle, I use a Gregory "Day-and-a-Half" pack that is really sturdy. However, the Day-and-a-Half and most of my other daypacks (even the smaller ones) cause my back to sweat more and stay wetter than a good size lumber pack with shoulder straps. The latter rides lower and covers less of my back. For me, the comfort of a medium/large lumbar pack with shoulder straps exceeds that of most daypacks.

On a separate note, one of my friends has a small Mountainsmith and it appears to be very well made.

DancesWithKnives
 
DWK2 said:
I don't use shoulder straps on the small lumbar packs. I usually have them loaded lightly enough that they seem to ride pretty comfortably without extra support. Where the shoulder straps really help me is with heavier loads.

When I need to carry more than most lumbar packs will handle, I use a Gregory "Day-and-a-Half" pack that is really sturdy. However, the Day-and-a-Half and most of my other daypacks (even the smaller ones) cause my back to sweat more and stay wetter than a good size lumber pack with shoulder straps. The latter rides lower and covers less of my back. For me, the comfort of a medium/large lumbar pack with shoulder straps exceeds that of most daypacks.

On a separate note, one of my friends has a small Mountainsmith and it appears to be very well made.

DancesWithKnives
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Your sentiments about the comfort is why I'm looking for a lumbar pack.
 
If I need to carry more than I can get in my Proteus ( hardly ever !) then I figure I might as well use a back pack !
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My larger Gregory lumbar pack has metal stays like one of the Kifarus but their optional shoulder harness setup looks much more substantial.

DancesWithKnives
 
I really have always liked the idea of lumbar packs, but in practice they end up being clunky and bouncy. It seems they really easily exceed their weight limit with just a few basics and water.

Anymore, a normal backpack or satchel is great for dayhikes, slightly larger one for overnights. I get easier access, less weight, simplicity, comfort, etc. YMMV!!

Anymore I keep a basics on my belt, the rest in a pack.
 
jlouis976 said:
Why did you choose the Proteus over the Devildog?
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The size was just right for me !

I either carry a flask tooked into the straps at the bottom of the pack or I have a lightweight pouch which is on the side that also takes a bottle !

I have found that no matter what size the pack is you always seem to fill it, and years back I was carrying a backpack on every day hike filled with stuff I never used !

Here is a pic showing my pouch and flask on the side !
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I have had a maxpedition Devil Dog for years and it is my favorite day hiking rig. It is heavy but well made and holds all my gear plus snacks. I take two liters of water in Nalgene bottles which fit in the side pouches. I have it rigged up with Blackhawk suspenders to keep it from sliding down while I walk. On a recent hiking trip to the Smokies I purchased a Mountainsmith Tour with the optional suspenders. It worked out great. It is well made and lighter than the Maxpedition, less tactical looking, and was easy to carry. I recommend the optional "Strappets" or suspenders. Again they make it easier to carry and keep it from sliding down when you hike.

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pitdog said:
The size was just right for me !

I either carry a flask tooked into the straps at the bottom of the pack or I have a lightweight pouch which is on the side that also takes a bottle !

I have found that no matter what size the pack is you always seem to fill it, and years back I was carrying a backpack on every day hike filled with stuff I never used !

Here is a pic showing my pouch and flask on the side !
P6220003.jpg
Click to expand...

Well......now you've made it tougher. I thought I had it down just to two packs. (Side note- great dog. I grew up with a brindle am-staff. Best dog I've ever had)
 
zman308 said:
I have had a maxpedition Devil Dog for years and it is my favorite day hiking rig. It is heavy but well made and holds all my gear plus snacks. I take two liters of water in Nalgene bottles which fit in the side pouches. I have it rigged up with Blackhawk suspenders to keep it from sliding down while I walk. On a recent hiking trip to the Smokies I purchased a Mountainsmith Tour with the optional suspenders. It worked out great. It is well made and lighter than the Maxpedition, less tactical looking, and was easy to carry. I recommend the optional "Strappets" or suspenders. Again they make it easier to carry and keep it from sliding down when you hike.

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Do you prefer one over the other?
 
I use to have an older Mountainsmith lumbar pack it was great; I currently have the Maxpedition Devildog and it's a pretty decent lumbar pack if you don't over-load it...and that's compared to two Kifaru lumbar packs I have. The benefit of the Mountainsmith is the "stappets" or shoulder harness attachment (which my Kifaru Scout has) and it really helps, but don't let that make you over load it because then you might as well upgrade to a full pack.

I don't know how well the new Mountainsmith stuff is made these days, but I can say that the Maxpedition is well built and quite heavy duty:

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Here's my Kifaru Scout (used shoulder straps and carries considerably more than my Devildog):

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ROCK6
 
Hey Rock6, do you have a kifaru tailgunner too. i have the scout and love it but i have always wanted a tg too and would like any opinions on how they compare. i see you can get the harness system on the tg if you want to carry extra weight.

http://www.kifaru.net/MG_TGhome.htm
 
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