Lumbar packs

I use a Mountainsmith Day with their "Strapettes" for dayhikes, year-round, and have no complaints about the quality. It's almost 4 times as big as the one you're looking at, but compresses down to fit the size of the load, and the side pockets work with full-size Nalgene/Camelbak/etc. water bottles.
Lumbar packs are great as long as you don't try to carry too much. Won't be comfortable if you try to stuff it completely full(no frame, and not much between your back and the load), so I'd say always go a bit bigger than you actually need.
 
I've had a Karrimor one for years that I like but it did need braces [suspenders?] added to it. That's a must for me because the overload OwenM mentions is very real but also something that's also on a creeper. At various stages on the path to overload I found myself trying to compensate and cranking it up too tight. I like the versatility though. Over the course of a day a can switch numerous times between having it as belt order and on the diagonal bandolier style.
 
This pack will actually have more room than I need. I wanna carry my survival kit which is basically a pot filled with stuff. Couple of pounds at the most. I want something for summer. I hate wearing a backpack in the summertime.
 
My experience is the same as the others - keep the load light and some sort of suspension have helped me.
 
I've used fanny packs for decades on day trips. You don't need anything else unless you take a change of clothes. Mine runs between 10 -15 pounds with 1 L of water and other essentials including lunch and snacks.
 
So far, most have recommended shoulder straps. I couldn't agree more, except, my conclusions are a bit different. If I have to use shoulder straps, I may as well take a regular ol' daypack. I still use my Mountainsmith waistpack— in my canoe, where it rests on the back of my saddle. It doesn't interfere with paddling, and I don't know it's there until I get out of the canoe.
 
I have a North Face one that looks alot like that, but about twice that size. I like them for many of the same reasons as other here have stated.
I also like it for beach hikes in summer. Mine had small bungees built in and they are strong enough to hold a fleece coat.
Before spending the cash on a new one, check out a couple thrift stores, get one cheap and try it out.
 
A few years ago I got a Mountainsmith Day, it is a great wait pack but a little big, tempting you to filled with stuff. About a year ago I got the strapettes and now I can comfortable carry two water bottles and a tarp or poncho, cinch to the bottom, without a problem.
For me the beauty of it comes from its flexibility, you can carry a small load fully compressed, or tote the waist band in the back and add the shoulder strap, add more and expand, or add a boatload of stuff and the strapettes.
At some point you would have to figure out if it is better to carry a small backpack.
Best Regards.
 
I have been using Mountainsmith Day and Kifaru Tailgunner II lumbar packs for years - for everything from day hikes and environmental field work to bicycle commuting and family vacations. I am a huge fan of well-made, spine-hugging, hands-free lumbar packs but like most things, they do have their drawbacks. Some observations:

(1) Lumbar packs can hold a surprising amount of bulk comfortably, but not a lot of weight. So when considering a higher volume pack (like the Day or Tailgunner), recognize that it will hold your fleece, poncho, and ultralight tarp/fly just fine - but loading it down with extra water, tools, or magazines will dramatically reduce its stability, fit, and comfort.

(2) Like someone above already mentioned, you can attach strapettes or shoulder straps to improve the stability and load bearing capacity of a lumbar pack - but at that point you're usually better off just going with a traditional ruck. A regular backpack will carry and distribute loads of this size better.

(3) Good lumber packs have features like delta straps that help snug it down into your lower back, which greatly improves the balance and security of the load. They're absolutely essential, in my opinion. Anything else is a just a fanny pack. On the other hand, having to undo and redo the straps everytime you need to take the bag off is a pain. There's no way to just drop one shoulder and swing the pack around to access your stuff - you have to loosen the belt or take a lumbar pack off all the way to get at your gear.

(4) In terms of outdoor travel, lumbar packs are great for times when you might need to use your hands to hold on or carry things. They don't necessarily provide an advantage over backpacks in this case, except perhaps that it may be easier to still carry gear with shoulder straps (rifle, heavy SLR camera, etc) that would otherwise interfere with the backpack.

(5) For urban travel, backpacks are much better for getting in and out of taxis or buses. As mentioned above, it's more of a pain to take a good-fitting lumbar pack on and off for quick trips around town - and they're certainly no fun to sit on. If you're going to be removing the pack frequently, or accessing your gear regularly, you're probably better off with a backpack under these circumstances.

(6) Security is just as much of a concern for lumbar packs as regular backpacks. Despite being somewhat smaller and riding lower on your back, they are just as susceptible to pickpockets - especially as you're bumping through a crowd. A lot of people think their stuff is closer and safer and harder to take, but they're just not giving the thieves the proper respect. Having your $400 digital camera (and all your family pics) taken from the pack on your back while getting off the cruise ship can really take some of the fun out of your vacation. So take care and keep your vaulable stuff in deep, internal, and hard-to reach pockets.

(7) You will get just as sweaty wearing a lumbar pack in summer - more so, in one sense, because you always have to keep the belt strapped snugly to keep the pack on. So from your belly to your butt, it's gonna be wet. One thing that works for me is to take my shirt off but leave it tucked under the pack belt, and just hanging back over the pack. This way, you stay cooler and the belt/pack doesn't get too sweaty - and best of all, no slimy shoulder straps like with a backpack!


So my reccommendation is first to decide how much gear you have, how heavy it will all be, and where you're going with it - and that should give you a better idea of what kind of pack will work for you.
 
Scott Free said:
If I have to use shoulder straps, I may as well take a regular ol' daypack.
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You can get a lot more space with a bigger daypack, but the lumbar pack still has some advantages, even with the straps.
Still going to sweat under the straps, but it's cooler on your back, and more stable. Most daypacks don't ventilate your back well, even the ones that claim they do with grooves and channels.
Unless they have proper torso length to fit, and a load-bearing waistbelt, they also put the weight on the shoulders, while adding straps to a lumbar pack just stabilizes it even further by keeping the load from sagging, while the weight mostly stays on the hips.
I really don't look at daypacks any more, since the Day is big enough for me. Was tempted to switch to an Osprey Manta 25 to be able to use a hydration bladder, but got a Platypus Hoser that fixed that well enough.
 
No matter what you go with, lumbar packs are great!

I have used one from a company called DAJO for the past few years. It is about the same price as the one you show and has some more volume. I usually throw in some snacks, 2L of water, FAK, fire kit, and monocular.

I really like them for day hikes mainly as a way to bring what I need without having a pack. I get way too sweaty with my back covered. I've given a few away as gifts and have heard good things from the recipients.
 
So I'm hearing two things about the sweatyness. Are they cooler to wear than a small daypack or not? This is really the main reason why I want to get away from daypacks in the summer.
 
Shotgun said:
So I'm hearing two things about the sweatyness. Are they cooler to wear than a small daypack or not? This is really the main reason why I want to get away from daypacks in the summer.
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If you're going to be keeping it strapped on most of the time, then yes a lumbar pack will be somewhat cooler.

If you're going to take it off frequently say, hopping in and out of cars or taking breaks on a hike, then the ease of slipping a traditional backpack off and on will give your back more opportunities to cool off.
 
I have no hips, so lumbar packs don't work for me, unless they are light. If I need soulder straps, I'd just take my Maxpedition EDC bag. The one shoulder strap is great, and the bag can be spun around to your front, for access to items.
 
I've used a few types of day-packs, hydration, mid-sized backpack, maxped jumbo, and lumbar. They each have advantages, lumbars are good IMHO for gear that is too big for a pocket, too small to justify a pack, won't be needed often. Also the weight is centerline. A shoulder bag is great to get stuff out of, but eventually that unbalanced weight can be a problem. I stopped using my lumbar pack as the water bottle holders were not large enough for a 1L nalgene, and I generally prefer to take 2L of water in the woods. Also, 2L of water maxed the comfortable weight of that particular pack. I say give it a shot, if it fits your needs and style then great!
 
Unless you choose a lumbar pack that will contain a very specific gear load-out that will always remain the same, I'd suggest going with a good daypack instead. Dollar for dollar, you'll have more versatility. And you're going to sweat either way... ;)

Another option is a web-belt that allows you to attach a variety of swappable pouches. You could customise load-out depending on what you're wanting to accomplish.
 
Most of the better lumbar packs have mesh water bottle pouches on the side. If I do put water bottles in those pouches, they interfere with my natural arm swing. It probably doesn't matter for bigger guys.
 
I have a lumbar pack from True North. It is a great pack, well built, heavy duty and very comfortable. The shoulder straps are well padded and the waist belt really helps distribute the weight. I have been wearing mine a little higher than a typical lumbar pack, just more comfortable for me. It is a bit large but is very capable of containing your 10 essentials plus any shed layers you might want to stow.

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