Rambling Review – Mountainsmith Day TLS Lumbar Pack
Why:
As most outdoorsman do, I am constantly tinkering with different bags/vests/ packs that I take into the field in search of that perfect system to carry all the “neccessary” gear for the day. Although I’ve tried and still utalize different bags for different situations, I have been on a lumbar pack kick for the past several months and the Mountainsmith Day TLS is my go-to pack for backcountry hiking and fishing.
First impressions:
The strapettes – Probably the number one selling point on the Mountainsmith system is the strapettes. Like most outdoorsman, I cram as much as I possibly can fit into every pocket and crevice of the pack. The thing I hate about most lumbar packs is how much they sag when you start putting weight into them. Mcome with a shoulder strap, but let’s be real, the one strap sucks. Your shoulder gets tired and then you have to switch, never fully achieving a comfortable carry. The Mountainsmith Strapette system fixes that. The Strappettes attach very simply and offer that extra stability for a full jumping rocks on a backcountry creek. (The bummer is that these straps are sold seperately.) The pack is sold with a single shoulder strap.
The material – Mountainsmith has constructed the Day TLS from a really cool material called Reforge. Reforge PET Double Ripstop is 100% recycled from plastic waterbottles. It is awesome to see a company dedicated to reducing their environmental footprint. The Mountainsmith Day TLS is also made with high quality 420d Duramax HD Nylon in the high wear areas to beef it up. It is also tough to find fault with big hefty zippers and tabs.
The options – Although I have already stated how much I love the Mountainsmith Stapettes, the bag can be carried in a number of different ways. The beefy Airflow waistbelt is plenty to keep the Day TLS secured to your body, or the waistbelt can be tucked away and the Day TLS can be carried like a messanger bag with the shoulder strap.
Field Use:
I have been using the Day TLS as my primary backcountry fly fishing pack for the past couple of months. I have thrashed it through some gnarly country, dunked it in a cold stream, and loaded it to the max. It can handle it all.
What I like most about this pack is the space. Although it’s just a lumbar pack, I can carry everything I need for a full day in the field, plus emergencies. In the main compartment Ican carry my DSLR camera along with an emergency kit, pistol, a sandwich or two, and the small essentials needed on the stream. The front pocket can fit two large fly boxes although recently I’ve been swapping out one of the fly boxes for a cigar caddy.
The compression strap on the back is nifty enough to fit my felt soles for my Korkers and the straps underneath the pack are the perfect size to stuff a jacket for those cool mornings. There are also two side bottle pouches. I always carry my Katadyn bottle in one and a handful of granola bars in the other. At the end of the day, I’m pretty sure I could survive for a day or two if worse came to worse.
The one cool little pocket that I have found to have multiple function is the backpanel sleeve pocket. On the Mountainsmith website, they describe it as the perfect place for airline tickets and IDs. I would describe it as the perfect place for a fishing journal and my net. There are also two small pockets on the hipbelt that are perfect for a small fly box, tippet, or any other necessities that you may need quick access to.
Another great feature of the Mountainsmith Day TLS Lumbar Pack is the Delta Compression System. Obviously cinching the waistebelt tight is necessary, but the Delta Compression System allow you to cinch the upper portion of the lumbar pack into the small of your back, creating more stability and a comfortable carry.
You will notice in most of the pictures that I liked this pack so much, I decided it would have the honor of bearing my Fiberglass Manifesto Patch. This pack is going to see plenty of backcountry water for years to come.
I know Mountainsmith wasn’t thinking about a bumbling fly fisherman when they built this pack but, if I was to recommend anything about this pack for future designs, I would love to see the exact same pack in a waterproof or extremely water resistant material. As my fishing buddies can attest, I have taken multiple dunks while trying to get to that perfect position to make a cast. Protecting electronic equipment is a must wether it’s rain or an accidental dunk in the river. What I do as an alternative is to carry a drybag to put my camera in as well as apply a water resistant spray to the fabric. Mountainsmith also sells a raincover for the Day TLS lumbar pack.
Pros:
Strong Construction
Mountainsmith Strapette Compatible
Plenty of room for the necessities
Different options of how to carry
Delta Compression System
Made from Recycled Material
Comfortable for an all day carry
Price
Cons:
Strapettes sold seperately (I feel that this pack is superior with the strapettes, and for how I like to carry it in the backcountry and on the water, the strapettes are a must have)
Not waterproof
Prognosis: My opinion is that the Mountainsmith Day TLS Lumbar Pack is a must have for fly fishermen looking for a comfortable way to carry a day’s worth of fishing gear. This is a high quality pack that will see many miles on the creek.
* Disclaimer:
The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no monetary compensation in exchange for this review. The Mountainsmith Day TLS was provided by Mountainsmith for the purpose of this review. My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.
Great write-up!! My feelings for my old Lumbar Day have been revived since I got the strapettes. I do miss have the easy access pockets on the waistbelt (my older model doesn’t have them), but the bottom line is that I have found my day pack for on the water…
Thanks Zach. Mountainsmith has done a fantastic job on this lumbar pack and I’ll be beating it up on the creeks for many years to come.
Ben
I have been fishing, upland hunting, and hiking with a generic (not fishing specific) hip pack for years and love it, but you bring up a couple of the problems I have, and maybe you can help me with one more.
1) Whatever shoulder the strap is on gets sore – those strappettes look like the ticket!
2) They aren’t waterproof and ride low. I use cheap cameras and until last week double zip-locks had always worked great. Last week, though, I drowned my point and shoot in my kayak, even in the ziplocks – curses!
3) I don’t know what to do with my miscellaneous fishing stuff. I have a homemade lanyard that works great for my tippet, hemos, and nippers, but I don’t know what to do with my other miscellaneous stuff (weights, strike indicators, floatant, dessicant, extra leaders, etc.) Right now they just all hang out in a ziplock together, but it is kind of a pain finding things sometimes. What do you do and how does it work?
Great post, by the way. My little bro has an old Mountainsmith backpack that has worked great for many years. Quality stuff!
Kirk.
Thanks for the comment and the questions. I’ll do my best to answer them here, but I might do a post on it in the future.
1. The straps are a must have. Mountainsmith nailed this one.
2. This pack does not ride low due to the support of the straps. Everything in my pack is waterproof except lately I’ve been taking my DSLR camera. I keep it in a dry bag and I’ve become proficient at netting a fish while swinging the pack off, grabbing the camera and taking a few photos. Fish is kept in the water and all ends well. If I’m on bigger water like the Juan or Ferry where I am wading into deeper water, I leave the DSLR at home and take my waterproof point and shoot.
3. I am a bare essentials kind of guy on the stream. Here’s how I roll with all the miscelaneous stuff.
Floatant and forceps in my front right pocket. 3 Rolls of tippet(3-5X) is kept in my front left pocket of the waistbelt of the lumbar pack. An altoid tin is in the other wastband pocket with flies I use all the time for very quick access. I don’t use nippers. I try to buy forceps with scissors on them, but I also have a bad habit of just using my teeth. Everything else stays in the pockets of my lumbar pack. I honestly don’t use that much weight, indicators, or leaders. On a small stream, I can just stop and take of the pack, rest, and rerig something if I need to.
I do have different set up for the Juan and the Ferry. That’s a post for the future though. Hope that helps. I’ll let you know when I get a post up on the different setups I use.
Ben
that pack w/ x straps looks like the shit – if only a bit large. I’ve always said that the problem w/ packs is that we fill them. I might be sold. especially since they have it in yellow. w/ x straps. I’m thisclose to biting the bullet.
fucking packs.
what the hell will will I do w/ them all when I die? hunh?
Mike, This pack is awesome. IF you’re interested, next time I’m your way, I’ll put it in the truck so you can check it out. I’m sure some day your pack collection could be donated to a museum or something. Hope all is well.
Ben
Man, I’ve been looking for a new lumbar pack to replace my old worn out pack. You wearing an ll bean maine guide shirt in that picture? Thats one of my favorite fishing shirts when the weather gets cold.
Moss,
This is a great pack and one that you should definitely consider. The shirt is actually a Filson Alaskan Guide Shirt. It’s a dynamite pack and shirt. Best of luck with the lumbar pack search, but in all honesty, this pack is the one you want.
Ben
Ben, thanks for posting this and giving me a heads up. I like the looks of the Mountainsmith but I’m downsizing my pack and what I carry. I haven’t made a decision yet, so my mind is still open.
Your welcome Howard. You’ll have to let us all know what pack you end up choosing to go with.
Ben
hey ben – just thought I’d let you know that I bought this pack (b-day present to myself) based on your review of it. took it out for field test black friday. mostly impressed. jason has one on the way as well. can’t beat the price or quality. I could fit a six pack, a muffaletta, raincoat, hat and who know what else inside that massive main pocket. thanks.
Very cool Mike. Mountainsmith hit the nail right on the head with this one. I’m glad you like it. It’s dynamite.
Ben
Great review on the pack, but i was wondering if you have used / applied its use in the field / upland hunting as well? what are your thoughts on its use for hunting? im looking to upgrade from a vest to a technical pack/vest but was intrigued at the idea of also getting the Mountainsmith too. Thanks.
Edgar,
Great to hear from you. I’ve used the Day TLS as a day hiking pack but never used it while bird hunting. It would work great as a field pack but the one problem I see would be carrying your birds. If you don’t mind them rolling around inside with your other gear or if you had a separate leash system, it might work pretty good. It is a very versatile pack for sure and I’m sure you could make it work. Hope that helps. If I could suggest a technical vest, you’ll never be sorry with a WingWorks
Hope that helps. Take care.
Ben
Ben, well I ended up getting the TLS Day Pack (pinon color) for Christmas and so far i like it. I had been looking for a small pack to use when prairie chicken hunting the BIG open country of the Flint Hills, because my main concern or necesity was water. so far the pack has worked great. my question is about the water bottle holders…do they keep their retention or do they get loose after a while and unable to secure waterbottles? my next concern is the two front / side elastic pockets, does the elastic tend to “stretch” after prolonged use? this is where i a able to carry @8 shells in each pocket and it appears to hold them relatively secure. im just concerned about long term use. i am able to fit my limit of two chickens in the main compartment and use a T.A.G.S game bag to control blood. the other compartment i throw in snacks, first aid kit, gaiters, gloves, my tech gear utility bag and a jacket. the strappettes carry my motorolla radio & gps. trying to find a way or something to carry a bit more shells. anyway just wanted to get your take on it and once again great website. thanks
Great to hear from you Edgar. I think you’re really going to like this bag. My two water bottle holders have held up extremely well. The elastic has not loosened at all. the front two pockets have held up well. There are a couple of holes in the mesh from bushwacking, but other than that, they’ve held up very well. Sounds like you’ve got a great system set up. Best of luck in the field.
Ben
I’ve been using this same pack with the stapettes for five or six years in the Adirondaks and love it. It’s amazing the load you can put in this pack and it has held up very well. I see they now have pockets on the belt which would be great. The older ones did not.
Tim,
That’s great to hear. Everyone I’ve met who owns this pack love it. It’s definitely a winner.
Ben
I have a very old Mountainsmith (maybe 1996, still working but not pretty anymore. My problem is the size comparison – now I am looking for a new one and my model does not excist anymore (size like my old one). It is Black and red with yellow rubberstraps, extra rooms and holding stuff possibilities on the front. It is named TREK – does anyone know which one I should choose (the bigger available ones maybe look a little higher than mine from the photos).Thanks 🙂
There is a book called Desert Survival Kit by Max Cooper that is completely based on the Mountainsmith Day Lumbar Pack. It is a great book for a great pack.
https://www.amazon.com/Desert-Survival-Kit-Max-Cooper/dp/1511717165/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1474056559&sr=8-3&keywords=desert+survival+kit
Very cool. I’ll have to check it out Dexter. Thanks.
Ben