I picked up one of these packs the other day to test out as an alternative to a messenger bag for riding. This particular pack is from Mountainsmith’s Lumbar Series which means it has a waistbelt that secures around your midsection but also has a removable shoulder strap with a sliding pad. The pack features an air mesh foam back panel, delta compression system load adjustment, 2 water bottle pockets that accommodate 32 oz water bottles, elastic rigging, and 2 compression straps.

One of the reasons I wanted to try this bag was because it had the waistbelt and seemed more supportive than your standard messenger. Overall, this was true, but I found myself constantly adjusting the shoulder strap. Maybe this was because of the way the shoulder strap attached to the bag, but I think it had more to due with the fit and how loose or tight I had the waistbelt fastened. I didn’t load the pack up too much at all, but wanted to see how it would handle a 33.8 oz smart water bottle and my canon powershot G9, which floated around loosely in the main compartment. The watter bottle however, stayed put due to the elastic rigging and thick mesh pocket. I also put in my wallet, cell phone, and attached my keys to the side of the waistbelt with a carabiner.

Overall, I liked how this pack shaped to my midsection and did not cause any strain to my shoulders like messenger bags have. My main reason for testing this pack was to see how it fit while riding but also because it is identical to another model that is a dedicated camera pack. That model is the Day FX and another smaller model is the Tour FX. As a matter of fact, I just noticed yesterday that they added the Tour FX pack to their lineup. I am considering the Day FX pack because I have always figured that it’s better to have a larger bag than a smaller one in case you need to carry extra gear.

As for the price, the Tour FX pack retails for $85, the Day FX pack goes for $95, and the model tested goes for $80 although I paid $60.

For more info, check out the Mountainsmith website.