Mountainsmith Approach 35 Recycled Camera Bag

I've had this pack for a while now and put some miles on it, so this is an updated review... Mountainsmith is now on a new generation, but some of these are still floating around. Having seen the new model, I think this one is better.

I love the organization of this pack. A place for everything and everything in it's place. I've found that external pocket designs on many packs just aren't very functional. Not the case with this one, they're a great design. If you're a light packer it's big enough to be used for overnight camping. In the back country I primarily use it for day trips where I want to bring a lot technical gear. Hunting, climbing, etc... I also use it as travel bag in and among civilization. Would make a good bug out bag or light pack for something like the Camino where you'll be staying in hostels, inns, boarding houses, etc. For me, the comfortable capacity tops out at 25lbs though I'm sure it's physically capable of carrying much more. The construction is very good. Durable 420D nylon. #10 YKK for the main zipper and the rest are #8's. Mine has stood up to rough use and abuse.

On the downside... A better waist belt would increase the load bearing capacity. The elastic water bottle pockets aren't super, but there's many other highly functional pockets on this thing to choose from.

Great pack.... IF... it fits your needs.

I bought this bag for a trip to Europe and I love it. I fit everything that I needed for three weeks and was still able to fit it in the overhead bin.

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I bought this pack for its size. I needed a day pack big enough to carry my gear plus some photography gear. The pack has plenty of storage options and is comfortable to carry. I researched a number of packs before choosing this one. It is well constructed and has performed well. I would recommend taking a look at this pack before deciding what to buy.

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The approach 35 appears to be discontinued from Mountainsmith. However, this should not discourage anyone from considering this pack. The clamshell design of the main compartment is one of the best designs I have encountered. You can open the bag all the way up if needed to get to items on the bottom. Or just peel back the top (without undoing the side straps) for quick access to most of the bag. The separate smaller compartment and mesh panel pocket offer a lot of room and expansion to an already large pack. The smaller compartments on the back of the pack offer outstanding organizational mesh pockets, key fob loop, and are colored bright yellow to make finding gear easier. There is a small pocked on the waist belt, but its not useful for anything more than lip balm or a credit card. The side mesh pouch can't really hold a water bottle either because of how its angled. It is good for storing snacks or small items you might regularly reach for on the trail. The elastic pocket on the opposite side of the pack from the mesh pocket is good for small flat items like maps or energy bars. The larger side pockets help my one liter Nalgene bottles comfortably and could probably accommodate things like Camera lenses, small tarps, hammocks, or anything up to the size of a rolled up newspaper. The trekking pole straps do their job and hold secure through hauling the pack around a campsite or into or out of a car.

The fit works well for me (6'0" 165 lbs). The pack rests comfortably on my hips and I tend to let the shoulder straps stay slack and only tighten them up when moving fast. I hiked for a week in Yosemite in temperatures in the high 80s / low 90s with lots of humidity and never felt like this pack lead to excessive sweating along my back.

This pack seems primarily designed to work as a long day pack or travel pack. I feel it can easily handle an overnight backpacking trip (and plan to test this out). The straps on the bottom can accomodate a tent. The main compartment should be able to handle any sleeping bag you can pack down to 10 liters or so. And That would still leave plenty of room for a bladder, food, a set of spare clothes, and a camera. Multi-day trips would be difficult though as the big issue would be accommodating all the food you would need without overloading the suspension on the pack.

Overall this pack fills a specific niche in my collection as a long day hike pack, or quick and easy overnight pack. I could see using this for travel as well and would be comfortable doing so.

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