Mountainsmith Circuit 3.0 Pack - Men's - 2013 Special Buy

Comments about Mountainsmith Circuit 3.0 Pack - Men's - 2013 Special Buy:

I have only used this pack for one 3 day trip & a practice hike or two around town, but it seems to be very comfortable. The main compartment is huge, I'd hate to think how heavy it would be if you actually stuffed it full of gear. Plenty of room for bulky winter gear (which is why I got such a big pack). Good padding and the first pack I've had where the sternum strap would comfortably fit across my chest (I'm 6'3", 275# & wear a 52L jacket). It carries just as well with 50# on my training hikes as it did with 32# on the 3 day trip. Great buy!!

Service and delivery comments:

As with everything I have ordered from REI, this pack was delivered quiker than expected and in perfect condition.

Comments about Mountainsmith Circuit 3.0 Pack - Men's - 2013 Special Buy:

Took this pack on a backpacking weekend and it worked out great. Had it stuffed with bulky cold weather sleeping bag, tent and gear. I need to get the rain cover for it though, but I am happy with the pack. This one does not have the clear map pocket under the detachable top. There is no documentation on how to use the detachable top, but that was no something I was gonna use anyway. The pack is easy and comfortable to wear and is well balanced. Fairly easy to adjust. Gonna add a Molle pouch to the belt to store smalls, like food and camera. Need to go on more campouts to test it further...

Comments about Mountainsmith Circuit 3.0 Pack - Men's - 2013 Special Buy:

It came time to replace my old Kelty external frame pack, and I was looking for a good deal on a comfortable internal frame pack with plenty of stowage space, and a separate compartment for a sleeping bag. This is the pack I chose, and though I've only taken it out a couple of times for day hikes I'm pleased with everything this pack has to offer. It's roomy, easy on my sholders, and can be adjusted easily to fit my frame.

Comments about Mountainsmith Circuit 3.0 Pack - Men's - 2013 Special Buy:

This pack was a great buy so I thought I'd give it a try. I took it out for a 3 mile overnighter.
I originally decided on the pack because of its adjust-ability. I have a LONG torso 22 inches and many packs just don't fit. The adjustments are all intuitive and lightening fast. The torso length can be adjusted with the pull of 2 straps (brilliant design. The fabric is light weight and the compartments are many and roomy. With 45 pounds on board it strapped up and rode like it was made for me. I really liked everything about it except the zippers they felt cheap and were binding up already. I would expect to pay near $200 for a similar quality pack. If the zippers were tougher this pack would be a homerun. I grew up wearing a Kelty Redcloud it is simply bomb proof. 25+ years later my kids still use it. 2 years ago I bought a Osprey Aether to go lighter and be more comfy. I have missed all the additional storage and ruggedness of the Kelty so when I saw this as the daily deal I struck. I am not disappointed only time will tell if the mountain smith will prove to be a lasting trail friend.

Comments about Mountainsmith Circuit 3.0 Pack - Men's - 2013 Special Buy:

After leaving the Army I always thought that equipment was the best and only equipment. Now that I'm getting a little older I realize that there is far better gear than what I used. This pack is one of those things. I always carried a large ruk with an external frame, which didn't have much if any adjustment. This thing feels like a dream by comparison. The only thing I wish it had external tie-downs where I could hang things that I would want rapidly, or not in my bag at all. Now that I see the light about gear I'm searching for other ways to lighten the load.

Comments about Mountainsmith Circuit 3.0 Pack - Men's - 2013 Special Buy:

Took this pack out on short over-niter, maybe total 10 miles. The thing was we were hiking on packed snow that was at times, slick, slushy, and soft. I had the pack loaded down pretty full, it wore very nice. Balanced, Well Padded, really only reason it does'nt get 5 stars is I'd like to see how it does over a longer trip.

Comments about Mountainsmith Circuit 3.0 Pack - Men's - 2013 Special Buy:

I will be taking this on a 15 mile hike this coming weekend to Grayson Highlands in VA. First let me say my rating is only based on that that I haven't used the pack yet but wanted to give so thoughts to things I noticed right away.

No pockets on the waist. This could be a deal breaker as I don't want stuff in my pockets when hiking. The water bottles seem easy enough to grab. It has a huge compartment and plenty of outside pockets. Haven't figured out yet how to make a daypack out of the top but will. Looks to be very adjustable and made of highly durable material for years of use.

After this trip I will update this review.

Comments about Mountainsmith Circuit 3.0 Pack - Men's - 2013 Special Buy:

maybe its own rain cover would be cool but I'm getting the rain poncho for packers seems like a good way to keep me and my pack dry
also liked the water bottle pockets rugged not cheesy