How to Choose a Backpack

Spend long days on the trail carrying heavy loads with this women's 50-liter Mountain Hardwear pack. It provides all-day comfort with a breathable back and 3D pivoting hipbelt.
Imported.
View all Mountain Hardwear Backpacking PacksBest Use | Backpacking |
---|---|
Frame Type | Internal Frame |
Gear Capacity (L) | 50 liters |
Gear Capacity (cu. in.) | 3,051 cubic inches |
Weight | S/M: 4 lbs. 1.3 oz. M/L: 4 lbs. 1.7 oz. |
Adjustable Torso Length | Yes |
Fits Torso Length (in.) | S/M: 15-19 inches M/L: 18-21 inches |
Fits Waist/Hips | S/M: 25-45 inches M/L: 29-48 inches |
Material(s) | Shell: 210-denier ripstop recycled nylon; base: 420-denier CORDURA nylon |
Frame Material | Spring steel |
Number of Stays | 1 peripheral hoop |
Reservoir Compatible | Yes |
Suspended Mesh Back Panel | Yes |
Pack Access | Top / Panel |
Number of Exterior Pockets | 3 + main compartment |
Raincover Included | No |
Hipbelt Pockets | Yes |
Removable Daypack | Yes |
Dimensions | S/M: 31.1 x 15.7 x 14.6 inches M/L: 32.5 x 15.7 x 14.2 inches |
Gender | Women's |
Sustainability | Contains recycled materials |
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This pack carries like a dream and has all of the compartments and feature you could want in a pack. Easy access water. Day bag. Three well equipped compartments in the hood. The fit is fantastic. It is high quality. Why only three stars? It creaks, bad. The fabric creaks with each step when it is loaded. I'm hoping that breaking it in loaded will help, because I really do love the comfort of this pack. Also, lose a star for these ridiculously small hip belt pockets. They fit my chapstick, hand sanitizer, and one snack bar. I will have to get a shoulder pocket for my phone.
I really enjoyed this backpack for my first backpacking trip. As someone that has a bad lower back that tends to either have pain on one side or the other, the single source of padding for that area worked really well for me. (I've tried on packs that had a split left and right side of padding that only seemed to irritate my back even more.) As another reviewer mentioned, the biggest downside of this pack is how noisy it is. If you're trying to talk to your friends while on the trail, good luck, cause you just can't hear them without stopping and turning to them.
I'm 5'11 with a 21" torso and this is the first woman specific backpack I've ever bought because they were never long enough. This MHW pack fits perfect and has multiple ways to adjust the fit to fit a wide range of torso sizes. The best feature of the pack are the multiple zip pockets - 2 on the outside of the "brain", 1 in the middle of the pack, and 1 on the inside of the "brain". The side pockets are deep, but I can still reach around for my 1L Nalgene. The hip belt pockets are smaller than other packs, but they work fine for my needs. They won't hold a phone, but a pocket knife, sun block stick, small snack, and other small items fit. One hip belt pocket is mesh, the other is standard. There are tons of loops to attach items and the straps at the bottom of the pack easily carry a couple of z-fold pads. As far as noise goes, I honestly didn't notice, but I also mainly hike solo and wasn't trying to talk with anyone. The cordura fabric is a big plus. It's tough and water resistant. This isn't a pack that will tear easily. You'll still want to get a rain cover for it or spray with water repellent, but I slipped backwards at a deep creek crossing and the items inside the pack stayed dry. I was only in the creek for maybe 10 seconds, but the pack did get nearly completely submerged. About the only drawback for me are the shoulder pads. They don't have a lot of cushion.