Mountain Hardwear Riff Pack : The Perfect Petite Pack

You know how when you first start having that special feeling for someone and you don't want to tell anyone right away. You want to keep it to yourself for a few days just to make sure it's real.

That's how I have been feeling about my Riff Pack. I could have written this review a couple of months ago, but I just wasn't ready to share. I loved thinking I was the only person who had one, who know about it, who loved it. But I can't keep it to myself any longer. I must gush about my new love!

The sporty little Riff pack is hands down my favorite day pack. I've worn it every single day this summer. It's so small and lightweight that it's ideal for all of my outings. All I need to carry is: my wallet and cell phone and lip balm. Those go in the small zippered top pocket. This little pocket has a key ring clip, which I need to remember to use so I don't have to dump out my bag every time I come home to get my keys.

Love the front zip on this little pack. It makes it so much easier to access the inside of the pack, and I can lay it down on counters or benches or wherever I am to look for what I need. Usually all I carry in the main part of the pack is my glasses case, a ProBar, maybe a super lightweight windbreaker. The Riff has a water bottle pouch on each side of the pack. Another cool feature -- about three inches above the top of each pouch there's a strap that cinches the pack down. Lucky for me my water bottle is just tall enough that I can attach it's top to the strap with a carabineer. My water bottles never fall out!

On the top of the pack there's a daisy chain and quick-release toggles for an ice axe. I'm not much of a fast packer, so I mainly use the chain strap to attach a small pouch that contains my promotional cards (that way they're always with me and I can leave them in coffee shops as I make my way about town).

Made out of tough, rip stop Cordura nylon, the Riff has held up well to my daily urban use and abuse. I'm in and out of that pack several times a day. I'm in and out of the inside of the pack several times a day. It's been with me on planes, trains, buses, and now that I'm back in Washington for the rest of the summer, dozens of trails.

The back of the pad has raised, waffle patterned padding which is both comfortable and gives my back some ventilation. The shoulder straps have thin, dense padding, along with two features I wouldn't expect on a pack of this size: an adjustable sternum strap and a waist strap. Also handy -- the top "grab" loop. I'm always in a hurry, so it's the first thing I reach for when I leave the house. The minute I come home I hang the Riff on the doorknob. Very tidy.

Available in four colors.

Bottom Line :  I adore this little pack. It's perfect for me, for just about every activity I do, and it helps me travel light. -- E.D. (Sept 09)

Price : $70 at amazon.com, free shipping at:

Manufacturer's Site: www.mountainhardwear.com

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