Mountainsmith (Recycled) Tour Pack : Greener Gear

Thanks to modern technology, we have packs that are lighter, more durable, and more weather-resistant than old-fashioned canvas rucksacks. And now, thanks to Mountainsmith, we have packs that prevent thousands of plastic bottles from ending up in landfills.

Their Tour lumbar pack is made primarily from material derived from recycled plastic bottles (four bottles to be exact). It looks, feels, and in the weeks I've carried it around, performs like the heavy-duty nylon material used in many outdoor packs.

Aside from its green creds, the Tour is the perfect pack from people who prefer to carry their load a bit lower. The back is well-cushioned with thick, mesh padding (also used in each of the hip belts). I didn't think I'd like wearing a lumbar pack, but this pack is so well-designed and stable that I now use it for short hikes and as a carry-on bag when flying (it's ideal for my medicine and cosmetics, and has carrying handles and a shoulder strap when I don't want to wear it).

The hip belts are more than palms-width wide, with a substantial waistband; both sections of the waist belt are entirely adjustable for a comfortable fit.

For a light load, I can cinch up the pack so that it's flat and body-hugging. When I want to pack a lunch, I fill the main compartment with food, and toss my wallet in an internal zippered pocket. In the large external pocket, there's a clip for my car keys and plenty of room for a camera and map. In the cinchable mesh pockets on either end of of the pack, I can carry water bottles or other trail essentials.

Bottom Line: The perfect pack for day trips. It's comfortable, functional, and environmental.--E.D. (July 07)

Price: $70

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Manufacturer's Site: www.mountainsmith.com

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