Some days call for more than a little waist bag but less than a full backpack. The Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack offers a seven-liter middle ground with several carrying options.
More Room for an Outing Load
Mountainsmith lists seven liters of gear volume, side pockets for bottles up to one liter, and an internal cinch sleeve. That is a clearer guide to its role than treating the bottle-pocket capacity as the volume of the whole bag.
- Gear volume: Seven liters.
- Water storage: Two side bottle pockets.
- Carry options: Lumbar belt and included padded shoulder strap.
- Adjustment: Delta Wing compression.
Carry Options Are Useful When You Use Them
The removable shoulder strap can suit short transfers or a change of position. The maker also offers separate shoulder-harness accessories for backpack-style carry. I would distinguish those optional purchases from the strap supplied with the bag.
If the loaded Tour will be heavy enough that I always want shoulder support, a small backpack deserves comparison before I add more accessories to a lumbar pack.
Keep the Load Close
Compression is useful for reducing slack around a smaller load. I would arrange dense items sensibly and avoid leaving an empty, sagging compartment behind the lower back.
The belt pockets can keep frequently used small objects separate from the main storage. Their usefulness still depends on the size of the actual phone or other item, especially once a protective case is included.
A Versatile Format With a Clear Tradeoff
I would shortlist the Tour for a light outdoor day load when lumbar carry is preferred and the optional ways of moving it are useful. It is less obvious if you already know that every outing needs a large clothing and supply collection. The Tour's appeal is moderate capacity with adaptable carry, provided that combination stays comfortable for you.
Other Options to Compare
Mountainsmith Day EVO Lumbar Pack →
Mountainsmith Day Lumbar Pack →
