Comments about Mountainsmith Apex 75 Backpack:

Purchased this pack to replace an older (30 years!) Gregory backpack that I'd worn out but grown to love. I've used and abused a Mountainsmith daypack for over a decade and it still works and looks like a champ, so I thought I'd take a chance on the Mountainsmith Apex 75 when I saw it on sale.

I do a number of 2 to 5 day backpacking trips every year (some of which are off-trail traverses), and I also backpack into the backcountry to archery hunt in the fall (which requires even more gear), so I need a pack with plenty of storage capacity and a solid suspension.

I have been pleased with the design and function of the Mountainsmith Apex 75. At nearly 5500 cubic inches of capacity (with top collar expanded) it has allowed me to pack just about everything I need, and the straps, side-pockets, and expandable pocket allow plenty of places to attach additional gear, but so far I've managed to fit just about everything inside the pack. The removable divider between the main and bottom compartment is minimal at best. The side zipper and bottom compartment zipper seem to be pretty strong and do provide easy access to items buried in the middle or bottom of the pack. I found the hydration sleeve to be a great help in keeping me hydrated during long hikes over high passes. I currently slip a 2-liter hydration bladder into the sleeve and secure it with the packs integrated clip, but it looks like the sleeve could easily hold a 3-liter or larger hydration bladder. The water bottle pocket and elastic security strap is conveniently located, but the sleeve is a tad small and shallow. It works fairly well with 20 to 24 oz capacity water bottles, but larger bottles are a tight fit. The compression straps on the sides and bottom of the pack do allow me to adjust the volume of the pack to my load fairly well, and I can cinch the compression straps all the way in, leave most my gear in camp, and use the pack as a daypack so I don't have to carry in an additional daypack. The removable top compartment is great for storing items to which I need quick access, but I will probably never remove it from the pack and use it as a daypack as Mountainsmith advertises since the pockets capacity is pretty minimal.

It took me a few tries to get the pack adjusted to my torso length, and I had to do some re-adjusting during my first trip, but I finally got it dialed in. Once I had it tweaked correctly the pack felt very solid and balanced. In fact it carried better than my old Gregory, God rest it's soul. The back panel rides pretty close to the back, so there is not a lot of ventilation. In warm weather expect a sweaty back.

I found the suspension to be geared towards larger backpackers. I'm 6'2" and have a longer than usual torso, but was able to adjust the pack to my size with room to spare. The shoulder straps are spaced fairly wide, so a smaller framed person may have a hard time carrying this pack.

Overall I am happy with this purchase and I would recommend it to anyone with a medium to large frame looking for a high capacity load hauler. It is mot a minimalist pack by any means, weighing in at just over 5 lbs, but it seems to be constructed of pretty rugged materials and feels secure and balanced when in use.

Comments about Mountainsmith Apex 75 Backpack:

Great bag. Very comfortable. A few smaller pockets on the side or a water bottle holder on the side would be nice. I like the side zipper that goes down the main pocket, made it easy to access things. Overall great bag.

Comments about Mountainsmith Apex 75 Backpack:

I purchased this pack based on its capacity to use as a winter pack. It fits this role perfectly. It was my first Mountainsmith product so I was unsure what to expect.
My initial impression out of the box was that the materials seemed very durable and of high quality. At first I was unsure if it would hold all my winter gear but as I started to randomly cram whatever I had at hand into it and get the wrinkles out it seemed to have an insatiable appetite. I did have a little trouble getting my sleeping bag to fit into the lower compartment but to be fair it was a North Face Snow Leopard long which is big bag. Also, I was using the compression sack that came with it which is just so-so. With a better compression sack, I have no doubt it would have slipped right in. Had I been using my MH ultralamina 32 it would have been rattling around in the sleeping bag compartment.
I broke it in on a trip through the "roller coaster" section of the AT with a load of around 35-40 lbs. and it carried this load comfortably after making the initial adjustments as you would with any new pack. I detected no slippage of the straps and did not have to do any re-adjusting once I got it into the sweet spot.
The interior hydration pocket fit my 3L camelbak nicely and the angled mesh side pocket accommodated a 32 oz. Nalgene without issue.
My trekking poles fit nicely either together on one side held in place by the side compression straps and side pocket or bilaterally on the front using the tool attachment loops (although they never spent much time there due to the nature of the terrain I was on).
I can't speak to the long term durability yet but it seems very solidly built I have no worries about it holding up over time.
I really can't find anything negative to say about the pack. In fact, I liked it so much I purchased the Approach 35 as well. Another great pack.

Comments about Mountainsmith Apex 75 Backpack:

This is a great relatively lightweight pack for extended trips. It is comfortable to wear, and easy to adjust. The side access to the main compartment is a little small, but still really helpful as opposed to just having the top opening. It's made of a material that is somewhat waterproof, but if you're expecting heavy rains I would get a raincover too. Overall VERY satisfied with the Apex 75.

Comments about Mountainsmith Apex 75 Backpack:

Great pack for anyone taller than me. My 6'4" boyfriend now has a fantastic new Christmas gift! Cross alumunum stays are simply too tall: unlike plastic sheet stays which can compress a bit or be trimmed down, there's no real way to make this pack shorter. I purchased the "little brother" Mountainsmith Lariat 65+. I've been sold on Mountainsmith durability and features since my Circuit III a decade ago. Better quality and just a bit more weight than Gregory and Osprey - and 1/4 the price.