User Review: Mountainsmith Bugaboo

After reading mrc's review of his bugaboo, I felt compelled to write as well. My bugaboo is about 6 years old and still in great shape. I have used it everywhere from Florida to New York and west to Utah. It has performed well in all conditions. It is light enough to carry on light duty climbs and more than one I used it when packing in on overnight trips. I have taken it skiing where the suspension system allowed enough freedom of movement to handle the worst Utah had to offer (I used it to carry a camcorder, great video!).

Others in the discussion about Mt. Smith packs have thrashed them for lots of straps and excess stuff on their packs. In one regard I would tend to agree. On the other, those straps allow on to keep adding on gear to the outside of the pack. My bugaboo's "coupe de grace" was a two-night trip in VA where I loaded it with about 50 pounds of gear including a tent, sleeping bag, thermarest, rope and full climbing rack. I could have used a little thicker waste belt at the time, but I think now it's an optional accessory.

Another minor complaint is that when traveling by plane, the handle on the side of the pack is not centered. This causes the pack to tip towards the rear when you carry it. This is easily fix by adding a biner to the D loops between the map pocket. With age the elastic drawstring on the pack is not nearly as stretchy. This is due to keeping it stored with it at some level of tension. Also the waterproof lining is starting to flake off around to zipper on top. Neither of these problems is a big deal.

I would recommend this pack to anyone who want a good durable daypack.

Lonnie