Mountainsmith Lariat 65 Backpack

Active Junky Badass Gear Winner

With a removable daypack that really works, there’s room to reach far and long with plenty of day-tripping potential.

Field Notes

No brain? What were they thinking?! In all honesty, testers were skeptical when they first packed the Mountainsmith 65L. After a day or two on the trail with the Lariat 65, they appreciated the roll-top system and the removable outer day pack. 

Pros

The daypack is the crown jewel of the Lariat as it’s more comfortable than that of the Kelty Coyote. Hip belts got testers hyped, as trail snacks were only a pocket zip and a wrapper rip away. While on the heavy side, the Lariat was one of the most durable backpacks tested. Easily adjustable and affordable, the Lariat quickly became a top tester pick. A one-size-fits-all pack, Mountainsmith’s latest design fits waist sizes from 28”-48” and torsos from 16”-21”. 

Cons

The lack of a brain was a tough adjustment. Apart from that and the pack’s heavier build, testers were impressed by this Colorado company’s design.

Favorite Feature

The removable daypack, hands down. It’s actually quite comfortable and easy to attach and remove. 

Tester Comment

“Mountainsmith tries a lot of different things. Different H20 water bottle holders on each side, different hip belt pockets. In doing so, they prove some notions wrong. New things can work. No brain doesn’t equal brainless.” 

Bottom Line 

The adjustability, durability and versatility of this Mountainsmith backpack suggest it will survive many years, owners and challenging trips. Quality comes at a price.  And this time its an affordable one.