“It is not down any map; true places never are.” – Herman Melville
Whether you are a weekend warrior, or a seasoned outdoor enthusiast looking for a getaway from your getaway, there’s no greater joy than making your way deeper into the woods; further along the canyon’s edge; closer to the waterfall….
If you’re a fan of moving light, fast, and unencumbered, then Mountainsmith might have just introduced your new best friend for the outdoors. The Scream is a member of the all new Mountainlight category in 2012. A perfect secondary bag for light travel and summit hiking.
As an outdoor enthusiast, it’s not just where you’re going, but how you get there. When one considers the fact that even 1 or 2 ounces of extra weight exponentially increases your oxygen use, taxing your cardiovascular system and wearing you down, then bulk becomes an even greater factor when picking the perfect pack for your excursion.
Coming in at under 1lb this durable escape pack gives new meaning to the phrase “light and fast” eliminating bulk and freeing the body to push onward and forward.
High tenacity nylon adds durability without the weight so you can you get to your secret off-the-radar destination faster and have plenty of pep in your step left upon your arrival. Moreover, you’ll arrive without the sore spots and achy back you’d have if you brought along your full size backpack.
For your main journey, grab the Scream, stuff it into a larger pack, duffel, or even a canoe or kayak. The front panel pocket reverses to allow the pack to be stuffed into its own compressed pocket so it takes up minimal space. Then, when cabin fever sets in, or your canoe strikes solid ground, pull it out, load it up, and know that the Scream has got your literal back as you head off to your destination.
Diamond airmesh foam shoulder straps with DWR anti-sweat finish keep you cool and comfy no matter how fast you scramble up the mountainside. In addition to being light and breathable, the straps are wide enough to disperse pressure so the pack stays comfortable even when loaded to the recommended 20 lb capacity weight.
Despite the diminutive nature of the Scream, it’s still loaded with all the features you need to attack the trail. With an exit port and room for a 3L internal hydration bladder (not included), you can keep hydrated as you blaze your own trail. Side compression straps let you expand and compress your pack volume to match your load, and Mountainsmith has even included tool and trekking pole attachment webbing loops.
Our favorite feature was the deep side panel accessory pockets that are more than capable of gobbling up your Nalgene styled water bottle, light jacket, or water shoes for that dip in the Alpine Lake. And because it never hurts to have a stylish bag for your around town jaunts, kudos to the Mountainsmith team for designing a pack that is as aesthetically pleasing as it is durable.
Room for Improvement…
This was the first Mountainsmith product our crew has had the opportunity to review. We were impressed with the design, quality and just plain out toughness of the pack. In terms of critiques, while we’re never bothered when a pack of this size comes without a sternum strap, we would like to see future iterations include a built in emergency whistle somewhere on the pack for added security. There are other features one could note or potentially desire, but when you understand the purpose of the bag, you’ll find it has everything you need and more.
Bottom Line…
Whether your weekend adventure has you cruising around Truckee, California or rock hopping in the Andes, the Mountainsmith Scream is easy to pack and hard to leave behind.
MSRP: $69
Manufacturer: MountainSmith (http://www.mountainsmith.com/)
Size: 17.52″ x 10.53″ x 7.48″
Weight: 15 oz – Recommended weight capacity is 20 pounds or less.
Capacity: 1465 cu. in.
Material: 210d Duramax High Tenacity RipStop Nylon/420d Duramax High Tenacity Nylon
Warranty: Lifetime warranty against manufacturer’s defects