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“A lumbar pack is like a fanny pack but larger,” said company president Greg Thomsen. “It resembles a day pack but is worn around the waist.”

Designed for day hikes rather than overnight use, the lumbar pack has room for everything needed on the trail except a sleeping bag, said Smith.

But Mountainsmith also produces traditional backpacks for overnight camping. The most popular model is the All Terrain, said Thomsen, which is available in styles for both men and women.

They are large enough for multiple week trips, said Thomsen, noting also that the 24 All Terrain models, 12 models for men and 12 for women, are the most economical of Mountainsmith’s offerings.

“The Alpine is a step above the All Terrain and is designed for the serious climber,” said Smith.

The Trek Light, comparable to the Alpine in price, is a lightweight pack without external pockets or organizational tools.

“It is designed for people who want a pack stripped to its lightest weight in which they can carry everything they need,” said Thomsen.
Mountainsmith continues to manufacture a single external frame pack, whose customers are mainly Boy Scouts.

External frame packs are easier to pack than their internal frame counterparts, where greater care needs to be taken to pack heavier items near the hiker’s back. External frames are also less expensive. But although they perform well on relatively level surfaces, they are not suited for irregular terrain or rock climbing, said Thomsen.