Mountainsmith Drift Waist Pack – Comfortable, Versatile Hip Pack for Hiking and Travel

Its worth the small Mount of money. It stores so much stuff and isn’t too bad when overfilled. I’ve never used those extra straps they provide as I’ve never had a true use for them. Had this bag for about three years now and use it on small hikes or trips when I don’t want a large backpack.

I like so much about this, like the bottle holders on either side that came in super handy to carry the kiddos' water bottles on a hot day. They stayed in there well and didnt get in the way! The shoulder strap is comfortable but not bulky and the waist straps are easy to tuck away when not in use. I'm happy to report that it has all the high-quality craftsmanship that we all know, love, and expect from Mountainsmith. That said, I wish the external front pocket had a way to tighten or minimize the top of that front opening, especially since this is where the key clip is. I really dont trust putting anything that I cant live without (e.g., cell phone, wallet) in that pocket because it feels like it could very easily fall out...or get snagged by a thief! Also, the smaller internal zipper pocket is way smaller than expected and certainly not big enough to store a wallet or even a bigger key fob (like mine). When I tried to put anything besides chapstick in there, it was weirdly bulky and made navigating the bigger space in zippered section quite awkward. The space inside that main zippered area is sizeable but, without any dividers or other internal pocketed sections, I found myself digging around a lot in there to find what I was looking for. Seems like an oversight on Mountainsmith's part because they usually think of everything and design their products for maximum utility. I wanted to love this & I've had this on my "wish list" for so long that I'm disappointed to say that this isnt my favorite Mountainsmith purchase. The Drift worked well for flying, navigating the airport, and a day at the zoo with the kiddos but I went back to my little Vibe as soon as I got home. I'm sure I'll find other occasions to bring this out but for now it's just hanging in a closet.

A great little pack for gravel riding. Though I would say it's on the budget side. I do wish there were compartments inside for my phone, though it also works just stuffing everything inside. I wouldn't use it for hiking on its own. With two water bottles on each side, there's basically no room for anything on the inside. And the cross-shoulder strap it comes with is a bit uncomfortable, would have preferred something more like backpack straps like the more expensive Mountansmith hip packs for hiking come with. Though since its adequate using it for what I purchased it for and is of high-quality construction at a good price, I can't dock any stars off.

This bag has made my daily walks of 4-6 miles so much better! The fit around the waist is a 50 inch max, so I actually have some extra strap to pull on! It uses a two sided “no sew” buckle that is easy to adjust. The shoulder strap was too short. We measured it at 54”, and that does not fit my tall 6’5” frame. I did not remove a star cause it was a simple matter of a 3 dollar strap purchase and 1minute swap to fix that issue. (3/4 inch strap) The bag holds my micro umbrella, small FA kit, keys, wallet, buff, snacks, and 20oz yeti or 20oz smart water bottle perfectly, and with extra room leftover. The belt is wide enough that it can easily hold my 380 bodyguard like it’s not even there, and my white river Backpacker Pro is not even noticeable. I added some aftermarket zipper pulls to the main zippers and used the original pulls on the compression straps to make them so easy to grab and loosen. Speaking of the compression straps, these are great to use every time to tighten the load against your body, help the bag ride better, and even work well at the gym. (Cold days I use the indoor treadmill for my long walks) The only part I dislike about this bag is the compression strap position. When you have the load tightened down it also places the strap in the way of the water bottle holders on the side. So you will have to fiddle with it when you are getting your water in and out, but overall not a purchase killer. TLDR: great bag! Minor inconveniences. Big guy friendly waist.

What a wonderful design! I've been using this sweet little pack for months, on day hikes and bike rides. It's obvious that it was built by those who hit the trails -- pockets where they need to be, substantial material, strong zippers AND zipper pulls of exactly the right length and material. I also own the larger brother of this small pack, and use it when I need more room, but this small pack is THE choice for cycling and also pairs with a small backpack perfectly for day hikes. I keep wallet and phone and anything else I need quickly in the waist pack, just pulling it around in front to grab what I need -- without the hassle of taking off a backpack to reach an item. Bravo Mountainsmith!

The Drift has been a near-perfect daily cycling bag for me. It fits my 1.5 liter hydration bladder and everything I need for short trips, but isn't so ridiculously bulky that it looks like I'm wearing tactical gear. The quality and craftsmanship are as fantastic and the sage color is really lovely. Customer service from the Outland USA vendor was also top notch. The cons: weirdly, the sage color water stains. I was able to scrub it out, but plain water left marks when it dried. The Drift is also not as well balanced as the full-size Mountainsmith Tour, which I use for longer excursions- the Drift only has one set of side adjustment straps at the top of the bag, whereas the Tour has a set at top and bottom. This does fatigue my back if I'm walking around with a full/heavy pack, but it does just fine for cycling trips. The shoulder strap could also be a little thicker and more comfortable, but again, okay for cycling. Overall, I'm a big fan of all my Mountainsmith bags.