“For All Around”
($100; www.mountainhardwear.com)
Comfortable, high-capacity, and with function-meets-fashion versatility that transitions from high-country to uptown in no time. Women’s Adventure testers loved the Fluid’s narrow back panel (reinforced with a “frame sheet” that added stability and prevented over-packed baggage from digging in) combined with a mesh suspension system and wide hip belt which added comfort for heavy loads.
This pack has storage sufficient to stuff layers, lunch and even a bivy if you need it for an impromptu overnight, but it also has an organizer panel in the secondary compartment, a fleece-lined electronics pocket on top, and hip-belt pockets on both sides. Loops, straps, and an on-the-go compression system round out the features. The only thing it lacks: a hydration bladder. It comes with a pocket to store a 100-ouncer, but you’ll have to buy it on your own.
