Mountainsmith Day Classic Lumbar Pack

I have had this pack for nearly 10 years. For maximum utility also purchase the optional shoulder straps. With this option the pack turns into a perfect carryall to carry my Professorial wares to and from campus.

This bag has lots of room for stuff, but it's mostly for day hikes. There are pockets to organize some things if you want to use it as a work bag, but that's more limited. And despite what the staff answered in the Q&A for this bag, it DOES NOT have waterbottle holder pockets. Since it's worn on the back, it is a little awkward to grab the bottle, so for me it's a real drawback.

I used this bag while going thru the airport. While in a rush, I could easily strap on the waste band and run to catch my flight without having my bag bouncing all over the place. It held all the basics for a business travel; computer, iPad and notebooks. And best of all it stowed easily under the seat. Its comfortable and practical. Great bag!!!

I have owned both the old classic Day and the newer version with the bottle pockets. This one is my new favorite. I use it daily as my everything bag, and it goes on my bike with me, stays with me around town, and goes hiking when I get a chance.
What this bag has that the other Day models don't:
1) organizer panel in the front zip pocket;
2) full-length zip pocket on rear panel of main compartment. Made for the removable foam pad, but I also put my planner and kindle in there;
3) All Cordura construction, including the organizer panel, both zip pockets in the main compartment, and the foam pad cover;
4) All Cordura also means the double bottom is double Cordura;
5) metal strap attachment points on the front and on the bottom, in addition to the other attachment points on front, side and back;
6) low profile waistbelt which really tucks away without creating a huge bulge;
7) the shoulder strap attachments on top are set wider apart so the bag carries more comfortably cross-body.
No, it doesn't have side bottle pockets. I don't miss them. Yes, it does have the airline ticket pocket in the back, which I stuff my phone into.
The Day feels good and sturdy right out of the bag, with nice give and no break-in time. It fits everything I need for an average day, and the unpadded belt is wide and supportive, with the classic delta compression system.
BUT - it doesn't support the backpack straps you can purchase separately. You'd have to create an attachment point on the sides of the bag for this.
All in all I use this bag exclusively and will be passing on my other Day packs to others.

I bought the Mountainsmith Day Classic Lumbar Pack to carry my iPad, and I wanted a pack made of durable material. Perfect fit for the iPad! The material - 500 denier Codura® - is very durable. Roomy for other stuff, too. The one thing I didn't like was the padded shoulder strap because it tends to slip around. GREAT pack!