I love bags. They are perhaps one of my favorite (non-edible) things. So, when Kimberly told me Mountainsmith would be sending us backpacks for our 4 month South and Central America trip I was super excited. I chose the Mountainsmith Ivy Recycled pack in the green mist color.

Overall, the Ivy backpack is great. A sleek design and awesome color make it look amazing. But the folks at Mountainsmith clearly care about more than just looks — they’ve got the littlest details nailed.

Size

Carry-on size — need I say more? Technically it’s a little tall for a carry-on but that is only if you stuff it to the very top, so just don’t tell the folks at TSA… The Ivy pack at 32L has enough space for an extended trip (such as ours) but is small enough to use as a day pack. We’ve used it for several day trips where we’ve needed extra water, jackets, or extra room to store some Mendoza wine. Because you can only access this bag from the top it’s very secure. A thief would have to unstrap the top cover and undo two drawstring closures to get into this bag. That said, because it’s a top load only, it makes it a little difficult if you’re looking for a pair of clean underwear at the very bottom of the bag.

Straps

What amazes me most about this backpack is the straps. The shoulder and waist straps are super padded. And, if you’ve ever had a large pack you know that when you tighten these straps the excess tightening strap hangs down. With the Ivy they’ve included small elastic loops to tuck the excess strap into; this keeps it looking clean and prevents tangling.

Fabric Flexibility

Another difference between the Mountainsmith Ivy and other backpacks I’ve used is the fabric — it’s flexible. So, when I stuff my fleece and rain jacket into the bottom the fabric gives.

Overall, the Mountainsmith Ivy is a really great pack. It would be perfect for a weekend trip or anyone with lots of stuff to strap to the bag (such as skis or ice picks). It is also great for longer haul backpackers who don’t need a lot of outside pockets. (If you’re looking for a backpack with a lot of pockets check out the Lily Mountainsmith backpack review.) The one thing that’s missing for me is somewhere to put my water bottle (besides on a carabiner) so it’s easily accessible, but its other features make up for that.

Oh, and did I mention it’s made out of recycled materials? Amazing.