Mountainsmith Manufacturer's Website: https://offerup.co/faYXKzQFnY?$deeplink_path=/redirect/ MSRP: US$ 149.95 Listed Weight: 4 lbs 6 oz (1.98 kg) Measured Weight: 4 lbs 9 oz (2.07 kg) Volume: 4577 cu. in. (75 L) Fit Range: 18" - 22" (45 - 56 cm) Dimensions: 31" X 18" X 13" (78 X 45 X 33 cm) Color as tested: Aztec Other details: The Boundary is the new version of an existing model. The largest difference in the current iteration of the Boundary is recycled materials used throughout. According to a hangtag on the product the Boundary saves 48 plastic bottles from the landfill. This is accomplished by use of the following: - 150d Recycled PET rip stop lining - 840d Recycled PET reinforcements - 450d Recycled PET body fabric - 100% Recycled PET webbing and binding About the only items not made from recycled materials are the 1" (2.5 cm) wide aluminum stays and some reinforcements. The pack features a recycling symbol approximately 1" wide on the sleeping bag compartment as the only outward sign of this change. IMAGE 1 The pack is a mid-size pack suitable for a cool weather weekend, or a multi-day trip in the summer when winter sleeping bags and bulky winter clothes are unnecessary. It features 2 lateral compression straps on each side of the main pack bag and vertical compression straps across the sleeping bag compartment. The suspension system consists of a molded foam back panel which covers a pair of 1" (2.5 cm) aluminum stays and a hip belt. These stays cross in an X and the tops of the shoulder straps ride up and down on the tops of the stays and are adjusted by straps that cross on the back with the stays and are buckled at the bottom. This arrangement makes the shoulder straps independently adjustable. The shoulder straps are well padded and seem quite sturdy. The hip belt features dual density foam bound to an HDPE panel. IMAGE 2 This pack is feature rich, with a long list of standard features. These include: - a detachable lid that doubles as a fanny pack - dual hydration ports and a hydration sleeve inside the main packbag - zippered side pockets with pass thru sleeves - two water bottle pockets with drawstring closures - two trekking pole mounts - a water resistant clear map case underneath the pack lid - a lift loop in the center of the top of the pack for lifting or hanging the pack There is a separate sleeping bag compartment. The separator has a drawstring that allows the user to open it up so that the inside of the bag is one big compartment if preferred. The top of the pack has a drawstring storm collar with a nylon cord and barrel lock fastener. The pack lid is adjustable and can be removed and used as a fanny pack for a dayhike. I checked and the buckle on the fanny pack is the same size and type as on the main hip belt of the pack. This would allow me to replace one side of my hip belt buckle should I manage to break it. I like this feature as I once broke a hip belt buckle on day 2 of a planned 6 day trip. Carrying a pack with a semi-functioning hipbelt is not anything I ever want to do again. Underneath the lid is a clear plastic zippered compartment. This is designed as a map case so that you can place your topo map, folded to the area you are in, within the pocket. This provides a quick and easy way to check your bearings and progress while stopped for a water or snack break. INITIAL IMPRESSIONS The pack came to me in a plain brown cardboard box with the pack inside contained in a simple plastic bag. This pleased me as I have often wondered about "Green" products that come in fancy 4-color packaging. IMAGE 3 I noticed immediately that the pack fabric was softer than most other packs I have used or examined. The packcloth feels great. The Aztec (brick red) color with black accents is visually pleasing. The pack seems very well made with all stitching and fabric being very uniform and well done. There are rope pulls on all zipper tabs and a very solid attention to small details such as draw strings with barrel fasteners on the tops of the water bottle pockets on both sides. The pack came with two tags attached. One points to the various features that the pack has on one side, and talks about the recycled materials on the back. The other is shaped like a plastic bottle and states that "Together you and this pack saved 48 plastic bottles from the landfill". On the back this tag has pictures that show the recycling process of turning bottles into fabric. There are no instructions at all in the package. I slipped the pack on empty and noticed that it seemed short to me with the hip belt riding much higher on my hips than I am accustomed to. I also noticed that the shoulder straps ride farther out on my shoulders (farther from my neck) than I am used to and are not curved to come in to my chest. As a result the sternum strap is longer than other packs I have used. Slipping the pack off I turned it over and examined the suspension to try to understand how to