[EDIT] OWNER REVIEW - Mountainsmith Frostfire II Backpack Series [Andy Rad]

Andy Rad

2003-06-04 01:42:08 UTC

FrostfireII

Mountainsmith Frostfire II Backpacks & History Owner Review

Owner Report June 3rd, 2003

Reviewer Information
Name: Andy Rad Location: Boise, ID USA
Age: 44 Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft (1.83 m) Weight: 165 lbs (75 kg)
Email: aisrad-***@public.gmane.org

I started backpacking 21 years ago, mostly 3-day trips with at least
a 7-day trip per year. By backpacking, I'm referring to summer,
winter camping, and fall hunting. About half my trips are light
weight solo and the other half with my family. I purchased a
pet/pack llama, named Sarapi, when my 3rd child was 2, some 10 years
ago. This allowed me to continue backpacking as a family activity.
When I'm not with the family/llama I tend to take less-traveled
trails or bushwhack the hard mountainous terrain in and around
Idaho. In recent years I've begun substituting a collie for the
llama.

Product Specific Backpacking Background:

Again and again Mountainsmith Frostfire backpacks are listed in
classifieds and auctions sites, thus I thought it time to
consolidate some facts on this pack series. I purchased my first
Mountainsmith pack in 1987, followed by 9 additional purchases over
the last 20 years; the Professional, Wall Wizard, three Frostfire
IIs, Frostfire I, Daypack, Mountainlight 4500, and Chimera. I have
a family of 5, plus I've sold several packs over the years. I've
tried a couple other manufactures, but always came back to
Mountainsmith when I want an internal frame pack.

The Frostfire series has gone through numerous changes, but the
model name never changed. The following is list of specs from
product tags I've accumulated.

Product Information
Maufacturer: Mountainsmith Listed Weight: Varies by year of
manufacture
Model: Frostfire II
Year of Manufacture: 1988 to approximately mid 1990s
URL: http://www.mountainsmith.com

1988 Frostfire II
Manufactures weight: 4 lb, 1 oz (1.85 kg)
4510 cu in (~74 liter)
MSRP: $180
No external frills

1991 Frostfire II
Manfacuture weight 4 lbs. 14 oz.(2.2 kg)
Actual weight 4 lbs. 14.9 oz
5016 cubic in (6192 c.i extended) (~82 liter)
MSRP $200
No external frills

~1994 Frostfire II
Actual weight 5 lbs. 9.1oz (2.5 kg)
Volume appeared the same as 1991 model
Added 2 external mesh water bottle pockets and rear pocket

~1996 Frostfire II
Volume appeared the same as 1991 model
Actual weight 5 lbs 14.2 oz (2.67 kg)
Added an integrated fanny pack belt/straps to the floating top
pouch, thus making it a detachable lumbar pack

Frostfire II Quality Points

Mountainsmith's patented Upper Delta strap is one of their unique
pack attributes. Others have tried to imitate the concept, but
Mountainsmith was first and has maintained the advantage. The Upper
Delta strap is an adjustable nylon strap/nylon wedge combination
which attaches to the back of the pack about mid distance between
top and bottom. The strap then attaches to the hip belt just at or
forward of the hip bones. By tensioning the strap, the pack is
pulled down into the small of the back, thus stabilizing the upper
pack and reducing weight on the shoulders. By heavily tensioning
the straps, all weight is removed off the shoulders and pack becomes
very stable. This is the same principle employed in their Lumbar
pack series, where they take a 1000 cu. in. (16.4 liter) pack and
suspend it entirely off the waist belt.

As with most of their packs, the shoulder lifts are adjustable for
torso length and are anchored directly to the frame for stability
and load transfer. The adjustable shoulder strap yoke allows
individual adjustment for shoulder length. The Sternum strap is
elasticized for proper breathing, but after all these years mine has
no remaining elasticity. The lumbar pads are constructed of
laminated foam, covered in anti-skid material, fit the small of the
back, and eliminate creep.

Initially, I was somewhat dissatisfied with the pack, because it
tended to creep down the back. It wasn't until I discovered the art
of bending the aluminum stays, that the pack became one with me.
Nowhere in their literature is this discussed, but what a difference
it makes. I took the stays out and found that they matched the
curvature of my spin perfectly but road about 2 inches (5 cm) too
high. After an hour in front of a full length mirror and thorough
experimentation, I accentuated the curve and moved it down, thus
raising the pack and securing it to the small of my back. I suspect
they don't discuss this, because it might turn potential customers
away when they read about adjusting the pack. Since all their packs
are similar in design, I've been able to take those same stays and
pattern my other Mountinsmith packs to a custom fit.

For the shorter backpacker, up to about 5 ft 10 in (177 cm),
Mountainsmith makes the shorter/smaller Frostfire I. Any taller,
and the shoulder lifts loose effectiveness. My wife is 5 ft 2 in
(158 cm) and used the Frostfire II, but only after purchasing a
separate set of aluminum stays and costuming them to fit her back
curvature.

When pack weight exceeds 35 lb (16 kg), the Frostfire II is the pack
I choose, otherwise I have lighter/smaller packs. I've never had a
pack weight over 48 lbs (21 kg), so I have no experience with what I
classify heavy weights. 45 lb (20 kg) weights are handled
adequately, with little creep and the hip-belt does a good job of
remaining comfortable. The delta strap, shoulder lifts, sternum
strap, and tapered shoulder straps allow numerous on-the-fly weight
distribution options; this is especially welcomed after several days
of hiking.

My 1991 model has been through much abuse and shows wear. The ski
pockets are starting to fray from abrasion, and the polypropylene
water proof interior has worn away near the stay attachments. Never-
the-less, the pack still has miles/years of life remaining. The
straps, padding, pack cloth, zippers, and stitching are still in
good condition.

The pack has been through numerous full days of rain, and as with
most packs a rain cover is required. I've found that for light
drizzle rain conditions a trash bag pulled over the top sufficed.
The water proofing is adequate, but water tends to accumulate on the
top and run nicely down the side and back.

I've never been dissatisfied with durability, nor had to send a pack
back for repair. They offer a lifetime warranty that isn't tied to
the original owner.

Frostfire II Flaws

I've sold all my Frostfire II packs except the 1991 model. It is my
favorite internal pack for 45 lbs (20 kg) loads. In my opinion,
Mountainsmith started adding features and weight that were
superficial. They stopped manufacturing the basic pack and started
adding features that only weighted the pack down. They also started
modifying the adjustment straps with height and torso length
indicators and web locks to facilitate adjusting of shoulder lifts;
this only lessened durability.

In the last few years they have gone back to the basics and
introduced and expanded their Mountainlight series. This is a great
series and worthy of consideration, but that is for another review.

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