Mountainsmith is one of those excellent US brands that we've had our eye on for a while. Although it's almost unknown in Europe, they're designing and producing fantastic products. At Valley and Peak, one of our goals is to introduce brands to the UK and Europe that are not easily found outside their home countries. This allows our customers to quickly get their hands on some of the best equipment without dealing with import duties, processing fees, and long waits. We handle the hard work, so all you have to do is click the buy button. Mountainsmith joins a growing list of hard-to-source brands that Valley and Peak retails, including Cascade Wild, Easton, Lawson Equipment, and PreTents.
Founded in Golden, Colorado, in 1979, Mountainsmith was born and bred in the Rockies. The story began with Colorado outdoorsmen needing seriously durable gear that could withstand the rigours of their backcountry pursuits. As their expeditions became longer and more remote, they realised that commercial gear couldn’t keep up with their adventures, so they built their own. Spending weeks at a time in the woods, they would come up with new ideas and prototypes using any materials on hand, building not just gear, but a lifestyle and brand that remains deeply connected to the Rockies.
Here are our favourite pieces of gear from Mountainsmith:
Zerk 40 Backpack
Co-designed with "The Real Hiking Viking," a professional hiker known for covering long distances at high speed, the ZERK 40 was created to meet the need for an ultralight pack capable of withstanding the thousands of miles he covers each year. Mountainsmith aimed to ensure that the pack would enable him to go farther, hike longer, and work more efficiently on the trail. Over two years of development, the ZERK 40 went through four iterations and over 5,000 miles of testing on the Wind River High Route, the Colorado Trail, the Tetons, and more.
We've been loading up the ZERK 40 and walking short distances with it (we're too busy making and selling gear to get out for longer treks just yet!). This is very much a first impression, but the positive reviews out there give us confidence in stocking the pack. From my experience, similar to trying out trail shoes and boots, it doesn't take long to determine if gear is comfortable. The ZERK 40 carries nicely and fits well into the fast-and-light category. Some packs I've loved straight away, while others I've instantly disliked. The comfort is largely due to the very wide padded shoulder straps, typical of 'running vest style' packs.
I packed my favourite items for a few days, ensuring I didn't skimp on any comforts. Food, water, and fuel are not included in this base weight of 7.4 kg. My gear includes a UL 2-person tent, a -3°C sleeping bag/quilt hybrid, and a UL camp chair system. I will post the complete gear list shortly to show how much you can fit in a 40-litre pack like the ZERK 40. The pack weighs a scant 822g and is made from recycled 210D EXTREEMA Nylon Ripstop and recycled 210D Oxford.
What I love about this pack, besides its comfort and low weight, is its nine external pockets. These pockets keep plenty of items within arm's reach without having to take the pack off.
You can find full details, specs, videos and price on our website here.
Scream 55
For trips where you need to carry more gear or prefer a full hip belt, the Scream 55 (55 litres) may be ideal. Made from highly durable Robic fabric with a high tear strength PU coating and Aramid yarn to prevent extended tears and abrasion, this pack feels robust yet weighs only 1270g. It’s very comfortable, comparable to my favorite Mariposa pack, but significantly more affordable.
A notable feature is the U-shaped zip, providing immediate access to the main compartment without opening the top—a useful design for both backpackers and travellers. The large side pockets easily fit a 1-litre CNOC water bottle with room to spare. Additionally, the two large front pockets can hold all my waterproofs, gloves, hats, gaiters, windshirt, sit mat, Vargo Dig Dig tool, and the Mountainsmith Slingback chair. Access to these pockets is through side zips on both sides.
I counted no fewer than 12 gear attachment points. The pack also features a daisy chain running between the two front pockets, ice axe loops, and an elastic holder for walking pole shafts. A roll-top closure reduces weight and compresses excess space, with two buckles keeping the closure neat and tidy. In the bottom left photo, you can see the roll top, with the pack easily accommodating gear up to just above the Mountainsmith logo, leaving plenty of room for food and extra gear if needed. Additionally, the two large pockets on the hip belt provide easy access to snacks, mobile phones, and other essentials.
Further details, specs and price is found here.
SlingBack Chair Bundle
Sitting comfortably at camp usually requires a specialist ultralight camp chair or a chair kit for specific sleeping mats. However, if you use trekking poles and aren’t using them for your shelter, the Mountainsmith Slingback Chair is a lightweight and comfortable option. The trekking poles cross and fit into 'pockets' at the back of the Slingback Chair. With a few attempts to get the angle right, you can lean back and enjoy a surprisingly stable camp chair.
Apex 80 - An expedition style full featured pack
Completely redesigned, the Mountainsmith Apex 80 backpack maximises comfort and durability for longer miles, extended days, and more efficient load carrying. It's ideal for gear-intensive backpacking trips where resupply is not an option or for winter adventures.
We were impressed by the quality and numerous features of this pack. While it's not an ultralight backpack, we wanted to stock a feature-rich, ultra-comfortable expedition pack that offers great value for money. We believe the Apex 80 fits that description perfectly.
When I loaded it up with gear (a lot, but not literally a ton!), I found it to be a very comfortable carry. The pack easily accommodates a substantial amount of gear, with plenty of space to spare.
FEATURES
- Front panel stretch mesh expansion pocket
- Adjustable torso for perfect fit
- Forward pull waist belt with delta compression side adjustment webbing
- Stretch mesh zippered waist belt pockets for expanded volumes (Fits up to iPhone 8+ and Galaxy S9+)
- Front panel, large U-Shaped zippered access to main compartment
- Top lid zippered compartment with secondary pocket underneath
- Top storm collar with dual cinch cords and over the top compression strap
- Deep side panel expansion pockets with Over/Under strap pass through
- Dual tool / trekking pole carry with elastic pole tip loops
The Apex 80 features Mountainsmith's Tuning Fork Waist Belt, designed to cup the iliac crest of the hip bone for a more dynamic fit and improved load transfer.
The increased padding on the lumbar pad and the Delta Load Compression System stabilise and transfer weight for a more efficient and comfortable carry. The 'sock-style' shoulder strap construction, which has no seams or hard edges, prevents digging into the body. Additional padding on the waist belt, an adjustable torso range, and a hex-ridged back panel further enhance comfort. The advanced tubular aluminium frame maintains a lower weight without sacrificing performance.
Further details on the Mountainsmith Apex 80 can be found here.
The Apex 60 is also available here.