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Whether you’re trekking to the crag, out for a hike, or trying to bag a summit before dark, you’ll need great hiking boots, a good knife, and a good pack. Quality packs are usually a hefty investment, but one of REI's top-rated daypacks that's lauded as a reliable backcountry hauler just went down in price by more than $50.
The Mountain Hardwear JMT 35L Pack is now on sale at REI for $125, a 30% discount on its normal retail price of $180. This top style has not received lower than a four-star rating from any shopper, and it's currently one of the bestselling packs in its category. It’s available in one color (Black Spruce) and it comes in a smaller 25-liter size for those who need to travel lighter.
This hiking backpack has a ton of compartments: A zippered clamshell-style opening provides access to the cavernous compartment while a zippered pocket on the flap secures small valuables and side pockets hang on to water bottles. A large mesh flap on the back can hold down bulkier layers, like a jacket, and the exterior loop can carry poles or an ice ax. The body of the pack is made from recycled 210-denier ripstop, and it’s supplemented with beefy 500-denier Cordura at the base for increased durability. An internal spring steel frame flexes for good mobility while also keeping the load stable on your back. It has a mesh back panel that boosts ventilation and works with padded shoulder straps and an adjustable hip belt to help all weight center the pack comfortably on your body.
REI shoppers put the JMT 35L Pack to the test while hiking, fishing, and more, and it held up exceedingly well. Many reviewers pointed to its excellent storage as a standout feature. One called it a "fantastic pack" with "tons of storage inside," calling it, "My go-to day pack for anything and everything." Another shopper called it "perfectly sized," adding, "At 35 liters, this is the perfect pack for 90% of my adventures."
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Others were impressed with its top-tier build quality and comfortable fit. "This provides everything I need and want in a backpack," a shopper noted. "The features of the pack I like best are the contoured back frame, which fits comfortably in the natural curvature of the spine, and the comfort and adjustability of the shoulder straps."
The Mountain Hardwear JMT 35L is a superb choice for longer backcountry treks, especially if your main priorities are comfort and storage space. But don’t snooze on this one: The 30% discount is drawing in shoppers, and Mountain Hardwear isn’t making any more of these packs, so once they’re sold out, they’re gone.
