GREEN-MINDED AND OLD-SCHOOL
Mountainsmith managed to build the Phoenix out of an impressive 85 percent recycled materials, including 100 percent recycled PET fabric, recycled mesh back panel and zippers, and sustainable biopolymer buckles. That’s about the current eco-limit without compromising the pack’s performance. But there’s much more to the Phoenix than its green story. Despite its retro, pear-shaped design and an abundance of straps, this big ol’ alpine pack—it expands to a whopping 5,675 cubic inches—carried every bit as well as newer-fangled haulers. The padded hipbelt and sturdy suspension system made 60 pounds feel like 50 easy. 5.4 lbs, 4,211 cu in; mountainsmith.com