• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Loadout Room

The Loadout Room

Professional Gear Reviews

Hardcore Gear and Adventure

Menu
  • Shooting
        • Pistol
        • Pistol Accessories
        • Rifle
        • Rifle Accessories
        • Shotgun
        • Machine Guns
        • Air Guns
        • Ammunition
        • Optics and Sights
        • Weapon Lights
        • Tips & How-To
        • Concealed Carry
        • Holsters
        • Suppressors
        • Precision Rifle Shooting
        • Firearms Training
        • m243The M24: America’s Headhunter
        • skorpFull-Auto Fun — Shooting the full-Auto vz. 61 Škorpion
        • p320-full-leftSIG Sauer M17/M18/P320 Pistol Just Can’t Seem to Escape Safety Controversies
        • TISAS_10100520_1__98179Tisas 1911A1 U.S. Army Review: Best Budget .45 ACP WW2 1911 Clone?
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
      • Mission Gear
      • Camping Gear
      • Survival Gear
      • Medical Gear
      • Adventure & Travel
      • Knives & Tools
      • Overland
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Footwear
      • Womens Gear & Clothing
        • Viking-Bags Logo 2Pic of the Day, Viking Motorcycle Bags 45L Tactical XL Bag
        • Hunting in TexasThese 5 ATV Dealers Will Get You Ready For Hunting Season in Texas
        • ac65a540-2ef3-4598-8d11-afdf53f46e94.__CR0,0,970,600_PT0_SX970_V1___Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X: A Thoroughly Bright Review
        • Bluetti 2 handsfree power backpackBluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers
    • Close
  • Men’s Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • EDC
      • Eyewear
      • Watches
      • Electronics & Technology
      • Downtime
      • Mens Clothing & Accessories
      • Manly Skills
      • Style & Grooming
      • Gentleman Drinks
      • Crate Club
        • Viking-Bags Logo 2Pic of the Day, Viking Motorcycle Bags 45L Tactical XL Bag
        • Tom and Blake Sell TeaHow Sasquatch Tea Is Revitalizing a Stagnant Tea Market With Veterans and Outdoorsmen in Mind
        • redcat-blackwidow-articleheaderWar of Words: In the Ultra-Competitive Defense Tech Industry, Storytelling is a Secret Weapon
        • Photoroom_20250525_074933Juggernaut Tactical Frame Review: The Best Upgrade for Your 365
    • Close
  • News
  • Video Demo
  • Buying Guides
  • Shop
  • Advertise
Gear

Mountainsmith Roots Collection | The Divide

March 2, 2017 by Scott Witner Leave a Comment

Mountainsmith Roots Collection | The Divide

“Head straight to the trail from campus or the office with the Divide. Features include: side access laptop compartment, right side accessory pocket with cover flap, left side mesh bottle pocket with bungee closure, zippered main compartment with internal organization pockets, interior hanging pocket and sunglass holder, internal hydration sleeve with hose port, EVA frame sheet with air mesh back panel, elastic sternum strap with bite valve catch.” – Mountainsmith

The Mountainsmith Divide makes for a great day pack for a day out on the trail or as an everyday ‘go-bag’. What makes this a great go-bag is the fact that is doesn’t scream military or tactical. You could have a fully loaded out go bag and walk around a college campus without anybody thinking twice. The Divide blends right in with the urban environment. Although I haven’t used this bag in a truly urban environment, I have used it as a day hike bag several times over the past few months, so that’s what I’m basing this review off of.

The first thing that I noticed about this pack out of the gate was the mesh water bottle pocket. This mesh water bottle pocket actually fits a full size water bottle. This is one of my pet peeves when selecting a backpack. I’ve seen so many great packs that fall short on this small feature. They are usually too small and/or do not have adequate retention to hold the water bottle securely.

Mountainsmith Roots Collection | The Divide
Mesh Water Bottle Pocket

The other feature that stands out is the high visibility yellow interior lining. By having this bright liner inside the pack allow to locate items quicker than normal as it seems that it is brighter inside the pack versus having a dark colored interior. I’ve seen some custom gear manufacturers start doing this recently and I’m glad to see Mountainsmith doing that with this pack.

Mountainsmith Roots Collection | The Divide
High Vis yellow interior.

Facing the pack from the front, on the right is a ideally sized admin pouch that I used for my first aid kit and SWAT-T tourniquet. You could use this pouch for many things, but when I think of a quick access pouch, I think of medical. The last thing I want in a time sensitive emergency is to be digging around inside the pack for my first aid kit or tourniquet.

Mountainsmith Roots Collection | The Divide
Utility pouch as a quick access medical pouch.

Also inside the pack is a sleeve for a hydration bladder. This is a nice feature to have available in case you go on a longer day hike and need more water. In addition to the sleeve there is also a hook to suspend the bladder from, a hose port in the top of the pack to route the drinking hose through, and finally loops on the shoulder strap to secure the drinking hose. Although I haven’t used a bladder in this pack yet, I intend to do so.

Mountainsmith Roots Collection | The Divide
Hydration Port on the top of the pack
Mountainsmith Roots Collection | The Divide
Shoulder straps with loops to secure a drinking hose

I will continue my testing of this pack into the fall and winter months. I will provide an updated review after further testing and evaluation has been completed, to include using a hydration bladder. Stay tuned….

Share This

About the Author

Scott Witner is the Editor of The Loadout Room and handles product sourcing for both Crate Club and Cuna Dog. He is a former Marine Corps Infantryman with 2ndBn/8th Marines and was attached to the 24th MEU(SOC) for a 6 month deployment to the Mediterranean. He has completed training in desert warfare at the Marine Air Ground Combat Center, mountain warfare and survival at the Mountain Warfare Training Center and attended the South Korean Mountain Warfare school in Pohang.

See All Scott Witner Articles

More From The Loadout Room

Comments

Primary Sidebar

Most Read

  • The Biggest Little Roundgun: The 3-Inch Kimber K6s
    The Biggest Little Roundgun: The 3-Inch Kimber K6s
  • Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
    Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
  • Mossberg Shockwave Versus Remington Tac 14
    Mossberg Shockwave Versus Remington Tac 14
  • Springfield Range Officer 1911: Full Review
    Springfield Range Officer 1911: Full Review
  • SIG Sauer M17/M18/P320 Pistol Just Can't Seem to Escape Safety Controversies
    SIG Sauer M17/M18/P320 Pistol Just Can't Seem to Escape Safety Controversies

Find Us on Facebook

Recent Comments

  • Ajita Sherer on Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X: A Thoroughly Bright Review
  • Leland on Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X: A Thoroughly Bright Review
  • Winston Smiths on Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader

Latest From SOFREP

Op-Ed

Navigating Future Leadership Appointments

Expert Analysis

The VA’s Chemical Straitjacket: How Polypharmacy Is Drugging Veterans into Silence and Suicide

News

Morning Brief: Montana Shooting Kills Four, National Transportation Safety Board Releases Causes of Mid-Air DC Collision

News

Evening Brief: US Envoy Visits Controversial Gaza Aid Site, Trump Deploys US Nuclear Subs After Medvedev’s Nuclear Threat

Military Content Group

© Copyright 2025 Military Content Group · All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers
 

Loading Comments...