Let's just cut to the chase, I love my Simms Flyweight Access Pack. It has been my go-to bag for the past couple of months and it has been perfect for pretty much everything I have thrown at it. It does not matter if I am coming into the office, chasing brookies, or flying out of DIA for a quick weekend getaway this bag is always over my shoulder ready with everything I need. I could stop here, and let it be but, if you have been following the blog for the past couple of months, you know that I like to go in-depth as to why I enjoy a particular product, and my friends that's what we are doing today.

We are going to get down to brass tacks here, the materiality that makes up this bag is absolutely incredible for the price point ($79.95). This bag is built from a lightweight and durable 210-denier nylon ripstop with a polyurethane coating for packable, weather-resistant performance. If you are wondering what the heck 210-denier ripstop nylon is, here is the quick and dirty rundown.

210-Denier Ripstop Nylon:

• Durable water repellent finish on the front of the fabric
• Improved Durability with two layers of ripstop fabric
• 210 is a lighter weight fabric density when compared to other denser fabrics for example 400 denier

The addition of a Polyurethane coating improves the longevity of the bag and improves the resistance to corrosion, weathering, and abrasion. By adding a PU coating to the finish of the bag you are also getting the added benefit of water resistance so you can be sure your gear will remain dry when those inevitable rocky mountain rainstorms roll in.

The bag also features a roll top with buckle closure, my preferred style of backpack. The benefit of this is the expansion or contraction of the bag as the angler desires. With the addition of multi-point cargo straps on the front of the bag, anglers can keep important items easily accessible. Another benefit of these straps is the ability to keep your gear tight and close to your back which improves the balance of the bag if you are carrying a lot of stuff. On top of all these pretty stellar specs, the bag includes its own stuff sack which allows for this bag to be taken with you pretty much everywhere or keep it nice and organized when it is not in use.

When it comes down to it, I love this bag. Every inch of this bag has been thought through by those guys over at Simms and at times, I wonder if they made it specifically for me (Jokes, only jokes). As I mentioned previously I am a massive fan of the roll-top, frameless style bags. Personally, I think they are efficient and make leaving for a spur-of-the-moment trip a breeze. I also appreciate that this bag can stuff into its own stuff sack which is not only super convenient when not in use but, also makes for a fantastic summit bag or wet wading pack. If you are headed out for a multi-day excursion to the backcountry, I think this bag deserves a rightful spot in your larger dedicated backpacking bag. Angler or not, I think this bag should be a part of every outdoor enthusiast's arsenal.

If it has not been made clear already, this bag has found its way into my day-to-day life no matter what the occasion may be. From the office to the mountains, and the economy seats of United Airlines this bag truly can do it all. The bag is lightweight, durable and comes in a pretty killer muted green color. Another note that should be highlighted is the excellent balance the bag has when loaded. I have loaded this pack up to the gills and once all my straps are secure and tight the feel of the bag on the back is better than other more expensive frameless packs on the market.

As someone who is passionate about the outdoors, over the years, I have become pretty well-versed with hiking in the backcountry. And, with that experience comes the preference of products I chose to head out with. That being said, I can get by on very little. While this bag is not touted as a dedicated backpacking bag, this bag has more than enough space to get you through an entire day of fishing with room to spare, especially if you dial in what you need vs. what you don't. Typically when I head out on a strike mission to an alpine lake I have the following items in my bag, an ultralight rain jacket (maybe an insulating layer if it is going to be chilly), a few ProBars and Honey Stingers, a few sticks of instant coffee, an MSR pocket rocket stove system, and a large (48oz) Nalgene water bottle. Even with all of these items, there is more than enough space for the additional fly fishing equipment I will need throughout the day. Honestly, if the conditions were perfect, I see no issue with this bag holding a bivy, ultralight sleeping pad, and a compressible summer sleeping bag for a quick overnighter. The one cavitate of this bag is that it does not come included with a dedicated net holder. However, if you want to add more accessories, this bag comes equipped with HEXGRID compatibility.

In conclusion, this pack is absolutely fantastic. It is lightweight (.75lbs), compressible, durable, and can hold anything you need for a full day of fishing or hiking in the mountains. I think Simms did an incredible job with this bag and in my opinion, the utility of the pack goes far beyond the specific needs of fly fishing. It would not surprise me to see this bag being worn by those who love fastpacking 14ners or people enjoying a day hike in Aspen. Trust me, the bag is that good. If you have been wanting a no-frill, grab-and-go bag then the Simms Flyweight Access Pack is for you. Swing by the shop to check it out.