Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus Backpack
While I've been a big fan of the Golite Jam for years, I've always felt it was a little lacking in the "feature" area. It lacks hipbelt pockets, a functional mesh back pocket, and lash points. To my delight, the Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus pack fits me every bit as well as my Jam but is a much better design with a lot of features that I've always wished my Jam had. Say hello to my new Jam replacement!
Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus Backpack
Reviewed by Jason Klass
on
April 25, 2010
Rating:
Reviewed by Jason Klass
on
April 25, 2010
Rating:
19 comments
Dyneema is a very pretty material, and it looks like a well-thought out bag. Seems MLD finally uses smaller buckles and webbing, good!
Seems like a great pack. Thanks for the review.
that is a nice looking pack! It reminds me a lot of a GoLite pack, but I like that Mt Laurel offers ways to modify the pack.
Speaking of GoLite, did you make it to the sale last weekend? I was really impressed with their gear prices (I got a women's Jam as a n early Mother's day present for my wife for $37!).
Jason- can you tell me how wide the shoulder straps are?
Hi J,
They taper so here are the measurements:
Top (where top of your shoulders would be under the straps): 3"
Middle: 2 1/2"
Bottom: 1"
I hope that helps.
Aaron,
Sweet deal on the Jam! I need to get my wife a pack that actually fits her. She's been using my Pinnacle and it doesn't really ride well. I should have gone to the sale and picked her up a deal on a Jam but we were in Estes Park the whole weekend (ironically, filming this video).
If the shoulder straps are the same as the Prophet you cant go wrong. Used my 2010 Prophet last weekend and cant fault it. The shoulder straps are superb and very comfy. Happy trails with it.
Hey Martin,
Thanks for the comparison. I believe they are the same but I haven't had a Prophet in my hands to confirm.
Jason, Is there a trick to viewing your videos on Vimeo? Where there should be a video, there is only blank space.
nice one the MLD, but there is just another great pack with dyneema. I could touch the pack last weekend and he looks pretty good. fantastic quality
Jason -
Enjoy your reviews. Can you comment on the realistic load expectation of this pack? I used the ULA Catalyst on a thru-hike last year and while I will always love that pack, it's kind of large for summer trips.
How does it compare in terms of comfort?
Thanks, and keep up the good work!
Dirk
Dirk,
I would say the ideal load would be between 20-25 lbs. Although the manufacturer says it can carry more (and it probably can) I have found that frameless packs start to sag once you put too much weight in them. But anyone who would buy this pack would probably be in that weight category anyway. You could probably do 30 but I haven't tried it.
hey jason! great videos on your blog. can you maybe say something about the possibility to use a sleeping mat as a back-support? and how? (there is nothing outside for a mat like at the gg mariposa?)
thanks!
Hi Lukas,
What I do with frameless packs like this is to fold my 3/4 length sleeping pad in thirds, then lay it against the back panel of the pack. I like the way that carries. I've tried the so called "virtual frame" by rolling the entire pad around the inside of the pack but I don't like the way it carries and feel it takes up more space and makes it harder to get things out of the pack.
Jason,
How would you compare it to the Mariposa Plus? I will be hauling a bear cannister a lot, so that tips me toward bigger packs. Thoughts? Scott
I really like this pack! One of my favorite things is how it can convert into a daypack. Also like the hip belt pockets. That would be SO helpful to just whip out stuff like bug spray, maps, and things like that quickly without having to take off your pack and look through it.
Scott,
The Mariposa might carry a canister better because it has a top strap specifically designed to hold a canister. It's funny you ask because I originally asked Ron at MLD to sew on a strap similar to that. Then, my trip to Mt. Whitney go canceled and I never use a bear canister anywhere else so I cut it off.
I should say this, although I did not end up buying a MLD pack, Ron Bell was excellent - we exchanged emails as I had a few queries and the only reason was that I could not wait the 8-9 weeks it would have taken as we're doing the Tour du Mont Blanc and I wanted some time with the pack in the hills before we undertook an 11 day hike with that much ascent and descent each day. I love dyneema as my OMM Villain had it but I opted for the GG Gorilla. Also 210 denier, I would've preferred the pockets to be similar to the MLD packs (and the OMM Villain for that matter) but I may get Mrs Maz sewing...
What do you prefer, MLD Exodus or GG Mariposa?
Post a Comment