MEC Backpacks

[diople1]

Hey everyone,

I was wondering if anyone on here has used any MEC backpacks on there journey's. i have been looking on there website( unfourtunatly i live where there is no MEC, or any other outfiter store) i have noticed that the MEC packs are a lot cheaper than the Gregory or Arc'teryx packs. i have been reading the forums and i must admit i am a little scared to purchase a cheap pack. any input on these packs would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your input

[LHR02]

Seems to me we have a few MEC users hereabouts......hopefully someone will check in with a review today. Eagle Creek packs, imho, can't be beat and I have loads of others here who agree. Have you even looked at those yet?

You are totally correct.....do not leave with a 'cheap' pack! That's one of the things it just isn't smart to try and save money on. Reference Kim's experience on the home page of her attempted journey with a 'cheap' one!

Welcome, btw!

ging

[Eagle]

diople1, I definitely agree with Dustoffmom - it's a really BAD idea to try and travel with a cheap Pack!!!

I'm one of those who is a "diehard" Eagle Creek fan; I'm currently using a 2003-vintage Continental Journey Pack. I've never had occasion to check out the MEC packs in any detail, but generally anything they sell is good quality. One point to make is that virtually ALL Pack manufacturers are making their products in Vietnam and other "offshore" locations (I believe that includes MEC and Eagle Creek, although EC are headquartered in California).

If I were buying a Pack now, I still wouldn't look at Gregory, Arcteryx, Osprey or other Packs of that type as I prefer a "panel loading" Pack for travel rather than a "top loading" Pack. Most of the top loaders don't have zip-away harnesses or detachable Daypacks, and those are two features that I really like! Also, many of the top loaders use a drawstring to fasten the top rather than zippers, which makes them difficult to secure with a Padlock. Of course, using a Padlock is only a slight deterrent to theft given the nature of Pack construction, but it does provide a minimal level of security.

I couldn't tell from your Profile where you're located? Although you don't have a MEC store in your city, you can still obtain a Pack easily if you don't mind ordering off the net. You can buy Packs off this website and have it delivered via mail or whatever. If you've researched Packs and know which model you want, that would be an option to consider. Eagle Creek have now started listing the torso range of their Packs, so it makes it much easier to select a model which is going to fit properly.

Anyway, hope this helps? Good luck!!!

[dougj]

my advice is for you to go to a camping store and check out the different types of packs. I think we can all agree that the panel loading type is better not only for easy access but also for security (usually you can put a small lock on the zippers). I've never tried an eagle creek pack (I refuse to buy a pack online without testing it), so i can't comment on them. I use an asolo 65l pack and love it.

[diople1]

dougj,

i noticed from your profile that you are from Newfoundland. i am currently living in St John's and i was wondering where you might have purchased your pack from.

Thanks.

[ashleyg]

I'm a huge MEC fan, and when I was going to buy a pack that was my first stop. Their Pangea line looked to be perfect for what I wanted - size and price-wise: www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302700073&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442617762&bmUID=1150154853287

However, when I tried it on, I found it was quite heavy. I went out and tried some other packs, and fell in love with the Eagle Creek Explorer LT: www.eaglecreek.com/10048.html

It's about the same size and like half the weight, and it fit my frame better. It was about $90 more, but I figure for something I'm going to haul around and live out of for 7 weeks that price wasn't something to quibble about!

If you don't mind a bit more weight, then go for the MEC pack. Their gear is great - I swear by their stuff for everything from backcountry camping to daily wear fleece. I also bought the daybag, sleep sheet, pack towel, and trail runners I'm taking on my trip from them. But for the pack, yeah, you probably do want to try before you buy. Check with MEC for return policies for mail order - they're very good in store, and it might be worth it to just order one if it seems to be what you want.

[me]

Pangea? are the other lines called Laurasia & Gondwanaland?

[Jules80]

very funny david!

i am a HUGE MEC fan myself. All my bags are MEC bags. ArcTEryx do have panel loading pacs, btw. I have a MEC Brio 60. very pleased with it. i've had it 4 years and its survived at least 20 plane rides. i just bought a smaller 42 L one for weekend rock climbing trips but i'm contemplating using it for my trip to the uk next week (it hasn't quite sunk in that i'm getting on a plane for the uk in 8 days... i've just realised that). none of my packs have zip on day packs and in 6 weeks in europe i never found myself wishing that it did so i'm quite pleased with my system.

MEC you can definately return anything purchased by mail. presumably you have to pay for shipping tho.

Jules

[ling726]

I just came back from a 1 month trip and I used the MEC sojourn pack.... I'm pretty pleased with it. I wouldn't say its the MOST comfy pack out there but then again I wasn't carrying it around every single day....most of the time just left it at the hostel/hotel. The hideaway straps made it easy to check in for flights which was great...also since it wasn't that expensive I wasn't scared of ruining it or getting it dirty. It's a sturdy bag so don't worry about it breaking or anything just because its cheaper...

[dougj]

diople1 said:

dougj,

i noticed from your profile that you are from Newfoundland. i am currently living in St John's and i was wondering where you might have purchased your pack from.

Thanks.

Hey, i got my pack from the camping store in Churchill Square (name escapes me right now). the staff there are really great and helpful as well. there's another camping store on water street that might have something and the new travel store on water street might have some things of interest.

[jt426]

Hi AshleyG:

did you find that the Eaglecreek pack you mentioned in your post was large enough for your trip? I am working on buying a new pack for my first trip to Europe, and am clueless as to what size pack I'll need.

Thanks!!

"However, when I tried it on, I found it was quite heavy. I went out and tried some other packs, and fell in love with the Eagle Creek Explorer LT: www.eaglecreek.com/10048.html"

[LHR02]

Most all of us fall in love with Eagle Creek packs.....they are excellent!

[ashleyg]

I haven't done my trip yet (18 days!), but I took it on a two week trip down to California and it was definitely big enough for that - seeing that I'm planning on taking almost less for 7 weeks in Europe, I think I'll be fine. I know it's not huge, but I like the idea of keeping myself limited to what I take - I figure if I have a bigger pack I'll just fill that and end up hating myself for having to haul it around. I'm going to test it out this weekend, and I'll let you know if it works or if I'm going out emergency shopping for something bigger!

[jt426]

Thanks Ashley, I'm looking forward to hearing about your trip!

Let me know how you make out with your pack

HAVE FUN!! (and be safe

[mikie]

I know for one when i am going to Europe in 2007 - I'm taking my MEC backpack.. have had the thing for about 2 years and I must say its the best 80$ I have ever spent.. orks great fir camping and fits in most lockers no problemo