Mountain Co-op

[Caroline First Timer]

I know everyone recommends Eagle Creek bags. However, being from Toronto I haven't seen any around. Also, I leave in a few days and don't have time to order one online.

What do you think of Mountain Co-op bags? Alternately, I'm considering a lower alpine bag but am concerned about top loading options only. I'm going for one month to Amsterdan, and some places in Belgium, Italy and Spain. I will probably not be doing too much hiking. What do you think?

[CuriousToronto]

I too am from Toronto and I'm a BIG believer in M.E.C bags! I think they're just perfect...............

First of all they last FOREVER -- you'll never have to replace it! And if something goes wrong bring it into the store and usually they take care of it.

Second of all they're bloody comfortable -- they really are! I used to get back aches with other bags but not with MEC ones.

I know you're concerned about top loading option -- have you considered a travel pack instead?

This is basically the model I'll be taking with me:

www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=587749&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=336775&bmUID=1054769744061

Mine is slightly older and as such slightly different. I think mine is 65 litres but with the same basic features. I've traveled with it before and I found it to be quite good.

Any discomfort you experience will be caused by you packing too much and not by the bag!

BTW, I highly recommed their bags for regular day to day stuff too. I used one of their bags for school. Since I lived off campus I often had an insane amount of stuff to carry........I would spend pretty much all day on campus. Anywayz, point is I had the bag and used it everyday for 4 years. I tossed it around and generally abused it.....but you can't tell -- it basically looks like new. Before I bought the MEC bag I used to replace bags really often......

Anywayz, that's enough out of me -- but I think I got my point across!

MEC bags are great!!!

BTW this is the one I used for school and I swear by it: www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=587347&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=12083&bmUID=1054770575192

[defining]

being from winnipeg, we finally got a MEC store. All I have to say is that it kicks ass. I find myself there everyday at lunch just checking out the gear. Very high quality products. I'm probably going to buy my pack from MEC when I go for my trip this fall.

for anyone who wants to check them out:

www.mec.ca

[Eagle]

I don't personally have a lot of experience with MEC Backpacks, so can't tell you much about them. However, in general MEC only sells products of very good quality that have been well tested. In addition, MEC carries excellent quality Packs by Gregory and Arcteryx (both good quality) -- these are generally top-loading "trekking" packs, rather than the panel loading "travel" packs such as those made by Eagle Creek.

I'm a big fan of Eagle Creek products (I use the Continental Journey pack), however I can appreciate your situation and the fact that you only have limited time to buy the pack. However, if you're in Toronto, Eagle Creek have NUMEROUS dealers listed on their web site in that area, and other parts of Ontario.

Whichever brand or type (panel or top loading) of Backpack you buy, make sure you are properly measured for torso length and properly fitted!!! If possible, try the Pack fully loaded for a couple of hours to make sure the fit works for you. I have generally found that it's a good idea to buy good quality (check the Backpack section of this board for an interesting story on the merits of Backpack quality).

Good luck with your decision, and have a great time on your trip!!!