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If you’ve read our blog for any length of time, you’ll probably be familiar with the likes of Jack Barely and Kevin Dee from Evergoods. The two come from a pedigree which includes time with GORUCK and Patagonia, but by now have more than built out their brand and reputation of high-quality, innovative gear. It’s also no secret that I’m somewhat of a fan of their unique, purpose-built packs, having reviewed both the original Mountain Panel Loader 30 and the subsequent version over the last several years. Needless to say, when the guys offered to send over their new, more compact version of my favorite day-hiking bag, I jumped at the chance to get it packed.
Tech Specs
| Imperial | Metric | |
| Height | 17.75” | 45 cm |
| Width | 8.25” | 20.95 cm |
| Depth | 9.5” | 24.1cm |
| Weight | 2.00lbs | 0.94kg |
| Capacity | 1342.5 cu. in. | 22L |
| Primary Materials | Shell fabric: 420d HT nylon 6Lining fabric: 210d HT nylonStretch Pockets: durable 4-way stretchnylonFrame sheet: ¼ inch XLPE foamZippers: YKK 10RC and YKK 8RC w DWRShoulder Foam: Zote EV50 |
Quality and Comfort
The first thing that stands out if you’ve ever carried one of the original Mountain Panel Loaders is the revamped back panel that foregoes the original arrow pattern reinforced with hard foam, to a much less dense material marked with diagonals. One of my biggest gripes with the Evergoods bags has always been the lack of ventilation and it seems that this newest iteration takes another step forward in solving that problem. The panel is softer than previous and the more porous nylon seems to allow your back to breathe much more than previous.
Another big improvement that has been made across the Evergoods line of products has been the introduction of their Solution-Dyed black textiles that allows for a significant reduction in water and power usage for the creation of the raw materials. This is the first product of theirs that I’ve owned that has been created using this new process and the fabric seems just as robust, abrasion resistant, and color-fast as the rest of their gear has faithfully been.
Above improvements aside, the MPL22 takes what I think is an intelligent step of not messing with perfection. It keeps the highly-solid external bottle pockets, top handles, removable waist straps, and overall contours of the previous Mountain Panel Loader, which has stood the test of time and first made me fall in love with the full size version.
Organization
When I was looking at the press release for a new MPL, my first thought was that it was going to be much to small for my needs. I’m a notorious overpacker, and usually need at least a 30L bag even for a chill day hike (I like snacks, ok?). What really struck me is just how much Jack and Kevin have been able to tweak the design so that a much smaller pack still feels incredibly roomy and not at all cramped.
While the majority of the design is unchanged from the 30L version, the MPL 22 makes use of two external horizontal front pockets so that you can quickly stow and separate trail (or commute) essentials. The top pocket is short but deep and acts like a “brain” while the second one is takes up the rest of the exterior panel and can hold a surprising amount of gear without becoming bulky of taking up much interior space.
On the inside, a top zip mirrors the external zip as a safe space to stash wallet, keys, or phone, and a mesh panel zip keeps small items organized.
As on the previous MPLs, there’s an elastic bladder/laptop pocket that sits firmly against your back with some sneaky drink tube routing that travels to both shoulders, for those of us who are ambidextrous drinkers on the go.
What’s Perfect
- New back panel is a huge improvement for heat management and comfort
- External pockets are surprisingly roomy without adding bulk
- Evergoods knows when to not mess with a good thing, keeping a majority of the design unchanged
What’s Not
- Removable waist straps are nice, but I would kill for an option to add pockets to the waist
- While it allows for increased airflow, the back material seems like it might be more prone to ripping. Only time will tell
- Would love to see an expansion in the colorways offered
Wrap Up
Overall, the MPL22 is a backpack that I enjoy using and recommend to anyone who is looking for a balance between urban and outdoor performance. It has a simple and sleek design, a spacious and accessible main compartment, and a well-thought-out exterior organization. It is made of high-quality materials and has a lifetime warranty. The MPL22 is a great choice for anyone who is looking for a smaller and lighter version of the MPL30, or who wants a grab-and-go trail bag that can also function well in the city. As with the rest of the Evergoods gear, quality comes at a price. You can grab yours for $200 on their website, and although the initial investment may seem a bit steep, this pack is sure to last you for many, many adventures!
The Perfect Pack 