EVERGOODS Mountain Panel Loader 22L (MPL22) Review

The EVERGOODS Mountain Panel Loader 22L (MPL22) pairs the brand’s comfortable harness system, versatile compartments, and durable materials with features that enable you to take it on the trail or into the woods. However, just because the features are there doesn’t mean they’re easy to use. Will everything mesh, or will we be stuck somewhere in the middle? Let’s find out.

External Components

The primary pack material is 420D high-tenacity nylon 6 with a PU coating that promotes water resistance. It’s highly durable and not shockingly heavy, which we dig. Don’t get it twisted; this pack is beefy but doesn’t feel heavier than other packs we’ve tested. The water resistance performs well in most conditions; however, we wouldn’t take it out in a torrential downpour for more than a minute or two.

The zippers are from YKK, a brand we consistently rank as the best of the best. The tracks are smooth, there are loops to assist you in opening and closing the compartments, and the pulls are quiet and simple to use. Plus, you can feed the pull through the loop as a security feature.

Duraflex makes the buckles and hardware—another excellent brand. The buckles are snappy, and the adjusters are easy to use. This stuff works; there isn’t much else to say about it.

One of the biggest perks of this pack is the water bottle pockets. There are two, one on each side, and they’re massive. They can handle a 48-ounce Nalgene without issue, and smaller bottles are no problem, either. Additionally, they work for travel tripods, collapsible trekking poles, and other similar-sized gear. The material is stretchy, so you can shove extra gear like wet clothing or a jacket inside in a pinch. There’s a drainage hole in the bottom, so damp clothing or a sweaty cold drink on a hot day can drain.

The top handle is simple but effective. It stays out of your way when you aren’t using it and is handy to grab quickly. It doesn’t offer padding or aeration; however, this is a backpack, so you’ll likely have it on your back most of the time. The handle works fine when using this pack on public transit or trips from the house to the car to go on a hike. The pack is just 22 liters, so it isn’t going to be the heaviest bag you own.

In typical EVERGOODS fashion, the logo is a hook-and-loop fastener with a diagonal line crossing it. You can leave it as-is or add a patch here. We dig the minimalism of this logo; however, we also understand that it isn’t for everyone. One of our primary testers, who typically dislikes this feature, didn’t think it was as prominent on this pack as other EVERGOODS bags, which is a solid shout for folks who might not like the brand’s look.

Fit Notes

The back panel is well padded, adding comfort to the carry, no matter how much gear you’ve got stowed inside. The material is aerated, too, though it may not appear so from a distance. It breathes shockingly well, which can make a big difference when on the trail on a hot day. Still, the pack is all black, so you’re bound to get some back sweat while wearing it, especially in the sun.

The frame sheet, which rests behind the back panel and is accessible from the main compartment, is crafted from quarter-inch thick XLPE foam. It’s lightweight but dense, so the pack has structure. You can remove it; however, we wouldn’t recommend it, as it doesn’t save that much weight, and we like the shape it gives the bag.

The shoulder straps have an S-curve, which conforms to most body types; however, your mileage may vary. They’re well-padded and have the same aeration as the back panel, which keeps things cool on hikes or trips through the city. The upper portion may be a bit wide for some frames, but we’ve found the harness system to be on par with other daypacks and travel backpacks we’ve tested from EVERGOODS. The foam inside the shoulder straps is crafted from Zote EV50, which feels high quality.

The top of each shoulder strap has a portal for a hydration hose to pass through, handy for hikes or long days on the bike.

The sternum strap is on a ladder, not a rail, which we prefer for an outdoor pack. Rail systems make it easier to make micro-adjustments but are also easier to accidentally bump when you run into a brush or a tree branch. The ladder stops it from moving too far, which we dig. There’s no strap keeper here, so some extra material may be floating around. You can remove the strap entirely, which some may prefer to do for such a small bag.

The hip belt could be a weak point in this harness system; however, it depends on how you plan to utilize it. It is completely devoid of padding or aeration, starkly contrasting the rest of the system. We’ve still found it comfortable, but not as much as other outdoor packs’ hip belts with more padding. The hip belt is removable, which may be the preference of some travelers who think it is overkill for such a small bag.

This is one of the most comfortable daypack-size backpacks we’ve tested in daily use. Your mileage may vary; however, it’s well-padded and aerated, allowing for forward, backward, and lateral movement because everything is malleable. That said, it isn’t unstructured, either. All in all, we dig this thing.

Inside The Pack

The lining inside this pack is 210D high-tenacity nylon with a PU coating and a silicone finish. It is lightweight and malleable but water-resistant. We’ve got a few pockets to go over, so let’s dive into this pack.

The top pocket lacks organization but isn’t large enough that you’ll miss it. There’s a key leash, which is handy for hikes to ensure that you don’t misplace your keys along the journey. This is a solid spot to stow snacks, your phone, and a wallet. It’s easy to access, too, so you can get into it fairly quickly to take a photo or refuel with a protein bar.

There’s an additional secondary compartment on the pack’s front face. It’s pretty large and has some depth, meaning it doesn’t share all its space with the main compartment. When empty, the front of the pack can look a little saggy. This is a solid place to stow a packable rain jacket, an extra layer for warmth, or water shoes. We like having these items here because you can access them quickly, but they aren’t in the way when you enter the main compartment. Plus, it has drainage holes on the bottom, so excess water can filter out.

The main compartment has some organization. On the lid, there are two pockets. The higher one is smaller and has a zipper closure. This iteration is crafted from the liner, so you can’t see what’s inside. The lower pocket utilizes mesh, so you can see what you’ve got stowed here. Plus, the lower is larger, so you can fit more gear inside. Both pockets are a solid place to put items that you don’t want roaming around the main compartment loose.

The back side has a laptop or hydration sleeve, which is handy for trips to the coffee shop or longer hikes. Up to a 16-inch computer can fit here, though some thicker models might be a tight fit. There’s a small loop above the sleeve to hold your hydration hose before feeding it through one of the shoulder strap portals, which is handy for ensuring your bladder doesn’t sag to the bottom of the sleeve.

The main compartment doesn’t have a ton of organization; however, considering it’s a 22-liter pack, this might not require packing cubes or a tech pouch, though some travelers may still want to bring them along for the ride. If you’re a light tech user, you can likely fit most of your cables, wall chargers, and a battery bank into the lid organization. Still, bringing along extra organization is never a bad idea.

Overall, the EVERGOODS Mountain Panel Loader 22L (MPL22) performs incredibly well in the city or on the trail, which is what makes it so unique. It isn’t often a pack can make the transition so seamlessly without losing a ton of features, but EVERGOODS hit the mark with this one.