Mardingtop 60 L Molle M6226 backpack review 

I have the 60L delivering soon and I didn’t even think to look into if it had Molle on the bottom… damn it! I hate when packs have nothing in the bottom… they should always have some kind of attachment points or loops at least so I can lash a tent or whatever to it

@@TDOLLA Yup. After having a few Mardingtop packs, I've come to realize that the designers prioritize looks over function. They are not made with real-world use in mind. For example -- on the 60l pack the side pockets aren't pass through like they are on the Kelty Coyote or some of the Teton packs. This makes the side pockets very hard to use if you plan to also strap something to the side using the compression straps (like an axe). Also, the padding on the hip belt is pretty much non-existent. I mean it's the worst hip belt system I've seen on a pack, not comfortable at all, and not designed to hold any weight. Hip belts are designed to take a lot of the pack weight so your shoulders and back don't have to. Like I said, not designed by people that are thinking about real-world situations. With that being said, there are some design features Mardingtop uses that I do enjoy, and the quality of their packs is very good. They can really hold up to tough use. Ended up buying an Osprey Rook 65l (Ospreys budget-ish pack). So much better in every way. It's obvious that it was designed by people that have been outdoors. Of course, the Osprey is $100 more expensive, which plays a part in it being way better. But there are cheaper packs that I'd take over a Mardingtop, such as Tetons budget packs. Mardingtop could be legit if they started designing their packs to be used in more situations that just a 100 yard walk from your car to the camping spot. Edit: One last thing I remembered -- the interior frames in Mardingtop packs aren't rigid at all. They don't provide any structural support when the pack is fully loaded.

@@MFRiley yeah, I appreciate your feedback.. It’s hard to find honest and hard use tested feedback for bags because different people have wildly different sets of criteria for what makes a bag good lol. some people find a huge bag and stuff it full of hatchets and saws and pots whatever else and then put it on and do a lap around their house and call it a good bag. I have spent a ton of time in the woods with non ideal packs and just dealt with it but I am really starting to think some of the more “backpacking” minded gear is better. I had a Teton explorer pack years ago and it was honestly a great pack.. I ended up selling it on eBay. Idk we will see when I get this mardingtop 60L in tomorrow. I just want something I can lash my tent on and about 30-40lbs of gear/food and water and not have it not kill my back and let me get a good 5-10 miles on without feeling like I tweaked my neck or pulled some new muscle I never even knew existed lol

@@TDOLLA Right there with ya. I was a Boyscout, so my view of camping was more bushcraft oriented. That's why I thought these Mardingtop packs were cool, love the rugged outdoor look. But my view has been changing lately. I've started to have more of the "backpacking" mentality, just as you said. Started swapping out my heavy/bulky gear for more streamlined/lighter gear. The way I see it -- why not have lighter gear? I can use it for long hikes, and I can also use it for overnight car camping. Now don't get me wrong, I still have some of the heavy stuff... Big comfy camp chairs, pack axe, old Coleman camp stove, big heavy tent that my girlfriend and I have plenty of room in, collapsible grill grate for when I want to cook a big steak over the fire, etc... I just don't bring that stuff when I need to be lightweight. I don't want to be too harsh on Mardingtop, they do have some solid packs. Seems like all of the smaller packs are great. I have their 28l daypack, the one with an interesting rectangular design, and I love it. Great pack, and I really can't fault it. Also, I had one of their 75l packs and it was better than the 60l I got. Properly padded hip belt, among other things. It has been a while since I've looked at them, but after checking Amazon it seems like the 65l has a properly padded hip belt as well. Also has straps on top of the pack, and Molle on the bottom. After looking again I feel like the 65l is definitely the way to go. I liked the side pouches on the 60l, but an admin pouch or 2 could easily be added to the 65l. They do have some solid options, guess the 60l just wasn't for me. Maybe I would buy the 65l Mardingtop over the 65l Teton at the same price. Would have to compare them in person I guess. I still think Mardingtop needs to up their design game. Could be much better packs with more practical designs aspects IMO.

@@TDOLLA after a short but very painful hike a while back, I had to rethink my priorities. I want a pack with a comfortable suspension system over all else. That's why I went with the Osprey Rook 65l. A very comfortable Osprey suspension system, but it admittedly lacks in features. A bare bones pack other than the suspension system. I wanted to most comfortable pack I could find for the money. I plan to mod the pack to make up for the lacking features. Luckily I'm decent with a needle and thread. Going to add a big mesh pocket to the front panel as it's begging for one, attachment points for trekking poles, a zippered pocket in the lid for things like my car key and personal identification, shock cord on the top of the lid, and maybe a few other odds and ends. Easy to do a few mods, hard to DIY an entire pack suspension system. Was definitely worth it for me to spend more for a nice pack. Under $200 is still pretty affordable. Plus, that Almighty Guarantee is hard to beat.

Axel, thanks for your reaction to my video. No, I have unfortunately not been able to test it out in the field due to business ending my present job, moving into another home & getting used to life as a retiree. So sorry for my inability to add any experience so far with this backpack.

@@anderscblichfeldt8044 no worries at all, thanks a lot and enjoy you newfound retirement ! Hopefully it will grant you the time have more outdoor adventures once you're well settled :)

I have tested the model that is one size down from the one he reviewed. The pack is nice, it’s sturdy, it’s inexpensive, and I have packed it to maximum capacity and walked 8 miles with 60lbs on my back with no issues. I could have gone more, but it was my shoes that did me in. The straps are comfortable, and alternating them is smooth and simple. My only gripe is the carry handle stitching being sub par. Making me somewhat skeptical of the other stitching on the pack, but the main compartment seems fine. I wish the pack had Molle on the bottom, so that I could run a nylon strap up along the back (you can’t adjust the pack anyways) so that I may reinforce the carry handle. For the money it’s a good pack, it’s just not built for abuse like others

​@@no-sadnomad8370A good oldfashioned shoomaker should be able to reenforce the stitchings. That is what I ended up doing with my pack.