Greenroom 136 Metromonger Prime - Excellent, fully-featured & highly versatile 9L EDC sling

[@andylemm]

Best bag reviewer on KZbin and it isn't even close. Glad to see you posting again, we missed you!

[@TheMountainborn]

Awww thank you so much my friend!!! I appreciate the loyalty and sorry I wasn't able to post for a couple of months - am back now!!! :)

[@epretto]

Agreed!!!!

[@bobbydigital316]

Can’t wait to be a Metro Mong 👍

[@donkeybro6368]

Was planning to ask you when you’ll drop a new video…have watched most of the old ones many times already 😭

[@TheMountainborn]

Thank you so much for being a loyal viewer!! I had some stuff come up so wasn’t able to post for a couple of months but hopefully I’m back for good now! 😂

[@anter881]

@@TheMountainborn yeah!

[@MrJed_s]

Hah, I was also wondering when the next video would drop, watched an old one, came back and here it is!

[@verselines]

deciding between this and the bellroy venture 10l camera sling. that zipper jingling sounds REALLY annoying just from a few seconds, might be a deal breaker but everything else looks pretty great.

[@wedchic7]

Hi Mountain, I am glad that you mentioned the Bellroy 9L Venture on this video, I hope you can comapre it further beacuse I still think that the Venture has the cleaner look, but the Metromenger does look more utilitarian and looks like has more capacity and carrying options. Thank you.

[@TheMountainborn]

Hi Alvin! I actually did a full review of the Venture 9L sling on my channel a while back - you should be able to find it on the list of my past videos. I think your comparison of the pros/cons of each is pretty accurate - the Venture I would say is definitely the cleaner look and has a more refined carry experience in many cases (better organization, nice stretch pockets, slightly better fit and finish, more compact, better design (though this is in the eye of the beholder)) but for sheer versatility and capacity/options the Metromonger definitely is stronger. The single biggest difference between the two for most people I believe will be if they need to carry a device larger than an iPad mini - if the answer is yes, then the Metromonger is the superior choice as the Venture's primary weakness is its inability to handle anything larger than an iPad mini without (in my opinion) becoming more or less unusable, whereas the Metromonger can handle not only an iPad Pro (either size) with a keyboard type cover but can also do a 13" MacBook Pro/air - and can even do both AND a small camera at the same time. This, despite the fact that both the Venture and Metromonger are rated at nominally the same capacity (though this is more manufacturer measurement differences than anything). Don't get me wrong, both are amazing slings and I love both, but they excel at different use cases.

[@mistsrider]

It's a legit cobra buckle, rated tensile load and everything. Cobra GT.

[@TheMountainborn]

Thank you for the clarification!!

[@86itnow965]

Hey man love the video and review. I have had my metro monger for about 4 years now. Think of getting the prime edition soon. Wanted to see if you can do a separate video on how you modified the shoulder strap. Would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!!

[@KandarpXJani]

Mountain, you may want to change the title name. It's Greenroom 136, not 316 😊

[@TheMountainborn]

OMG!!! 😂 thank you so much - fixed! (In the text at least, I bet I called it 316 in the video at least once though hahaha )

[@Elcee333]

Thank you for this review. You’re the best bag reviewer out there! I’m looking for a 10l bag like this one. Do you have any experience with the AON Chio X or the Mystery Ranch Indie?

[@Patrick-uq7cw]

Thank you for a wonderful review. Great feedback for future developments.

[@TheMountainborn]

Hi Patrick - my pleasure. Really enjoyed this bag and looking forward to future revisions!

[@eugeneteo9664]

a bag that is build to last a very long time.

[@TheMountainborn]

Most definitely!

[@7Archie4]

Elastic parts on a bag makes it weak. I agree greenroom136 should offer metal buckle because those plastic ones is a deal breaker as well as those zipper not aqua guard.. it's odd on a VX42.

[@TheMountainborn]

Interesting - can you share more about why you think elastic parts on a bag make it weak? If it's used in load-bearing parts of the design I could definitely see that, but for things like internal pockets or like strap keepers I think elasticity makes a lot of sense, can significantly improve functionality and doesn't necessarily risk making a bag weaker. What do you think?

[@jink3280]

superb review!! Can I know how you installed fidlock female for the chest buckle? Did you sew them? I think your action for the danging strap is very nice and want to do the same thing. I am looking for the fidlock website but not sure which to buy..

[@TheMountainborn]

Hi Jin! You want to search for "Fidlock IF-8040 25mm buckle" I believe it's this one: www.fidlock.com/components/en/products/snap-buckle?v=156 To attach it I just ran a standard piece of 25mm nylon strapping through the buckle, then ran the straps through the molle webbing on the side of the bag and secured it with a couple of standard 25mm tri-glides (Sliplok Triglides or anything similar). If you pause the video you can probably see a couple of frames where I show how I attached it. The way I attached the strap it is still easily removable if I want. If you want to make it more permanent you can of course sew the straps into place. Alternative attachment methods if you don't have access to triglides and don't want to sew include things like installing snap fasteners, velcro, etc.

[@themattenthehat]

I guess if the zipper noise really drives you nuts you could just chop off those metal pulls and thread some cord through there or whatever

[@TheMountainborn]

True!

[@drummachine5787]

You’re supposed to fold the straps once or twice to get them to stay in the strap keepers

[@TheMountainborn]

That is true, I should have mentioned this was possible! That said, in my experience this kind of "solution" greatly impedes the usability of the straps since you can't easily loosen the straps (like when donning/cinching the bag) without a lot of fuss or easily adjust the length/tighten it up to hold items (in the case of the bottom straps). Elasticated strap keepers in m experience tend to work just as effectively at managing dangle but are much more usable in everyday situations (because they can easily accommodate shortening/lengthening on the fly). That said, rolling up the straps (or using things like webbing dominators, etc.) will make for a cleaner, buttoned up look when on display or for straps that are not intended to be used or one is sure will not be adjusting often.

[@dyland4360]

Hi Mountain, thank you for all the awesome videos. You are by far my favorite reviewer! If at all possible could you list some of the watches you own or at least a few that you have worn in your videos? Thanks Again!

[@TheMountainborn]

Hi DMD281 - awww thank you so much for the kind words!! Regarding watches - I have a list of some of my more commonly worn watches (mainly G-shocks, Apple watches and a few mechanical ones): themountainborn.com/about/ (scroll down to the watch section) The watch I'm wearing in this video is the Hermes H08 (Reference #W049430WW00 - here in the black DLC titanium variant with black rubber strap). I'm not usually a big luxury brand guy but I love the dial, overall design and material choice on this particular piece plus it squarely satiates both my irrational love for smaller cushion case EDC watches (Bell & Ross BR05 Horolum for example, or the Patek Nautilus (though it goes without saying I don't own one of these 😂)) and my niche love for watches on rubber or fabric straps (IWC Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph, classic Speedmaster on a NATO strap, etc.)

[@internet-browser]

34:44 Nice Chase Reeves reference

[@TheMountainborn]

😄

[@God961]

Hi mountain it’s pronounced bear-n and it means child in Scottish. Hope you are well bro x

[@TheMountainborn]

Wonderful - thank you you so much God961!

[@nathanruben3372]

42 min video for a sling? I expect 2hr movie for a backpack?

[@TheMountainborn]

Haha well, this channel does tend to do a bit more long form reviews informed by actual use rather than 12 min puff pieces of clearly unused gear that basically regurgitates the marketing sales points. The Metromonger is large enough that it is essentially a backpack (it can comfortably cover both sling use cases (i.e. camera carry, edc sling use) as well as backpack use cases (i.e. EDC + commute + laptop carry )) which is part of what makes it so interesting IMO. FWIW, I think my longest full-form backpack reviews was just around 59 mins :)

[@Mr1Musiclover]

Finally. Been awaiting a review from you

[@TheMountainborn]

Hi G A! Thank you so much for the loyalty and sorry to have kept you waiting - I'm back once again! :)

[@nguyenthang-bu1tp]

Could you tell me the brand of the second bag in your video. Many thank

[@TheMountainborn]

Hi Nguyen - assuming you mean the second bag I showed in my "Also Consider" section, it's the Alpaka Gear Bravo Sling Max (there is a smaller non-Max version as well). I hope this helps!

[@archie2473]

a water bottle in the main compartment will make the side pockets useless because what ever inside those will be squished and eventually will pop out. on the other hand, I like that there're no elastic stuff because those are the eventual breaking point.

[@donkeybro6368]

Currently on my watchlist: Ripruck (size undecided), CPL24 v3, Alpha one niner bags (though they're so heavy empty it's hard for me to blind buy)

[@TheMountainborn]

Great choices all around. I already own so many various copies of the CPL24 series, but I am tempted to pick up a v3 just for their amazing back mesh panel material - I love it that much. I feel you on the A19 bags - I have the Stealth Cobra Evade and while I appreciate it's "everything and the kitchen sink" approach, the weight is really what gets me same as you 😂. They're not unusable by any means, there are certainly other bags in this class range (the Aer Tech Pack or whatever it's called is similarly a pretty heavy bag in this class) - it's just that I rarely have the kind of load outs that necessitate bags of this sturdiness and weight. But I love it for what it is!

[@donkeybro6368]

@@TheMountainborn Thanks Mountain…I replied to your new video before seeing this comment l lol. The things holding me back on the cpl24 are that the top pocket seems quite shallow, and that I really dislike everything about the key leash. Especially on the top pocket, I wish some company would make one using stretchier material, and design it such that it can become deeper and wider. While that might create the “impeding” laptop access issue you mentioned (if they share the same compartment), I think we access the laptop infrequent enough that the trade off is worth it, especially considering that nowadays usually laptops are usually not that tall and the tablet slot would mean there’s more empty space at the top, and most of the time people aren’t filling items to the brim. As for key leash…I have no idea why so many companies make ugly, cheap and short ones at awkward places. I think enough people are keyless, or have their own attachment preference, that having plain fabric attachment loops make sense. Also wish more bags have quick access pockets like the evade1.5 ccw compartment…and better admin panels where I could permanently store random useful but rarely used items like bandages, spare cash etc., without needing to have a pouch for them. Stealth cobra is almost perfect for me…if it had a lite version, and cut away some unnecessary weight (eg the dual bar of loops in pathfinder makes more sense that a full one). Another things I dislike (becoming a rant now) are that most companies seem to give little regards to how bulky the bags look, how little volume some pockets have, and the weight to size ratio. Eg recently I looked into some Aer bags that i thought was quite nice, but it’s so heavy I might as well get the stealth cobra. Speaking of Aer, I’ve always disliked the look at their ballistic material and brand tag (let’s be honest, there’s no design in their logo, and just because there’s no other branding doesn’t mean the tag doesn’t look disturbing - I find only few of their bag has the right sized tag so that it looks fine). But recently I saw their xpac day/city/flight bag in person which looked really nice and almost changed my mind. Their zip pulls look and sound quite noisy though. Another issue I have is that some brands would leave out quite clearly superior features in some of their products for no apparent reason when they’re present in their others, eg bellroy transit workpack somehow has no breathable back panel. Evergoods seems to be quite good in this regard, while DSPTCH seems to be deliberately removing sensible features and products one by one. Tbc

[@microvizart]

Could you make a review of Alpaka bag on 39:48 ? I'm also considering that one but very little review on KZbin.

[@georgeseriani2482]

Cut the zipper pulls of and replace them with vanquest zipper pulls very silent after that.

[@bao.vd34]

Can you show how to mod that chest belt strap holder plus where to get all the component ?

[@r3toun]

Late to the party and just found you today, but after a week of looking for the best backpack, you just made things so clear. I gotta say, you're a born reviewer. Effectively and concisely communicating the parts that ACTUALLY diffrentiate Bags in ways that matter to us, the users.

[@TheMountainborn]

Hi @r3toun - thank you so much for the kind words and I'm so happy that this video was useful for you!! Let me know if you have any other questions about this bag!! :)

[@trousermouse6240]

Great review! Do you know the weight of the bag please?

[@hollowsmart]

Been loving your most recent reviews on the Here & Now and Evergoods bags! But also noticing an echo in your audio since moving to this new set. Not a big deal but noticeable from your more earlier video. Can't wait for the next review.

[@TheMountainborn]

Hi hollowsmart - thank you for the kind words! Yes, I've noticed that echo too :(. I'm using a lavalier mic but I think the room I'm recording in is quite small which is causing the feedback. I was thinking to add some foam padding to the walls or something to reduce the echo. (I just need to find out where to get it)

[@epretto]

I am glad to see this video !

[@TheMountainborn]

Thank you so much my friend! I'm finally getting back into it!!

[@joki9121]

*ting ting ti-ting*

[@TheMountainborn]

LOL 😂

[@georgeseriani2482]

136

[@georgeseriani2482]

136

[@georgeseriani2482]

136 not 316

[@shameernisa4165]

great company but it’s Green Room 136 not 316 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@TheMountainborn]

Hahahah yeah I know, I completely messed that up - I was so sleepy that day and completely didn't notice I was inverting the numbers! 😂. I think someone else corrected me like 3 seconds after the video went up and I pinned the comment. Thank you for noticing as well! :)

[@MrJed_s]

My Topo Commuter Briefcase seems to fill a similar role and it's my favourite bag that I have owned. It's not perfect (several obvious design issues), but I find the horizontal access layout better in almost every scenario vs a typical backpack. In case you don't own one and want to review it, they do have a blacked-out ballistic model (they even had a limited-edition xpac version!).