Great review. You nailed my sentiments about there not being at least SOME redundancy for the vertical zipper. Other than that, its a great budget pack.
@BackcountryPilgrim22 күн бұрын
Yeah, probably not an issue but definitely a concern. :)
@guyosborn6154 ай бұрын
I bought one of these three months ago, used it for a 750 kilometer hike - not the lightest but the best pack I've ever had, and much better than lighter, LESS COMFORTABLE packs
@BackcountryPilgrim4 ай бұрын
Yeah at a point weight savings is no longer the issue. Glad it's working out so well for you!
@mikepreslar86865 ай бұрын
I have the 50L version. It is the best pack I've ever owned. Many multi-day hikes in the Blue Ridge Mountains even in Winter. In addition to the torso adjustment mine has Load Lifters at the top that can be adjusted when the pack is on. I paid $119 direct from Decathalon and it came in 1 week.
@BackcountryPilgrim5 ай бұрын
Pretty tough to beat I'll say!
@DoseofDirt7 ай бұрын
Excellent video! Decathlon doing great things!
@BackcountryPilgrim7 ай бұрын
Agreed! Thanks for commenting. Your channels been blowing up, congrats!
@NessNayiiАй бұрын
Hi, great review - I've stuck two of them in my online 'basket'. I just need to ask - how's this working for you after 6 months? Any issues with that zip for instance? Also, how tall are you, if you don't mind me asking - some folks say this doesn't sit on the hips if you're around 6 foot. I'm 5'11", so not quite there, but was wondering how well it fit for someone my height.
@BackcountryPilgrimАй бұрын
I haven't had a lot more use with it since the initial review but I'm not hearing of people breaking the zipper. I'm 5'10" with a 19" torso.
@NessNayii29 күн бұрын
@@BackcountryPilgrim very close to my height then - that's put my mind at rest, thanks, will pick a couple of these up for me and my partner!
@rahulsinghpawar4176Ай бұрын
Hi Thanks for making detail video but i am confused!! Which one to buy 50L or 70L?? Please suggest
@BackcountryPilgrimАй бұрын
It depends on your gear. 50 should be fine for standard gear for a few nights. 70 is more long term or if you're carrying for more people.
@rahulsinghpawar4176Ай бұрын
@@BackcountryPilgrim Thanks for your information as i am going solo so going for 50L.
@camping_guru_uk7 ай бұрын
I really like the look of this backpack but I think it's greatest feature is also it's worst, yes the big zipper access which sounds great but I always (UK, it rains a lot here) use a full sac liner, so I wouldn't be able to access kit through that front zip anyway. Overall it's a great pac, I've seen it in the shops here but I don't think I'd use it's best feature which is a shame.
@BackcountryPilgrim7 ай бұрын
Yeah with a full pack liner the zipper access wouldn't be super helpful (it might make it easier to get the gear out if it's bagged), plus is heavy rain it's another opportunity for water ingress. However, I wouldn't say this was its best feature. The varied pockets are great, and the torso adjusting straps were the real winner for me. :) Cheers!
@Meme-qd2oj7 күн бұрын
Wonderful site!!
@BackcountryPilgrim7 күн бұрын
Thank you!
@amonster8mymother23 күн бұрын
❤ hello from Canada. 🇨🇦
@BackcountryPilgrim23 күн бұрын
Hello back!
@ark__ange13397 ай бұрын
Hy there French viewer here.. Since decathlon is all around my country i bought the 50L one last year for 60€ I think. I am a very tall user (2m02) and I get this bag to its limits. Had to modify the easyfit concept to make it to my size 😂 Anyway it's a great pack, and a solid one. In france, other versions are coming to replace the 50L (and it's starting to become rare to find one) but I don't really know if it's world wide yet. Great review though!
@BackcountryPilgrim7 ай бұрын
Thanks for commenting! The 50L has been reviewed a few times and mentioned in other comments here. Sounds like a winner! How did you mod the suspension to fit?
@NessNayiiАй бұрын
How did you mod the easyfit system?
@BackcountryPilgrimАй бұрын
@NessNayii I didn't, it mods itself!
@NessNayii29 күн бұрын
@@BackcountryPilgrim thanks for the reply, though the question was for the OP, who said he'd modded the easyfit system. As it turns out though, your reply to my other question I posted under this video takes care of any concern I had about having to do this. Cheers, and happy camping!
@BackcountryPilgrim29 күн бұрын
@NessNayii OH haha sorry. KZbin doesn't make it easy to tell on the app. :) Cheers!
@sherrinwilson67927 ай бұрын
I've just bought the 50l one of these. Haven't used it yet, but it's my first pack so hoping to get out with it soon. I'm in Australia.
@BackcountryPilgrim7 ай бұрын
Nice! I hope you like it, let me know how it goes!
@mauriciogoncalves46057 ай бұрын
I bought the Forclaz Mt 500 50 10L Air backpack last year, and I love it. Very good quality for a good price.
@BackcountryPilgrim7 ай бұрын
Agreed! Glad you like it!
@tuka966 ай бұрын
Hello, could you tell me what the difference is between the mt100 and the mt500?
@BackcountryPilgrim6 ай бұрын
I have never used the MT500, you'd have to just compare online. :)
@elvisaaron74183 ай бұрын
Thanks ,, Im lining up to buy this pack and the lack of a strap across front ... well Ill buy some. Thanks for pointing that out,
@BackcountryPilgrim3 ай бұрын
You bet!
@natlovell1227 ай бұрын
Looks like a pretty sweet pack! I have a few of their down jackets and they’re great for the price. They often have sales too. Take care Doug!
@BackcountryPilgrim7 ай бұрын
Agreed! In fact I am reviewing their clothes for next week!
@Dan__S7 ай бұрын
Randall over at Grunt Proof has a video of him dragging the 50l version behind his truck, fully loaded, up a dirt road. Seems like a tough pack. My Walmart had these in stock a few months back. Maybe it's time to get one. Thanks for the review.
@BackcountryPilgrim7 ай бұрын
I saw that video - impressive!
@lauriebloggs83917 ай бұрын
I have one of these, and you were absolutely and completely spot on. I do not understand, unless there is protection on the design, why all backpacks don't use the "easyfit" system. It makes all other adjustment systems redundant.
@BackcountryPilgrim7 ай бұрын
I wonder if "Easyfit" is patented.... They got something good and aren't giving it away! :)
@lauriebloggs83917 ай бұрын
Patented!! That 's the word I was looking for, lol!!!@@BackcountryPilgrim
@BackcountryPilgrim7 ай бұрын
Haha yeah I actually thought I remembered it being indicated as such but I looked back and didn't see it. Well it'll it isn't, Decathlon might want to look into it. :) It's pretty brilliant but not difficult to do - I wonder if not enough brands have seen it?
@jhaas688657 ай бұрын
Another channel did two different reviews of this pack and I decided to buy it. Last time he reviewed it it was sold out for awhile and sure enough had to wait. He did more of the pros as a cheaper pack and love your cons and agree. Not having dual pockets on the hip belt or even a second water bottle holder on that side is a waste. Personally I would have preferred the one pocket be on the other side as less to bump into when reaching for a bottle. I am a military vet who was issued the old duffel bag and this is an improved version. I don’t need twenty pockets but having the zipper so I can access the mid level easy is great. I would like to see if it is actually a 70l because packing for a two day trip this bag actually seems bigger than that. Despite the brain not coming off I pack my gear in and sometimes it feels like it need another strap somewhere to tighten it up. One of the number one reasons I got it was the adjustable harness system. You are not tightening it when you put it on but resizing it. Tried some of the other brands and I am right between a large and a medium frame. This one says hey I will fit you not the other way around. For the price it it awesome.
@BackcountryPilgrim7 ай бұрын
100% Agreed on all! This is a unqiue pack for sure.
@shafaghshadravan27314 ай бұрын
After alot of research i finally bout the 50L version dispite not finding sufficient positive reviews about this pack. However i watched tour video and the review was AMAZING. I am very much satisfied with my forclaz and thank you for your thorough review. You mentions the belt not having pockets on twe sides as a negetiv. But i need to mention that forclaz haz a few small shoulder bags that can fit on the other side of the belt of tha back pack.
@BackcountryPilgrim4 ай бұрын
I'm glad it's working so well for you!
@nutritious3250Ай бұрын
@@shafaghshadravan2731 could you tell me the name or model for the shoulder bag? Cant find it
@ПавелХудан-т3мАй бұрын
I love this pack. It might be not ideal, but what is ideal? Two cons: - i'd have a detachable/adjustable upper cap to add another 10-15 liters if needed - the shoulder padding might be insufficient with heavy loads
@BackcountryPilgrimАй бұрын
Lids bug me but if it detaches that's a good option (better yet if it can become its own pack!). THANKS for watching!
@HawkEye-cm5wbАй бұрын
I'd see if you could sew some molle on that left hip strap, then you plug and play with all kinds of different pouches and things made to work with that system.
@BackcountryPilgrimАй бұрын
I'd have paid the extra $10 to have them do it haha!
@brentperron69142 ай бұрын
I have this backpack and love it! The easy fit straps really are great and for the price it's hard to beat. Pros: those straps, front and top loader, spacious pockets, and well padded straps which carries weight well Some negatives I found are: 1 smaller hip pouch, weight might be a bit much for some, and lack of front mesh pocket Over all, I definitely recommend for those starting out and can't afford what appears the normal now for backpacks (+$300). ** You can also get this in 50L for those that don't need that much space and is almost identical in design
@BackcountryPilgrim2 ай бұрын
Excellent bullet points! Agreed 100%
@metalgast002 ай бұрын
wait , decathlon doenst exists in amerika ? i taught it was worldwide. its a good backpack used it alot
@BackcountryPilgrim2 ай бұрын
It's very rare here!
@DarrenYee7 ай бұрын
Thanks Doug, Great review. They actually have a physical store in the bay area that I have been to. I picked up a micro grid fleece at a reasonable price and have been looking at there nesting camp cook set for the family. I haven't tried any of their packs. I really like the comparison you did with the other brands.
@BackcountryPilgrim7 ай бұрын
Very cool! I have to get by there if I am in the city. Heading to Point Reyes for the holiday - maybe we'll run into each other one of these days!
@ojibwayinca84872 ай бұрын
@@DarrenYee Both physical locations are now permanently closed.
@BackcountryPilgrim2 ай бұрын
Bummer!!!
@ericwilson45532 ай бұрын
If the best part is the rain cover than I need to get another backpack. Pack liners will actually keep your gear dry if you take a dunk in a river.
@BackcountryPilgrim2 ай бұрын
Certainly not the best part although it is welcome when most companies sell them at a large percentage of what the pack costs! Like many backpackers, I use pack liners anyway.
@TomBedlammusicАй бұрын
I absolutely love Decathlon. They make so many sports so much more accessible to those of us on a lower budget. I kitted myself out with a full snowboard setup for about £200 and its seen me through 3 full seasons so far without much wear. My go to for adventure gear I the UK and the rest of Europe
@BackcountryPilgrimАй бұрын
Right on!
@AkshayChaudhari54 ай бұрын
Amazing review.! nailed every aspect
@BackcountryPilgrim4 ай бұрын
I'm glad it helped! :)
@pleok087 ай бұрын
Friday, February 16th: Thank-you for the review. Very interesting. Thanks again. Happy Trails! Ross08
@BackcountryPilgrim7 ай бұрын
You bet!
@olivern47842 ай бұрын
How many pounds can you carry comfortably with this pack?
@BackcountryPilgrim2 ай бұрын
I have a policy of not advising on pack weight carry as I think there are too many factors and I'd hate to mislead anyone. I also rarely come close to maxing out a pack because of the kind sof trips I take and the gear I carry. Having said that, I would feel pretty confident in the 30-40 lb range. :)
@meandmerat87444 ай бұрын
It's a great value pack indeed. The Gregory Baltoro is king.
@BackcountryPilgrim4 ай бұрын
The Baltoro is full beast mode!
@royphair96765 ай бұрын
I've just bought this pack and I must say I'm very impressed with it but then again I've also got the mh 500 40 ltr pack which is also fantastic it has the two hip pockets two water bottle pockets it's basically the same pack without the easy fit but is still brilliant I'm looking forward to taking this pack out on the trail
@BackcountryPilgrim5 ай бұрын
It's crazy good for the price!
@boldtlev7 ай бұрын
Doug, you might want to take a closer look at the Granite Gear Crown3 60. It's price competitive with the Decathlon pack featured here. Unlike the Decathlon pack, the brain is fully removable, it has hip belt and external water bottle pockets on both sides plus a huge front mesh pocket, and is almost two full pounds lighter. Plus no risk of super failure in the main compartment. The main drawbacks are that sacrifices organization and some padding, and it doesn't arc away from the body to ventilate the back. I own the previous iteration, the Crown2 60, and love it.
@BackcountryPilgrim7 ай бұрын
I've actually done a couple reviews on that pack (the Crown2)! I LOVE the features (especially the superior DROP version that is no longer made). However, for me it was not a comfortable pack and failed at full weights. I know it's a super popular pack though!
@francoloma29713 ай бұрын
Fantastic, thorough review. I appreciated you displaying all the pockets. I agree, a wide mesh pocket on the left would be negligible to add.
@BackcountryPilgrim3 ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
@nationalparksprincess32167 ай бұрын
Great review 👍
@BackcountryPilgrim7 ай бұрын
Thank you so much!
@sz73607 ай бұрын
I have the 50L version is excellent. No issues with the zipper after a few years. It weighs 3.5 pounds but carries/distributes the weight so well it feels much lighter. Very impressed and it was 89 when I got it.
@BackcountryPilgrim7 ай бұрын
Great report and wow you can't ask for much more than that! Thanks!
@canereryigit18322 ай бұрын
Can the bottom compartiment be used for shoes?
@BackcountryPilgrim2 ай бұрын
I'm sure they could but they'd get smooshed if the main body had a lot in it. :)
@billb57327 ай бұрын
Nice option. Re: zipper: in case of failure, just run a cord around the pack. Arched back should make that easy. You do carry extra UHMWPE cordage, right? I actually prefer no hip belt pocket rather than a bad one. OR bottle pockets are my favorite addon pockets.
@BackcountryPilgrim7 ай бұрын
Cordage would work to keep it basically closed but it would be open to the elements. But yeah a necessary repair item if I carried this pack. The hipbelt pocket is good on this one and another would have been appreciated. If they at least had daisy chain on the other side it would be a lot easier to find add-on pockets.
@billb57327 ай бұрын
@@BackcountryPilgrim Did you try it with extra weight? Always curious about load handling. 10:54 You mentioned that it was uncomfortable but didn't say how (unless you meant just the stiff spacer mesh)?
@BackcountryPilgrim7 ай бұрын
I didn't max it out but it carried well. Not uncomfortable on me, but the strap mesh is rougher than I am used to.
@swimpsmagbayao95134 ай бұрын
Yeah but it's the materials I thought the quality is going to last
@BackcountryPilgrim4 ай бұрын
Yeah it looks well built.
@MaekcseN5 ай бұрын
I have seen some bad things going on with this gear, at least the Quechua stuff. A Backpack is nothing you should save money for.
@BackcountryPilgrim5 ай бұрын
I've heard nothing but good about this particular Forclaz pack. I didn't notice anything concerning, but we'll see!
@stelioskaxiris89823 ай бұрын
Quechua is not Forclaz. The Forclaz MTxxx series has been nothing but great for their budget. If someone is just starting hiking, camping etc. spending more than a 100-120 bucks is not that wise on any gear, besides maybe tent. You will replace most of your gear when you understand your needs. Your gear will break down no matter the cost and weather is a great variable for changes. I started hiking on a 50€ budget, went to camping on a 400€ budget and now I'm just tweaking my gear on my needs whenever needed. Pretty sure you can camp on an even smaller budget with full decathlon gear if you'd like and still have fun. Which is what matters in the end of the day.
@MaekcseN3 ай бұрын
@@stelioskaxiris8982 I am not sure about that. I am more into mountaineering and everytime I was saving money on my gear I was regretting it. I was once buying a rainjacket from the adidas outdoor line (not that cheap at all, but in comparison). The jacket was down after one expedition. The inner layer was just gone due to the tension that was produced by the weight of the backpack. The North Face jacket I bought after that is still in use after two expedtions. Another example was an rather old and more in the cheap price class located Deuter backpack (not a bad manufacturer at all). The whole consruction was so badly balanced that I nearly lost my stand at a very dangerous and exposed position. With the up to date Black Diamond backpack I am using now (expensive), this problem is just non-existing. Regarding the Quechua stuff (I do not have experiences with Forclaz yet) I do have a 25l daypack and after half a year of everyday use the inner layer is just gone.
@stelioskaxiris89823 ай бұрын
@@MaekcseN I am not gonna argue with your points cause I see your point of view too. Mountaineering is quite more gear dependent than backpacking, trekking or hiking. Let's have backpacking as an example for my case, cause it has hiking and camping which is what I do. The Forclaz mt100 easy fit is a bag I got for 80 Euros, still using it today. No matter the weather conditions from sun to rain or some light snow I haven't encountered a single tear or anything on it besides some surface scratches that I caused with a knife, but they don't affect the bag at all and it's not the bags fault either. No matter how big I got after a break or how many kilos I lost after, the bag always fits me, gives me good back airflow and it has never tipped me over or felt unbalanced. I can totally see this could be a case of someone doing something more extreme, but the bag is not made with mountaineering in mind. On the rain coat I can't comment. I use a 9 euro poncho in most scenarios, there's a chance they might tear or whatnot, but I don't care for 9 Euros every year or two. This is also something that's quite different in mountaineering, I can see how and why you'd need a good rain jacket to stay in the rain. On the Quechua side, my wife likes their products for backpacking and I've seen them get worked down more easily and on a personal level I got one of her 20lt backpacks for daily city usage and I've seen it fall apart from seams to fabrics. I would never advise on a Quechua product that haven't been through stuff and personally seen it work cause I have the opposite experience too. But Forclaz for backpacking has been my hidden gem. I'm using their sleeping bags, mats and backpacks and I'm having a great time for years now. Also most of not all Forclaz products have a ten year warranty, which is a great thing to have on budget products, even tho I've never needed it yet so i can't comment on how accessible they are. It's been a nice talk and I wish happy days and warm nights!
@MaekcseN3 ай бұрын
@@stelioskaxiris8982 🤝
@milan22734 ай бұрын
Good afternoon,can you tell me maximum weight you carry on this backpack.How does it feels on heavy load?
@BackcountryPilgrim4 ай бұрын
I haven't maxed it out but it's very comfortable!
@milan22734 ай бұрын
@@BackcountryPilgrim thank you for respond
@ANKURBR4 ай бұрын
That zipper is scary without support. Have you tried Decathlon warranty even within 10 years. Their customer service is not good really in terms of taking feedback
@BackcountryPilgrim4 ай бұрын
I haven't had any issues to test their warranty on - sorry you had that experience.
@ANKURBR4 ай бұрын
Any other durable and comfortable bag you know of within about 140$ ?
@BackcountryPilgrim4 ай бұрын
I'd look at Sierra Designs flex series, I think their 40-60l is right in there. In fact I'm selling a brand new one if you like it. :)
@glengullickson65386 ай бұрын
Just ordered my decathlon 50 l
@BackcountryPilgrim6 ай бұрын
Cool! I think you'll like it! Let me know how it goes. :)
@melvinhowell54693 ай бұрын
Great review, thank you!
@BackcountryPilgrim3 ай бұрын
You're very welcome!
@EenTengG3 ай бұрын
12:06 you can get a fanny pack specifically made for that side.
@BackcountryPilgrim3 ай бұрын
I have one that works for it, but is there one by Decathlon?
@EenTengG3 ай бұрын
@@BackcountryPilgrim yeah, multi pocket. And can be use as a sling bag too. I have one. Forclaz multi-pocket bag.
@olivern47842 ай бұрын
@@EenTengGI am having difficulty figuring which pack you find useful. Can you provide some more info? Thanks!
@EenTengG2 ай бұрын
@@olivern4784depends on what you want to do.
@markswishereatsstuff25007 ай бұрын
As soon as I saw that giant zipper in the front of the pack at the 3 min. mark, I was thinking your concern at the 12 min. mark the whole time.
@BackcountryPilgrim7 ай бұрын
Yeah I don't think I've ever heard of any of these kinds of zippers having an issue so maybe it's not a real issue, but it seems iffy. :)
@thecarlob_0077 ай бұрын
I just ordered the other 70li forclaz backpack. Can’t wait to get it and try it out. The main reason I went for this backpack (aside from the price) is the accessibility to the contents that most top loaders do not provide.
@BackcountryPilgrim7 ай бұрын
Perfect! Let me know how you like it!
@ms7fam4337 ай бұрын
Another great review. Seems like a great budget opt. As far as zipper concerns, I've got several hundred miles over the last 4 years on an Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight and it's zipper has never failed. Thanks for continuing to show us new gear.
@BackcountryPilgrim7 ай бұрын
Yeah I don't think I've ever heard of any of these kinds of zippers having an issue so maybe it's not a real issue!
@alandiaz36866 ай бұрын
Great video, thanks for making it 🎉
@BackcountryPilgrim6 ай бұрын
You bet. Thanks for watching!
@Fizzyfuzzybignbuzzy7 ай бұрын
Rain flys for backpacks are so ineffective it actually makes me mad when companies provide that and set people up for failure out there. Internal dry protection from dyneema, nylofume, or even a cheapo garbage bag is the most effective way. 👎👎👎rain flys
@BackcountryPilgrim7 ай бұрын
I disagree that they are ineffective but I never trust them 100%. Further, they do not "work" when they're removed to open the pack, so internal protection is always a requirement for me. Thanks for the comment!
@Fizzyfuzzybignbuzzy7 ай бұрын
@@BackcountryPilgrim I’ve had my stuff completely soaked by water going down my back and finding its way into my stuff. Anyone’s down stuff I really hope they would take the best precautions
@stelioskaxiris89823 ай бұрын
For me rain fly is just a way to keep your backpack as dry as possible, not the items inside. I always put my items inside trash bags and my smaller items in zip bags, no matter what backpack I'm carrying or if I have a rain fly. With some bags even the condensation from your back sweat can get in and make your gear moist, you can never be safe enough with water protection on gear that needs it.
@marcushillerstrom252 ай бұрын
I think your negative points would be more valid for the mt500 or mt900, since this is their simplest and cheapest bag, obviously they have to cut some things off both for price reasons but also so their more expensive bags can have some unique features. Nice review 👍