The Evergoods Mountain Panel Loader (MPL) 22L was released in late 2023. It’s a scaled down version of their much loved 30L mountain pack, designed for the outdoors, but with some features making it a bit of a sleeper EDC hit.
The bag is made out of 420d nylon rather than their usual 840d. This is great as the MPL 22 weighs in at an awesome 1lb 14oz. Other than the 15L Bullet Classic, it’s the lightest bag I’ve ever owned and this is a great trait for an outdoor oriented bag. It feels plenty durable and the pack has a lifetime guarantee. It doesn’t feel as premium as their 840d, which would be heavier and more expensive.
Comfort is a complex topic here. Many users report a slight digging into the lower back with the CHZ and especially the CPL, and if I’m honest I’ve experienced this myself to a mild degree. They’re comfortable, but they don’t distribute weight on the back as well as a GORUCK or Mystery Ranch Futura harness. Personally I think this might have something to do with the yoke pocket on those packs, angling the bag away from your shoulders just slightly at the top. This however is just a theory.
The MPL 22 is the most comfortable Evergoods pack I’ve used, perhaps because of that lack of yoke pocket, or perhaps I’m entirely misguided. Straps are nice and wide, adequately padded (but not GORUCK padded), and I don’t feel as much pressure on my lower back as with the CPL, though I do feel a little. Still a very comfortable pack, we’re splitting hairs here, but just not quite as comfortable as some others.
There is a very thin frame sheet, quite bendy, but gives some structure and prevents you from feeling anything poke through into your back.
Organization is amazingly well thought out. The upper front stash pocket is perfect for keys wallet and things you want quick access to. The large lower front pocket I typically keep empty and just use to stuff things on my way out the door like hat/gloves in the winter. The main compartment has a U shaped zipper that firstly looks a lot nicer to my eye than the CHZ. The way it arcs seems to make the bag behave very nicely as a half zip if you want it to, it provides a nice stopping point for top access. Unzip all the way for a great clamshell view of the whole pack. Then you’ve got the standard Evergoods pockets inside, one opaque and one mesh.
And while outdoor oriented, it has a very capable laptop sleeve, suspended off the ground. No external access, technically other bags might do it a little better, but it’s there if you need it and will work perfectly fine. Without a laptop, it makes a great place for a hydration bladder that can be very cleverly routed through a layer of fabric on the shoulder straps. They do this on most of their bags and it’s the neatest implementation I’ve seen.
Bottle pockets are as good as they come, these are a little deeper than on any bag I’ve seen including the CHZ, and can be used for all sorts of things.
As for aesthetic, despite being an outdoor oriented bag, I don’t see any reason this doesn’t look perfectly at home in just about any environment from the office to travel. It is classic Evergoods design, clean and minimal. Its appearance is very dependent on what’s in it as the material is quite floppy. Fully packed it’s quite a deep bag, though it still looks pretty good in that state. Underpacked it can appear a little floppy, best to keep it somewhat full top to bottom.
So running down the list, we’ve got a comfortable, lightweight, durable pack with well implemented bottle pockets, organization, hydration, and laptop carry. On paper, this has to be the best bag I’ve owned.
In reality, I don’t love it the way I do some others, at least not yet. To me it feels a little bit plain, and not good enough at anything that I’d grab it over other options. Those are the words of a person with too many backpacks though, this would be a great solution for anyone looking for a single, low key, extremely well thought out pack that can do literally anything and last for ages. It really would be great for day hiking and beach trips, and it seems to be surprisingly popular with EDC commuters.
Just recently, they released an Ecopak version. A bit more expensive, but a recycled material with a bit more structure and a slightly different appearance and texture, as well as a couple colours. Personally that is the one I’d go for if I were buying again.
Evergoods makes terrific in-depth walkthroughs of their products, so if you’re looking for more info on the features and design of the bag, this is really great: