The Perfect Gear Hauler: Topo Designs Mountain Gear Bag Review
A functional, gear hauling bag made with sustainability and outdoor versatility in mind.
Intro
Product Overview: The Mountain Gear Bag by Topo Designs focuses on carrying the perfect amount of gear for just about any adventure. Effortlessly haul ski gear to the resort, mountain bike gear to the trailhead, or climbing gear to your favorite crag.
Initial Impressions: When I took this bag out of the box, my first impression was… Wow! Seriously, I was impressed by its size, shape, design, and materials. Read on to learn more about this utilitarian marvel.
Design and Build Quality ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Aesthetics: The overall visual appeal of this bag is impressive. It comes in five color options, including Pond Blue/Spice, Loganberry/Bone White, Black, Geode Green/Sea Pine, and Olive/Hemp (these colors are pictured below). It has just the right amount of styling with its roll-top top panel and expandable cinch side pockets.The bag also just looks cool and stands out among others on the market.
Construction: The quality of stitching, zippers, webbing and cinch rope is substantial. This is a well designed bag with every detail addressed by using durable materials and solid stitching methods.
Dimensions and Volume: 20"w x 14"h x 10.5"d with a volume of 48L.
Materials and Durability ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Material Composition: Made from 1000D recycled nylon, 200D lightweight recycled nylon, and a 10 oz vinyl tarp liner on the inside, this bag excels with durability and weather-resistance. It can handle just about anything you throw at it or inside it.
Storage and Organization ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Main Compartment: A large main compartment swallows up gear like a bottomless pit. Inside, there are also mesh organizational pockets that are perfect for gloves, goggles, and other odds and ends. During my testing, I was able to comfortably fit a pair of ski touring boots, helmet, gloves, goggles, and a puffy jacket into the main compartment (with room to spare).
Additional Pockets and Sections: There is a smaller zip pocket on the front panel that is perfect for a wallet, phone, and set of keys (key lanyard included). On both sides of the gear bag, there are two cinch style, expandable pockets for added storage.
Capacity: Practically speaking, you can get a lot of items into this bag. It would be possible to fit any of the following outdoor gear quivers:
ski gear (minus skis and poles of course)
car camping gear
mountain biking gear
climbing gear
day hiking gear
sporting gear
you-name-it gear
Portability and Comfort ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Carry Options: Although there is no backpack-style carry included with this bag, there are still good carry options such as a shoulder strap and burly handles. I wouldn’t want backpack-style carry straps on this particular bag because it likely would be used for storage at home, inside a car, and on short distances from the car to the ski lodge or similar situations.
Comfort: The included shoulder strap works well for hands-free carry and is size adjustable. However, it is a standard strap with no special padding so it is not meant for long distance carry. The shoulder strap can also be removed using the included clips.
Functional Features ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Straps and Attachments: There is daisy chain webbing on the front exterior of the Mountain Gear Bag that can be used as attachment points for additional accessories like water bottles, hats, or smaller items. All zipper pulls also include colorful paracord for a sure grip and quick usage.
Closure System: The top of the main compartment has a roll top panel which can be rolled away so that the bag can be carried open. The main compartment can also be closed with a zipper as needed. The drawstrings on the side pockets cinch down effortlessly and are effective in securing contents inside.
Ease of Access: When the top of the main compartment is rolled up and out of the way, it is easy to access gear on the go, especially in a vehicle on the way to the trailhead. Once at your destination, the bag can be quickly emptied out in order to get on with adventures more quickly.
Practicality and Versatility ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Everyday Use vs. Outdoor Use: This bag wouldn’t be ideal for commuting to work or school. However, it is perfect for outdoor gear hauling (as the name implies) or to compartmentalize and organize everyday items in the back of your car.
Maintenance: During my testing, the bag got a bit scuffed up but really didn’t need much in the way of cleaning and maintenance. Brushing dirt off the nylon with a damp cloth worked well when needed.
Sustainability and Ethical Considerations
Eco-Friendly Aspects: The Mountain Gear Bag is made with 100% recycled nylon that has high abrasion resistance, making it a bag that will last for the long haul. That’s ultimately better for the environment. Fabrics used in this product come from certified dye mills which ensures that the chemical composition consists of safe and healthy materials too.
Manufacturing Standards: This product among many others from Topo Designs meet fair labor standards for the safety, health, and wellness of employees. For more details about Fair Wear practices, check out fairwear.org.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Build quality
Gear storage capacity
Durability
Color options
Cons:
Dark colored interior. One thing that would make this bag even better would be to change the color of the waterproof vinyl tarp liner on the inside. It’s easy for dark colored items to get lost in the depths of the bag. Having a bright orange or yellow interior would make it easier to find items when digging around for personal items in the large, main compartment.
Overall Rating = 5.0
Conclusion
Final Thoughts: My overall impression of the Topo Designs Mountain Gear Bag based on testing in various scenarios, is a great one. It is a versatile bag that can handle a wide range of gear while its timeless aesthetics keep it classy. I’ve rated this bag a 5 out of 5 because it is truly that good!
Value for Money: The Mountain Gear bag normally retails for $149 and is on early holiday sale right now for $109.00. Use my discount code JOHNLAGPHOTO_20OFF at checkout and snag yourself an incredible deal on this bag. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed.
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