Mountain Hardwear

PCT 70L Backpack

Big load hauler

The layout and org on this pack are amazing! Love having access from the top as well as big panel zipper on the front of the pack. Pockets in the lid and in the overflow are perfect for keeping everything you need for a week plus on the trail organized. The load carry on this pack is great too. Had it loaded up with over 50 pounds on the hike in to the base camp before climbing the Grand Teton and it carried comfortably with no hot spots or tension. Stoked to have a new backpacking pack!

Tested in the Grand Tetons

After a few test runs with gear and a few adjustments, I got this bag to fit perfect. There's a perfect amount of pockets and space to store all your gear in. The inside removable day bag came in pretty handy one night when we set up our base camp then hiked to a swimming spot. The only thing I wasn't a fan of was the trekking pole holders, I tried watching the video on how to get them to work, and I think I kept doing it wrong. Also once you get everything packed in and pulled tight, it was kinda difficult to get my water bottles out of the sides and pretty much impossible to put them back in alone. I either had to have someone help or take my pack off. Still, for the price, size, and features, I'd give it a solid 8.5/10

Not for me

About me: 5'4 with long torso, 125 pounds, purchased M/L. AVID outdoor enthusiast and outdoor professional--meaning I use my pack for work all the time. I have thousands of miles under my belt (most being from weekend to extended 10 day trips). I expect my gear to be streamlined, durable, functional. I have high standards, as I love the Earth and want my investments to last (and not pile up in a landfill). I bought this with excitement, as my 15 year old pack needs retirement. Having great success with the Mountain Hardwear BMG 105 (winter) pack, I thought this would be perfect for smaller loads in summer. Upon receiving it, I was extremely disappointed. Here's why: Pros: *It fits like a glove. (See sizing above) Comfortable. I can tell it wouldn't need a break in period,, and makes the deal-breaking cons that much more of a bummer! Cons: *Sleeping bag compartment? Last I checked, my sleeping bag is far bulkier than my 4 year old's blankie. It is abysmally small and compact. I can't imagine what I'd put in there. What a waste of space. The inability to fully open it to match the main compartments size is frustrating to say the least. It gives me the same feeling of when the car seat belt locks on me inappropriately. "This. Isn't. Supposed. To. Be. So. Tight!!!" Argh! To be clear, it's stitched in a way that the frame of the pack bulges into what should be the compartment, and is super tight on the frontside as well, as it seems they took space out of the bottom compartment to compensate for huge side pockets.... this creates a tight bottleneck to squeeze stuff though into the compartment only slightly larger than the bottleneck. You can see this in the photos. Why, MH? Why?? *Straps under sleeping bag compartment are too short to carry much of anything on bottom-outside when pack is loaded. Where will I put my tent? I like it bottom center for balance and lower weight load. *Speaking of weight load...the stuff it pocket in front might be a quarter to a third of the bag's capacity. It sticks so far off the pack that it feels unbalanced. Not for me. *Water bottle pockets: not super easy to use or convenient to retrieve/return when loaded. I gave it an "okay" on quality, since MH gear is usually tough and lasts, but quality of design on this bag (IMO) sucks. I don't usually leave reviews, but this is an honest one....those are becoming harder to suss out with all the 'bot reviews. This pack might be great for you, but it's not for me. Disappointed. (Also, tried to add photos but it isn't working. With my sleeping bag (up and down, because I sure can't squeeze it in that tiny bottle-necked compartment ) and bear canister in the main compartment, I have about 6" of space left.)

Best pack all around

Perfect size perfect weight. Love these packs. They are tough as nails!

Awesome pack

Very light and durable. Holds everything I need and distributes the weight well. The mesh trampoline back panel provides exhalent ventilation.

Held up on the JMT

This backpack did its job for 225 miles on my JMT thru hike. The 70L will fit a BV500 bear can in horizontal, freeing up top space for the rest of your gear, but also works well vertical. One side pocket can hold two 1-liter smart water bottles well but can get annoying with one prone and the other vertical when trying to stow, but it wasn't a huge issue. Ended up keeping one in each side pocket. Plenty of storage and access for the rest of my gear. The removable daypack came in super handy for my Mt. Whitney summit with plenty of room for a rain jacket, two 1-liter water bottles, filter, gloves, hat, and many, many snacks. Best to roll up the daypack and stow in the bottom of the backpack when not in use. I also suggest removing the lower inside compartment separator to free up packing space when carrying a bear can. I highly recommend a trash compactor bag for a liner as your gear will certainly get wet if subject to a heavy soaking rain. A very comfortable backpacking/multi day pack that can manage weight well. A few small battle scars but no holes.

Great pack for hot weather

i love the trampoline back panel which helps with load bearing but especially helps keep your back from sweating

Near Perfect Camping Backpack

I bought this backpack right before a weekend camping trip at Garibaldi in Whistler. I packed 45lbs worth of gear into it and still had room leftover. Definitely the most comfortable backpack I've used with such a high weight load. The design is amazing as well. There are so many intelligently placed pockets and the straps and zippers are high quality. Only wish that it had a designated spot for a hydration pack water tube to come out of and for the hip pockets to be slightly bigger. It's not quite big enough for a newer iPhone with a case. Overall, this backpack is close to perfect and I highly recommend it

Nice bag. Horrible design

Familiarity:

I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

Size Bought:

Med/large

Height:

5' 11"

Weight:

168

Used on an 8 day backpack trip in Alaska. The issues below are deal breakers for me even singularly. 1. The side pockets were a pain to get water bottles in/out with bag loaded. 2 hands needed 2. Hip pocket zip wouldn’t open/close without using 2 hands 3. Pack top not easy to remove. Needs buckle clips 4. Hip belt pockets too small, clumsy adjustment of belt Overall fairly comfortable if you stay on top of tightening the load lifters. I’m going to try a different brand as this pack was a total pain to use.

Revolutionizing backpack design... and succeeding

The most spectacularly thought out feautures on a backpack I've ever seen. The duffel bag opening is convenient and the tightening straps easily cinch down the load from a bazillion angles. Double brain zipper is genius too. You'll just have to see the rest for yourself. Oh and did I mention how comfortable the hip/back/shoulder straps and padding are?