MLD Burn on the Cape to Cape Stroll | Western Australia, 2010.
Between 2010 and 2015, I hiked greater than 19,000 miles (30,577 km) carrying a Mountain Laurel Designs Burn. This included multi-week journeys in Australia, New Zealand and the calendar yr triple crown of 2012 (plus eight of the opposite 12 Lengthy Walks). Suffice to say, I feel it’s a fairly good pack. Hope you weren’t ready for a drawn-out verdict; suspense has by no means been my sturdy go well with ;-).
Particulars
Value: $180
Weight: 13 oz / 0.37 kg (consists of sternum strap & exterior bungee wire).
Quantity: 2300 ci (38 L)
Materials: Dyneema X
Load Score:
In accordance with the MLD web site, it’s 25 lbs. Personally talking, I’d say it isn’t too cozy carrying something over twenty-two (i.e. 10 kg).
Sturdiness:
Double thumbs up. Since 2010 I’ve owned two Burns. Every has at the very least 8,000 miles on it. I’ve but to have any tears to the physique of both pack. As you’d count on, the outside mesh pockets have taken a little bit of a beating, however nothing that hasn’t been repairable. In each packs, I discovered that the principal space to point out vital indicators of damage had been the shoulder straps. They began to get a little bit skinny after 6000 miles. Not too shabby, contemplating that’s the equal of roughly three Appalachian Path thru-hikes. (Notice: Since I obtained my final Burn pack in 2012, MLD has subsequently each widened (2.5″) and thickened (0.8″) the shoulder straps. I feel it is a nice transfer, which addresses the one challenge I had with the sooner fashions).
MLD Burn | Larapinta Path, Northern Territory, 2010.
Design:
The Burn is a frameless backpack with a drawstring closure on prime. As with all frameless fashions, the important thing to being comfy out on path is understanding easy methods to load the pack appropriately. A easy, however usually taken as a right ability.
As with different MLD packs, the Burn has a slim profile. This was truly the principle motive I went with the pack within the first place. I’ve by no means been a fan of large backpacks, significantly when mountain climbing in technical terrain and sustaining steadiness is essential.
The aspect pockets on the Burn are a very good peak to entry your water bottles. Talking of which, I observed on the MLD web site that the most recent incarnation of the pack employs Dyneema X as a substitute of mesh on the vanguard of each the aspect pockets, in addition to the underside 5″ of the rear pocket. That is to assist forestall snagging and/or abrasion from sharp objects reminiscent of tent pegs. Good contact. Definitely worth the minuscule weight penalty.
The most important load I ever carried within the Burn was throughout an roughly 240 mile stretch between East Glacier and Helena, MT, on the Continental Divide Path (Notice: In August 2012, the Benchmark Ranch was closed due to fires).
Abstract:
The MLD Burn is a good alternative when you’ve got a base weight of 10 lbs (4.4 kg) or much less. If you happen to don’t, you’re higher off going with a much bigger backpack. I’ve discovered that the Burn is comfy carrying a complete weight (i.e. gear plus perishables) of as much as 22 lbs. Something greater than that (assuming you may match it in), and it begins to really feel overloaded. For $180, I feel the Burn provides good worth for cash and represents a superb mixture of sturdiness, weight, and efficiency.
MLD Burn at Springer Mountain, GA, December 28, 2012 | Ending level for my southbound AT hike in addition to the “12 Lengthy Walks” journey (Notice: The orange paraphernalia was for searching season).
Disclaimer: I bought MLD Burn #1 with my very own funds. I used to be given #2 freed from cost. I used to be beneath no obligation to write down a overview for the pack.
