Mountain Laurel Designs Core ready for ordering

"A lot simpler than using an internal trash bag."

C'mon, Man. Seriously.

This thread was intended to notify like minded folks about the new Core. Not debate whether Ron should be using alternative fabric.

"a guy can't have too many packs can he?"

Backpacking Light Tenet # 47: A person cannot have too many packs.

Mike, you must follow the rules.

Dave said "Backpacking Light Tenet # 47: A person cannot have too many packs.

Mike, you must follow the rules."

God Bless you Sir! :)

A pretty, well designed pack.

That's a real nice pack you made, Dan :-)

"This thread was intended to notify like minded folks about the new Core. Not debate whether Ron should be using alternative fabric."

Are you new to the Internet? :-)

I dont see the harm in debating (in a non-hostile way) a product when it's posted in the gear forum. Product announcements not up for debate should purchase banner ads, etc. Or was this a paid ad?

"Product announcements not up for debate should purchase banner ads, etc. Or was this a paid ad?"

It is a paid ad. I am actually Ron but go by Dave for my anonymous internet friends.

Is this Ryan Jordan?

"Now I'm torn between the 1300 and the 1700."

I would go for the 1700. It only adds half an ounce and the pack does come with optional bungie compression. If you were looking for a summit pack, then the 1300 may be better?

I've ordered the 1700 but may end up with a 1300 as well.

Please see Backpacking Light Tenet #47 for more clarification.

I am leaning towards the 1700 as I can use it for longer trips, on shorter ones I can just let my down loft, and I could use it for weekend walks with my toddler no worries. The weight isn't so much the issue, its more I like small packs (who doesn't?) too.

BPL Tenet #47 is a BIG problem with my aim to lead a Minimalist lifestyle. Backpacking gear is my biggest minimalist vice.

"Backpacking gear is my biggest minimalist vice."

Adam, there are a LOT worse vices out there!

I will post some pics when I get it and put it along side some other packs that I have for size context.

just got a (speedy!) reply back from Ron, no modifications for the Core (was hoping for a couple of small stretchy pockets on the sides for bottles); also their little top lid they sell won't fit either

No modifications? Bummer. I was also hoping to add water bottle pockets. Oh well, the hunt continues.

Sorry we do not offer modifications to the CORE pack. It's design (minimum seams, etc) keeps it Simple and reasonable in price. We do have the Burn pack and it's main body is a similar size to the 1700 CORE and it can be made with some modifications like no rear pocket and it accepts all of our pack accessories.

I have to admit that I'm pretty fired up about this backpack.

I never use the belt on my Prophet and wish it wasn't there, even when I was carrying a 12 pack of beer in it.

I've been toying with the idea for a while of carrying my water in a dedicated pouch on my belt so here's a motivating opportunity to try that out.

I do like carrying a few items in my front pocket but I can clip a small pouch to the shock cord loops easy enough so easy enough to work with. I may just skip that altogether and develop a new routine.

8oz

$85

That Wasabi yellow/green really is just dead sexy

I do believe I'm in love.

"I never use the belt on my Prophet and wish it wasn't there, even when I was carrying a 12 pack of beer in it."

I have new found respect for you, Ian.

ordered one, going to give the shoulder strap bottle holders a go. I normally only carry a liter as water is usually plentiful, going to try two 16oz "normal" water bottles a try, they're under 4 oz/each. With two bottles I can tab one w/ a half of a Aquatab and the other ready to go

I ordered the pack on the night of 7/13 and it arrived today, 7/16. I was expecting a wait time, but they must have had some in stock.

Justin- any initial thoughts? weight to spec?

Probably not big enough for the Bob Open though :)

Mike

I'll get back you on the weight.

But I like it. I bought it to replace my patagonia ascensionist 25L pack. I really didn't like the lid system on it. The MLD has a nice big collar that makes packing easy. The opening on the patagonia was a bit small and it made it harder to pull stuff out. It's a bit bigger than the patagonia 25 liter, which I like, but not big enough that it's competing with my Ohm. Much lighter too, still with durable fabric. The fabric seems plenty durable enough for bushwhacking.
The roll top buckles are very tiny, not sure if that makes them less durable?
Not much else to say, it's a really simple pack.

Just arrived and….I really like it! The shoulder straps are heavily padded for such a small pack but yet the weight is gossamer. Typical great MLD quality as well.

nice- hoping mine arrives soon :)

I am sure it will, Mike – I am in Canada….

well hells bells, went out to the mailbox and there it is :)

like you said MLD quality throughout, should easily fit 3 days or so of kit

9.6 oz w/ the waist belt, sternum strap and shock cord setup- the shock cord is the heavier stuff, could probably shave a little with smaller diameter stuff

the bottle holders are a slick setup

I ordered one yesterday. I tried the water bottle on the shoulder strap thing with my ULA Ohm 2.0 and didn't really care for it. Figured that since my options were pretty limited with this pack, to give it another try.

So are most of you getting them within a week? Out of curiosity, did any of you get an email and tracking number when it was mailed out or did it just arrive? Trying to guess if I have a snowball's chance of hiking with it this weekend or not. He's saying a two week wait on packs so I'm not holding my breath, but remaining hopeful.

"the bottle holders are a slick setup"

Are you carrying yours high or low on your shoulder straps? Which bottle did you end up going with?

the shock cord and 1/8″ w/ cord lock was 19 grams (0.7 oz) replaced w/ 3/32″ and smaller cord lock is 8 grams (0.3 oz)- an easy .4 oz :)

no tracking number for me, ordered mine 7/16, received today- exactly a week

I’m hitting the grocery store this weekend and will do some experimenting w/ bottles- I have Vitamin Water 20 oz bottles that I’ve used, but they are 1.4 oz each, thinking they could be lighter- I have some 16 oz plain jane water bottles that are only 0.4 oz, similar constructed 20 oz bottle should be 0.5-0.7 I’m thinking?????

I’ll have to play with the height, but on my Montane Dragon- I’d say medium height which worked pretty well