Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus Backpack Review

I really don’t get this whole “I want stays” movement, and even recommending MLD to offer them optional. There’s a reason these packs are called frameless. If you want a pack with frames, I reckon you will love the GG Gorilla (Will does) – or is it a Gorilla in DXG what you really fancy? A pack needs to be designed around stays, you can’t just throw stays in there and expect that they work.

Also, by the look of it I’d recommend you pack the CCF pad in the Exodus as a burrito, that gives it a better structure and should transfer weight better than squeezing it together like in some of the photos above.

Hendrik is correct. Adding stays as an afterthought does little good. There are very few sub 2 pound packs on the market right now that use stays as an integrated part of the suspension system, and consequently carry heavier weights well.

For those who have mld pad straps or added their own pad bungees …could you all post a pic?

Looks like the MLD folks are listening to you. They released a new Exodus today with stays…or rather a suspension system that uses a Carbon Fiber/Delrin frame and a inflatable back panel.

http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=25&products_id=185

Looks awesome, but ~$300 (with belt pockets), is too steep for me. Still, seems like a great pack design with some ideas that will hopefully be incorporated into other packs.