OC Evergoods MHP 3.5L first impressions
I’ve only had the pack a short while, but since it’s still quiet here I thought I’d share my first impressions. I think hip packs are a great way to keep your pockets empty and back unburdened.
I knew going in that this hip pack is big. Some reviews said it seemed much larger IRL, others said photo’s made it look bigger than it really is. For me, it’s exactly the size I was expecting. It definitely looks oversized, but that’s an okay trade-off for me, I like having the option to carry some extra items.
I’m very happy with how they’ve done the straps. The pack travels front to back without any snagging or discomfort. The strap keepers elastics are strong, I expect them to last a long time. The compression straps work as expected. I like how this gives me something to clip things on to the outside of the bag when needed. Antibacterial hand gel is something I prefer on the outside of the bag on days where I need it frequently, for example.
The smaller pocket is a bit narrower than I thought when worn. The main pocket looks bigger than I thought. It just fits a size L sweater, but doesn’t fit a slightly thicker size L hoodie.
If anyone’s wondering about specific items in this pack, feel free to ask. If I have a similar sized item, I’ll test it.
The pack is very comfortable as a hip pack, a bit less so in sling mode for women it seems, but that probably goes for most sling bags. It’s still a good option, but hip pack mode is preferred.
I’m a bit sceptical about the usefulness of the spacer mesh on the back pannel. The mesh seems fine, but the pack hugs your body, so I don’t think there will be that much air flow no matter the material. It does provide some padding, though.
Unlike what I’ve read about other Evergoods bags, this thing isn’t a hair and dust magnet. My cat is shedding a lot and has already slept on it, but the hairs come off by simply wiping them away with my hands. No dust to speak of either, and I’ve got the black version, so it shows everything that does get on there.
Overall, I’m very happy with this pack so far. It’s not very fashionable (to me), but I can see myself using it for a very long time. I do think they could have kept the core bag a bit smaller if they had gone with an elastic pocket on the outside somewhere, or just some straps.
Also, I think the organisation in the CAS is better (except the key leash placement).
That being said, this bag is good enough that if they were to address both, I don’t think I’d make the effort upgrade.
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