MEC Expedition Backpack – MEC IBEX 80 Reviewed
Mountain Equipment Co-op Ibex 80 Backpack: 9/10 in it’s class
Where to get it: MEC
What it costs: $165
I can’t leave a MEC store without dropping $500. Damn! I hold MEC stores in high regard and always give their house brand a shot. Results have been a mixed bag of gems and duds.
I don’t mind spending money on good equipment that keeps you comfortable and safe and that will last a long time, but YES! I didn’t have to on this pack. $165? What the..
The 3 most important factors to me when picking out a pack:
1) Is it comfortable?
2) Can it store all my stuff in a reasonably accessible manner.
3) Will I destroy this easily..
Everyone has their own needs when it comes to a pack. Here’s what I use my pack for:
1) Backpacking Travel
2) Hiking / Rock Climbing / Ice Climbing
3) Camping Trips
Where to get it: MEC
What it costs: $165
I can’t leave a MEC store without dropping $500. Damn! I hold MEC stores in high regard and always give their house brand a shot. Results have been a mixed bag of gems and duds.
I don’t mind spending money on good equipment that keeps you comfortable and safe and that will last a long time, but YES! I didn’t have to on this pack. $165? What the..
The 3 most important factors to me when picking out a pack:
1) Is it comfortable?
2) Can it store all my stuff in a reasonably accessible manner.
3) Will I destroy this easily..
Everyone has their own needs when it comes to a pack. Here’s what I use my pack for:
1) Backpacking Travel
2) Hiking / Rock Climbing / Ice Climbing
3) Camping Trips
MEC Ibex 80 Expedition Pack Review
The Good:
*Super comfy shoulder, sternum and hip belt straps. They keep the load well adjusted and stable. You can evenly distribute weight. The shoulder straps are contoured and allow flexible shoulder movement.
*Lots of pockets..but not tooooo many. Well designed to keep things organized.
*Pack has a huge capacity. Check my list below of what I packed on my recent trek through Africa.
*Nice compression straps for tent etc.
*So far so good on reliability and not tearing or breaking things on it. It’s been on flights and thrown down rocks..in water..in weather.
The Bad:
*I broke the cross chest strap on this in the first 6 months of wearing it. You can’t replace the piece because it’s custom to that pack, so I had to go to MEC and get them to deal with it. They are really good about bringing back broken gear, so it wasn’t a problem.
*The pack can get a little hot. There are designs with mesh backs to keep it off your back, but to me, those are uncomfortable.
*The spine, which has to be adjusted when you first get it if you want to do it right, is a BIATCH to un-velcro and re-velcro…but that’s probably good, cause you only have to mess with it once and you wouldn’t want it un-velcroing (word?) on you.
The Ugly:
Hey..it’s not ugly! I got the green one cause I roam around in the mud and grass.
My most recent trip with this pack was to Africa for 5 weeks backpacking. Here’s what I fit in it:
*Links to the actually stuff! Look at the work I did!*
*2 man tent –
*1 Small Blanket
*1 Pack Towel
*4 T-Shirts
*4 Delicates
*4 Sock Pairs
*1 Jeans
*1 Hiking Pants
*1 Climbing Pants
*1 Shorts
*1 Toiletries Kit
*1 Trunks!
*1 Raincoat
*1 Climbing Harness
*1 Climbing Daisy Chain
*1 Climbing Shoes
*1 Climbing Helmet
*1 Belay Device
*1 Hydration Bladder
*1 Macbook Pro
*1 Headphones
*1 GOPRO Camera
*1 Multitool
*1 First Aid Kit
Everyone’s body is different too, so no one pack is the best. Spend some time figuring out what’s best for you. For Christ..put a full load in it and walk around the store! You can even take this one step further and watch videos of people packing and adjusting their packs. I do! It’s fun!
Overall, I give this guy a 9.0/10 in its class.
Here are some awesome sites to help you pick your pack:
MEC’s own tutorial
Some key features you may want in your pack (Video!)
How to wear/get fitted for a pack (Video!)
Cheers!
Matt
*Super comfy shoulder, sternum and hip belt straps. They keep the load well adjusted and stable. You can evenly distribute weight. The shoulder straps are contoured and allow flexible shoulder movement.
*Lots of pockets..but not tooooo many. Well designed to keep things organized.
*Pack has a huge capacity. Check my list below of what I packed on my recent trek through Africa.
*Nice compression straps for tent etc.
*So far so good on reliability and not tearing or breaking things on it. It’s been on flights and thrown down rocks..in water..in weather.
The Bad:
*I broke the cross chest strap on this in the first 6 months of wearing it. You can’t replace the piece because it’s custom to that pack, so I had to go to MEC and get them to deal with it. They are really good about bringing back broken gear, so it wasn’t a problem.
*The pack can get a little hot. There are designs with mesh backs to keep it off your back, but to me, those are uncomfortable.
*The spine, which has to be adjusted when you first get it if you want to do it right, is a BIATCH to un-velcro and re-velcro…but that’s probably good, cause you only have to mess with it once and you wouldn’t want it un-velcroing (word?) on you.
The Ugly:
Hey..it’s not ugly! I got the green one cause I roam around in the mud and grass.
My most recent trip with this pack was to Africa for 5 weeks backpacking. Here’s what I fit in it:
*Links to the actually stuff! Look at the work I did!*
*2 man tent –
*1 Small Blanket
*1 Pack Towel
*4 T-Shirts
*4 Delicates
*4 Sock Pairs
*1 Jeans
*1 Hiking Pants
*1 Climbing Pants
*1 Shorts
*1 Toiletries Kit
*1 Trunks!
*1 Raincoat
*1 Climbing Harness
*1 Climbing Daisy Chain
*1 Climbing Shoes
*1 Climbing Helmet
*1 Belay Device
*1 Hydration Bladder
*1 Macbook Pro
*1 Headphones
*1 GOPRO Camera
*1 Multitool
*1 First Aid Kit
Everyone’s body is different too, so no one pack is the best. Spend some time figuring out what’s best for you. For Christ..put a full load in it and walk around the store! You can even take this one step further and watch videos of people packing and adjusting their packs. I do! It’s fun!
Overall, I give this guy a 9.0/10 in its class.
Here are some awesome sites to help you pick your pack:
MEC’s own tutorial
Some key features you may want in your pack (Video!)
How to wear/get fitted for a pack (Video!)
Cheers!
Matt
