Review: MEC Pipeline Pack

MEC may not be the first name people think of, but they have always had a full line of riding packs ranging from small water bladder holders, to packs that are suitable for a big back country day. Hitting the mid point in their lineup is the Pipeline 12L daypack, named after the famous trail on Fromme. The pack has three unique colour options and they sell for $75. Tested is the grey/purple, or as MEC names it “Fossil/Purple Rain”. It’s taken a while to get used to the colour, which is bright and definitely sets it apart from the crowd.

  Hiding behind the bright purple is a pair of knee pads that fit perfectly.

The body of the bag has three main compartments, the rearmost compartment holds a 1.5L bladder, the main compartment is a large featureless compartment suitable for stowing everything from a rain jacket to your snacks, and the front compartment is setup to hold your pump, tools, phone etc. On the front of the pack, there is a pouch that is the perfect size for carrying an XC helmet or kneepads, with adjustable straps that have buckles to allow you to tighten it up. The hip straps each have a zippered pocket and are just large enough to store an energy bar or multi-tool. There is a zippered panel on the bottom that stows two straps that can be used to carry full leg armour under the pack if you need it, and they can be easily tucked away when you are ready to descend.

Apart from the main features there are many small details that went into the design. The bladder is doughnut shaped to keep the pack flat against your back, and there are a couple of small velcro straps to hold it in place so it doesn’t fold up or shift around. The tails of the chest strap have small elastic loops to keep them snug against your body so there are no loose ends flapping around while riding. There is a whistle on the sternum strap buckle and it’s quite loud, perfect for alerting people to your location or scaring the crap out of your friends. Inside the tool compartment of the back, there are tall open pockets that are perfect for things like pumps, folding saws etc. There are two mesh pockets, one for your wallet, and another for your loose tools which also has a clip for keys.

  The pockets are the perfect size for your tools, the top zip pocket holds a wallet and phone comfortably while keeping them easy to get to.

I’ve been riding with the pack for a couple of months now, and I’ve found very little about it that I would change; I’ve even started to like the colour of it. When adjusted properly it is comfortable, breathes fairly well, and keeps everything I typically carry in it’s proper place. With one exception, the problems that I have are all minor: First, 1.5L is really small for a bladder. For a quick lap of your favourite hill, it’s fine, but if you are out for four or five hours, then you will be needing to carry extra water bottles. Fortunately the main compartment can easily hold a few bottles without affecting the comfort of the pack. It would be easy to swap out the bladder, the only restriction would be size, some of the three litre options may be too long. Most outdoor recreation stores will have different options for bladders to suit your needs.

The Source bladder that came with the pack is sturdy, and from past experience, they are quite resistant to getting smelly and dirty – but, like all Source bladders, the bladder comes with a plastic cap (which Source names their Dirt Shield) that covers the nozzle, and there have been occasions when that cap has caught on something has resulted in either an unscheduled dismount, hilarity, or both.

When climbing, I prefer the shoulder straps a little looser to keep the weight on the hip straps, and then when it’s time to go downhill, the chest straps get tightened up to stop the pack from shifting side to side. Keeping the pack tight isn’t as comfortable, and keeping it loose will let the pack shift around. I like a good hip strap on a pack, and there are a lot that don’t have them. The addition of decently-sized pockets is great, although the multi-tool does tend to wander forward in the hip pocket, where it isn’t totally comfortable.

  Even in the roughest terrain, the pack doesn’t shift around. Photo ~ Jaclyn Delacroix

Mountain Equipment Co-Op has been in the business of making outdoor gear for a very long time. I’ve owned a few of their packs over the years, and they have always been well thought out, durable and good value overall. This pack is no exception. If you need something a little larger for a some back country adventures, they make a 17L pack called the El Dorado (after the area of the same name in the Chilcotins) which is $10 more and offers all the same features.

Pros:
Great value
Well thought out compartments and space usage
Comfortable
Colourful

Cons:
1.5L bladder is too small for longer rides (The pack will take a larger bladder)
Hip pockets may not hold items exactly where you want them.
Colourful

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MEC Pipeline Pack