Comments on: Patagonia updates the MLC, lowers price http://www.practicalhacks.com/2009/08/03/patagonia-updates-the-mlc-lowers-price/ Gadgets, gear, and greatness for people on the go Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:48:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Kevin http://www.practicalhacks.com/2009/08/03/patagonia-updates-the-mlc-lowers-price/comment-page-1/#comment-2102 Kevin Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:03:13 +0000 http://www.practicalhacks.com/?p=6631#comment-2102 Ray - Thanks for your comments. I should be receiving a sample in the next week or so, and will give it a full review. kc Ray -

Thanks for your comments. I should be receiving a sample in the next week or so, and will give it a full review.

kc

]]> By: Ray http://www.practicalhacks.com/2009/08/03/patagonia-updates-the-mlc-lowers-price/comment-page-1/#comment-2101 Ray Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:45:01 +0000 http://www.practicalhacks.com/?p=6631#comment-2101 I have recently bought the new version MLC bag and thought I'd add my penny's worth. The 'separate' padded laptop compartment isn't a separate sleeve but an integrated zippered compartment, which internally runs the entire length and width of the bag. If you slide a laptop in there (you could almost get two 15" laptops in side by side!), I would still put it in its own padded sleeve as the MLC padding doesn't run all the way around i.e. if you have it in rucksack mode - the 'bottom' isn't padded so carelessly/accidentally dropping the bag down at the airport in this position could result in the laptop suffering some damage. I haven't had a chance to road test the MLC but it looks and feels spacious. I can confirm that the 4.5" width official product description is incorrect - it is over 6" in width and has the flexibility to expand out as a fabric bag. The rucksack straps now have a chest strap/buckle attached to make dashing through the airport more comfortable and secure. The straight zip pocket seems to be more restrictive in use than the elephant ear one as there isn't as much access now. I have recently bought the new version MLC bag and thought I’d add my penny’s worth.

The ‘separate’ padded laptop compartment isn’t a separate sleeve but an integrated zippered compartment, which internally runs the entire length and width of the bag. If you slide a laptop in there (you could almost get two 15″ laptops in side by side!), I would still put it in its own padded sleeve as the MLC padding doesn’t run all the way around i.e. if you have it in rucksack mode – the ‘bottom’ isn’t padded so carelessly/accidentally dropping the bag down at the airport in this position could result in the laptop suffering some damage.

I haven’t had a chance to road test the MLC but it looks and feels spacious. I can confirm that the 4.5″ width official product description is incorrect – it is over 6″ in width and has the flexibility to expand out as a fabric bag.

The rucksack straps now have a chest strap/buckle attached to make dashing through the airport more comfortable and secure.

The straight zip pocket seems to be more restrictive in use than the elephant ear one as there isn’t as much access now.

]]> By: Bob http://www.practicalhacks.com/2009/08/03/patagonia-updates-the-mlc-lowers-price/comment-page-1/#comment-2005 Bob Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:42:37 +0000 http://www.practicalhacks.com/?p=6631#comment-2005 Just had an email from Patagonia re their Summer sale ( probably winter sale for us in the Southern Hemi!!) But they are selling the old MLC bag the one with the elephants ear front pocket for 87.50 USD Just had an email from Patagonia re their Summer sale ( probably winter sale for us in the Southern Hemi!!)

But they are selling the old MLC bag the one with the elephants ear front pocket for 87.50 USD

]]> By: Kevin http://www.practicalhacks.com/2009/08/03/patagonia-updates-the-mlc-lowers-price/comment-page-1/#comment-1981 Kevin Sat, 08 Aug 2009 00:19:20 +0000 http://www.practicalhacks.com/?p=6631#comment-1981 Bob - Thanks; this is really helpful to all of us. I'm definitely trying to get my hands on one. kc Bob – Thanks; this is really helpful to all of us. I’m definitely trying to get my hands on one. kc

]]> By: Bob http://www.practicalhacks.com/2009/08/03/patagonia-updates-the-mlc-lowers-price/comment-page-1/#comment-1980 Bob Fri, 07 Aug 2009 23:05:12 +0000 http://www.practicalhacks.com/?p=6631#comment-1980 Hi Kevin, I had a few questions regarding this bag as well so emailed the customer rep (Skye) at Patagonia and here is some of the responses I have received, "Thanks for the note. I did measure the new style of the MLC, style 48107 the 4.5" is actually a bit larger when stretched out, it is more like 6". that is the measure of the bottom of the bag from seam to seam. Overall the newer version stretches out a bit more than the older one in terms of capacity. I'm afraid I don't have any other pictures of the new bag, however it is really similar to the old style with a few exceptions which I listed below. The front zipper on the new one is straight, not angled. The main zippered compartment on the front is above the smaller zippered compartment, on the old style it is reversed. The first large compartment is identical, except the new bag has an internal clip in/out organizer with some mesh pockets. The padded main compartment on the new one doesn't zip all the way around as it does on the old one it only zips about half way so you can't access it from one side. The backpack straps are identical." That prompted another question from me regarding this main compartment on whether it was as described and didnt open flat...the next response... "The middle compartment does open flat. It's just the back compartment with the padded sleeve (the smaller compartment) that doesn't open all the way. In looking at them again, the old version doesn't have the third compartment, that is a new addition to the new style designed just to hold a laptop or flat papers, files etc." so another question what was the size of the "new" third compartment... "The third compartment is very small in terms of width, at the most it expands about 1.5-2" and it has the padded sleeve as well as a place to slide a file in front of the sleeve." The redesign is a positive to me as I can either use the new third compartment for a laptop or a packing folder leaving the main compartment for a more unstructured bundle pack. I hope you get your hands on one soon and give it the "practical hack" treatment. cheers Bob Hi Kevin,
I had a few questions regarding this bag as well so emailed the customer rep (Skye) at Patagonia and here is some of the responses I have received,

“Thanks for the note. I did measure the new style of the MLC, style
48107 the 4.5″ is actually a bit larger when stretched out, it is more
like 6″. that is the measure of the bottom of the bag from seam to
seam. Overall the newer version stretches out a bit more than the older
one in terms of capacity.

I’m afraid I don’t have any other pictures of the new bag, however it is
really similar to the old style with a few exceptions which I listed
below.

The front zipper on the new one is straight, not angled. The main
zippered compartment on the front is above the smaller zippered
compartment, on the old style it is reversed.

The first large compartment is identical, except the new bag has an
internal clip in/out organizer with some mesh pockets.

The padded main compartment on the new one doesn’t zip all the way
around as it does on the old one it only zips about half way so you
can’t access it from one side. The backpack straps are identical.”

That prompted another question from me regarding this main compartment on whether it was as described and didnt open flat…the next response…

“The middle compartment does open flat. It’s just the back compartment with the padded sleeve (the smaller compartment) that doesn’t open all the way. In looking at them again, the old version doesn’t have the third compartment, that is a new addition to the new style designed just to hold a laptop or flat papers, files etc.”

so another question what was the size of the “new” third compartment…

“The third compartment is very small in terms of width, at the most it expands about 1.5-2″ and it has the padded sleeve as well as a place to slide a file in front of the sleeve.”

The redesign is a positive to me as I can either use the new third compartment for a laptop or a packing folder leaving the main compartment for a more unstructured bundle pack. I hope you get your hands on one soon and give it the “practical hack” treatment.

cheers
Bob

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