MARDINGTOP 70 backpack - more than a trekking, but only almost a tactical (+videó)

After the previous Mardingtop 65 test, I waited with increased interest to see what would be different and what would remain unchanged. Correct packaging, good customer service - I was not surprised that I received the package quickly. At first, the backpack looked like an attractive, well-put-together piece of equipment. This feeling intensified when I picked it up. Strong but pleasant to the touch material, good straps, good buckles. Got the first red dot. I excitedly shot to see if I could find the details I was most curious about. I found it... Unfortunately, only a part of them was repaired, the rest remained the same as before. This is the first black point...

I started the first trip with mixed feelings, because overall the acquaintance was very positive, but I really regretted the couple of missed improvement opportunities... I will write about these in the details.

First impressions

Introducing (video>>>)

During the first shorter tour, we got used to it very quickly, many things became clear: the good experiences and, unfortunately, some unpleasant ones as well. I packed 15 kilograms into it, leaving several parts unused, and set off on a brisk 20 km ride with it. It is comfortable, well adjustable, and all the support points are adequate. Not too soft and not too hard. Since the bag is quite large, but at the same time light, its stability cannot be fully ensured by the settings if you pack it incorrectly. In the case of a real tactical bag, the suspension and material composition is such that it can easily be made comfortable even when packed poorly. However, the price of this is much greater weight. The Mardingtop 70, on the other hand, is light and strong, somewhere between hiking bags and military bags (also in this characteristic).

Walking, climbing steeply, and going downhill quickly were also a good experience with the bag. One disturbing error only appeared when I was running: the strap that pulls the shoulder strap to the top of the bag (which is an important adjustment option) loosened due to shaking. Unfortunately, this did not change later, when the strap was no longer new...

The packability and accessibility were tested on the following multi-day tour and it did not disappoint. It performed convincingly with heavy equipment, in rain and high heat. The other problem appeared here: the shoulder straps are narrow compared to the size of the bag (because it is large, i.e. you can pack a lot in it), and with a heavy pack, they are not the most comfortable on a long tour. But for this I had to load the Mardingtop 70 bag over 15 kg and go over 30 km. In my experience, this weight and load becomes critical for most backpacks.

Details

Size: 82 cm x 30 cm x 22 cm

Volume: 70 liter (the capacity of the main compartment - with the external pockets and storage, it is approx. 15 liters more)

Weight: 2.45 kg

Material: 600 D Polyester, YKK zips

Design, materials

One of my favorites is full first access. Since the interior is large, this is also necessary. It works great, unpacking and packing is much simpler and more transparent than with traditional bags. And the extras on the compartment cover hide even better layout options: a zippered mesh pocket, MOLLE straps on the outside and inside, and a smaller zippered pocket on the outside. This arrangement can only be unpleasant - but it's easy to pay attention to - if you attach a large or heavy object to the compartment lid, since then opening and access are more difficult. But everyone knows (if not before, then from now on...) that it's not a good idea to make things difficult here. And the "big" (e.g. a mattress or opened poncho) can also be put elsewhere.

The zippers, buckles, straps are made of good material and easy to use, the only problem was with the already mentioned upper adjustment strap, everything else worked properly even in rain, cold and heat.

More details

Of course, the Mardingtop 70 also has a top opening, with the usual two closing buckle solution. There is an information diagram on the inside of the lid. This is where I missed the inner hidden "document pocket" a little, but since I don't use it often anyway, it wasn't a big trauma...

On the outer part of the lid, there is a "patch" space typical of tactical bags, where you can put a velcro mark. Of course, you can find the top pocket, which is quite large and still stable, but a little difficult to access. Perhaps the fastening strap that connects here can be confusing, but it also gives extra rigidity and safety. There is also a MOLLE net on top of the cover, as well as two fastening straps (e.g. for the mattress or the raincoat).

The Mardingtop 70 bag has large pockets on both sides, equipped with MOLLE straps. They are spacious and easily accessible, but due to their depth, small items should only be kept wrapped here. Underneath, there is a rubber pocket for long and thin equipment (stands, poles). It could perhaps be a little deeper and have a wider opening, but I didn't need it during the nearly 300 test kilometers. Unfortunately, there are no outlets here either (as elsewhere). However, this is a big problem if the bag is placed in more difficult conditions.

With two well-designed straps on each side, you can hold down the equipment or pull the bag closer together. "Well designed" means that the bag is made of good material, in the right place, and has sufficiently long straps. Unfortunately, this is rare, manufacturers often save money.

Extras

In the main compartment, there are two smaller pockets on the side, which are very practical for multi-day trips (I usually put small things needed for camping here that I don't need during the day, so they would unnecessarily take up space in the external organizer pockets, but at the same time, by taking the sleeping bag, tarpaulin... become available).

The hydration bladder pocket is located in the same place, together with the outlet openings. They are large enough to easily thread the tube of the drinking bag through. Unfortunately, this is also often undersized.

The zippered pocket at the bottom of the bag contains a rain cover corresponding to the packed size of the backpack. Great, even in heavy rain (if you don't strain the bag too much). We say that I don't understand why there is a pink strap right here on the completely forest-colored bag...

There are MOLLE straps in all parts of the bag, precisely and thoughtfully organized, easy to use.

The internal reinforcement is particularly interesting, as it consists of two parts: the usual aluminum slats, which are attached to a plastic sheet and thus stiffen the back of the bag. The plastic sheet can be used as a fixation or splint during first aid. But you can also dig with it...

Detailed inntro (video>>>)

  +   liked

• front opening

• internal pockets

• 600 D material

• rain cover

• manageability

  -   disliked

• carrying strap is weak

• shoulder strap is narrow

• top strap slips

• outlet openings are missing

  *   recommendation

• organizer

• larger lower side compartment

• front strap to carry

• removable waist strap

Recommendation

The backpack is very good in every detail, but at the same time undersized. If we look at its size and (intended) use, the buckles and straps (especially the carrying strap) are weaker than would be optimal. At the same time, the design and construction are of high quality, so if used as intended, but "carefully", it will hold its own. Only for the intended use, caution is not the primary consideration...

I recommend it for hiking use above 160 cm, although the back system is adjustable, the height of the bag can cause instability for shorter users. It is very good for hiking, as it is comfortable, strong and extremely practical.

I can only recommend it for bushcraft or tactical use with strong restrictions, due to the lack or weakness of critical parts. However, if you pay attention to some critical points of the bag during use, it will serve all bushwalkers well.

The price-value ratio is very good, but we cannot expect a long service life in case of rougher use.

Technical matrix