F Gear Military Marpat WL 50 Rucksack Review: Comfortable Pack At Affordable Price

While F Gear Military Marpat WL 50 Rucksack may not excel as a heavy load carrier, this pack provides comfort and an impressive array of features at a budget-friendly price, making it well-suited for moderate loads.

Price: (-64%) ₹1,627
Manufacturer: F Gear

Our Verdict

The F Gear Military Marpat WL 50 Rucksack stands out in a remarkable backpack lineup as a versatile and budget-friendly option.

Versatile and budget-friendly option
Excels in carrying medium loads
Not designed for weights exceeding 30 pounds
Lightweight design despite numerous pockets and features
Thin fabrics and lighter-duty suspension contribute to its low weight
Ideal for those looking for an elegant, versatile, and cost-effective backpack

Comfortable
Lightweight
Easily personalized

Limited weight capacity

Our Analysis and Test Results

Important

The F Gear Military Marpat WL 50 Rucksack showcases smart design with customizable features, making it an excellent choice for a diverse range of users. Despite its lightweight build, we were pleasantly surprised by its comfortable performance when carrying a backpacking load.

Comfort

The F Gear Military Marpat WL 50 Rucksack offers remarkable comfort, contouring well to your body.

It maintains a pleasant feel, especially when the load stays below the 30-pound threshold, even during extended days on the trail.

The pack sits securely on your back, with the frame efficiently distributing the weight between the hip belt and shoulder straps.

Carefully positioned padding on the back panel and waist belt ensures comfort and support while allowing airflow through strategic gaps.

The hip belt and shoulder straps boast dense foam padding, striking a balance between solidity and cushioning.

The shoulder straps, designed for lighter weight support, feature slightly less dense foam and breathable mesh for optimal ventilation against your body and on the outer face of the straps.

Ease of Use

F Gear’s Packmod design, as featured in the Marpat WL 50, is awe-inspiring. The F Gear Military Marpat WL 50 Rucksack incorporates several ingenious features that can be adjusted or removed to simplify packing for any journey.

The modular elements of this backpack include two side compression straps on each side, a removable top lid, and a tool attachment loop. What sets it apart is the seamless lid removal, showcasing thoughtful design.

The main pack body employs a roll-top closure, aiding in compressing the load and maintaining stability beneath the lid.

Without the lid, the buckles designed for its security seamlessly double as closures for the side roll-top. Shifting these buckles to the back of the pack secures the roll-top closure in place.

The F Gear Military Marpat WL 50 Rucksack is hydration compatible, and its side bottle pockets stand out as some of the best executed we’ve encountered.

They effortlessly accommodate wide-mouth bottles, and with a snap-secured strap, narrow-mouth bottles stay securely in place without unnecessary movement.

Unlike some designs that may hinder natural arm movement when accessing bottles, this pack keeps them in a vertical orientation, making them easily accessible even for those with limited flexibility, thanks to their forward positioning.

Weight-to-Volume Ratio

The remarkable lightness of the F Gear Military Marpat WL 50 Rucksack caught our attention. Despite its low weight, one might assume it wouldn’t handle loads effectively.

Surprisingly, this backpack outperforms packs nearly twice its weight, showcasing impressive carrying capabilities for an average backpacking load.

Its exceptional comfort becomes evident on extended days when fatigue sets in, and reaching camp becomes a welcome relief.

The Flash stands out as one of the lightest in our tests, offering 50 liters of packing space at well under 3 pounds.

For those seeking an even lighter option, removing the lid and various optional pockets and straps further reduces its weight.

Adjustability

Provides flexibility for both taller and shorter individuals
Allows for a precise fit, enhancing overall comfort
Waist belt padding is stationary
Webbing accommodates up to a 50-inch waist for medium size
Padding limits comfort for those at the larger end of the size spectrum
Generally, with the correct size, the pack offers an excellent fit for the majority of users

Fit and Sizing

The F Gear Military Marpat WL 50 Rucksack provided an excellent overall fit. In contrast to designs with more adjustable features, this pack lacks an adjustable torso length or hipbelt.

Surprisingly, this absence didn’t pose any problems, as I could still fine-tune the fit using the shoulder strap adjustments and load lifters. The sternum strap, sliding effortlessly along a track, added to the customization options.

Sustainability

In 2022, F Gear, like many outdoor companies, has embraced a clear commitment to sustainability in both materials and design.

The F Gear Military Marpat WL 50 Rucksack showcases a robust finish created without harmful chemicals (PFC-free DWR), boasting a long lifespan without the need for maintenance or reapplication. Additionally, 45 percent of the pack’s fabrics are made from recycled materials.

F Gear asserts that these measures have contributed to a 29 percent reduction in Focal and F Gear’s overall environmental footprint, encompassing decreased carbon emissions, water pollution, smog formation, and energy consumption.

While limiting consumption or opting for used items remains a top recommendation for reducing environmental impact, supporting companies actively working towards a healthier planet, like F Gear, is a commendable choice if making a purchase.

Should You Buy?

The F Gear Military Marpat WL 50 Rucksack combines affordability with excellent usability, making it a high-value option.

Deserves consideration for those seeking a:
Lightweight
Comfortable
User-friendly pack
Reasonable price
Lightweight ripstop fabric
Sturdy enough with proper care
May not have the utmost durability
Presents a compelling array of features considering its price point

Alternative To F Gear Military Marpat WL 50 Rucksack

The F Gear Military Marpat WL 50 Rucksack stands out as an ultralight, comfortable, and versatile backpacking option that comes at a budget-friendly price. For those in need of a heavy load hauler, the TriPole Walker 65 is worth considering.

If your preference is for an even more streamlined, ultralight pack with a proven track record on long trails, the TRAWOC 60 is a solid choice.

Alternatively, if you prioritize comfort with a simpler pocket configuration, the Wildcraft Trailblazer Plus is worth exploring.

F Gear Military Marpat WL 50 Rucksack Review: Comfortable Pack At Affordable Price

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Our Verdict