Reviews > Navigation and Map Gear > Map Cases > Mountain Designs Map Case > Owner Review by Ralph Ditton

I have evolved from being a heavyweight backpacker of approximately 28 kg (62 lb) including all my water and food to a mid- weight backpacker averaging 18 kg (40 lb). I am still trying to get lighter with better equipment. My trips range from overnighters to five days duration.

Mountain Designs Map Case
(Courtesy of Mountain Designs)

Product Information
Manufacturer: Mountain Designs.
Manufacturer's  URL: http://www.mountaindesigns.com
Year of manufacturer: Not stated.
Model: Large.
Measurements: None stated.
Weight: Not stated.
MSRP: AU $21.95

My Measurements
Large size: L 435 mm x B 290 mm (17.1 in x 11.4 in).
Thickness empty: 1.3 mm (0.05 in).
Thickness at Rollover closure: 17 mm (0.7 in).
Number of folds in rollover closure: 3.
Weight: 180 g (6.4 oz).
Length of neck strap: 101 cm (39.8 in).
Width of neck strap: 18 mm (0.7 in).
Width of edge seam: 5 mm (0.2 in).

Introduction
I purchased the map case in December 2005 as I wanted something to hold my map that I was currently using at the time without always taking my pack off to get the map out. If I was walking with a companion I would get them to get it out of my pack whilst still wearing it. The system was very cumbersome and inefficient with time.
I was aware of the map case as I had seen other hikers with them. What finally clinched the deal was one wet day my map got wet. It was not one of my plastic coated maps unfortunately.

Product Description
The manufacturer has two sizes available, a small and large. I chose the large size as some of my maps are of the scale of 1 : 50 000. Breaking down the size the scale means 1 cm = 500 m (0.39 in = 0.31 mi).
The map case is rectangular made out of a clear thick gauge plastic. The manufacturer does not state if the plastic is non-PVC, UV-resistant. I can only surmise that it is as there is only a very faint plastic smell. I have to put my nose to it to smell. There is an opening all along the top. The other three edges are heat seamed sealed together at a width of 5 mm (0.2 in).
This basically forms a waterproof plastic envelope.

sealed edges
The seams are holding up well to my stuffing maps and a compass into the pocket. There is no sign of any separation or tears along the seam.
Towards the top of the map case, heat sealed onto the front and heat sealed onto the back are two heavy duty black vinyl strips to which are sewed the hook and loop strips. The hooks are on the front strip and the loops on the rear strip.
 
hook and loop strips strip
Above the strips is the area where the plastic folds down and where maps and aids are inserted. This area is marked with three horizontal crease lines similar to a very shallow clip lock. They do not clip together as such as I can very easily pull them apart. They are there as an aid to where to fold the plastic and provide a moisture barrier by being creased along the lines.

When I have folded the plastic in three and put it under the front black strip with the hooks, it is then just a matter of bringing the back black strip with the loops forward and pressing it onto the hooks waiting to receive the loops. This then forms a closure of the map case.

folds

Press studded onto the back strip are two loops that contain a buckle each. Through the buckles pass the neck strap.
To adjust the neck strap it is just a matter of tilting the buckle and either push or pull the neck strap in whatever direction I want to adjust it.

buckle
The neck strap is a synthetic webbing and to date shows no sign of wear or fraying.

Use in the Field

• Have a map at the ready.
• Keep a map dry.
• Protect a map from being damaged.

I use the map case on most of my walks whereby I place the map relevant to the area that I am walking in.
One thing I learned very quickly was to be very aware of how I placed the map inside the map case.
The first few times I put it in the wrong way. What is the wrong way?
I put the map in without thinking about how I was going to view the map. When I put the map in originally the first few times, it was upside down when I lifted the map case up to view it.
Basically, I have learnt to place the North orientation to the base of the map case so that it is hanging around my neck upside down.
When I go to look at it, I lift it up and the map is then the right way up to me.

On occasions when I do not need my compass hanging around my neck, especially when I am on a well defined track, I place it inside the map case. One less thing banging around my neck.

It did take me a few trips to get used to the map case hanging around my neck as I normally do not have straps hanging around it. In addition, the map case tends to bang against my chest when walking.
When going up steep hills, the map case hangs vertically and swings about which I find a bit disconcerting. When it gets a really good swing up, it bangs into my walking stick and/or the bushes.

map case in the field

When I am walking the Bibbulmun Track, I have the actual map for the section facing the front so that when I lift the map case to my eyes it is there. Behind the map I place the photo copies of the track notes. The notes are markers along the track such as the following:

•  9.0 km Pass extensive granite outcrops on right. Soon after pass Etmilyn Siding.
• 10.4 km Turn right onto old railway line and pass through swamp.
• 13.3 km At Ref Tree CW 69/4 join Inglehope Rd which comes in from your right.

When it has been wet and I have had the map case getting wet, there has been no hint of moisture getting inside the case. Not even condensation.
If I have to change the "page" of the map, I wipe my hands dry, take the map out, fold it to the section that I want and re-insert it, folding the rollover closure shut.

Through continuous use, the map case has not shown any signs of wear, damage or discolouration of the plastic due to UV light.
The photo below shows the good condition of the map case after nearly a year of use.

still in good condition

Summary
I purchased the map case for better time management so that I could reach my destination a bit quicker. I did not like taking my 18 kg to 20 kg  (39.6 lb to 44 lb) pack on and off to reach my map in the pack. I was doing this a number of times during a hike. Invariably when I had the pack off I would have a dingo's breakfast (a scratch, a stretch and a look around).
My time management has improved and happily, my maps are better protected. The edge of the open zippers did cause havoc to my paper maps when I transferred them in and out of the hood compartment of my backpack.

Things I like

• Easy access to the map and track notes.
• Protection from wet weather.
• Protection from the bushes and shrubs.
• Can lay map case on the ground to do a compass bearing and not have the wind blow it around.
• Longer lasting maps.

• Swaying map case around my neck , especially going up hills.

Reviews > Navigation and Map Gear > Map Cases > Mountain Designs Map Case > Owner Review by Ralph Ditton