Reviews > Packs > Frameless Backpacks and Day Packs > Molehill Mountain Back Pack Diaper Bag > Chuck Carnes > Long Term Report

Molehill Mountain Equipment
Backpack Diaper Bag
Long Term Report

by Chuck Carnes
Report Date: March 14, 2006

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Carrier / User
Name: Chuck Carnes
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight: 175 lb (79 kg)
E-mail address: ctcarnes1(at)yahoo(dot)com
City, State, Country: Greenville, South Carolina USA

Items carried in pack for
Name: Jonah
Age: 17 Months
Gender: Male
Height: 31 in (79 cm)
Number of diapers used in a day: 5 - 6

BACKPACKING BACKGROUND

Chuck:
I love the outdoors – I’ve spent time camping in the outdoors since I was born, and have been actively hiking and backpacking since then. I consider myself a lightweight hiker, usually carrying 20 – 30 pounds (11-13 kg) for hikes up to a week in length. I hike at an easy pace, averaging 2 mph (3 kph). I am a one-man tent camper for now. I like to carry a single trekking pole when I hike to help relieve stress to my legs and knees. I like to get out on the trail as often as I can.

Jonah:
He really enjoys the outdoors also. He loves looking at the wildlife when it is around. He goes on many day hikes with us as a family and enjoys sleeping in a tent. He is still in diapers and can walk pretty good but not quite stable enough to let him hike on his own without being carried or strolled.

PRODUCT INFORMATION BY MANUFACTURER

Manufacturer: Molehill Mountain
Model: Backpack Diaper Bag
Year of manufacture: 2005
Color:  Purple / Black
URL: http://www.molehillmtn.com
Weight as listed: None listed
MSRP: $49.99 US

Feature (taken from the web site):
Our diaper bags continue to be the best on the market. Fold-out changing pads, innovative carrying features, generous bottle pockets, sanitary "dirty duds" pockets, and durable construction extend the lives of these packs by becoming functional day pack features after the kids are out of diapers.

PRODUCT WEIGHTS AND DIMENSIONS OBTAINED BY TESTER

Weights

Pack	1 lb 5 oz (0.6 kg)
Removable Items:
Changing Pad	6.0 oz (170 g)
"Dirty Duds" Pouch	1.0 oz (28 g)
Total :	1 lb 12 oz (0.7 kg)

Dimensions

Main Compartment:
Height (inside)	14.0 in (35.5 cm)
Width (inside)	12.0 in (30.4 cm)
Depth (inside)	5.5 in (13.9 cm)
Front Pocket:
Height (inside)	10.0 in (25.4 cm)
Width (inside)	9.5 in (24.1 cm)
Depth (inside)	1.5 in (3.8 cm)
Back Panel (changing pad area):
Height (inside)	14.0 in (35.5 cm)
Width (inside)	12.0 in (30.4 cm)
Depth (inside)	3.0 in (7.6 cm)
Side mesh pockets:
Height	7.0 in (17.7 cm)
Changing Pad	11.0 in x 31.0 in (27.9 cm x 79.0 cm)
"Dirty Duds" pouch	7.5 in x 11.0 in (19.0 cm x 27.9 cm)

LONG TERM REPORT

The Molehill Mountain Backpack Diaper Bag is much more than I anticipated in a diaper bag. This pack seems to be very durable. It is made with dense, nylon rip-stop material with 2 in (5 cm) wide curved shoulder straps. The pack sports two mesh gear pockets, one on each side, that measure 7 in (17 cm) deep. The opening is expandable by way of shock cord around the rim and can also be cinched and held tight by a spring loaded barrel clasp. I have to say that this pack has just about every feature that a normal diaper bag has and it can be used as a backpack. For more on my initial impressions and more detailed descriptions of the features on the pack, see my Initial Report.

I have used this bag as our full time diaper bag since my Initial Report. I have to say that this bag has been everywhere from the mall, to church, to downtown, to concerts, to picnics, to hiking and backpacking and everywhere in between. For more information, see my Field Report.

Since my field report, I continue to carry the Molehill Mountain Backpack Diaper Bag when we are away from the house for an extended period of time. This has been an awesome bag for carrying our kids things when we go away for a while. When we go on day hikes, everything we need for the day fits in the bag; clothes, drinks, lunch, diapers, keys, money, and whatever else we need. Changing my son's diaper in the outdoors has become easier with the back panel features and the way it is setup for changing. I have gotten pretty good at being able to change him on the ground without him touching any part of it to keep his hands clean. Since I have gotten faster at doing it, he doesn't have a chance to grab anything that is around him.

When the pack is loaded down with all of the essentials, the pack is still comfortable to carry. I am very pleased at how easy it is to adjust while still on my back and I continue to like the weight distribution when I want the pack lower on my back or higher on my shoulders. I will continue to carry this bag as our "family" outing bag as long as I have a kid in diapers. I still may carry it even after that just because it is a great pack. The only thing that I would like to see added to this bag is an insulated pocket or area of the bag.

Thank you Molehill Mountain and BGT for giving me this opportunity to test this diaper bag.

Reviews > Packs > Frameless Backpacks and Day Packs > Molehill Mountain Back Pack Diaper Bag > Chuck Carnes > Long Term Report