Reviews > Packs > Frameless Backpacks and Day Packs > Molehill Mountain Back Pack Diaper Bag > Thomas Vickers > Initial Report

Molehill Mountain Equipment Backpack (Diaper Bag)  Initial Report

October 22, 2005

Tester Background:
I grew up in the piney woods of southeast Texas. Camping was a quick trip into the mosquito-infested woods behind the house. My style has evolved and over the last 4 or 5 years, I have begun to take a lighter weight approach to hiking gear (I still use sleeping bags and tents, just lighter versions). While I have flirted with lightweight hiking, I feel that I am more of a mid-weight hiker now. My philosophy is one of comfort, while carrying the lightest load possible.

Expectations:
My visit to the Molehill Mountain Equipment website left me with a lot of questions.   It listed a few of the features for this backpack diaper bag, but it didn't list a lot of details about it.  Basically I was on my own till the bag arrived in the mail, but that isn't too much of a problem.

Arrival:
When the Molehill Mountain Equipment Backpack arrived I was a bit surprised to see that what appeared to be a daypack in the box.  Having done quite a bit of "diaper bag selection" prior to the arrival of my daughter, I was hoping that there was more to this item than met my eyes on the first casual inspection. 

Description:
The Molehill Mountain Equipment Backpack was literally a bag full of surprises. At first glance it appears to be nothing more than a small daypack, but that is where the surprises begin.  The front of the pack has two small pockets that open and close with zippers.   The smaller of the pockets is all mesh and measures three and one half inches by seven inches (9 x 18 cm).  This flat mesh pocket looks like it is good for carrying car keys and other small objects, maybe even a pacifier, since this is technically a diaper bag. The other small pocket rests behind the mesh pocket, has a horseshoe-shaped top and measures about one inch by eight inches by one inch (2.5 x 20 x 2.5 cm).  If empty, it lies flat against the pack, but obviously has room to expand when needed.   Both sides of the pack have a mesh pocket that seals at the top with elastic cord and a cordlock.  These pockets look perfect for holding bottles of all sorts and from my first inspection, the elastic cord and cordlocks look like they can hold anything in the pocket pretty tightly.  From the top of each side mesh pocket, over the top of the pack, there is a line of one inch (2.5 cm) webbing that is sewn to the pack body at three inch (8 cm) intervals.  This reminds me of other gear I have seen where the webbing can be used to attach additional pockets or even tie other gear to the pack.  

The main compartment of the pack measures five inches by sixteen inches by fifteen and one half inches (13 x 41 x 40 cm).  It has one zipper that has two slides which allow the pack to open from the top of one mesh side pocket to the top of the other mesh side pocket.  This compartment is roomy and undivided.  Now at this point of my inspection I was really starting to wonder what made this pack into a diaper bag. It looked like a regular daypack and I was worried that organizing baby items in the main compartment was going to be a nightmare.  Fortunately I turned the backpack over and found another zipper.  This zipper ran from the bottom of the pack, over the top and back to the bottom of the pack on the other side.  Access to the zipper was easiest when I unfastened the quick release buckles on both shoulder straps and flipped them out of the way. 

When I got the zipper open I finally realized how the Molehill Mountain Gear Backpack realizes its potential as a diaper bag.  Located on the back of the pack is another compartment that holds a removable changing pad, four mesh pockets of various sizes, and a clear plastic bag that is held in place by hook and loop fasteners, but is easily removable.  I had hit the mother load of diaper bag organization.  The changing pad is black, like the pack, and fits into a pocket on the lid to the back compartment.   When the clear plastic bag is removed from the compartment, there are two small mesh pockets and two small mesh pockets.  They lack any elastic or cordlocks, so they don't seal, but look like they can hold items securely.   The smaller pockets measure 3 inches by 6 inches (8 x 15 cm) and the larger pockets measure six inches by nine and one half inches (15 x 24 cm).  This whole back compartment measures thirteen inches by fifteen inches by two inches (33 x 38 x 5 cm).   Wow! I am betting that even my wife is going to be excited by my new test item because she is the queen of baby gear in our household.  So far I am impressed by the separation between the general storage area and the seemingly "hidden" baby supplies storage area. 

A big thanks to Molehill Mountain Equipment and Backpack Gear Testers for allowing me the chance to test these diaper bag.

Reviews > Packs > Frameless Backpacks and Day Packs > Molehill Mountain Back Pack Diaper Bag > Thomas Vickers > Initial Report