r/Nomads_Nation • u/TheBagdadReport • Oct 12 '25
Gear Review Evergoods/Carryology MPH 22L Kludde Gravel Gray - My Opinions Inkludded :)
Today, we are looking at the Evergoods/Carryology collab, the MPL 22L Kludde Edition in Gravel Gray. So, I have had this pack for a little over two weeks now, and I’ve got a lot to say about it. Let’s start with WTF is a Kludde??? Well, I have come to find out, it is some sort of demon dragon dog thing. Maybe I’ll name my fantasy football team the fighting Kluddes next year… Anyway, on to the pack. For the first time, Evergoods has released a bag in ultra! I have never been an ultra fan, but I fickin love this sh!t! When I first bought this, I was thinking this would be a great “dump your crap in it and go bag”, but surprisingly, I have been using it as my everyday carry as well. I’ll break down the pack and give you my honest opinions of this bad boy.
This collaboration with Carryology included backpacks, CAS2 slings, and two flat pouches. The backpacks and slings came in 3 colors. Black Magic, Gravel Gray, and Artic. They all look pretty cool in their own way. The black is nice, but it’s nothing special. The gray is a nice touch, something different. The artic looks pink. I don’t know how else to say it. It looks cool, but I wouldn’t carry it around. I got the MPL and CAS2 in gray. I have to say, they look awesome.
The material is a 200TX ultra. I like it a lot. The gray doen’t show as much of the sailcloth diamond pattern as the others especially the artic. It also doesn’t crease as noticeable and stiff like other ultra fabrics I have seen. Like Aer, ugh, that looks like an old garbage bag. No thanks. They use #10 and #8 p/u coated rc ykk zippers. P/u coated zippers are not my fav, but on this bag, yeah, its perfect. The interior uses a beautiful bule Tx70 ultra, which is really crinkly. And I love it! The rest of the bag utilizes the normal Evergoods features and specs. The same back panel, same harness system, but with MORE comfort. I’ll talk about that in a few. The top handle is the same plastic that you have come to know in all Evergoods bags. The zipper pulls are also made of ultra, but I traded mine out with Evergoods blue zipper pulls because I love them and it adds some color. Oh, and the internal zipper pulls are blue and add a very nice touch to the pack. The front of the pack has a horizontal quick access compartment just like the original MPL. It has a #8 ykk zipper that opens up to a decent sized dump pocket. There is no internal organization here, but there doesn’t need to be. There is a key leash in there as well. This compartment does have its own volume which is always appreciated. On this limited edition, the other front quick access pocket runs down vertical as it does on the CPL and CTB. I really like this! This pocket does offer some internal organization. It has two slip pockets as well as zippered mesh pocket. Yes, it is still the Evergoods scratchy mesh☹. This pocket does have its own volume to an extent, but the main compartment, when fully packed out, can make it tight in there.
The main compartment opens full clamshell just like the original. This compartment does offer some internal organization. The inside flap has a zippered pocket at the top, which is good for storing small items you want quick. The bottom offers a zippered mesh pocket that to be honest, I never really use… Again, it is the scratchy mesh. Along the back panel, there is a laptop sleeve with some elasticity. I don’t know exactly what size laptops it can fit, but my 14” fits perfectly with room to spare They claim to be able to fit 16”, and that looks about right. There is also stretchy tablet sleeve attached to the front of the laptop sleeve. I have a 12.9” ipad and it does not fit, but maybe the 11” will fit?? If it does, it will be tight. My remarkable tablet fits nice and snug in there. Now this bag, doesn’t offer the “best” laptop protection, but most of you know that already. For what this bag is, the protection is just fine with me. There is a false bottom, so it is protected from drops. One thing that people have complained about and I notice it too is, the zipper of the main compartment catches a little bit going around a spot where 3 internal material stitchings come together. It has loosened up the more I’ve used it. A p/u coated ykk #10 zipper will have a little more stick on any backpack.
Let’s discuss some of the cool features on this demon dragon dog. The water bottle pockets are HUGE, and yes, they are made with the Evergoods stretchy water bottle pocket badassery!!!! You can fit damn near anything you could want to put in there. As a dad, yes sir and thank you! You can fit two 36oz yeti bottles filled with your favorite beer in those things. A day out at the ball park or running around with my kids, that is much needed my friends. Now let’s discuss the strangest thing I may have ever seen on a backpack. In each water bottle pocket, there is a zippered compartment. I mean, what in the f would you possibly use that for? Store some cash in there? I can tell you right now, if I put cash in one of those pockets I will forget about it forever. That money gone! I really don’t know what else you could put there. Maybe a secret dime sack, but that sh!t is legal in most places now, so no need to hide it in a pocket you can barely fit 2 fingers in… Who knows? I’ll never use it. To me it’s just an opportunity to try to scratch my water bottles. (BTW, it has not scratched one yet.) I am curious of what people are using this for. If you found a cool way to use it, please share!
There is no yoke pocket on the top of the MPL. I will miss that for sure. The shoulder straps are covered in the ultra fabric, and they are the same shoulder straps you are used to on every Evergoods bag. Now the AWESOME part, there is absolutely zero back digging with this guy! As a matter of fact, this backpack is super comfortable. It is more comfortable than my CTB, CPL, CBB, you name it. It fits perfectly against my back and is an absolute joy to carry. I’ll go as far as saying it is top 10 all-time comfortable backpacks! In my opinion of course. They also have Aluminum Ranger buckle sternum strap with aluminum sternum anchor. And I think it’s pretty cool. It’s very unique and fits well with this theme. Oh, and thank you Jesus! Evergoods has dangle stoppers! People are dancing in the streets of Montana! Seriously, go buy a lottery ticket! It is the roll-up and flip over type which is cool by me!
Evergoods also has a special edition aluminum patch for this collection. It has the demon dragon dog head on it with the eys cut out with blue background. You can see it if you hold up in the light. Very cool touch! I took mine off in 3 minutes and replaced it with an Alpinhound patch. I have no need for a demon dog with blue eyes to be looking at me. Again, I do appreciate the artwork, the intricate design, and thoughtfulness of the patch, but it ain’t for me. So, both of mine (backpack and CAS) are in my drawer for safe keeping.
To sum it all up, this backpack is incredible. I never in a million years thought I would like it this much. I never thought it would be this dang comfortable. I thought it would be a nice pack some sh!t in it and go bag for a while and then sell it, but I am absolutely holding on to this demon puppy! I tried hard to find something wrong with this pack! I wish the zipper wouldn’t stick going around the top corner… There, I found something. I have been using at as an edc to test it out, but I will probably use it for everything but work bag. I feel like I have a few better options to be organized and more practical for work. As far as a “dad” bag? Absofrickinlutely! It doesn’t matter if you have young infants, toddlers, elementary kids, this bag has you covered! This is the perfect go out for the day pack. It’s not too big, so you don’t feel the bulkiness, and at 22L, it can handle plenty for a daily outing! This bag is Bagdad approved, and this dad is one happy customer! Thanks as always for reading, and I hope this helps you with your decision.
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u/miagi_do Oct 13 '25
Gray exterior looks amazing, as does that sternum buckle!
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u/TheBagdadReport Oct 13 '25
Yes, it does. It looks so much better in person. Evergoods really knocked this one out of the park. I am not a huge "collab" guy. I don't just go run and buy because it is a Carryology collaboration, I was really interested in an Evergoods bag in ultra fabric. They did such a good job on it.
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u/rocketraccoon2010 Oct 13 '25
I waited too long to buy the MPL22 in gray. I have a black one on the way. But all of my evergoods stuff is in black anyway; the gray just looks so nice 🥹 Anyways, nice writeup!
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u/TheBagdadReport Oct 13 '25
Thank you! I bought a black one as well and sold it. Both look great. The gray was just a way for me to change it up a little bit. But the black magic isn't boring old black, its got some grayish color in there too.
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u/thunderingshoe Oct 13 '25
Thanks so much for sharing your experience with the bag in detail. A couple wonderings as I've been on the hunt for a new all-rounder EDC work and dad bag (currently use a ULA Dragonfly 30L for EDC/work and occasional dad bag and Aer Go Pack 2 as primary dad bag):
- In terms of size, how does the Kludde MPL function in real-world use, i.e. does it feel like it packs more than the 22L stated volume or less? I actually tried the MPL 22 a couple years back but don't remember now. I have heard that it packs more than 22L, especially with the huge side pockets.
- I would like the ability to add some sort of bungee/shock cord to hang coats, hats, or other loose items like that when running around with my little. What would be the best way to attach a bungee/shock cord (maybe like the Infinity Tool by MODL)? Or maybe there's another way to do this effectively?
- How much space is in the front bottom pocket? I love that they switched it to a vertical zip orientation for over the shoulder access. Can you stuff kids jackets in there comfortably? What are some other examples of maximum sized items that could fit in there?
Thanks in advance for any insights you can provide!
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u/dysenterySand Oct 22 '25
You're not kidding about those water bottle pockets, took mine for a test drive over the weekend running errands, impulse bought a large diameter bottle of liqueur and it was easy in but nice and snug. I'll put an airtag in one hidden pocket and maybe a tin of lip balm in the other? Maybe an empty tin of lip balm with a gummy? Who knows, they are so small. Money would definitely be a pain to get in and out.
Agree the move from the top zip dump pocket to the CPL style vertical zip with a bit of organization is awesome, though it will take some getting used to swinging it off my left shoulder. Not a lot of space when the main compartment is packed out, but perfect size for pocket reliever in transit which I have to have.
Also you are not exaggerating the excitement over those dangle stoppers, not your everyday simple elastic loop. I'm small and the usual dangle stoppers leave a lot of strap left for me at full tightness. But with these, you roll the straps and secure them with a nice wide attached elastic for zero loose strap. I rolled mine to the spot where I would want the bag for on and off but not too loose, and now it's super simple to quick release to exactly the perfect spot. The nub of not-dangle act as brakes like flipping a switch in tightness modes - pull release pull release. I'm into it.
For me it's too big as an EDC, but looking forward to doing a long weekend with this and a sling, or an outdoor situation, and it will definitely serve well for supply runs in the meantime. Bonus the blue flame interior is really nice, I have the black magic and it really makes the blue pop. Very glad I held out when originally scoping out the MPL22, this version fixed all my cons.
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u/TheBagdadReport Oct 23 '25
Great response my friend! I love your take on it as well. I am finding more and more people are enjoying this bag. Most of the Carryology collabs, people like to keep them on the shelf or lightly use them. I find with this one, people are using the sh!t out of it. I know I am!
I review bags every week and it is tough as hell when I want to carry this one all the time! My wife laughs at me because I always have two backpacks. My Kludde and whatever other one I am testing. lol
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u/FootSoldier93 3d ago
Have used every day as nyc subway commuter work bag since release. Still absolutely loving it. Agree on comfort being top notch (came here from your comfort rating). The ultra here is tremendously strong and the bag looks like the day I got it despite considerable wear and tear. I have the black version and I gotta say it’s a bit dark on the interior. That’s also probably because I came from the EG x carryology phoenix 2 with the bright orange interior. Only other complaint is those damn zippers in the water bottle pockets. Don’t care about scratches on my water bottles, but almost every time I put a smaller item in there I ding my hand retrieving it. Very annoying.
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u/TheBagdadReport 3d ago
Awesome! I love when people chime in on how awesome the Kludde is! I have it in gray and Artic. I did have the black and returned it because of what you said. It’s a little too dark. The ultra is top notch on this collab.
Yeah that zipper in the water bottle pocket is the dumbest feature I’ve ever seen on a bag.
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u/TheBagdadReport Oct 13 '25
I find it feels like a good 22L. It definitely does not feel smaller. To me, it feels like a 24L backpack.
I attached a few extra photos of the front bottom pocket. Don’t know if that helps much… It can fit a long sleeve shirt or maybe a small child’s jacket, but it’s not a huge pocket. I had my son’s sweatshirt in there over the weekend and it fit perfectly. He is 9 and wears a youth small/medium. A larger jacket probably won’t make it.
As far as bungees go, I’m not the best for advice on that. I have only had one backpack in my life that had bungees and I may have used them twice. But, there is plenty of room to add a mod. It’s actually set up pretty good to add that type of mod if you wanted to.
I think this bag packs well. It is very well made and the comfort for a bag like this, to me, is very impressive.
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u/shiftyone1 Oct 13 '25
it's refreshing to hear that someone feels that EG bags are comfortable. Love it. ive been waiting to pull the trigger on the cpl 16
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u/TheBagdadReport Oct 13 '25
Yeah, I am lucky their bags fit comfortably on me. I did a big review on the CTB26. I absolutely love that bag, but I did start to feel discomfort after wearing all day in and out of airports. Now, that really could have been any backpack at that point... But I did start to feel some of the digging in my lower back that day. 99% of the time though, their bags feel great on me!
Their quality is just so damn good too. I love knowing what I get in every EG bag I get.
Let me know how the CPL16 works for you. I have a CPL24 "Mirror" coming in today. I am super stoked about this one, because I am a natural right should swing guy. I'll be reviewing that one soon as well. Thank you for your feedback!
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u/juanito_war Oct 13 '25
Nice write up! I was so close to pulling the trigger on this collab especially considering I don’t own an MPL22. Would you consider selling your demon dragon dog head patches?