MLD Burn on the Cape to Cape Walk | Western Australia, 2010.
Between 2010 and 2015, I hiked more than 19,000 miles (30,577 km) carrying a Mountain Laurel Designs Burn. This included multi-week trips in Australia, New Zealand and the calendar year triple crown of 2012 (plus eight of the other 12 Long Walks). Suffice to say, I think it’s a pretty good pack. Hope you weren’t waiting for a drawn-out verdict; suspense has never been my strong suit ;-).
Details
Price: $180
Weight: 13 oz / 0.37 kg (includes sternum strap & external bungee cord).
Volume: 2300 ci (38 L)
Material: Dyneema X
Load Rating:
According to the MLD website, it’s 25 lbs. Personally speaking, I would say it isn’t too comfy carrying anything over twenty-two (i.e. 10 kg).
Durability:
Double thumbs up. Since 2010 I have owned two Burns. Each has at least 8,000 miles on it. I’ve yet to have any tears to the body of either pack. As you would expect, the exterior mesh pockets have taken a bit of a beating, but nothing that hasn’t been repairable. In both packs, I found that the principal area to show significant signs of wear were the shoulder straps. They started to get a little thin after 6000 miles. Not too shabby, considering that’s the equivalent of roughly three Appalachian Trail thru-hikes. (Note: Since I received my last Burn pack in 2012, MLD has subsequently both widened (2.5″) and thickened (0.8″) the shoulder straps. I think this is a great move, which addresses the only issue I had with the earlier models).
MLD Burn | Larapinta Trail, Northern Territory, 2010.
Design:
The Burn is a frameless backpack with a drawstring closure on top. As with all frameless models, the key to being comfortable out on trail is knowing how to load the pack correctly. A simple, but often taken for granted skill.
As with other MLD packs, the Burn has a slim profile. This was actually the main reason I went with the pack in the first place. I’ve never been a fan of wide backpacks, particularly when hiking in technical terrain and maintaining balance is key.
The side pockets on the Burn are a good height to access your water bottles. Speaking of which, I noticed on the MLD website that the latest incarnation of the pack employs Dyneema X instead of mesh on the leading edge of both the side pockets, as well as the bottom 5″ of the rear pocket. This is to help prevent snagging and/or abrasion from sharp objects such as tent pegs. Nice touch. Worth the minuscule weight penalty.
The biggest load I ever carried in the Burn was during an approximately 240 mile stretch between East Glacier and Helena, MT, on the Continental Divide Trail (Note: In August 2012, the Benchmark Ranch was closed because of fires).
Summary:
The MLD Burn is a great choice if you have a base weight of 10 lbs (4.4 kg) or less. If you don’t, you’re better off going with a bigger backpack. I’ve found that the Burn is comfortable carrying a total weight (i.e. gear plus perishables) of up to 22 lbs. Anything more than that (assuming you can fit it in), and it starts to feel overloaded. For $180, I think the Burn offers good value for money and represents an excellent combination of durability, weight, and performance.
MLD Burn at Springer Mountain, GA, December 28, 2012 | Finishing point for my southbound AT hike as well as the “12 Long Walks” journey (Note: The orange paraphernalia was for hunting season).
Disclaimer: I purchased MLD Burn #1 with my own funds. I was given #2 free of charge. I was under no obligation to write a review for the pack.
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Cam, I have the bigger brother, the Prophet. Do you mind sharing how you pack your Burn?
No worries. Here’s a link to a short article I wrote on the subject: https://www.thehikinglife.com/2015/01/how-to-load-a-backpack/
Cam, Did you opt for the waist belt on the Burn or did you leave/cut if off? I can’t tell from your photos. I would like to get some feedback on your opinion of using the Burn with or without a belt.
thanks!
gerry
Hey Gerry,
I’ve never cut the hip belt off. For a negligible weight penalty, over the years I’ve found it is helpful to have when carrying more than 5 days food, and also for extended stretches in rugged, off-trail terrain. If I’m hiking on easy trails and/or mellow terrain with a light load, I’ll usually just clip it around the back of the backpack or leave it hanging loose. That gives you exactly the same effect as going sans belt, but you still have the belt there when you need it.
Cheers,
Cam
Thanks, Cam. Do you ever use Ron’s waist belt pockets with the Burn? I like them with my Prophet but am not sure if they’d fit the smaller waistbelt where they’d be stable or not.
No worries. I haven’t tried the waist belt pockets for the Burn. Generally, I attach two of the bottle/shoulder strap mesh pockets. I use these for my phone, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, lip balm etc.
I sometimes use a MLD hip belt pocket on each side of a custom removable webbing belt Burn. I do like storing stuff like bars, lip balm, extra Cheetos, postage stamps, map sections, light wt camera(sub 4 oz), etc in them for quick on the go reach. With the webbing belt they flop around becoming entangled when the pack is off. If I stored less heavier stuff in them and with the standard “belt” wings this would be lessened or a non issue. Since I take many pics I should transfer the weighty cam to a shoulder strap pocket.
They are quite adaptable fitting both the standard Burn wing designs and webbing belt. Plus they attach to daisy chains and webbing on shoulder straps.
Do you think this would work carrying snowshoes for winter day hikes?
I imagine it would be fine, but as I’ve never carried snowshoes on the Burn and the model I have is five years old, I’d suggest dropping Ron Bell a line at MLD to confirm.
Cheers,
Cam
Hey Cam, thanks for creating such a great website! I live in the Blue Mountains NSW, and as you may have experienced if you’ve ever walked here, we can get particularly tough scratchy vegetation. How do you think the pack would hold up in off track walking in that sort of terrain (assuming the walker was taking some level of care). Thanks!
Hi Alex,
I think the Burn – in either Dyneema X or DCF – will be fine for the Blue Mountains. I’ve done a lot of off-trail hiking with both versions of the pack in similar conditions, and I haven’t had any durability issues.
Cheers,
Cam
Thanks! Very helpful
I really like the look of the MLD packs and was on the verge of buying the Prophet (DyneemaX) when I read your article. My base weight is around 10lbs and fully loaded for the AT I reckon I will be at around 23-24 lbs.
Noting your comments I am wondering now if I can get by with the Burn instead. The major difference between your set-up and mine is that I will be carrying an UL tent (prpbably the Zpacks Duplex but still TBC) instead of a tarp/bivy combo. Do you think the Burn will be physically big enough?
Yes, I think you could make it work for the AT. Due to the abundance of water and the regular resupply points, the average carries tend not to be as large on the AT as they are on the long trails out west.
Many thanks for that. One more thing. How do you rate the DCF value the DyneemaX versions of the pack. My gut feeling is to go for the DyneemaX one even if it means using a pack cover and liner, just because it seems more durable. But I admit the waterproofness and light weight of the DCF version is very tempting.
Hi Chris,
If you go with the Dyneema X I wouldn’t worry about a pack cover. The liner is sufficient.
As for the DCF version’s durability, I’ve found it to be plenty tough. It’s the same material used on the HMG Southwest, which I’ve found to be bombproof over the past few years during off-trail trips in places such as Southwest Tasmania.
Cheers,
Cam
Hi Cam,
When you carried the Burn on the PCT, which bear canister did you use in the areas where a bear canister is compulsory?
Chris.
If memory serves, I borrowed a Bare Boxer Contender from a Californian mate.
Hey Cam,
Thanks for the review. I am curious about what size burn you use? And how tall are you and what is your torso height?
It appears you wear it with the shoulder straps a few inches below your actual shoulders. Is that what you’ve found the most comfortable as opposed to having the shoulder straps even with your shoulders?
I have an 18.5″ torso but am 6’1″ so am technically a medium but based on MLD’s height guidelines I should take a large.
All the best,
Kevin
Hey Kevin,
Thanks for the message.
I’ve used both the medium and large Burns. I’m also 6’1″, and as with yourself, according to the MLD size guide technically I should be better off with a large. However, over the years I’ve personally found the medium to be a little more comfortable.
Cheers,
Cam
Hey Cam,
Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it and this was helpful. My size large arrives in a few days so I’ll give it a try then make a decision.
I just read your “how to pack your bag” article also and had a quick question.
Do you shove you sleeping bag into your pack loose on the inside of the back side of your pack (but inside the pack liner) or do you use a stuff sack (but inside the pack liner)?
Thanks for all the great articles man.
Cheers,
Kevin
Hey Kevin,
No worries. I hope the large works out well for you.
In regards to your question (at least as far as I understand it), I do neither of those things. As I mention in the article, I put heavier items such as food, shelter and water (if I happen to be carrying more than a couple of litres) close to my back in the medium to upper regions of the pack. I then use the sleeping bag/quilt as a filler for the outer sections. Unless I’m hiking in a place where there are a lot of challenging river fords, I don’t use a stuff sack for my sleeping bag.
Cheers,
Cam
Thanks again Cam, much obliged. I was mainly just clarifying that you stuff your sleeping bag in loose as a filler on the outside of your heavy gear (as you’ve explained it).
I’ve always been gunshy about stuffing my sleeping bag in without some minor layer of protection (typically stuff-sack) between my sleeping bag and other gear. It seems like that may not be necessary as long as you are careful.
Cheers,
Kevin
Hey Kevin,
You hit the nail on the head in regards to being careful. I don’t baby my gear, but at the same time I try to take good care of it at all times. And in regards to it getting wet, as long as you’ve got a tear-free trash compactor bag liner that’s sealed at the top, there usually shouldn’t be any issues.
Cheers,
Cam
Hi Cam,
The newer version of the Burn has become heavier, now at 16.5oz instead of your 13oz. This is due to the wider shoulder straps and the change of the mesh pockets to Dyneema X you think? Would you still buy it in the current version?
It also has a more substantial hip belt and a different strap setup to the original models (Note: These can be modified to reduce weight).
As for the second question, I’ve been using the DCF model for the last couple of years, and yes, I highly recommend it. I’ll probably do a review sometime this year.
Cheers,
Cam
Thanks for the reply
Hi Cam,
I hope all is well. I am just writing with an opinion question.
If you were to get a brand new burn, would you go for the DCF or the DX? And Why?
Also – when it comes to durability, would you consider them equals? (assuming all other variables were the same).
Cheers,
Kevin
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for the message. In regards to your questions: 1. I’d probably go with the DCF, primarily because I regularly backpack in rainy environments, and; 2. I think they are fairly similar on the durability front.
Cheers,
Cam
Thanks Cam, appreciate the feedback.
Cheers,
Kevin
Hi Cam,
Greetings from England! (When are you going to do the South West Coast Path???????)
I am so glad I found your page recently. You are an inspiration.
I have one quick question about the MLD Burn/Prophet. Is the DCF version really worth it?
I apologise if you have covered this elsewhere.
Thanks for helping me get back out into the world of walking.
Kind regards,
George.
Hi George,
Thank you for the kind words. It’s always great to hear when folks have found the site to be helpful.
In regard to the DCF version of the Burn/Prophet, the only real advantage is the increased water resistance. When it comes to other factors such as durability and weight I don’t think there’s much of a difference compared to the 210D model. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference, but if most of my hiking was done in wet environments such as the UK, I’d probably pay a little extra and go with the DCF.
Cheers,
Cam
Hi Cam,
How would you recommend carrying a bear can, like the BV500, with the newer version of the burn? Inside or on top? Have you ever carried a can on one of your burns?
I’m planning a trip out to kings canyon going to try and hit the high route for a few weeks and really want to bring the burn. I’ll likely have 10-15lbs of food from the get go due to few and far between resupply options. My baseweight is a little under 10 lbs (that’s with the 2.5 lbs bear can included) so I’m looking at carrying a little over the recommended max for the first couple days.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Hey Devin,
Thanks for the message. Regarding your questions:
1. I don’t have a new version of the Burn, but I’d say that it would be a very tight fit with the BV500 plus all the other items;
2. Re: Bear Can Placement – I’m not a fan of carrying them on top of the pack. If you can’t fit it inside, I’d recommend going with a larger pack;
3. I’ve used a tiny Bare Boxer can with the Burn a couple of times, but that wouldn’t have sufficient volume for the trip you describe.
Hope that helps! Best of luck on your trip.
Cheers,
Cam
Hey Cam!
Thanks a lot for the advice, I’ll keep that in mind! I’ll probably just take a ULA Circut. Btw love all that you do! One day when I grow up (hopefully never have to) I hope I can be just like you! Haha
Best,
Devin – 33 going on 20
For what it’s worth, I carried the DCF Burn throughout my PCT thru-hike in 2019 (base weight of about 11 lbs). When I passed through bear country in the Sierra, I carried a Bearikade Weekender along with the Burn. You *can* fit the Weekender (or the BV500) inside the Burn, but it takes up all of the space and is very uncomfortable to carry. So I ended up carrying it on top of the Burn’s draft collar. It worked for those miles, but it was nice to shed it after passing through the Sierra. I do not think it is a good solution for a trail like the SHR with substantial off-trail travel. I, too, am looking at options for an UL pack capable of comfortably carrying a bear can for the SHR this summer. Personally, I’m looking at either the MLD Prophet, which is slightly larger, with the plan to slip the bear can inside and pile gear around it, or alternatively, the Nunatek Bears Ears, which has the canister mounted low. From other comments, it sounds like putting the bear can inside the Prophet will work, but that you need to put some padding around it, as the pack can develop holes from rubbing and wear next to the canister. Any other suggestions are welcome, though!
Cam, thanks for all of your great information online. You were a major factor in my growth as an UL backpacker, and I really appreciate the guidance you’ve provided through the years on gear, technique, planning, etc. Keep up the great work.
Devin, good luck with your SHR, and maybe I’ll see you out there!
I find it a bit difficult to reach the bottles (usually Smartwater) in the side pockets of my burn, do you find this to be the case? Do you have a trick to get ahold of them? Maybe I just need to increase the flexibility of my arm sockets! The bottles definitely stay put when scrambling which is nice. Thanks!
Hi Scott,
Thanks for the message. If I’m having trouble reaching the bottles, I generally just loosen the straps so the pack drops down a little, which does the trick.
Cheers,
Cam