REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Durable
Highly adjustable
Comfortable
REASONS TO AVOID
Strange side pockets
Not ideal for heavy loads
Decathlon Forclaz MT500 Air 50+10 Review
This pack is just as comfortable and has all the features of backpacking packs that cost twice as much
The MT500 Air is a favorite for its comfortable fit and full set of features.
Credit: Sam Schild
RELATED: Best Budget Backpacking Pack of 2024
Our Verdict
The Decathlon Forclaz MT500 Air 50+10 has all the features you would want in a quality backpacking pack at a very affordable price for a backpack. This is comparable in performance to backpacks that cost more than twice as much, so it's an excellent option for anyone looking for a good deal on a great pack. It has a comfortable mesh-trampoline-style back panel, well-padded shoulder straps, tons of pockets for organizing your gear, and plenty of adjustability in the torso length. While it doesn't carry heavy loads over 35 pounds as comfortably as some packs, this carries moderate and lighter loads well. For those looking for an affordable pack with a highly breathable back panel, tons of adjustability, and organizational features, we think this is an excellent choice. To see how it ranks next to other top packs, see our full best budget backpacking pack review.
Editor's Note: This review was updated on August 3, 2023, to include updated comparisons to new packs that were added to our testing and lineup.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Decathlon Forclaz MT500 Air 50+10 | |||||
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| Awards |  | |  | |  |
| Price | $139 List | $169 List $147.01 at Amazon | $160 List $159.95 at Amazon | $179 List $179.00 at REI | $90 List $84.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | As comfortable and feature-packed as packs twice its price, this pack is great for your back and your wallet | This pack is an all-around great performer and comes at a great price | Simple and rugged, this ultralight pack is capable of carrying a surprising load | This pack has an adjustable torso and will fit many different body sizes | While not a tester favorite, this pack will get you on the trail even if you're on a tight budget |
| Rating Categories | Decathlon Forclaz M... | The North Face Terr... | Mountainsmith Screa... | REI Co-op Trailmade 60 | Teton Sports Scout... |
| Comfort (40%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
| Weight-to-Volume Ratio (20%) | |||||
| Adjustability (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Decathlon Forclaz M... | The North Face Terr... | Mountainsmith Screa... | REI Co-op Trailmade 60 | Teton Sports Scout... |
| Measured Weight | 3.7 lbs | 3.4 lbs | 2.8 lbs | 3.4 lbs | 4.3 lbs |
| Weight per Liter (Full Pack) | 0.99 oz/L | 0.99 oz/L | 0.81 oz/L | 0.91 oz/L | 1.25 oz/L |
| Advertised Volume | 50 L + 10 L | 55 L | 55 L | 60 L | 55 L |
| Measured Volume (Main Compartment) | 35 L | 40 L | 40 L | 50 L | 45 L |
| Access | Top, side, bottom | Top, side, bottom | Top and zipper | Top, bottom | Top |
| Hydration Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Materials | 100% Polyamide | 210D nylon with DWR finish | 210D Robic Dynajin nylon ripstop UTS, 210D recycled nylon SD Oxford PU | 100% recycled nylon | 600D diamond ripstop, 600D PU |
| Sleeping Bag Compartment | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Decathlon Forclaz MT500 Air 50+10 is a very well-designed backpack. We've seen packs that cost more than twice what this costs that aren't as well thought out. It has top, center, and bottom access points to the main compartment and has nine pockets in addition to the main compartment. This is far more pockets than most other packs we tested, and, at 3.7 pounds, it's not nearly as heavy as we'd expect given all those zippers.
Performance Comparison
This pack performs as well on the trail as some packs we tested that cost over twice as much.
Credit: Sam Schild
Comfort
The MT500 Air is one of the most comfortable backpacks in our budget backpacking packs review. It has a full-framed suspension system that can handle moderate loads. This isn't the pack to carry 50+ pound loads with, but for loads less than 35 pounds, we found it to be one of the most comfortable.
Its suspension system has a mesh trampoline-style back panel. This keeps the main pack body from resting directly on your back and increases airflow to your back, which is important because a sweaty back can lead to chafing and other discomforts. Happily, some air can get between you and this pack with its suspended mesh back panels that helps to reduce back sweat.
The trampoline mesh back panel on the MT500 Air is super comfortable and lets your back breathe while you hike.
Credit: Sam Schild
The MT500 Air has an aluminum frame that wraps around the perimeter of the pack's main body under the mesh trampoline back panel. This frame wraps around the top and bottom of the back panel, effectively connecting the shoulder straps and hip belt. By loosening the shoulder straps and load lifters, we were able to effectively load all the weight of the pack onto the hip belt.
The MT500 Air has thick padding on the shoulder straps where you need it most.
Credit: Sam Schild
The shoulder straps on this pack are very plush and the thickest at the point where they rest on your shoulders. These shoulder straps are much thicker than many of the packs we tested. The mesh material on the underside of the straps is comfortable to wear. The sternum strap has a small section of elastic. This is a minor detail that you don't often see in budget backpacks, but it makes the sternum strap much more comfortable.
This small piece of elastic on the sternum strap makes it much more comfortable.
Credit: Sam Schild
The hip belt on this pack is made of a stiff material sandwiched between the outward-facing material and layers of comfortable, cushioned foam padding. This makes the hip belt slightly rigid and, therefore, more supportive. After hiking for a few hours without taking this pack off, we didn't have any hot spots or chafing.
The hipbelt is more rigid than many we've tested, which feels more supportive while hiking.
Credit: Sam Schild
Ease of Use
The MT500 Air has some of the most features on a pack we've seen. A minimalist hiker who prefers a simple pack with only a few pockets would be overwhelmed by the number of places to stash gear on this pack. If you're looking for organizational options, this pack is a great choice.
This backpack has a total of 10 pockets if you count the water bottle pocket and the main compartment. There are two pockets on the pack lid, two side pockets, and two hip belt pockets. There is also a large pocket on the backside of this pack for stashing a jacket or other items you want to be able to grab quickly.
The front pocket is great for stashing a coat to grab quickly later.
Credit: Sam Schild
The pack's main compartment is accessible from the top, the bottom, and the front. The top uses a cinch closure that is covered by the brain. The front opening unzips to access stuff in the middle of the pack. When you unzip this front panel, it exposes three pieces of webbing with buckles and cinch closures. You can use these to laterally compress your gear in the pack.
You can dig into the middle of the main compartment through the front zipper opening and cinch your gear laterally with the webbing and buckles underneath.
Credit: Sam Schild
The bottom of the pack has a zipper-accessible sleeping bag compartment. If you want a dedicated place to store your sleeping bag, this is a great spot for it. If you prefer to stuff everything into one compartment, there is another zipper to open this bottom compartment into the main body of the pack.
We loved this side water bottle pocked and wished there was another similar one the other side.
Credit: Sam Schild
There are two external pockets that can be used to store a water bottle. On one side of the pack is a pocket with rigid material and elastic sewn around the top, making it easy to slide a water bottle in while wearing the pack. It has just a strip of webbing across the bottom of the bottle, and an elastic cinch cord loop secures the bottle in place. On the other side of the pack, there is a second pocket made of stretch mesh that easily fits a 20-ounce water bottle or any other items you may want on the outside of your pack. There is also a water bladder sleeve inside the pack.
The sleeping bag compartment unzips to provide quick access to your precious down, and the external straps blocking the opening unhook to provide full access.
Credit: Sam Schild
Weight-to-Volume Ratio
The MT500 Air weighs 3 pounds, 11 ounces. With an advertised capacity of 60 liters, this pack has a weight-to-volume ratio of 0.99 ounces per liter. This is not the lightest, but not particularly heavy either. When you consider all the features this pack has, this is a very respectable weight. Zippers weigh a lot, and this pack has plenty of them.
If weight is your top priority, this probably isn't the pack for you. For the price, this is a fairly lightweight pack considering the number of features it has. You can shave some weight off this pack by removing the bottom sleeping pad straps, as well as the included rainfly.
The MT500 isn't the lightest, but it's light enough to keep us happily hiking.
Credit: Sam Schild
Adjustability
The MT500 Air only comes in one size. However, this one size has 6 inches of adjustability in torso length. By our measurements, this pack will fit anywhere from a 14-inch to a 20-inch torso. There is also 22 inches of adjustability in the waist belt (11 per side).
While this pack can fit a wide range of torso sizes, it would be improved if it came in two sizes. This way, it could fit people with larger than 20-inch torsos and less than 14-inch torsos. However, we think 14-20 inches is going to fit the majority of male bodies for whom it is designed.
The MT500 Air only comes in one size but the torso length is adjustable from 14 to 20 inches
Credit: Sam Schild
Should You Buy the Decathlon Forclaz MT500 Air 50+10?
The Decathlon Forclaz MT500 Air 50+10 is an excellent deal for an affordable and high-quality backpacking pack. This pack is inexpensive enough to fit within most budgets and performs better than many more expensive packs. While we haven't thru-hiked thousands of miles in this pack, it's held up to plenty of use and abuse. As long you aren't carrying more than 35 pounds or looking for an ultralight option, this pack will probably work for you.
What Other Budget Backpacking Packs Should You Consider?
If you're prioritizing fast and light, check out the Mountainsmith Scream 55. This pack doesn't have a trampoline mesh back panel like the MT500 Air, but it's lighter and still pretty comfortable. If you're looking for a great women's specific pack that comes in multiple sizes, we recommend The North Face Terra 55.
—
Sam Schild
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