Forclaz MT500 Air Review

Overview

The Forclaz MT500 Air is Decathlon’s full-framed, 50+10 L backpacking pack, built around a tensioned mesh back panel that holds the load off the wearer’s spine. It’s a feature-rich, low-cost option for weekend and week-long trips. The trade-off is weight: at 1,678 g (3.7 lb), it sits well above the packs ultralight hikers usually carry.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	1,678 g (3.7 lb)
Volume	50 L + 10 L extension (60 L max)
Max recommended load	33 lb (15 kg)
Back panel	Mesh, trampoline-style, ventilated
Frame	Full frame
Access points	Top, center, and bottom
Torso adjustment	Adjustable torso length and shoulder strap height
Warranty	10 years against defects (per Decathlon, as reported by InsideHook)

Performance

Comfort and ventilation. Comfort is where the MT500 Air earns its reputation. Outdoor Gear Lab’s testers scored comfort 8 out of 10 and singled out the trampoline back panel, the well-padded shoulder straps and generous torso adjustment. India Hikes, which used the pack on five or six Himalayan treks, called it among the most comfortable packs the team had used. It carried 15–16 kg expedition loads, including tent, sleeping bag and camera gear, without the weight bearing down on the back. A Dutch reviewer close to 2 m tall found the height-adjustable shoulder straps fit well. The mesh panel keeps air moving between pack and back, which matters most in warm weather.

Load limit. The stated 33 lb (15 kg) ceiling is real. Outdoor Gear Lab found the pack handled moderate and light loads well but was less comfortable than some competitors above 35 lb. This is a pack for a base weight in the teens and food for a few days, not a heavy winter or expedition haul.

Access and organization. Few packs at this price offer so many ways in. The top, center and bottom access points let a hiker reach a sleeping bag at the base or a rain layer in the middle without unpacking everything. A center panel zips down into the main compartment. Pockets on the side and bottom help sort gear, and there’s a hydration bladder sleeve inside. Trekking pole straps and a pocket under the top lid round out the basics. One reviewer at InsideHook filled the main bag with a four-day kit, including stove, food, sleep system and camera, and found it “seems bigger on the inside” than 50 L suggests.

Quirks. The side pockets draw the most complaints. Outdoor Gear Lab called them strange, and other reviewers describe small water bottle pockets. India Hikes praised the idea of the tilted bottle holder, which lets a hiker pull the bottle out from the front. In practice they found it didn’t work well. The same reviewers found the pack strappy, with enough loose webbing that learning which strap does what takes a few outings.

Weight and durability. The MT500 Air has a weight-to-volume score of 6 out of 10 at Outdoor Gear Lab, the weakest of its four rated categories. India Hikes gave it full marks for durability after rough use on Himalayan terrain. A Dutch review noted that pricier packs of similar volume tend to use stiffer fabric and smoother zippers. That assessment suggests the fabric and hardware are built to a price. A 10-year defect warranty offsets some of that concern.

Price. Outdoor Gear Lab listed it at $139, and a Dutch retailer review cited €119.99. Both argued it performs like packs costing roughly twice as much.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Highly breathable trampoline back panel
• Comfortable up to its 15 kg rating, even on long Himalayan treks
• Top, center and bottom access, with a long list of organizing pockets
• Adjustable torso length and shoulder strap height suit a range of builds
• Durable construction and a 10-year defect warranty
• Low price for a full-framed 50+10 L pack

Cons

• 1,678 g is heavy by ultralight standards
• Comfort drops off above about 35 lb
• Side and water bottle pockets are awkward and small
• Many straps add clutter and a learning curve
• Fabric and zippers are not at the level of premium packs

Who Should Buy This

The MT500 Air suits hikers who prioritize comfort, ventilation and organization on a budget: first-time backpackers assembling a kit, weekend and section hikers with moderate loads, and trekkers heading somewhere hot. Thru-hikers with a base weight under 10 lb, and anyone chasing a pack under 1 kg, should look at frameless or lightweight framed designs. The same goes for anyone who regularly carries 35 lb or more.

Verdict

The MT500 Air trades grams for comfort and features, and does so at a price that undercuts most competitors. It’s a strong value pick for moderate loads and a poor fit for ultralight goals. Buy it as a comfortable, durable workhorse, not as a weight-saving tool.