Forclaz MT500 Air 50+10 L Backpack Review | Is it worth it?
Forclaz MT500 Air 50+10 L Backpack Review | Is it worth it?
Category Trek PreparationGear & Equipment
By Swathi Chatrapathy
When it comes to choosing the right trekking backpack, four things matter most: comfort, ease of use, durability, and capacity. If a backpack ticks these boxes, it’s worth carrying to the Himalayas.
In this detailed Forclaz MT500 Air review, I’ll walk you through how the Decathlon Forclaz MT500 Air 50+10 L trekking backpack performs on these parameters. Our team at Indiahikes has tested it extensively on multiple Himalayan treks, including explorations. This is an unbiased review with both pros and cons to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
Comfort – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
The backpack feels really comfortable on long days of trekking. The weight doesn’t sit heavily on your shoulders — instead, it’s distributed so well across your hips and back that you hardly feel weighed down. Photo from the Indiahikes Archive.
Comfort is easily the biggest strength of the MT500 Air. It is one of the most comfortable backpacks we have ever used.
We tested it on five to six Himalayan treks, including a recent exploration of the Chandrabhaga Glaciers trek. On explorations, backpacks are usually heavier—you carry 15–16 kilos, including your tent, sleeping bag, camera equipment, and more. Yet, we never felt the weight pressing down on our backs. Not even for a second.
That, to me, is a huge compliment to the backpack’s design. For comfort, I would confidently give it a 5 on 5.
Ease of Use – ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.5/5)
You can access your gear and pack them easily as well. At the start, there is a small learning curve with all the straps and belts. Photo from the Indiahikes Archive.
The MT500 Air is designed with access and practicality in mind. It has multiple loading options—top, middle, front, and bottom—which means you can open it from anywhere and get to your things quickly. It also comes with some very thoughtful compartments. For example, there’s a pocket at the bottom of the top flap, side zips, and straps to secure your trekking poles. All the basics are very well met.
There are also some clever touches, like the tilted water bottle holder. If you’ve used backpacks before, you know how much of a struggle it usually is to reach your water bottle—you often have to remove your bag entirely. With this tilted design, you can pull the bottle out from the front. The idea is excellent. But practically, it didn’t work very well. When you’re climbing uphill, scrambling over boulders, or bending on tricky sections, the bottle tends to fall out.
Another small drawback is that the backpack feels very strappy. Every strap has a purpose, but with so many of them flailing around, it takes time to figure out which strap does what. It could have been a little simpler.
That said, these are minor issues, and I admit I’m being picky here. For ease of use and practicality, I’d rate it around 3.5 on 5.
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Durability – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
The MT 500 backpack can take abuse for several years. From being tossed on top of a jeep to getting hit by hail & snow. Our trek leaders swear by it. Photo from the Indiahikes Archive.
Durability is something you never want to compromise on in a trekking backpack, and here the MT500 Air really shines. The ripstop fabric is excellent.
On one of our explorations, it rained heavily for 10–15 minutes before we could pull out the rain cover. While the outer layer got wet, the water didn’t seep inside. That gave us a lot of confidence in the quality of the fabric.
Even after five to six Himalayan treks, the backpack shows no signs of wear and tear. It still looks almost new. For durability, I wouldn’t hesitate to give it a full 5 on 5.
Capacity – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Our team member here used the backpack for his solo DIY trek to Miyar valley. The backpack carried everything. From food to shelter. Photo by Aditya Thokchom
When a backpack says 50+10 litres, you want to know if it actually lives up to that. The MT500 Air does.
It easily fits everything you need for a Himalayan trek. Clothes, warm layers, food, gear—all go in comfortably. There’s additional space and straps to attach your sleeping bag, foam mat, or tent. It also has provision for a hydration bladder and can hold two one-litre bottles as well.
Despite all this, it never feels bulky. That’s a huge advantage, and for this reason, too, I’d give it a 5 on 5.
Price and Value for Money
The MT500 Air costs around ₹8,000.
In this price range, there are very few trekking backpacks that match this quality. It offers great value for money, provided you are someone who plans to trek regularly.
Should you buy the MT500 Air Backpack?
If you’re a first-time trekker, I would say this backpack is a bit of an overkill. Start by renting a backpack, get a feel for trekking itself, and only then decide whether to make an investment.
But if you know trekking is going to be a part of your life, then this backpack will last you for the next five, six, even ten years.
The backpack was extensively used on our Chandrabhaga Glaciers Trek exploration. It carried ration, camera equipment, ropes and ice axes. It was loved by all.
Final Verdict: Is the Forclaz MT500 Air Worth It?
The Forclaz MT500 Air 50+10 L by Decathlon is one of the most comfortable, durable, and spacious backpacks you can get in this price range. It is practical, thoughtfully designed, and built to last.
Yes, there are a couple of quirks—like the water bottle holder not being very effective and the excess of straps—but these are minor compared to the overall strengths of the backpack.
At ₹8,000, this is a fantastic investment for trekkers who know they’ll be in the mountains regularly. If trekking is still new to you, consider starting with a rental before committing.
If you’ve used the MT500 Air yourself, I’d love to hear your experience—what you liked, what you didn’t. Your feedback helps build a stronger knowledge base for trekkers everywhere.
