Finding the right bag for your hockey gear can be a game-changer. The MEC Odyssey, a back-pack style duffle bag, offers a unique solution for players seeking versatility and convenience. While the MEC version isn't made anymore, this review explores its features and benefits, helping you understand what to look for in a similar product.
Size and Capacity
The MEC Odyssey has a capacity of 136 liters. It is large enough to accommodate a full set of player gear with strategic packing, such as placing elbows inside shins and shins inside pants. A slightly larger capacity, around 145-150 liters, would be ideal for hockey players.
It has an outside and an inside pocket for small stuff and I can get my change mat, shower towel, shampoo, skate towel, flip-flops, full sized water bottle, a dark and light jersey, dark and light socks and a small travel kit with extras like a hockey tool, honing stone, emergency sharpener, spare laces, spare “nuts and bolts”, etc.
Pros of the MEC Odyssey
- Compact Size: The relatively small size of the bag makes it easy to transport in a trunk or back seat.
- Versatility: It can be used as both a duffle bag and a back-pack, adapting to your needs.
- Durability: The bag is tough and long-lasting, capable of withstanding regular use.
- Flexibility: Because it has no rigid structure like a wheeled back-pack it fits into tight spaces with ease and when not in use it folds up out the way easily enough.
- Affordable: It did not cost very much, has been in use for 3+ years and is as tough as nails.
For use as duffle back I can zip the shoulder straps into a hideaway pocket.
Cons of the MEC Odyssey
While the MEC Odyssey offers several advantages, it also has some drawbacks.
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- Packing Order: Items must be packed and unpacked in a specific order, which can slow down the changing process.
- Cleanliness: The bag sits on the change room floor, requiring occasional cleaning, especially in winter.
- Limited Structure: What you won’t get with this or a similar product is something that stands on edge on its own or that has multiple compartments or multiple pockets.
As a back-pack it sits a little lower than a dedicated back-pack would so really it’s not meant for long-walks on the beach, but rather for short jaunts from car to rink, or apartment to transit.
Design and Functionality
It is a smaller, utilitarian duffle bag with one main compartment and that also has decent shoulder straps allowing it to double as a back-pack.
I would change the dimensions somewhat giving up width for a bit more height or simply adding more volume.
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Alternatives to Consider
The MEC version isn't made anymore. If you can live with that I suggest looking at your local outdoor store to check out something similar.
Key Features to Look For:
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- Durable Material
- Adequate Capacity
- Versatile Carrying Options
- Multiple Pockets for Organization
Summary of Features
To summarize the features of the MEC Odyssey and similar products, consider the following table:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 136 liters (ideal range: 145-150 liters) |
| Carrying Options | Duffle bag and back-pack |
| Compartments | One main compartment, with outside and inside pockets for small items |
| Durability | High |
| Flexibility | Folds easily when not in use |
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