Reader Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5

Mountain Laurel Designs epitomizes what it is to be a cottage gear manufacturer. His designs are innovative, his prices are competitive and his customer service is unparalleled.
I personally have had numerous emails exchanges with him before most of my orders either for custom changes or just to ask questions or get his opinion. He is always quick to respond and honest. Ron and his crew are amazing. Ron is even a frequent poster on BPL and provides us all with helpful info about his products and fabrics/technique in general.
MLD definitely is at the top of the UL industry.

Rating: 5 / 5

Not only does MLD offer the best products, but they also offer the best customer service.

I can honestly say that Ron Bell has provided me with the best customer service I have ever received. I put in a very large order with him in November and I received everything in December, right before the holidays. The wait is a little long but it is well worth it for the very high quality of the products I received. Everything I received was exactly as specified.

Most of what I ordered from him was custom and Ron was very patient with me and worked with me to modify everything exactly the way I wanted. He usually answered my e-mails within the hour and was always quick to answer any questions I had.

I don't think you will find better customer service than what Ron Bell will offer.

-Sid

Rating: 5 / 5

The pack, tarp, and mitts I purchased over several years were all well made and arrived as scheduled. The pack and tarp were custom and made exactly as requested. When I needed a change in the pack he did the work and shipped it back the day he received it. Strongly recommended.

Rating: 5 / 5

I own several MLD items, some from the days when they were in Maine.
From the ordering to the communication to the product my overall experience has always been outstanding.
The items that Ron envisions and creates are that of true honest value & lasting quality.

MLD is a trusted resource for the UL gear buyer.

Rating: 5 / 5

I own several MLD items, some from the days when they were in Maine.
From the ordering to the communication to the product my overall experience has always been outstanding.
The items that Ron envisions and creates are that of true honest value & lasting quality.

MLD is a trusted resource for the UL gear buyer.

Rating: 5 / 5

This is not a product review (yet), but just a note on their great customer service. I ordered a couple of their spintex stuff sacks and got sent the wrong size. With no questions asked, Ron Bell made sure the correct sizes were sent, told me to keep the incorrect ones, and got them to me very quickly in time for a quickly approaching hike for which I had ordered them. Thanks, Ron.
Rodney Durrance

Rating: 5 / 5

I ordered some smaller MLD items on Sunday night, received them the following Saturday and realized Ron sent me a pair of the lightsnow gaitors instead of the superlight gaitors. I emailed Ron the next evening (Sunday) about the mistake and got a response early in the morning (Monday). He apologized, said keep the snow gaitor and they would send out the superlights that day no charge. A packaged from MLD showed up today (Weds), just two days after Ron's email. All I have to say is wow! Ron's response time and customer service are beyond exceptional. The products I received all scream quality. I am definitely sold on MLD and will have to order some more gear so I don't feel guilty about the free snow gaitors!

Chris

Rating: 5 / 5

Great service and just awesome super light gear. I owned or do own 4 or 5 pieces of MLD gear and have 2 more on order. Ron is top notch and I can't wait to get my new packs.

Rating: 5 / 5

I have two of Ron's quilts and an Ultralight Bivy, all of which are superbly designed and manufactured.

I recently ordered a Warbonnet Blackbird Hammock but I did not want a silnylon tarp for it so I spoke with Ron about his Hex Hammock Tarps. The concern I had was that his tarp is 6" shorter than the BB "Mamajama" tarp designed for the hammock. So Ron said "No problem, I'll just make you a Hex Hammock the same length as Warbonnet's for a $30 upcharge". So I have ordered one of his cuben fiber hex hammock tarps. Now that is service. He understands his customer's needs and tries to make his products meet those needs. Another 5 rating!!

Edited by taedawood on 08/16/2010 09:31:03 MDT.

Rating: 5 / 5

I have to add my two cents about MLD's service. Early this summer I damaged the bottom of my Exodus pack. The damage was completely my fault (sliding down granite). I wrote Ron and asked if he could repair the pack and he offered to do it for only the cost of shipping. I told him I had another trip coming up and the date I needed it back and he had it back to me in plenty of time. The stitching on the repair was far better than anything I could have done. I used the pack on a 5-day Sierra trip and the patch held up perfectly. I can't say enough good things about Ron's products and his service. Keep up the good work Ron and I'll stay a loyal customer (standard Sierra summer kit: MLD Exodus pack, poncho tarp and Superlight bivy)

Rating: 5 / 5

Mountain Laurel Designs has proven to me that durability and light weight can co-exist in the universe.
Fittingly, my first introduction to MLD occured on the Pacific Crest Trail when a fellow hiker allowed me to examine an Exodus backpack. The quality of construction and the comfortable shoulder straps convinced me that I had to have an Exodus to acompany me on my CDT hike. The pack arrived and it was the same superb level of quality I had seen. The sewing machines at MLD must have a groove worn into the "bar-tack" selector!
My Exodus took the CDT in stride without any sign of strain or wear. Think about that.. a 15 ounce pack that survives one thru hike and is ready for another. And I am pretty tough on gear.
I just got a Spirit Quilt 30 and again the level of quality and ingenious design convinced me this IS my gear manufacturer. So I am going to round out my Big three with a Spectralite Patrol Shelter which no doubt will be bomber!
Big 3 under 3 lbs without compromising durability.
I am so glad I found an American made source for durable, lightweight, innovative gear at Mountain Laurel Designs.
If you are reading this and wondering if it's worth the extra money or the waiting time.. It TOTALLY is!

Rating: 5 / 5

Gear & service. My first order was for a pot, spoons & chaps, all of which were very well constructed. A spoon was missing & Ron sent out another very quickly

Have just ordered some more chaps & gaitors & willprobably order a poncho / shelter next pay.

I would not hesitate to recommend MLD products

Cheers
Andrew

Rating: 5 / 5

I ordered a spirit quilt as a last minute change of heart about the bulkiness of my home made quilt. That late decision put me in a bit of a stressor. With the stated wait time on the web site it was going to come down to the wire.

MLD came up huge. I left a single sentence on my order form mentioning my self caused dilemma. To my surprise (and relief) the package arrived a full two weeks earlier than expected and in plenty of time for my departure.

I already own the event rain mitts and love them. This quilt is exactly as described, of high quality, and I can't wait to get out and use it.

Thanks MLD!

Rating: 5 / 5

Have ordered stuff in the past with no problem, in terms of quality and timeliness.

My last order had a 5-8 week wait notice, but took over 11 weeks to get shipped. Ordered a half fabric/net door on a Serenity Shelter, came as a full fabric door (but the weight was under spec). Reading all the other reviews, I'm probably the only one to have any issue.

Edited by geokite on 01/19/2012 15:44:37 MST.

Rating: 5 / 5

I read in a thread on BPL that Ron Bell listens to Bad Brains. That should tell you everything you need to know about this guy :)

Ron saw that I didn't have a BPL membership, but that I am active on the forums and offered to cover the subscription for me. Pretty stoked to be a member of BPL again.

Thanks Ron!

Rating: 5 / 5

I have several MLD products and have always had a good experience working with this company. Recently I had the vent support for my Duomid break and when I contacted MLD about buying a new one Ron just took my info. and shipped me out a new piece immediately with NO cost. I was willing to pay for a new piece. This is above and beyond expectations. That is what customer service is all about. May your company last a thousand years!

Rating: 5 / 5

I had to cancel an order I placed a couple of weeks ago with Ron. He was very gracious, no argument on his end or attempt to persuade me not to cancel, and my refund came through within 24 hours. To me that was a sign of superior customer service. I really appreciated how he handled my request.

I will do business again with MLD as soon as discretionary funds are available. The next order will be bigger too.

Rating: 5 / 5

Over the past few years I have been lightening & replacing my gear. Some of my key gear has been with MLD. Quality has been excellent and better than I expected.

Assistance has been of great help, even beyond the MLD product line.

On two separate questions:
1) cuben durability, Ron sent me several pieces of cuben material to test for myself the durability of his product.
2) a new way to rig my (Duomid) guide lines, Ron sent me new guide lines.

Both were above & beyond what I expected.

As for placing an order; order it in the off season. They are true to their estimated delivery. It's a painfull wait, when you want it now.

Great product, great service.

I'll be back.

Doug

Edited by Doug.H on 05/03/2012 13:11:41 MDT.

Rating: 5 / 5

Ron at Mountain Laurel Designs puts together some of the best UL equipment made today. I firmly believe this have have fully put my trust (and money) into outstanding products that come from his shop.

His customer service is great also, I have placed orders and changed my mind about products switched things up, and he's taken it all in stride and still shipped my product within the time-frame.

Currently own: Event rain mitts, cuben duomid, grace duo, Newt backpack, 475ml ti cup, and various little odds-n-ends.