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Mar 21, 2023

Free Gear Friday: Win a Backpacking Pack and Tent From Mountain Equipment Company

Here at GearJunkie, we test a lot of gear. And we're fortunate to test new,

Here at GearJunkie, we test a lot of gear. And we're fortunate to test new, cutting-edge products. Now, we want to give you the chance to win some gear too.

This week, two lucky winners will receive a prize pack ($745 value) from Canadian retailer Mountain Equipment Company (MEC). The pack includes a MEC Spark 2-Person Lightweight Tent and either a men's or women's Zephyr 65L pack. Enter now for your chance to win and learn more about the brand!

MEC designed the Spark 2.0 2P Lightweight Tent to add more fly coverage than the original and the ability for ultralight fly-and-footprint setup. The lightweight nylon and mesh canopy offers weather protection and ventilation, with fully taped seams and peaked vents in the fly.

Featherlight DAC NSL poles support the tent and come with press-fit connectors and a reputation for a high strength-to-weight ratio, according to the brand. Altogether, it weighs a little over 3 pounds while providing shelter for two hikers and their gear.

The DriBase waterproof floor should last the life of the tent, and there's an optional footprint (sold separately) for greater floor protection. Lastly, it comes with eight DAC aluminum J stakes, guylines, and a stuff sack.

The men's and women's Zephyr 65L packs can keep a week's worth of gear and supplies organized, according to MEC. The floating lid is removable, there's a dedicated bottom compartment for stashing your sleeping bag, a hydration sleeve and hanger, and a built-in RECCO reflector.

MEC uses a "trampoline-style" suspension system to keep the pack off the middle of your back to let air pass through. Padded shoulder straps and a hip belt with EVA foam inside should add comfort to carrying the load. The bag itself is recycled nylon, with 420-denier nylon reinforcing high-wear areas.

Additionally, the organization options include two mesh pockets for water bottles, pockets inside and outside the lid, and a side zip to reach inside the main compartment.

The men's Zephyr 65L pack weighs roughly 4 pounds, with the women's pack just under.

MEC's goal is to manufacture outdoor gear that will last hundreds of adventures. That ethos is a reflection of the brand's emphasis on durability as well as its goal to make products with less impact on the environment.

Established in 1971, originally as a co-op, MEC is a Canadian retailer with its own in-house brand, MEC Label, which it sells direct to consumers. The MEC Label team develops and designs from Vancouver, British Columbia, with the nearby North Shore Mountains as its proving ground.