Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Any hunter knows that ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain. What If I told you that you can cut your bipod’s weight from pounds to ounces and (probably) gain functionality and versatility in the switch!? This is completely possible with MTNGear’s Mountain Bipod.
Table of contents
MTNGear is a company based in New Zealand that makes lightweight, hunting-focused designs of commonly used gear. Don’t worry though, they also sell their products in the US here. Of their mobility solutions and firearm accessories, the Mountain Bipod grabbed my attention when I saw that it weighs only 5.4 ounces! It also takes design inspiration from one of the most popular and versatile bipods on the market, the Ckye Pod. But make no mistake, these are two very different creatures.
The Mountain Bipod that I have for review is the ARCA attachment model which weighs 5.7 ounces. Its legs adjust outward in five positions and forward in three positions at 0, 45, and 90 degrees. I’m calling the stowed position of the legs parallel to the barrel or stock “0 degrees.” This bipod can also pan 360 degrees, tilt 70 degrees each way, and has twist-lock legs that provide a minimum height of 4 inches and a maximum height of 15 inches.
The Mountain Bipod is Unique
I’ve been through countless bipods during my endless search for the best equipment for hunting applications. In the end, I still carry an extremely heavy Ckye Pod in the mountains because I am not willing to compromise on the versatility of this bipod. The ability to adjust the legs outward, forward, pan, tilt, and maintain a large minimum and maximum height is mandatory in rugged terrain. Consequentially, the weight of the equipment that can accomplish this is secondary.
The Mountain Bipod does all of this while weighing between 5.4 and 5.7 ounces depending on if you have an ARCA or Picatinny attachment. That is over 1 pound less weight than the bipod I once used for hunting!
Is the Mountain Bipod Durable?
The Mountain Bipod is built with titanium critical components that are involved in adjustability, while the rest of it is basically clad in carbon fiber and aluminum. This bipod’s construction shows purpose-built design and great engineering that utilizes the best material for a given application. Because of this, I had no issues or concerns beating it up with my lightweight 7mm PRC or 338 EDGE. Even at full leg extension, I was able to heavily preload the bipod. The spiked feet allowed me to dig the bipod into the ground and really apply pressure to the buttstock with my shoulder. The Mountain bipod handled this, and a large amount of recoil like a champ.
Specifications and Features
- cant: 70 degrees each way
- pan: 360 degree
- Picatinny or ARCA quick attachment and detachment
- leg adjustment
- twist lock length adjustment
- 5 outward adjustments
- 0, 45, and 90-degree forward positions
- height: 8cm (4″) to 38cm (15″)
- Weight:
- Picatinny Attachment 152 grams (5.4oz)
- Arca Attachment 161 grams (5.7oz)
- carbon fiber legs
- adjustable ratcheting lever on mount
- spiked feet
- MSRP: $440.00
The Best Hunting Bipod Option?
Yes, there are other lightweight hunting bipods available on the market. So many that there are probably some that weigh less than this Mountain Bipod made by MTNGear that I’m not aware of. However, I’ve yet to find one that weighs so little and still provides so much adjustability and strength. I think this is the best bipod on the market currently for applications where weight matters.
READ MORE: Why Changing Out Your AR15 Charging Handle Is A Good Idea
But what about the cost? $440.00 is a lot of money and I won’t try and tell you otherwise. Still, when you get into such specialized equipment, you expect to pay a premium for this. The Mountain Bipod still costs hundreds of dollars less than the one that I am changing it out for. Other lightweight bipod options that I know of will also cost you much more. I think that this bipod is worth the expense, but in the end, this is a choice that you need to make for yourself.
Learn more about the Mountain Bipod HERE.