Mission Workshop Rambler design changes?

Just got a MW Rambler from Kinoko and it doesn't feel right... I've emailed MW themselves, but in the meantime, does anyone else own one of these and can help?

Basically the bag just seems different from the one I've seen reviewed everywhere/advertised, including on MW's own website. The main closure strap is just a long length of rather flimsy nylon webbing, rather than the burly elastic I've seen everywhere (and there is no reflective tab on the end, for what it's worth), and the little straps that help hold the expanding compartment closed just have simple non-QR buckles rather than the cam-locking QR buckles with the orange MW pattern on the lock. Both make the bag significantly less useful, really.

There are other little things, like the long (male) end of the main strap being detachable rather than held in a little 'sleeve'-type thing, which I could probably chalk up to a simple design change. The others seem like a huge step back though.

I'm not accusing Kinoko of selling counterfeit goods, but it just seems... off. Anyone?

EDIT: It looks like this one. Have they really fucked the design that much?
http://www.todayistheday.jp/item/missionworkshop-rambler/

I've had 3 Ramblers now and also noticed those changes on the most recent one. Other than the elastic I think they are all improvements though. I never got on with the QR buckles on the inside and I think the detachable nature of the main strap/buckle is much easier to use.

the inside strap becoming non QR is really annoying, i might just replace these by my self at some point. Also the outside strap being not stretchy. i wished they would include a 2nd large female buckkle on the ouside. so i wouldnt have to undo them.but still a decent bag.

Hmm, how stupid. Anyone know if someone like BigxTop might make a replacement stretchy strap?

Ok, I'm impressed...

Hi,

Sorry to hear you aren't happy with the changes to the Rambler and Vandal. I'll explain below and hopefully we can get you sorted one way or another.

The front strap is now removable and can be swapped out for other straps and hardware. For functional reasons we did go with a non elastic webbing but we have had a few people want the elastic strap. Consequently we've sewn some elastic straps up and would be happy to send you one at our expense. You can swap it out yourself.

The reflective piece removal was just a design preference on our end.

The new side buckle is more functional than the old one. The original design of these packs had the expanding section open up completely like a clam shell. We needed the separating and locking buckles for this design but they were really bulky.

When we updated the pack to the enclosed expanding section version we should have swapped the buckles then. The only purpose for side buckles on the current design is to cinch down the sides. With the new buckles you can cinch the side down a full inch more which helps a lot with smaller expanded loads.

If you'd like us to send you an elastic strap replacement just send us your address and phone number over and we'll UPS it to you at our expense. Hopefully the other changes are things you are comfortable with as these aren't things we can retroactively change.

Thanks

now they are going to get a number of emails from people on here who has the new bag.

Their fault for changing it then! :)