5 Questions with Ron Bell of Mountain Laurel Designs

mountain laurel designs

Mountain Laurel Designs is a home-grown Roanoke Region company that makes tents, tarps, packs, and more to help you make the most of outdoor adventures. What makes MLD gear different is that it is super lightweight.

Everything from Mountain Laurel Designs is custom made by a small team of workers. Anyone can buy from Mountain Laurel Design online.

Here’s more about the company from the man who started it, Ron Bell, the chief happiness officer/design minister at MLD. (You might also know him as a hiker or runner.)

5 Questions with Ron Bell

mountain laurel designs

What led you to start Mountain Laurel Designs?

In 2002, it was part time hobby that grew out of control as I tried to go lighter and faster on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia. Commercial gear was not available then to carry super ultralight loads. I was bringing a climber gear mentality to hiking. In 2007, it became a full time job.

What sets MLD apart?

Super high quality construction using cutting edge materials.

What’s your top-selling product?

Any of our Pyramid style tents. We hand build them in light SilNylon and even lighter and more exotic Dyneema Composite Fabric for ultimate lightweight and high strength. They offer a lot of coverage compared to a regular hooped pole type tent and set up very fast.

How many employees do you have and what type of jobs do they do?

Our small team of craftspeople sew and assemble our wide range of light backpacking adventure gear at their individual workstations – it’s not an assembly line.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside?

Local Mountain Junkies Trail Races!!!

The Roanoke Region has always been an outdoor wonderland. Did you know that it’s an outdoor business center, too? Mountain Laurel Designs is just one of the many businesses taking advantage of a rich mix of outdoor amenities with limitless potential for growth. Learn more.