JayHawk
02-27-2007, 08:28 PM
I originally wrote this as a review to a fellow motorcycle rider and thought with some editing it might be of some interest here too.
This pack is a copy of the Maxpedition Falcon (not Falcon 2) and the overall size is 18 tall x 10 wide x 10 deep. Available in black (pack-120) coyote tan (pack-121) and green (pack-125). The cost is currently $39.97.
From front to back there is a padded breathable mesh back panel then a hydration sleeve that will hold a 2 liter reservoir. I wish they would make it so that a 3 liter reservoir would fit like was done with the Falcon 2.
Next is the main section measuring 18 tall x 10 wide x 4 deep. There is a zippered sleeve in the upper front measuring 6 tall x 9 wide and a net map sleeve in the upper rear measuring 9 tall x 9 wide. There are 2 rows of PALS webbing on both sides.
Next is the middle section measuring 16 tall x 7.5 wide x 3 deep. There are a couple of net sleeves side by side in the upper front measuring 4 tall x 3.5 wide each. There is another sleeve behind these measuring 5 tall x 7 wide.
Next is the upper rear section measuring 3.5 tall x 7.5 wide x 3 deep. There is a single row of PALS webbing on the back.
Next is the lower rear section measuring 10 tall x 7.5 wide x 3 deep. There is a sleeve in the front measuring 6 tall x 6 wide. Attached to this is a second sleeve that has several pen sized slots. There are 2 rows of PALS webbing on the back.
The largest load Ive carried was on a 2 day motorcycling/camping trip. I only wore the pack when off the bike, when riding it was strapped to the bikes rack. Heres the load:
Hydration sleeve: 2 liters of water in a Camelbak reservoir.
Main section: Extra pair of pants, 2 under armor t-shirts, 2 pair socks, sandals, glove liners, balaclava, tarp, trash bags, maps, stove, fuel
Middle section: Cup, spoons, 2 dehydrated dinners, jerky, oatmeal, granola bars, dried fruit, nuts, coffee, tea bags
Upper rear: Personal items, FAK, extra batts
Lower rear: Survival items, fishing tackle, towel
Fishing pole and paracord strapped to 1 side, Nalgene bottle and water filter on the other. Jacket strapped to top, sleeping back strapped to bottom. Leatherman wave and light worn on the hip belt.
I have come to appreciate the quick release buckles that allow me to just slip out of the pack rather than removing it in a normal fashion. Each padded removable shoulder strap has 2 D rings for adding additional gear. I clipped a whistle, compass, digital camera bag and radio to them without issue. I found the straps to be comfortable enough but the upper free ends of the shoulder straps are a problem for me. Since I like to drink water while I ride, I have worn the pack while carrying only a Camelbak reservoir and the ends flop around a lot in the wind. While this isnt a problem for most people, to a lesser degree I noticed the same thing when hiking. Given this and the reported M ring breakage problem, I will likely sew the straps directly to the pack. A sternum strap and removable hip belt are included. The belt could stand to be wider and thicker to better support multitool and light sheaths as I prefer them not to be on my pants belt.
My take is that the pack carries well, has a surprising amount of space, offers good organization and its easy to reach items as needed. The construction is okay with heavy material used and stress points are double and cross stitched. I suffered no failures but the plastic pieces that attach the straps are a concern. As expected for the money the fit and finish is not the best. Some of the stitching is crooked along with webbing and thread ends that needed to be cleaned up. Overall Id rate the pack as extremely serviceable and should last a long time. Its very much a bargain.
This pack is a copy of the Maxpedition Falcon (not Falcon 2) and the overall size is 18 tall x 10 wide x 10 deep. Available in black (pack-120) coyote tan (pack-121) and green (pack-125). The cost is currently $39.97.
From front to back there is a padded breathable mesh back panel then a hydration sleeve that will hold a 2 liter reservoir. I wish they would make it so that a 3 liter reservoir would fit like was done with the Falcon 2.
Next is the main section measuring 18 tall x 10 wide x 4 deep. There is a zippered sleeve in the upper front measuring 6 tall x 9 wide and a net map sleeve in the upper rear measuring 9 tall x 9 wide. There are 2 rows of PALS webbing on both sides.
Next is the middle section measuring 16 tall x 7.5 wide x 3 deep. There are a couple of net sleeves side by side in the upper front measuring 4 tall x 3.5 wide each. There is another sleeve behind these measuring 5 tall x 7 wide.
Next is the upper rear section measuring 3.5 tall x 7.5 wide x 3 deep. There is a single row of PALS webbing on the back.
Next is the lower rear section measuring 10 tall x 7.5 wide x 3 deep. There is a sleeve in the front measuring 6 tall x 6 wide. Attached to this is a second sleeve that has several pen sized slots. There are 2 rows of PALS webbing on the back.
The largest load Ive carried was on a 2 day motorcycling/camping trip. I only wore the pack when off the bike, when riding it was strapped to the bikes rack. Heres the load:
Hydration sleeve: 2 liters of water in a Camelbak reservoir.
Main section: Extra pair of pants, 2 under armor t-shirts, 2 pair socks, sandals, glove liners, balaclava, tarp, trash bags, maps, stove, fuel
Middle section: Cup, spoons, 2 dehydrated dinners, jerky, oatmeal, granola bars, dried fruit, nuts, coffee, tea bags
Upper rear: Personal items, FAK, extra batts
Lower rear: Survival items, fishing tackle, towel
Fishing pole and paracord strapped to 1 side, Nalgene bottle and water filter on the other. Jacket strapped to top, sleeping back strapped to bottom. Leatherman wave and light worn on the hip belt.
I have come to appreciate the quick release buckles that allow me to just slip out of the pack rather than removing it in a normal fashion. Each padded removable shoulder strap has 2 D rings for adding additional gear. I clipped a whistle, compass, digital camera bag and radio to them without issue. I found the straps to be comfortable enough but the upper free ends of the shoulder straps are a problem for me. Since I like to drink water while I ride, I have worn the pack while carrying only a Camelbak reservoir and the ends flop around a lot in the wind. While this isnt a problem for most people, to a lesser degree I noticed the same thing when hiking. Given this and the reported M ring breakage problem, I will likely sew the straps directly to the pack. A sternum strap and removable hip belt are included. The belt could stand to be wider and thicker to better support multitool and light sheaths as I prefer them not to be on my pants belt.
My take is that the pack carries well, has a surprising amount of space, offers good organization and its easy to reach items as needed. The construction is okay with heavy material used and stress points are double and cross stitched. I suffered no failures but the plastic pieces that attach the straps are a concern. As expected for the money the fit and finish is not the best. Some of the stitching is crooked along with webbing and thread ends that needed to be cleaned up. Overall Id rate the pack as extremely serviceable and should last a long time. Its very much a bargain.