Backpacks: Maxpedition vs SpecOps vs whatever else

Andrew Lynch

Andrew Lynch

Joined
Feb 6, 2000
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I'm probably going to buy a new quality backpack and was wondering how these companies compared. I'm thinking specifically about the Maxpedition Condor or similar vs the SpecOps THE pack and also considering the largest Camelbak. Any opinions? I can't seem to find anything comparing them.

Thanks!!
 
What are your requirements for a backpack?

I've been using the Baby condor and have been very happy with it. Very nice size and the quality is good.

It really depends on what you want to use it for. For hiking i would rather choose one of those adventure brands like arcteryx or macpac.

Currently i use a macpac gemini rucksack and the quality is superb. It has held up very well going through airport check ins in australia, england, italy, indonesia, etc. For school and day to day i use a Crumpler Base Toucher which holds a notebook computer very well. The quality is also superb. For most of them when i don't need a notebook with me then the baby condor is what i use. It can fit one of those thick A4 folders plus my big jack daniels pencil box. Lots of pockets to fit everything as well.
 
Marmot
Dana Designs
Bergans
Arc'teryx

I would probably go with a Dana Design pack out of these manufacturers. Depending on your requirements, they have full on expeditions packs to bookbags, all top quality and reasonably priced for what you get.
 
I have an Eagle Industries AIII pack in OD. I use it for everything from a carry-on when I fly to an overnight bag to my BOB. Check out Eagleindustries.com. Made here in the USA to boot!
 
Andrew,
I carry the Eagle Airborne pack inOD and it has gone on two deployments, every trip I make, and to the field for training. It is hard to beat Eagle Industries, especially with the guarantee "If you dont' cut it, shoot it, or blow it up", it's covered for life. Mine is still in almost new condition after3 years of stedy hard use.
You may want to check out the RAID pack from Lightfighter.com made by Eagle industries. A great pack I have used on extensivly. It's the one I carry to Blade.
Hope you are enjoying college.

Regards,

Nick
 
Rhys MacArthur said:
Marmot
Dana Designs
Bergans
Arc'teryx

I would probably go with a Dana Design pack out of these manufacturers. Depending on your requirements, they have full on expeditions packs to bookbags, all top quality and reasonably priced for what you get.
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I agree with Rhys and point -- if you're primarily using this as a hiking back, brands like Arc'teryx are better than the military-style packs, IMO. It's worth letting us know what you're using it for, that would help guide the recommendation.
 
For those that use Max packs for school use, which do you think would be good for smaller frames? My stepkids are going to be getting to higher grades relatively soon (they are 9 and 10 now) and my wife and I would like to buy them quality packs with good straps to take the weight of their homework loads. I was thinking that one of the Max packs would be good, but dithering on which one.
 
FoxholeAtheist said:
For those that use Max packs for school use, which do you think would be good for smaller frames? My stepkids are going to be getting to higher grades relatively soon (they are 9 and 10 now) and my wife and I would like to buy them quality packs with good straps to take the weight of their homework loads. I was thinking that one of the Max packs would be good, but dithering on which one.
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I use the Condor. I don't think the Falcon is wide enough to use as a bookbag.
 
Thanks for the info guys. Wow. I appreciate it, but I'm more confused than ever. What a great variety of cool packs. This is a new addiction!

I would use the bag for several things--school use, travel as a carry-on type personal bag, for day outings, as well as for hiking.
 
FoxholeAtheist said:
For those that use Max packs for school use, which do you think would be good for smaller frames? My stepkids are going to be getting to higher grades relatively soon (they are 9 and 10 now) and my wife and I would like to buy them quality packs with good straps to take the weight of their homework loads. I was thinking that one of the Max packs would be good, but dithering on which one.
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I use the Baby Condor for university and highly recommend it. It can hold loads of stuff. However if you don't have much stuff the bag doesn't feel big. It only feels big if you stuff it. I think for a 10 year old it should be fine. I like that it has the rubber thingy on the bottom. Makes it more hardy and i don't mind putting it on the floor. Good for kids.
 
Two best packs I know of are both custom: Kifaru and McHale. Mchale is most suitable for climbing and expeditions and Kifaru for military and hunting. But they can do just about everything else too.
Check out Kifaru. The versatility is amazing.
 
Andrew, don't know if you got a chance at Blade to check out Brian's pack from Semper Paratus Tactical, but man, good quality stuff.

Might wanna look at those also.

Hammy
 
I think somebody above was trying to steer you toward Mystic Ranch which is actually Mystery Ranch and that person was on to something. They make the best packs on earth IMHO. I am in an outdoor/moutaineering shop at least once a week and keep my eye on these things closely. Mystery Ranch is own/run by Dana Gleason founder and former owner of Dana Designs. Check them out. They have a nice expanding military line as well.

For something of a mulit-use day pack or light overnighter, I would look toward Dan at Semper Paratus Tactical (Also mentioned above, I believe Brian has one of his packs). He does outstanding work. He is former infantry and his stuff is overbuilt to counter failures he had seen on other gear. He will do custom work and is very reasonable. If you can get EXACTLY what you want...why not do that? He has OD/Coyote/Black in stock, perhaps others by request(?) He does sheaths as well as many of you know :D

danspack4.JPG


semperparatustactical@hotmail.com
 
I've got a question to ask. How come none of the military-style packs come in different back lengths (or at least have adjustable harnesses)? Wouldn't that make them uncomfortable for anyone but the average-sized person?
 
The reason is because most mil packs that are being discussed are “3 day” or “assault packs.” They are not necessarily made for long hikes but rather to be tough and not hinder too much of your visibility/mobility. Pack w/ different adjustments are more for backpacking and thus are situated to be concerned with comfort first (if you notice, mil 3day packs are typically more slender and shorter than backpacking packs). All those adjustment points can break or get crap in ‘em. If you want to spend the cash, get a kifaru (hands down, the best) and you send ‘em your measurements so the pack WILL fit you.
 
Andrew—I have a SpecOps THE pack—just wrote something on it in the swamp rat survival forum if you are interested. But the short story---if you want a mil pack, and want the best, get a kifaru (word is the Eagle AIII and the lightfighter/Eagle RAID packs are go too). If you want a school bag, get a max. if you want a hiking pack look REAL hard at Mountainsmith.
 
anewguy said:
The reason is because most mil packs that are being discussed are “3 day” or “assault packs.” They are not necessarily made for long hikes but rather to be tough and not hinder too much of your visibility/mobility. Pack w/ different adjustments are more for backpacking and thus are situated to be concerned with comfort first (if you notice, mil 3day packs are typically more slender and shorter than backpacking packs). All those adjustment points can break or get crap in ‘em. If you want to spend the cash, get a kifaru (hands down, the best) and you send ‘em your measurements so the pack WILL fit you.
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Been looking at the Kifaru EMR myself...I have no USE for something that big, but I have always been of the 'Better too big than too small' philosophy myself...
I love the 'GunBearer System' add on.
What do you think about drain holes....Get them or not?
 
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