Condor II or Rush 24 for day-pack/overnighter?

[killa_concept]

So right now I have a camelbak mule that I absolutely adore. It's great for short hikes, biking, and basically anything that doesn't require much more than water, a wee bit of trail food, and some basic gear. Great EDC pack. However, it's really not enough room for anything past a short romp. Now I'm in search of a decent day-pack with room to add on. I'll be using it as a bag for college (textbooks/netbook, etc) as well as an outdoors/camping pack. I already have a bladder from the mule so that isn't an issue. So I've searched around for awhile and have more or less brought it down to the Maxpedition Condor II or 5.11 Rush 24.

With the Rush 24, I like the idea of the yoke system, the large number of molle attachment points, and especially the hardplate (tend to have issues with the bladder or other items in the pack bulging or being uneven).

With the Condor II, I like the flexible chest strap (find that these generally dig in when tightened or aren't worth it because they're too loose), the partial zip main compartment (don't like the idea of the pack zipping down all the way), and especially the retention straps on the bottom to allow for a rolled up tarp or something similar.

Anyways, I just thought I'd get your guy's opinions on the matter before I pull the trigger. Of course I totally welcome suggestions on other packs as I'm not dead-set on these two just yet and alternate recommendations always seem inevitable in these sort of threads. Just try not to suggest packs much more than $100

Thanks in advance guys! :thumbup:

 

[Mannlicher]

My choice would be to stay with CamelBak. The HAWG pack, with a few add on MOLLE pouches is ideal for my needs.

 

[Foilist]

I also am looking for a similar pack - something that could work both as a day bag or for an overnighter. My go-to bag got soaked in motor oil and is ruined.

If it were me, I'd go for the Falcon II. Its compressibility would make it more adaptable to different uses for me. I might have to get one . . .

 

[JUST1MOR]

If it were me, I'd go for the Falcon II. Its compressibility would make it more adaptable to different uses for me. I might have to get one . .

I have two of the Falcon-II bags, two of the attache cases, & just bought a Thermite for my wife & another Fatboy for me for our daily hike bags. You can not go wrong with their stuff, seems like all their bags/cases have enough pockets on the outside, or at least molle straps to attach whatever pouches you want to add. I've just had great experiences with all their stuff, no complaints at all. Good luck with your choice.
Be safe.

 

[dogboye]

I have a Condor II that I use as a hunting pack. It is pretty versatile, and I like it a lot. By the time I have it loaded up, it probably weighs about 25 pounds, and it carries well. I can stuff a 25ft drag rope (1/2" rope), a USGI poncho, and a poncho liner all in it, along with a microfleece shirt, and still have just a bit of room to spare. I would have even more room to spare if I didn't have a Ridgerest strapped to the bottom (where the straps across the bottom come in very handy). HOWEVER, the only bad thing I have to say about the pack is exactly these straps. They aren't long enough. I even emailed the company to suggest that in future packs, they consider lengthening those straps at least 6" each. The will just barely fit around the Ridgerest, but when securely fed through the ladderlock buckles, it pulls the RR up into the bottom of the pack enough to limit the internal volume. Enough that I could probably get another microfleece inside the pack if I didn't have the RR on the bottom. Now, you can get your own straps and use the couple of PALS loops on the bottom to strap your "bed roll" to it, if you wanted. But it would be so much simpler for them to have 6" longer straps. I have a USGI canteen pouch on one side, and a Maxped 12" bottle holder on the other, for some extra storage. The compression straps on the side have to be accounted for when attaching anything to the PALS loops on the sides, but this would be the case for any similar pack. Anyway, I love the pack.

 

[killa_concept]

My choice would be to stay with CamelBak. The HAWG pack, with a few add on MOLLE pouches is ideal for my needs.

Yeah, it was a contender early on for me, but I find that the Camelbak name carries a bit of an additional premium unless you can find a mil surplus or used one. It also comes with a bladder that I wouldn't need which adds onto the cost even more. Lastly, the lack of molle straps on the side is a pretty big turnoff as I want the ability to attach things there as well...

If it were me, I'd go for the Falcon II. Its compressibility would make it more adaptable to different uses for me. I might have to get one . .

I have two of the Falcon-II bags, two of the attache cases, & just bought a Thermite for my wife & another Fatboy for me for our daily hike bags. You can not go wrong with their stuff, seems like all their bags/cases have enough pockets on the outside, or at least molle straps to attach whatever pouches you want to add. I've just had great experiences with all their stuff, no complaints at all. Good luck with your choice.
Be safe.

Yeah - I looked over the falcon II as well, but I would prefer having the main compartment as a single rather than being split into two smaller divisions. The smaller overall width seems like it would also present me with some minor issues. Admittedly, I like the looks of it more and did give it some consideration, but the place I'm wanting to purchase from only has the black left in stock so that took it out of the picture entirely. I'll be taking this pack with me on my trip to visit the Philippines come this spring, and a black pack is just going to soak in heat and be a pain.

Glad to hear you've had positive experiences with a large range of maxpedition gear though! Definitely pushing me more in that direction

I have a Condor II that I use as a hunting pack. It is pretty versatile, and I like it a lot. By the time I have it loaded up, it probably weighs about 25 pounds, and it carries well. I can stuff a 25ft drag rope (1/2" rope), a USGI poncho, and a poncho liner all in it, along with a microfleece shirt, and still have just a bit of room to spare. I would have even more room to spare if I didn't have a Ridgerest strapped to the bottom (where the straps across the bottom come in very handy). HOWEVER, the only bad thing I have to say about the pack is exactly these straps. They aren't long enough. I even emailed the company to suggest that in future packs, they consider lengthening those straps at least 6" each. The will just barely fit around the Ridgerest, but when securely fed through the ladderlock buckles, it pulls the RR up into the bottom of the pack enough to limit the internal volume. Enough that I could probably get another microfleece inside the pack if I didn't have the RR on the bottom. Now, you can get your own straps and use the couple of PALS loops on the bottom to strap your "bed roll" to it, if you wanted. But it would be so much simpler for them to have 6" longer straps. I have a USGI canteen pouch on one side, and a Maxped 12" bottle holder on the other, for some extra storage. The compression straps on the side have to be accounted for when attaching anything to the PALS loops on the sides, but this would be the case for any similar pack. Anyway, I love the pack.

Yeah, that's what I heard as well from others. I was thinking you could probably undo it, use buckle clips to add an extension and thread it through again, giving you some added length without having to mess with the stitching. Honestly, I'm leaning towards this pack right now just because the issues I have with it seem easy to remedy. The things I dislike about the Rush 72, like the full fold-down design, are more permanent.

 

[Rich275]

The 5.11 RUSH 72 is a huge bag and probably way more than you need. It's a great travel bag and I got a weeks worth of Summer clothes in it on a trip this year.
Your title says you are looking for the RUSH 24, but you wrote the 72 in your posts. The 24 may be a much better choice size wise.
If you want a CB, then keep searching ebay. I've bought some both with and without bladders for much less than retail.

 

[JUST1MOR]

Yeah - I looked over the falcon II as well, but I would prefer having the main compartment as a single rather than being split into two smaller divisions. Glad to hear you've had positive experiences with a large range of maxpedition gear though! Definitely pushing me more in that direction

killa, you might want to take a look at their Last Resort & Aggressor attache bags. I used the Aggressor for a b.o.b. bag for about 3 years & it worked out great with all the exterior pockets. I now use the Last Resort for my work briefcase, have all my "get-home" stuff in the outside pockets & still have room for my laptop, battery, cables, folders & files in the main compartment. Also, it is an over the shoulder bag like the Aggressor & would not look out of place if need be. Good luck with your choices.
Be safe.

 

[killa_concept]

The 5.11 RUSH 72 is a huge bag and probably way more than you need. It's a great travel bag and I got a weeks worth of Summer clothes in it on a trip this year.
Your title says you are looking for the RUSH 24, but you wrote the 72 in your posts. The 24 may be a much better choice size wise.
If you want a CB, then keep searching ebay. I've bought some both with and without bladders for much less than retail.

woops - thanks for the correction: I did mean the 24. I started looking at reviews of the 72 whilst typing, and my head wasn't totally functioning at 3 in the morning.

killa, you might want to take a look at their Last Resort & Aggressor attache bags. I used the Aggressor for a b.o.b. bag for about 3 years & it worked out great with all the exterior pockets. I now use the Last Resort for my work briefcase, have all my "get-home" stuff in the outside pockets & still have room for my laptop, battery, cables, folders & files in the main compartment. Also, it is an over the shoulder bag like the Aggressor & would not look out of place if need be. Good luck with your choices.
Be safe.

I've actually used a Patagonia messenger bag for a school pack for quite some time. I like over-the-shoulder bags and they're very handy when you're not having to walk long distances or carry a lot of weight. However, the odd time while traveling to and from classes, I'll decide to skip a certain bus if it's not due within 15 minutes. The distance is about a mile and a half and if I'm carrying a good amount of books in my messenger bag, my shoulder gets somewhat disgruntled with me. One time I decided to walk all the way home from college after hanging out with some friends (a distance of 4.2miles) and my shoulder was practically dead by the time I got back. That all said, I'd prefer to stick with a standard backpack for this one as it's just better at distributing weight on fairly long walks

 

[HawGorn]

I don't have experience with the Condor but I use the Rush 24 as an EDC pack. It packs big loads well, I carry gym gear and lunch daily, weighing up to 25lbs total. I've also used it for 2-3 night business trips. The yoke functions well - for me - but your mileage (and size of shoulders/traps) may vary. Because of the square dimensions it is extremely easy to pack and take advantage of each nook and cranny. But also because of the square dimensions if heavily weighted and expanded to the full depth it can pull backwards a bit. With heavy rain a rain cover is a must, the zipper will leak even though it is covered with small flaps. The back plate functions very well, no bulging bladders there. The bladder compartment can also take in my 14.1" T61 laptop with the bigger battery pack.

 

[solocanoe]

a couple of grimlocks and a cheap 1' strap from wally world will give ya the ability to "compress" the RUSH24 down very effectively.

I've used the RUSH 24 as my EDC bag for just about 2 years now. All my EDC stuff and survival gear I want to carry is in all the little pockets and pouches...the main area is mostly open (canteen on the bottom - could be clipped to the side if I need the space inside)

Laptop and client files go in the main compartment. My eyes wander - I have even tried other bags for a few days. No contest (for me) - I keep coming back to the RUSH 24.

Love the straps and padded back too. (just my opinion)

 

[IA Woodsman]

I am a big fan of my Condor II. After I slapped every pouch I could find on it, The main compartment is usually empty.

 

[TiNi]

The RUSH 12 is another option too, slightly smaller than the 24.

The Maxped falcon II looks interesting.

A balance between size and features is what i'm looking for.

 

[killa_concept]

I am a big fan of my Condor II. After I slapped every pouch I could find on it, The main compartment is usually empty.

You've still got some webbing on the front there mate - toss a couple more FR-1 onto that sucker

The RUSH 12 is another option too, slightly smaller than the 24.

The Maxped falcon II looks interesting.

A balance between size and features is what i'm looking for.

I didn't even know the RUSH 12 existed until a day or two ago. Sadly it's a tad too small and only offered in black...

 

[LMT66]

Kelty Redwing 3100 or the smaller version of it is a good choice if you want a civi look.
Adding external pouches can be a pain and expensive and add a lot of bulk. The 3100 has built-in internal and external organization, a huge main compartment but cinches down for partial loads. Waist-belt is removable. Work a look @ $100.