Do Maxpedition bags ever "break in"?

[Macchina]

I have had a Maxpedition Condor II for 2 years now and have used it for quite a few weeks away from home. It still looks and feels like it's brand new! This is not necessarily a bad thing, the thing is definitely bomb proof, but it is very stiff. I just bought a Falcon II for use as a school bag this semester (third year towards my engineering degree, I'm not in high school or anything ), and it is just as stiff as the Condor. Just wondering if they ever soften up.


Side note: The Maxpedition bags really do live up to their claims. They are very expensive for backpacks, but you actually get what you pay for. I am amazed how well my Condor II has held up. Between the Falcon and Condor, I have a backpack for everything I need to do short of a week long hike.

 

[Infi-del]

They eventually get a little softer, but not much. I have a Jumbo Vpak that I've had for a number of years and have beat the crap out of it and it's only marginally softer. I have a Vulture II that I EDC and it's only gotten the tiniest bit softer. Seems the more weight you carry in them the faster they soften up. At least that's been my experience. I love how durable they are, but man they sure are loud crinkling about. But I'd rather have loud and hardcore than flimsy and quiet. I just ordered three of their 12X5 bottle holders in OD Green since they are discontinuing that model. Got me some Nalgene 48oz bottles to go in them. They say a regular bottle of wine will fit in them as well. So I can be tactically sound while on a picnic with my girl LOL.

 

[kr1]

I agree. I have the Falcon Pygmy II and love that bag. Wears like steel. Hasn't really gotten any softer but it is comfortable to hike with even when loaded pretty heavily and I'm certainly not worried about blowing out a seam or anything. I have several maxpedition bags including the dopple duffle and several others. OK, I'm a gear whore but their stuff is great.

KR

 

[silenthunterstudios]

I really don't take care of my Jumbo like I should, but it is still in great shape. Those little ties on the zippers fell off. Just an excuse for me to put square knot lanyards on.

 

[storl]

Their main target market are guys wearing body armor, thick uniforms, etc. so comfort is not really a huge concern like you will see with the backpacking oriented companies. I asked a Maxpedition rep if they were every going to make anything with the aero backs like Osprey and other companies use and he just kind of laughed.

I know they try to be all hardcore, but they have to realize that a large part of their customer base is NOT military or LEO and would like a pack that is durable AND comfortable.

 

[powernoodle]

Their main target market are guys wearing body armor

I suspect that their primary market is actually mass market civilian comsumers who need a book bag for school, a fanny pack for Disney World, or a wilderness/EDC type manbag. It would be interesting to see how their sales break down in that regard, since the potential civilian market has to vastly outweigh the potential LEO/MIL market. This conclusion is somewhat bolstered too by their recent introduction of vivid colors and color combos.

JMO. Not trying to be a wise guy.

Whatever their target market, I can't get enough of their stuff. I'm having some success getting my 12 year old addicted, and am currently waiting on yet another bag (this time a Lunana). :thumbup:

 

[mrmaigo]

I've EDCd a Vpac for a while, it hasn't gotten softer but it's a bit more flexible. It's finally lost the folds from when it was shipped, 3 years ago, lol

 

[storl]

I suspect that their primary market is actually mass market civilian comsumers who need a book bag for school, a fanny pack for Disney World, or a wilderness/EDC type manbag.

I said target market, not who actually buys their stuff.

An overweight dude wearing a fanny pack would not make for very effective or enticing advertising.

 

[Macchina]

I suspect that their primary market is actually mass market civilian comsumers who need a book bag for school, a fanny pack for Disney World, or a wilderness/EDC type manbag.:thumbup:

I agree. Just like how many military/LE snipers actually the sniper guns, packs, scopes, etc. advertised as "sniper".

 

[HikingMano]

so comfort is not really a huge concern like you will see with the backpacking oriented companies. I asked a Maxpedition rep if they were every going to make anything with the aero backs like Osprey and other companies use and he just kind of laughed.

I know they try to be all hardcore, but they have to realize that a large part of their customer base is NOT military or LEO and would like a pack that is durable AND comfortable.

+1. Had to give up on my Maxped Falcon-II as a hiking pack because it just wasn't doing it for me comfort wise. It is durable as hell, and to answer the OP, I don't think I succeeded in softening it up when I had it. It's serving a SAR dude now, so maybe it'll get more broken in with him :thumbup:. I love the design, organization, and durability of their products, but their packs just aren't as comfortable as I'd like.

I do wish I could find or afford durable packs that are also comfortable. I hear kifaru is comfortable...but I just can't seem to pony up that much money for a pack....

I'm going to pick up a Falcon-II again later though, to use as an EDC pack. :thumbup: If shtf on the way to or back from work in the city, that's the pack I'd want with me .

 

[storl]

I do wish I could find or afford durable packs that are also comfortable. I hear kifaru is comfortable...but I just can't seem to pony up that much money for a pack....

I can understand needing a pack like Maxpedition, Spec Ops, etc. if you are in Iraq with guns and IEDs everywhere, but I just can't justify the extra weight and expense for the kind of stuff I do. I have a Gregory Forrester that I have been using for about six years of regular backpacking, and it still looks like it is new. I don't drop it in swamp water, I don't use it as a sled down rocky slopes, I don't store knives without sheaths in it, etc. I think the non-ultralight packs are plenty durable and will last for many years or even decades. Plus, they are a LOT more comfortable.

To each his own though. I used to manage an online business for an outdoor store, and we sold used gear as well. Kids would come in with these really nice packs that were just completely destroyed from a single trip. It all depends on how you treat your gear.

The Kifaru packs look nice, but like you, I just can't swing the expense. If I were going to get an expensive pack, I would probably get one of the waterproof Arc'Teryx AC2 packs with their roll tops. Those are actually super durable and light. Just be prepared for Kifaru-ish pricing.

 

[HikingMano]

I think the non-ultralight packs are plenty durable and will last for many years or even decades. Plus, they are a LOT more comfortable.
[...]
The Kifaru packs look nice, but like you, I just can't swing the expense. If I were going to get an expensive pack, I would probably get one of the waterproof Arc'Teryx AC2 packs with their roll tops. Those are actually super durable and light. Just be prepared for Kifaru-ish pricing.

Yeah, I just recently got an Osprey Kestrel 38, for dayhikes with backpacking trip double-duty. I am in LOVE with it:thumbup::thumbup:. It's entirely unreal how comfortable that pack is. And with my normal hiking activities, I think it is durable enough. Hikes are so much more enjoyable now...

Those Arc'Teryx packs are superb looking, checked out a couple at my local REI. They are indeed definitely in the Kifaru price range though.

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack, Maxped products are quality though. I use a 10x4 bottle holder set-up for dayhikes and short outings still :thumbup:.

 

[Infi-del]

I can understand needing a pack like Maxpedition, Spec Ops, etc. if you are in Iraq with guns and IEDs everywhere, but I just can't justify the extra weight and expense for the kind of stuff I do. I have a Gregory Forrester that I have been using for about six years of regular backpacking, and it still looks like it is new. I don't drop it in swamp water, I don't use it as a sled down rocky slopes, I don't store knives without sheaths in it, etc. I think the non-ultralight packs are plenty durable and will last for many years or even decades. Plus, they are a LOT more comfortable.

To each his own though. I used to manage an online business for an outdoor store, and we sold used gear as well. Kids would come in with these really nice packs that were just completely destroyed from a single trip. It all depends on how you treat your gear.

The Kifaru packs look nice, but like you, I just can't swing the expense. If I were going to get an expensive pack, I would probably get one of the waterproof Arc'Teryx AC2 packs with their roll tops. Those are actually super durable and light. Just be prepared for Kifaru-ish pricing.

I think where Maxpedition comes in for the average joe is an EDC pack that is gonna be bombproof. For something like a trek into the wild lasting a week or more I'd want something more comfortable and lightweight as well. The Maxpeditions have no real adjusment to secure your load. But often packs like that aren't quite as durable so you have to care more for them. For an EDC it's gonna get scraped on concrete, snagged on metal doors or car doors, or get set down on 120 degree asphault for an hour or who knows. And it's gonna happen every single day in some shape or form. So you give up a little 3 week hike comfort for EDC durability. The other nice thing is that most people are creatures of habit. Having a bag that will more than likely last you 10 maybe 20 years of daily use means you can keep your stuff right where your used to it and it's always there. At least that's one reason why I love my Maxpedition Vulture II. I tried going with different bags including shoulder bags and "Tactical" Attache type cases. But that Vulture II is just the best solution to an EDC bag I've personally found. And after much abuse and neglect it's still about like new. I can't really complain about it in any way. Sure it's not as comfortable as a true long range hiking or climbing pack. But it really doesn't need to be. I wear it for maybe 30 minutes at a time maybe 3 to 5 times a day. So it's really as comfortable as it needs to be as I'm not wearing it for 8 hours straight hiking through unforgiving trails. Pretty much flat ground and concrete.

 

[symphonyincminor]

Maxpedition uses 1000 denier ballistic nylon - it's very stiff material and isn't very forgiving when it comes to conforming to your body or what's inside your pack. No matter how many compression straps Maxpedition uses, it's hard to get the pack cinched down correctly because of how stiff their nylon material is. The material itself is also very heavy. There's this perception that the heavier and tougher the fabric, the more durable the bag. You also have to consider the quality of the stitching, quality of the stitching material, zipper durability, etc.

Condura is much better for comfort and flexibility. 500 denier Condura seems to be a good mix of durability and overall comfort. Plenty strong and abrasion resistant for hiking, backpacking, and everyday use. Very resistant to snagging on branches and sharp corners. A lot lighter than ballistic nylon, too.

Then again, I'm not as hardcore as some of the civilian Maxpedition users out there.

 

[storl]

So it's really as comfortable as it needs to be as I'm not wearing it for 8 hours straight hiking through unforgiving trails. Pretty much flat ground and concrete.

Well, that makes sense. I wasn't thinking about people that were going to be using it for everything. I was thinking about those of us that buy 10 different packs for every possible situation.

 

[HikingMano]

Well, that makes sense. I wasn't thinking about people that were going to be using it for everything. I was thinking about those of us that buy 10 different packs for every possible situation.

I shake my fist at you people that can afford to do that

Everything Infi-del said is spot on for me :thumbup: Exactly the reason I want one again for EDC.

 

[Infi-del]

Well, that makes sense. I wasn't thinking about people that were going to be using it for everything. I was thinking about those of us that buy 10 different packs for every possible situation.

Yeah I got a Kelty Red Cloud that is an awesome hiker. It's just not as abuse proof as my Maxpedition Vulture II. But man is it comfortable on long trips. And super light weight.

 

[Infi-del]

Exactly the reason I want one again for EDC.

I serioulsy think you could beat someone to death with the Colossus versapack. It's padded so your goods should stay protected. And ain't nothing hurting that bag.

 

[kalama]

i to dont think maxpeditions are that great in comfort gave away my falcon to my brada,i tend to go with hunting packs my buzzer ,an badlands are just as bomb proof an hell of comfortable to use.an has all the pockets an is h20 compatable

 

[Infi-del]

There's this perception that the heavier and tougher the fabric, the more durable the bag.

Maybe cause that's usually true?

You also have to consider the quality of the stitching, quality of the stitching material, zipper durability, etc.

Have you ever looked at a maxpedition. Their stitching is insanely overdone and done well I might add. And their zippers are so beefy and durable that they're actually hard to use for the first month or so until you get them borken in.

Condura is much better for comfort and flexibility. 500 denier Condura seems to be a good mix of durability and overall comfort.

I would agree to a point. I've got some eagle gear that is really nice and made of 1000d cordura. But cordura can be use specific. I find because it's more flexible that sometimes pouches made in it can be floppy. Meaning that you have to actually put both hands on it to close it. I have two Eagle medical pouches on the sides of my Vulture and you usually have to put two hands on them to close them because the fabric is so pliable. My EDC bag sits in my passenger seat of my truck when I'm driving. It's nice to grab something out of it with one hand while driving. Having to use two hands on really soft fabric pouches can be a pain sometimes. I keep my drink bottles inside the main compartment and it zips right up because the maxpedition is so stiff it just sits straight up on it's own. I've also noticed that my cordura eagle gear will soak up water a lot faster than the maxpedition. The maxpedition seems to sheet it off for little while before it starts absorbing it. The cordura soaks it up much faster. A wet pack is a heavy pack.

Plenty strong and abrasion resistant for hiking, backpacking, and everyday use. Very resistant to snagging on branches and sharp corners. A lot lighter than ballistic nylon, too.

No one is arguing that. It's good stuff. I still think the maxpedition will last longer. I've worn through a few bags in my day and the lighter stuff while plenty tough will wear faster than the heavier chunkier materials. And maxpedition thinks their stuff out pretty well to. Much of the value is in their thoughtful design. My vulture has an abrasion pad on the bottom that is great when I drag it on concrete or set it on hot pavement. I don't drag it on purpose mind you. But when you set your bag on a rough concrete table and then pull it off, it drags a little. And doing that every single day will begin to wear through thinner softer material.

Then again, I'm not as hardcore as some of the civilian Maxpedition users out there.

Stop it LOL. There's no need to be like that.