Long time member that needs to contribute more.
I recently traded into the now discontinued Maxpedition Devil Dog pack from another BFer. I was looking for a larger multi use pack than a fanny pack, but something that had multiple carry options. Everyone here probably knows about Maxpedition the products are: 1)well thought out and engineered 2) overbuilt with excellent heavy duty materials 3) finished well, no frays are bad seams.
First what I didn't like. I understand the concept of a lumbar/fanny pack, but it does not work for me at all. I have a lightweight The North Face fanny pack I have used for years, but it barely works for my needs. A lumbar pack is designed to go on the small of the back, but for me, that just isn't possible. I tightened the belt up so much I could barely breathe. The pack very quickly starts sliding down my butt until I have to readjust it. And that is without any weight in it. Maybe its body type, I know that Maxpedition makes several other packs in this area (Proteus, Sabrecat) but I have tried every way there is to make it work, and for me, it won't. There are two loops by the handle where one could attatch shoulder straps, and I know several people that have (edcforums). My issue with this, is that I would greatly prefer to just use backpack than a lumbar pack with straps. I have to carry a lot of liquid, during the summer it will average 95 degrees and 80% humidity, so its easier for me to just go with my Camelbak Mule.
Does that mean I don't like the pack? To the contrary, it works well for me in non lumbar mode. What I like about Max's packs is that they have multiple carry modes. The Devil Dog has a handle, a sling, and belt option. I use the sling most of the time on the trail, and the handle in and out of the car. During the week it usually is full of tools to handle the chores I do on a daily basis. I can load what I need, plus a MP3 player, phone, light food, and liquid carriers. I can also pair it with a backpack if need be with its attachment points. I think the main point for most of the folks on this forum is that Max's stuff is open to modification and imagination. Each pack out will be unique. On the whole, I like the Devil Dog, and I can't imagine how the Sabrecat can carry more gear and stay around the waist, maybe it can. I know that if I had to, I could rig it up for waist carry and may try that, as I have had many experiences where I wished I could change up how I carried something based on the situation I was in.
Its tough, well thought out, multiple carry options, and right now they are something of a bargain if you can still catch retailers closing them out.
Packed out with some carabiners. I use a high tech old Gatorade bottle that I freeze full of ice and then put a beer can insulator around it to keep it cool.
Light load:
MP3/FM radio
Leatherman Skeletool
Kershaw Sapphire
Monocular
8 hour light stick
lighter
cell phone
sunglass case
not seen are my money clip and boom stick
I recently traded into the now discontinued Maxpedition Devil Dog pack from another BFer. I was looking for a larger multi use pack than a fanny pack, but something that had multiple carry options. Everyone here probably knows about Maxpedition the products are: 1)well thought out and engineered 2) overbuilt with excellent heavy duty materials 3) finished well, no frays are bad seams.
First what I didn't like. I understand the concept of a lumbar/fanny pack, but it does not work for me at all. I have a lightweight The North Face fanny pack I have used for years, but it barely works for my needs. A lumbar pack is designed to go on the small of the back, but for me, that just isn't possible. I tightened the belt up so much I could barely breathe. The pack very quickly starts sliding down my butt until I have to readjust it. And that is without any weight in it. Maybe its body type, I know that Maxpedition makes several other packs in this area (Proteus, Sabrecat) but I have tried every way there is to make it work, and for me, it won't. There are two loops by the handle where one could attatch shoulder straps, and I know several people that have (edcforums). My issue with this, is that I would greatly prefer to just use backpack than a lumbar pack with straps. I have to carry a lot of liquid, during the summer it will average 95 degrees and 80% humidity, so its easier for me to just go with my Camelbak Mule.
Does that mean I don't like the pack? To the contrary, it works well for me in non lumbar mode. What I like about Max's packs is that they have multiple carry modes. The Devil Dog has a handle, a sling, and belt option. I use the sling most of the time on the trail, and the handle in and out of the car. During the week it usually is full of tools to handle the chores I do on a daily basis. I can load what I need, plus a MP3 player, phone, light food, and liquid carriers. I can also pair it with a backpack if need be with its attachment points. I think the main point for most of the folks on this forum is that Max's stuff is open to modification and imagination. Each pack out will be unique. On the whole, I like the Devil Dog, and I can't imagine how the Sabrecat can carry more gear and stay around the waist, maybe it can. I know that if I had to, I could rig it up for waist carry and may try that, as I have had many experiences where I wished I could change up how I carried something based on the situation I was in.
Its tough, well thought out, multiple carry options, and right now they are something of a bargain if you can still catch retailers closing them out.
Packed out with some carabiners. I use a high tech old Gatorade bottle that I freeze full of ice and then put a beer can insulator around it to keep it cool.
Light load:
MP3/FM radio
Leatherman Skeletool
Kershaw Sapphire
Monocular
8 hour light stick
lighter
cell phone
sunglass case
not seen are my money clip and boom stick
I also had a small water bladder/hose set up so I could drink while hiking. Additionally, the last backpacking trip we took a few weeks ago was pretty hot and required a lot of water. I used the Devil Dog to carry two 1 quart bottles, a 2 quart (Nalgene space-saver), a two 3 quart (collapsable) containers plus the water filter. I hand-carried the two 3 qt containers back, but the DD made it much easier hiking the 500+ meters to the creek and back with all that water.
