Maxpedition Falcon II Question

The Warrior

🇺🇸 INSANE VIKING 🇺🇸
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I bought this Max Lunada knock off http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...Sling-Bag-(Photo-Heavy)?p=9681572#post9681572 and like it okay, but it's very small. I can't say I'm overly crazy about a sling bag either. Not too comfortable. Anyways, I was thinking of getting a Max Falcon II. I know it's small also, but it's about the size I'm looking for. My problem is, I'm a fairly good sized guy at 6'2", 280 lbs. Does anyone know if this thing would even fit me? I hate to order one, and have to send it back, and there's no stores around here that carry this sort of stuff. Do any of you good sized guys have one, and if so, how's it fit? Thanks.
 
If the straps are the same size as the condor II then it will easily fit you. Sorry I can't speak directly to your model.
 
I just bought this model 2 months ago to replace my Fox hunting back. I love it. I needed something that fit between the shoulder blades and this one fits. I am 6'0" 200lbs 44 chest 34 waist and this fits me very well. I love the molle straps and there is enough room to pack my Leupold Seqouia spotting scope, Nikon 10x42 binos, snubby 357 mag, 100 ft of cordage, firestarter, 2 flashlights, Lecia rangefinder, 2 small hand towels, and a bunch of smaller items. I did add the 5.11 water bottle holder and now I wish I had spent the extra $ for the Maxpedition one. I removed the belt as it is pretty weak. I also added the Eberlestock molle attached rifle scabbard as I have long walks on my place and wanted to try this out in the event I draw an elk tag again. The molle loops make it great for lashing something to the pack if you need to. Over all a great medium size pack. I found anything below 1500 ci is to small and over 1850 ci, I packed to much junk and the pack woudl become heavy. This one is just right. I would take all the gear you plan on putting in it with you to the store, and see if it fits in a similar size pack, although likely a different maker based on the post. I was able to do this as there is a retailer near me and it sold me on the pack.
 
See, that's just it. I used to lift weights back in the day. I have a 55" chest, and am pretty broad shouldered. Man I wish there were a local shop around here...
 
i had one and sold it. i'm 5'9" and the waist belt was around my belly button - that means all the weight is on my shoulders. the waist belt is completely useless except to keep the pack from swinging side by side. it's a nice pack if you only limit your load to 20 lbs or under. over that and you're better off going with a real hiking pack made by osprey, the north face, mountainsmith, rei, etc. where the pack matches your torso length so it puts the load around your waist.
 
Yeah, there's no way that's gonna fit me. Thanks for the heads up guys.
 
Yeah, the hip strap is definitely not a full fledged hip belt. It is just there to make the pack more stable, not to take weight off your shoulders. Check out packs from someone that makes them in different sizes, like Arc'Teryx, Osprey, Gregory, etc.
 
It's a great pack but will be on the short side for most to use the hip belt to distribute the weight of the load. I use it for an early spring climb of Mt Whitney. Even with only 20lbs, not being able to carry some of the weight on your hips gets uncomfortable fast.

Solution! Got a Maxpedition Proteus. It's one of the hip packs they sell. Mates up perfectly with the Falcon II. The compression strap at the bottom of the Falcon II lines up exactly with Molle straps on the Proteus so the two can be bound together to form an extended Falcon II. It fits so perfectly it's almost like they were made to work this way. So increase carrying capacity and more importantly increase load capacity since now you can carry most of the weight on your hips.

I'll post some pics so you can see what it looks like.
 
That's an interesting concept, I'll be looking forward to pictures!

I agree with the others, I'm 5' 10", and the waist belt is too high for me to help with the load - light day pack only.
 
I,m 5' 11'' & am so glad to see this post, would like to see the photo,s of the two packs combined my self.
 
Definteltywant to see pics as I may add the belt to mine. Agree this is a great tough day pack and only carrying 20-25lbs has not been an issue. Then again most of my hunting is out of a blind so travel is no more than a mile at most. I do like that the pack is small enought to allow more movement when scrambling through tight places. The fact that it feels small makes it easier to draw a bow or carry a rifle, thus the reason for buying it.
 
Here ya go.

You can see how perfectly the strap lines up with the attachment points on the Proteus....

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Here's how it fits. The way to make this work best is to fully pack the hip pack. That way it has shape and will fully support the Falcon II.

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Falcon II by itself was ok up to 20lbs. With the hip pack attached and taking most of the load......35lbs or more no problem. The belt webbing on the Proteus is wider than the Falcon II. And so far I've only use it belt naked (just webbing). You could add some padding to make it even more comfortable. I'm 5'10" just to give you guys some reference.
 
I have a Pygmy Falcon and Condor II. I sold my Falcon, it was an inbetween and I didn't need it. The Pygmy Falcon is my "adventure bag" that I grab when hiking or going on day trips. It is like my Jumbo Versipack, but I Can fit a sweatshirt or light jacket, as well as my rain gear. The Condor is my bugout bag, setup with everything I need to go to a hotel, sleep in my car, or camp out in the woods for a few days.

You can take off the belt straps on the Condor and Falcon, I do. These bags are not meant for long range hiking, not overloaded heavy at least. I load about 15 lbs in the Pygmy Falcon and 25 lbs in the Condor. Anymore weight and either bag is extremely uncomfortable, they are just not made to carry that much over distances.

As far as size, the Falcon is narrow but deep (sticks way out from your back when loaded) where the Condor is more squared and displaces across my back. For a bigger guy, the Condor is the way to go.
 
Does anyone have any pics of this setup using the Pygme Falcon and Proteus?

The pygmy is the same as the falcon, minus the falcon's middle section. Same "footprint" on your back, but the pack doesn't go as far out from your back.
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Pygmy does not appear to use compression straps at the base of the pack. So Brutane if you're trying to use the 2 together it will still work but just not as well since it won't be tied together as a unit. The Falcon II stock compression straps are what I used but I suppose you can always rig something up.
 
Thanks daug, appreciated. Looks like a good route to go. I just ordered the Falcon II yesterday. I actually saw the Falcon/Proteus idea on an "Equip to Endure" video on youTube.
 
I am all over this idea. I have the Falcon II. Going to shop for a Proteus in OD. Thanks for the tip.
 
Thanks daug, appreciated. Looks like a good route to go. I just ordered the Falcon II yesterday. I actually saw the Falcon/Proteus idea on an "Equip to Endure" video on youTube.
Actually, that was the Falcon II/Sabercat combo, my bad.
 
Really liking this idea, but the more I think about it, I still question the way the combo would fit me. At 6'2", I'm 4 inches taller than you. I guess I could always drop the Falcon down lower on the back.
 
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