Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon II or Camelbak HAWG 500?

Sufler

Sufler

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Oct 15, 2005
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Have this idea in my mind of having just one bag that would have it all - enough of a small BoB but also a bag in the trunk of the car to pull out and go for a hike whenever.

Suggestions? Experiences with either? Feel somewhat that they're both too big but the Camelbak MULE seems too small.

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This thread was made for me to give advice, I think. I just replaced my Pygmy Falcon II with the 500D HAWG.

They are both really good packs. The Pygmy Falcon II is 1000D Cordura, so it is a bit heavier. The weight of the two packs is very similar off the rack, but the 500D HAWG has the hydration bladder included in that weight. Both have plenty of little pockets and slots for organizing. Both have tying points on the bottom for hanging a tarp/bag underneath. The 1000D Cordura of the Pymgy Falcon is significantly more stiff than the 500D of the HAWG.

It really boils down to what type of water carrying you prefer. The reason I decided I didn't want the Pygmy Falcon anymore was that I had to stop and take off the pack at least partway to get to my water, which made me drink less water because I didn't want to hold up whoever I was with in the woods. I wanted a hydration bladder, and the Pygmy Falcon isn't really bladder compatible. There is no sleeve or pocket for a bladder, and there is nothing to hang it from.

I do find the HAWG to be a little more comfortable to carry... I'd like to say that it is because it has better suspension. Which it might. Or might not. It could just be the difference of having all of my water weight centered on my spine rather than off to my sides.

One small detail I miss is the molle webbing near the top of the pack on the sides of the Pygmy Falcon. The side webbing on the HAWG is only at the bottom, which made me change my way of carrying my axe or large chopping knife.

In the end, they're both great packs. Once you decide which type of water carrying you prefer, you'll have your answer as to which to buy. I put maxpedition mini rollypoly's on each side of the HAWG so that I can expand all the way up to 5 liters of water carrying if I need in the peak of summer. This eliminates the concerns I had over not having a seperate bottle with me if I really feel like I need one.
 
Haha. Yes - it seems this thread was made with your reply in mind. Thanks very much for the feedback. Let me ask... with the HAWG bladder full of water, is it possible to fit a Nalgene bottle inside the largest compartment comfortably?

Thanks.
 
Sufler said:
Haha. Yes - it seems this thread was made with your reply in mind. Thanks very much for the feedback. Let me ask... with the HAWG bladder full of water, is it possible to fit a Nalgene bottle inside the largest compartment comfortably?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

My bladder is drying right now, just cleaned it this morning. Otherwise I'd check.

I think you could likely fit a couple of them in there if you stood them upright so that the hump from the bladder was in between them.
 
Pygmy 2 hands down Ill do a short vid or pic of mine and show you how AWESOME it is. Its my camp,hike,truck,EDC,BOB,canoe Its my everything and the way its set up it works for all that and it weights like 15lbs. with the camelback would have to get somthing to store your bottle in with the PF2 their are 2 places for one and molle and the bungy at the bottum is rerigged you cam put a sleeping back there. ITS AWESOME!!!!
 
I dont have the HAWG so I cannot comment. However I adore my Pygmy 2, its a great pack imho and has seen alot of hikes with me. I love the size and all the straps, I keep a nalgene bottle on both sides as I am not a big bladder fan I dont feel encumbered by not having it. It may be my arm length but I can reach my water bottles on both sides. the trick for me is keeping a metal cup in the bottom of each side (that the nalgenes can fit in) which props the webbing and its not a fight to put the bottle back in for me. I really have come to appreciate the straps, straps and more straps. I keep a RAT3 with a techlock on the front left and a compass on the front right. My trailhawks shaft fits down the sides if I only want one bottle on me. Sometimes I'll strap an RD9 on the back of it and of course the bungie rentention works good for sleeping pad/small bag. I mostly use it to hold a coat for when I need it.

I'd also like to add that the clip that goes over the bag is another way to retain clothing or what not. You just place a coat under there and snap it closed. Worked well for me.

When you get whichever one you decide on let us know what you think!
 
Mrwhitetailfanatic said:
Pygmy 2 hands down Ill do a short vid or pic of mine and show you how AWESOME it is. Its my camp,hike,truck,EDC,BOB,canoe Its my everything and the way its set up it works for all that and it weights like 15lbs. with the camelback would have to get somthing to store your bottle in with the PF2 their are 2 places for one and molle and the bungy at the bottum is rerigged you cam put a sleeping back there. ITS AWESOME!!!!
Click to expand...

I picked up two Maxpedition Mini Rollypoly's and put one on each side of my HAWG in the same area as the water bottle carriers on the Pygmy II for days that I want more water. Now I can comfortably carry five liters :D
 
Hey, Srakpmetal.

Thanks much for that link! Very good video review. I like the fact that the HAWG has the side molle straps too - one could pick up a Maxpedition bottle holder and attach it to the side. If all you need/want on a short trail hike is a bottle of water with some bare essentials, you'd just unstrap it from the HAWG and go. Decisions, decisions.

Thanks again!
 
I use a HAWG for hiking/biking/travel/work/edc, same use you're looking for I guess. I really like it. Here's how I carry my water. On the top of the pack on each side of the carrying handle there are two little flaps covering antenna ports. I have an S-Biner attached to the end of each one and from those I hang two Sigg bottles. I don't use the bottom MOLLE webbing so I tuck the bottles under the compression straps and they don't go anywhere. This way leaves the inside free for other stuff. I generally like to use bottles rather than the bladder for day to day use because they're easier to clean and fill and you can sit them on a table. On long hikes or when mountain biking though I add the bladder (I don't carry bottles when biking). Even with the full load of water and gear the pack is still comfortable to wear all day (or four days as I did in Barcelona a few weeks ago). I find that generally the organization on the inside of the HAWG is much better than any of my Maxped products although I don't have the one you were looking at.
 
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