Murphnuge
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- Feb 27, 2010
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I posted this in another forum recently and wanted to post it here as well. Since I'm lazy and typing that much on a phone sucks, I'm copying and pasting.
About three weeks ago I received my third Kelty MAP3500. I've had a couple before; The first was sold for quick cash before eas'ing the Corps, the second was stolen this winter out of my Jeep and finally, my third is here. It's neutral colored for woods travel, but not quite enough for urban use for some I suppose. It's plenty big enough for me to spend a few nights out in. Being that this is my third exact pack, this definitely isn't a shoot from the hip review. I've spent a tour in Iraq with my first and the second I had lasted me as an every day ruck for almost five or six years. The only feature I'm not fond of would be the water bottle pockets on the side. The bottles tend to bounce out if you're moving quick enough unless you use the bottom compression straps to loop through your bottle. I've contacted Keltyearlier this week about making a type of enclosed pocket, but they didn't seem keen on this. I also suggested MOLLE type webbing so you're own pocket could be added instead, but they said that was a no go because of the nature of the pack. Kelty and Amron international (exclusive supplier) developed this pack for the SEALs. Apparently they wanted a pack that could handle all their mission essentials without looking to military. Obviously, MOLLE would be a dead give away.
Ok, I did a few pix today to cover my horribly constructed review of the Kelty MAP3500. This review is just my opinion and reflects my experiences with the three that I have owned and used in combat and in my daily life. The following are the specs taken from Amron International's website.
"Features
Internal suspension, two fit to form Light-Beam stay rods Panel loading pack, single large compartment 2 exterior zippered pockets Interior hydration pouch, supports up to 100 oz. bladder, 210d nylon ripstop Hydration port at top of pack allows for drink tube to be used
over either shoulder. Hydration port has snap-on, top-flap closure Exterior cargo pocket with fleece eyewear pocket and admin organizer pocket Side mesh pockets (fits 1 quart lexan water bottles each side) Waist belt with Scherer cinch system Waist belt tuck-away feature Adjustable sternum strap Fully adjustable (removable/replaceable) shoulder straps
Specifications
Dimensions: 21in. L x 14.5 in. W X 6.5 in. H Volume: 2300 cubic inches Material: 420d HD nylon Oxford mesh cover on back panel and shoulder strap 420 gram, 100% nylon Airmesh EVA foam in back panel and shoulder straps 500 denier nylon Kodra construction, double stitched"
Obviously, dependinding on how you pack, a backpack can be suitable for a day on out to infinity. For me I would put this in the daily carry to 72/96 hour range.
First, a pic to remember what the pack looks like.
The straps and back panel offer lots of comfort. Ive had about 45-50 lbs in this one and felt no pain. My daily load is around 25lbs.
The front zipper pocket carries minor odds and ends that I don't always use.
The middle pocket has more organization possibilities, but I obviously ignore this feature. It's got an admin type pocket, for pens and things. In my past two I've cut the stitching out so it was just one big pocket with no organizer.
There's also a fleece lined valuables/sunglasses pocket. My camera usually rides here.
The main pack area is pretty spacious. Plenty of room for up to 72/96 hours of the gear I would use.
There's a couple sleeve type pockets that I use for magazines on my daily carry.
There are two compression straps on both sides that work very well for cinching down an load.
http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee443/Murphnuge/2012-08-22_14-04-43_151.jpg[y offer plenty of room for expansion as well.
[IMG]http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee443/Murphnuge/2012-08-22_14-04-13_401.jpg
I'll add more of a what's in my pack type walk through later, but for now wanted to give the basic layout and thoughts. The only thing I would change about this pack other than the organizer pocket would be the water bottle pockets. I don't really care for them as is. The first time I used them was still state side before Iraq on a range and my nalgenes came out in a run. After that I started running the bottom compression strap through the nalgene's lid loop. That helped, but I'd still rather see an enclosed pocket instead of the open type. Even MOLLE would be great so that you can add your own pouch. I've contacted Kelty with my suggestion and have been told that the reason for them being this way is to eliminate the military look as much as possible while still remaining a military pack capability. Makes sense, but I'll probably modify this later.
About three weeks ago I received my third Kelty MAP3500. I've had a couple before; The first was sold for quick cash before eas'ing the Corps, the second was stolen this winter out of my Jeep and finally, my third is here. It's neutral colored for woods travel, but not quite enough for urban use for some I suppose. It's plenty big enough for me to spend a few nights out in. Being that this is my third exact pack, this definitely isn't a shoot from the hip review. I've spent a tour in Iraq with my first and the second I had lasted me as an every day ruck for almost five or six years. The only feature I'm not fond of would be the water bottle pockets on the side. The bottles tend to bounce out if you're moving quick enough unless you use the bottom compression straps to loop through your bottle. I've contacted Keltyearlier this week about making a type of enclosed pocket, but they didn't seem keen on this. I also suggested MOLLE type webbing so you're own pocket could be added instead, but they said that was a no go because of the nature of the pack. Kelty and Amron international (exclusive supplier) developed this pack for the SEALs. Apparently they wanted a pack that could handle all their mission essentials without looking to military. Obviously, MOLLE would be a dead give away.
Ok, I did a few pix today to cover my horribly constructed review of the Kelty MAP3500. This review is just my opinion and reflects my experiences with the three that I have owned and used in combat and in my daily life. The following are the specs taken from Amron International's website.
"Features
Internal suspension, two fit to form Light-Beam stay rods Panel loading pack, single large compartment 2 exterior zippered pockets Interior hydration pouch, supports up to 100 oz. bladder, 210d nylon ripstop Hydration port at top of pack allows for drink tube to be used
over either shoulder. Hydration port has snap-on, top-flap closure Exterior cargo pocket with fleece eyewear pocket and admin organizer pocket Side mesh pockets (fits 1 quart lexan water bottles each side) Waist belt with Scherer cinch system Waist belt tuck-away feature Adjustable sternum strap Fully adjustable (removable/replaceable) shoulder straps
Specifications
Dimensions: 21in. L x 14.5 in. W X 6.5 in. H Volume: 2300 cubic inches Material: 420d HD nylon Oxford mesh cover on back panel and shoulder strap 420 gram, 100% nylon Airmesh EVA foam in back panel and shoulder straps 500 denier nylon Kodra construction, double stitched"
Obviously, dependinding on how you pack, a backpack can be suitable for a day on out to infinity. For me I would put this in the daily carry to 72/96 hour range.
First, a pic to remember what the pack looks like.
The straps and back panel offer lots of comfort. Ive had about 45-50 lbs in this one and felt no pain. My daily load is around 25lbs.
The front zipper pocket carries minor odds and ends that I don't always use.
The middle pocket has more organization possibilities, but I obviously ignore this feature. It's got an admin type pocket, for pens and things. In my past two I've cut the stitching out so it was just one big pocket with no organizer.
There's also a fleece lined valuables/sunglasses pocket. My camera usually rides here.
The main pack area is pretty spacious. Plenty of room for up to 72/96 hours of the gear I would use.
There's a couple sleeve type pockets that I use for magazines on my daily carry.
There are two compression straps on both sides that work very well for cinching down an load.
http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee443/Murphnuge/2012-08-22_14-04-43_151.jpg[y offer plenty of room for expansion as well.
[IMG]http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee443/Murphnuge/2012-08-22_14-04-13_401.jpg
I'll add more of a what's in my pack type walk through later, but for now wanted to give the basic layout and thoughts. The only thing I would change about this pack other than the organizer pocket would be the water bottle pockets. I don't really care for them as is. The first time I used them was still state side before Iraq on a range and my nalgenes came out in a run. After that I started running the bottom compression strap through the nalgene's lid loop. That helped, but I'd still rather see an enclosed pocket instead of the open type. Even MOLLE would be great so that you can add your own pouch. I've contacted Kelty with my suggestion and have been told that the reason for them being this way is to eliminate the military look as much as possible while still remaining a military pack capability. Makes sense, but I'll probably modify this later.
