What Molle bag should i get for college/outdoors???

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kiddsgames

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Dec 11, 2008
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I am a returning student into college life and i NEED a new backpack..:D

So i have been looking at quite a few that i would like and i came across the 5.11 tactical line with a 72 hour bag. Do any of you guys have/run across this bag before and what was your opinion of it? I will be using it for a laptop and 3-5 college textbooks and maybe a 1" binder.

What are some other packs you might recommend...I looked at eberlestock just for pure awesomeness and found that i didn't like the designs as much as i thought i would. Keep in mind that i love me some molle and i want to use it outside of school to do some small hiking/overnight trips.

And as a last thought what color should i get? I am getting partial to the coyote brown but i hear its best to get black if you want the molle to dissapear.

Thanks for all the replies and help!

kiddsgames
 
I have been using my Maxpedition Falcon II at college for the past 2 years and it is holding up spectacularly! It is slim and fits two books and a 1.5" 3-ring binder very well. It has a nice pocket for pens and a perfect pocket a for a TI-83 sized calculator. I attached a 10x5 water bottle holder to the side and it works very well to carry a Guyot around. When out and about in the woods, you can also cram a GSI bottle cup and Maxpedition Tactical Can Case in the bottle holder for a nice little kit. If you are not bringing a tent or sleeping gear, the Falcon II would provide you with plenty enough space for a day's gear.

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I got my pygmy falcon 2 just at the end of my last semester and it was a great bag for it. Currently its my work and day hike bag, that ends up as an overnight bag when I need it too. Its extremely versatile, I ended up adding a roly poly for my nalgene, a volt pouch for little things, and the molle back for my rc3. It fits my 17" widescreen Dell as well. I added some strap keepers too, they're a bit untidy in the pics.

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I have a 5.11 Rush 72 (is that one you're asking about?). It is very well made and has great organization but for me it does not carry heavy weight as well as a Camelbak Motherlode or BFM. With heavy weight (30 lbs) I felt the weight was more on my shoulders and less on my hips than I did with the same weight in a CamelBak. Also the frame sheet in the Rush 72 is not as rigid as the one in the Camelbak. However, the Rush 72 does have a single aluminum stay.

I do think the Rush 72 has better organization than most other 72 hour type bags I've reviewed including the Camelbak packs.

I gave it to my son who is attending college to replace a worn out REI bag. He thinks the Rush 72 is great for carrying his laptop, books, and lunch.

Hope this helps.
 
The 5.11 bags are very well made and well organized, but I would not recommend the Rush 72 for school. It's big enough that you could climb inside. No way you need that much space to carry a few textbooks around. Even the Rush 24, which is an incredible bag, is significantly larger than an average school backpack, and would be considered too big by many, as just a school backpack. If you haven't seen them in person, compare the sizes of the 12 and 24 to decide which would work best for you, but know that the 24 is noticeably larger than a regular (and sufficiently sized) school backpack.
 
FYI I dont think TT still offers the Enhanced Day Pack. They do, however, have some new stuff that looks very appealing.

If you want MOLLE try the Camelbak range like the Hawg. Its a more modest size. They also have a new tri-zip one that is very cool. Not sure what your budget is. Some of these can get pricey!

If you have money to burn, the Eagle A-III or Patrol pack will do ya nicely too. ;)
 
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