great design for urban use but very stiff, and there are similar + cheaper alternatives, November 2, 2011

By 

Alberto Vargas (San Francisco, CA USA) –

  

  

This is one of the most widely copied backpack designs. I am aware of at least 4 different brands that sell versions or minor variations of this model. There is good reason for this: the organizational features and overall design of this bag are great. I myself initially bought a copycat Condor branded backpack from a store after being impressed by the design, without even being aware of the Maxpedition origin of this species. Unfortunately, when I decided to “upgrade” to the Maxpedition Falcon II, it fell short of my expectations. In fact, to my humble taste it seems the student has surpassed the master in this case.

What’s good about this bag (and its derivatives):

– stays compact and keeps its rectangular shape
– 3 zippered storage layers with mesh pockets inside + hydration bladder pocket give you plenty of ways to organize gear
– great for carrying flat items like books, laptops and other electronics
– sternum and waist straps are removable (which is a plus on small packs)
– Y-strap on top can be used to strap a jacket or something bulky outside the pack
– MOLLE webbing for attaching all sorts of things to the outside of the pack or on the shoulder straps: bicycle lights, carabiners, storage pouches, etc.
– the three storage layers can be compressed or expanded using straps on the side, so the pack is never shapeless
– seemingly indestructible and water resistant fabric

What’s not very good:

– small, not enough volume for extended trips or bulky items
– nothing is accessible from the outside as you are wearing the bag, unlike on hiking backpacks; there are no open-top or side pockets for water bottles, snacks, cameras, or other junk
– the Y-strap, although useful, also gets in the way of opening the zippered compartments (but you can leave it undone)
– a little heavy for its size
– not a hiking pack in my book, more of an urban or travel pack
– when full, the pack bulges out in a way that makes it thicker than it is narrow (hard to imagine it from photos, it looks very unusual) – this is not bad, in fact I like this quirk, but other people also tend to notice the strange shape

Where this pack falls short of the Condor copy:

– fabric is way too stiff and loud when in contact with something else
– zippers are smaller and look flimsier
– shoulder padding is less
– less MOLLE on the shoulder straps = fewer options for attaching useful items there
– stitches on the black model are light in color, showing off the MOLLE and making the bag look less discreet
– loose straps and webbing, longer than needed, especially on the bottom (manageable, but why have to deal with it in the first place?)
– there is a (second) pair of extraneous straps on the side which make it hard to open the main and middle layers (unless you keep buckling and unbuckling them, which gets annoying)
– some really sharp stitches, especially on the carrying handle on top – what were they thinking?
– the hole for the hydration hose on top is closed with a velcro tab which is also very stiff and sharp right next to your hand on the carrying handle
– because it is so stiff, it is harder to cram things into this bag than into one made from softer fabric
– the small zippered pocket on the top outermost layer has a single instead of double zipper (really nitpicking here)
– the Maxpedition logo stands out; I prefer bags without logos like the Condor brand – more discreet and less of a theft invitation

I decided to buy the Condor by first playing with it in a store. I got this Maxpedition Falcon online, but I would not have bought it if I had been able to examine it in person and compare with the Condor version, both in functionality and price. (Confusingly enough, Maxpedition makes a backpack called Condor – I am not referring to it but rather to the one made by a Condor brand.)

The Maxpedition Falcon II is a good pack, but in my opinion not worth the asking price given that you can find something very similar (and arguably improved) for half the price or even less. It just depends on what you have used before and what you expect. If you are not set on this exact model and look, try also 5.11 RUSH, Camelbak Linchpin, or something even fancier and pricier from Mystery Ranch.

Make sure you can examine the specific bag you want in person before you buy because there are wide variations in quality between brands even if they all look like this on photos (by the way, the selling point of Maxpedition is that they are normally very well put together) I know this review will be controversial because this pack has many fans, so I invite you to check out this and other bags in person before getting sucked into the hype found in online reviews.

All this said, I am being overly critical here of a great backpack. Most packs can only dream…

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 Comments (6)

Most useful backpack I have ever purchased, October 17, 2011

I bought this bag in 2009 from an Army Surplus store for more than they advertise here on Amazon. Worth every penny. I saw it in person before buying so the surprise was not the lack of size, it was the ACTUAL size once you filled her. This bag expands in just the right way to make everything from 72hrs worth of clothing to my 15 inch laptop fit.

The bag fits fully packed under the seat of a larger airliner. The load is comfortable, and with the external compression straps I’ve stuffed the bag but also held jackets, a tent and a water bottle. The Molle attachments are great because I can add additional compartments, bags, firearm magazine pouches.

I’ve been on multiple deployments and even more travels around the world with this bag and I do not fear it will ever break. The bottom is a rubberized/coated plastic and cordura. It does not have drainage holes. However, there is a water bladder pocket that is great for putting things you might fear could be pick pocketed or you want to hide, and it does have drain holes in case your bladder ruptures.

I also have carried this bag on my chest with a large duffel bag on my back comfortably. On the chest you can look over it just fine, and move your arms with no restrictions.

The only thing that annoys me at times but it’s not a con in any way is the long straps. They provide a lot of extra strap material for “larger” guys. I’m not one of them so it just dangles and I have to tie it off every where. But I’d rather have too much than not enough.

If you are thinking of buying the 2289 COYOTE BROWN MEDIUM TRANSPORT PACK copy of this bag DON’T! This bag is worth the little extra cash. Would you risk your $1000 dollar computer in bag half this cost just to be sure at some point the bag will break and most likely when you least want it too. Don’t skimp on this. Buy the Maxpedition if you want to know your bag will survive anything you throw at it.

I’m going to buy a second just for a Bug out bag to leave at home or in the car.

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