3 Day: Eagle Vs. Blackhawk Backpacks Help!!!

[Brian12856]

Greetings,

Long time lurker, infrequent poster needs to take a poll. As many as possible replies, please!

I need help to decide between the 3 Day: Eagle A-111 Vs. Blackhawk 3 day pack! Cast your vote. Real time real world stories. Both are pretty much what I and am looking for in an all purpose back. However the Eagle looks to have inferior additional pouches. But Eagle has an optional Frame. Does anybody have Exp. with this. Anybody ever use the Frame in a Blackhawk? The Blackhawk is made overseas but looks to have superior additional pouches. I'm looking at buying this for a good number of years and want to be sure.

Also how do you all label your packs: luggage tags, maker, sewing, or something else that's waterproof?

Thanks
Brian

 

[Javahed]

Well,

This pack...Eagle's, Retail Price: $124.35

No dimensions available on Eagle's site.

and this pack...Blackhawk's, Retail Price: $123.95

Dimensions: 6" x 13" x 20"H
Cubes: 2,240


Are darn near the same pack and accessory pouches.

As for Eagle or Blackhawk - it's like asking Ford or Chevy - heated opinions on each side.

I've had my hands on both and would be happy with either one - both are of top notch construction and design.

For the internal frames - you can buy 'em or make 'em. I made one for my Blackhawk RAPTOR X-3

out of a sheet of Lexan and some aluminum strips. Total cost, about $15. It's survived 6 jumps so far, no signs of damage.

I have a Blackhawk 3 day assault pack also - it is the heat, and if I was making a choice, it would probably come down to price (especially if I could get a good deal on E-bay). The material of my pack has been abused severly and shows no signs of abrasion. The straps have been misused and abused and the pack as a whole just punished all over -- I love everything about it.

Another pack I would look at is the Hydrastorm Force Five, Retail $135.96 (comes with a 100oz hydration bladder)

Cubes: 2,240
Average Dimensions:
Main Compartment
18"L x 11.5"W x 5.75"D
Pocket
14"L x 12"W x 2.5"D

Along the lines of the 3 day packs - but I'm real partial to the daisy chain on the outside back of the pack. All the accessory pouches fit just fine on it. I had one but traded it to one of our fellow formites - man I miss that bag

 

[Javahed]

Originally posted by Brian12856
Also how do you all label your packs: luggage tags, maker, sewing, or something else that's waterproof?

I've had good results sewing a strip of velcro along the top of the outside pocket on my 3 day pack and sewing velcro on the back of a name tape, cat eyes, glint tape, etc. Waterproofing is done with commercial seam sealer.

Hope that helps.

Dan