Backpacks: Maxpedition vs SpecOps vs whatever else

Dang! EMR eh? Just wondering, are you gonna be using this for mil stuff, or more like a civy backpacking bag(not trying to dissuade you, I’ve never used one but I think that they look great)? If you are using it for civy stuff, you may want to reconsider due to the overall weight of the pack (ie 1000d cordura and all that webbing adds quite a bit). Just a recommendation, but you may want to look at the mountainsmith chimera (sp?), auspex, or gryphon (if you went w/ the most expensive mountainsmith, you would still save about $300 over the EMR). I have not confirmed it, but I have read that kifaru “broke off” of mountainsmith to focus more on the mil/hunting stuff. Anyway, the suspension/hip belt certainly look similar so either way, you are definitely getting a great pack!

If you do go with the EMR (or any kifaru for that matter) I would for sure get the drain grommets (BTW, I really like the gunbearer system as well!)

Good luck!
 
anewguy said:
Dang! EMR eh? Just wondering, are you gonna be using this for mil stuff, or more like a civy backpacking bag(not trying to dissuade you, I’ve never used one but I think that they look great)? If you are using it for civy stuff, you may want to reconsider due to the overall weight of the pack (ie 1000d cordura and all that webbing adds quite a bit). Just a recommendation, but you may want to look at the mountainsmith chimera (sp?), auspex, or gryphon (if you went w/ the most expensive mountainsmith, you would still save about $300 over the EMR). I have not confirmed it, but I have read that kifaru “broke off” of mountainsmith to focus more on the mil/hunting stuff. Anyway, the suspension/hip belt certainly look similar so either way, you are definitely getting a great pack!

If you do go with the EMR (or any kifaru for that matter) I would for sure get the drain grommets (BTW, I really like the gunbearer system as well!)

Good luck!
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Civy only... I just LOVE the way they are built, and I am always afraid every time I put a bag on the ground that I am going to hurt it...I also cary WAY too many 'sharp pointy objects' with me and do not want them to distroy a bag if one gets droped 3 inches!
The EMR also does not look to have the "suspension system not designed to carry heavy weights" problem of a lot of the military bags. If you can strap a PERSON:eek: to the back of a loaded pack and still be able to walk, I think it can carry anything that my back will allow!

Wouldn't the drain holes let water IN?
I guess these bags are not waterproof at all???
I could understand them not being dry bags, but why must all normal backpacks be NON-water resistant?
At LEAST put a water-proof bottom and top flap on them so that a light shower does not flood your bag!
 
jamesraykenney said:
Wouldn't the drain holes let water IN?
I guess these bags are not waterproof at all???
I could understand them not being dry bags, but why must all normal backpacks be NON-water resistant?
At LEAST put a water-proof bottom and top flap on them so that a light shower does not flood your bag!
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Instead of going for an expensive waterproof backpack or packcover, you could just line the inside of any pack with a garbage bag. The thin ones will add less than ounce to the weight, while the 1+ mil bags will add maybe 1.5 to 2 ounces.
 
AlphalphaPB said:
Instead of going for an expensive waterproof backpack or packcover, you could just line the inside of any pack with a garbage bag. The thin ones will add less than ounce to the weight, while the 1+ mil bags will add maybe 1.5 to 2 ounces.
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But then mud gets into the fibers of the pack and when it dries it will wear out the fibers when they rub against it.....

Yes...I know....But I do not like things to get dirt INTO them. If it is coated, the dirt never gets into the fabric. It may LOOK dirty, but it is not damaging dirt.
Uncoated fabric may even LOOK clean but be wearing out between the fibers of the cloth where you cannot even see.
 
Sounds like you are pretty set on the EMR—that’s cool, you definitely know more about what you are looking for than I do, and after all, it is your cash! I was just saying to look at the mountainsmith ‘cus it has a lot of the good things that the kifaru packs do, but at about 1/3 the weight and ½ the cost (I’m not sure if I said it before, but I wish I saw the mounainsmith stuff before I bought my mil-style pack…just trying to save you some of my aggravation). But again, I think that you are right about the kifarus being darn near indestructible…and I totally agree with you on the design of the weight distribution.

As far as drain holes letting the water in, I suppose that would happen if you were crossing a stream/river but if that were to happen the nylon would soak up a bunch of water anyway, and if you had no holes, it would just sit there and get your crap all wet and weigh you down even more IMHO. I see the advantages of the holes far outweigh the disadvantages, but YMMV.

Concerning the “waterproofness,” the problem is that most traditional waterproof stuff is way too fragile (ie rips easy) or too noisy, or a combo of both. It’s a mil pack, so toughness is the number priority. 1000d cordura is by no means waterproof, it is however water resistant, but once water gets in, you pack will get REAL heavy, and it wont be any time soon when that stuff will dry out. While the TB idea is a good one, something that may work a bit better is to get some of the stuff that people wrap unfinished homes with, the commercial name is “tyvek” (sp?). This stuff is real light weight, and waterproof, plus it will breath (a bit) to allow any moisture that is in, out. The only problem is that it is not too “high speed” as I have only seen it in white, and it not nearly as quite as many may like. anyway, keep a pre-cut piece of this near the top of your pack and once rain is in the forecast, cover your pack with it with a bungee cord or 550.

Good luck
 
Good idea concerning Tyvek pack covers. I've handled the stuff and it was light but felt really tough. A larger sheet could double as a tent footprint, ground sheet or pillow.

People throw it in the washer a few times to soften it up a bit and make it quieter.
 
anewguy said:
Sounds like you are pretty set on the EMR—that’s cool, you definitely know more about what you are looking for than I do, and after all, it is your cash! I was just saying to look at the mountainsmith ‘cus it has a lot of the good things that the kifaru packs do, but at about 1/3 the weight and ½ the cost (I’m not sure if I said it before, but I wish I saw the mounainsmith stuff before I bought my mil-style pack…just trying to save you some of my aggravation). But again, I think that you are right about the kifarus being darn near indestructible…and I totally agree with you on the design of the weight distribution.

As far as drain holes letting the water in, I suppose that would happen if you were crossing a stream/river but if that were to happen the nylon would soak up a bunch of water anyway, and if you had no holes, it would just sit there and get your crap all wet and weigh you down even more IMHO. I see the advantages of the holes far outweigh the disadvantages, but YMMV.

Concerning the “waterproofness,” the problem is that most traditional waterproof stuff is way too fragile (ie rips easy) or too noisy, or a combo of both. It’s a mil pack, so toughness is the number priority. 1000d cordura is by no means waterproof, it is however water resistant, but once water gets in, you pack will get REAL heavy, and it wont be any time soon when that stuff will dry out. While the TB idea is a good one, something that may work a bit better is to get some of the stuff that people wrap unfinished homes with, the commercial name is “tyvek” (sp?). This stuff is real light weight, and waterproof, plus it will breath (a bit) to allow any moisture that is in, out. The only problem is that it is not too “high speed” as I have only seen it in white, and it not nearly as quite as many may like. anyway, keep a pre-cut piece of this near the top of your pack and once rain is in the forecast, cover your pack with it with a bungee cord or 550.

Good luck
Click to expand...
Thanks for the "Tyvek" idea...I forgot all about that stuff, and I never really thought about it being waterproof...My experence with the stuff was that a lot of the GOOD 5.25" floppies(remember them?) came with Tyvek sleaves instead of the cardboard ones.
I DO think that the top flap on ALL packs should have at least a water proof coating inside...It is not like it will see too much abrasion there.
Well, I guess I am going to have to go get me some Tyvek now!
Hey... Does anyone know if those 'paper' rainsuits they sell at Academy are Tyvek??? They sure feel like it! And they come in colors!
 
I dunno about the ones at Academy, but you can get Tyvek suits for painting at Home Depot. I hear they also work really well if you're doing a lot of work with fiberglass insulation.


/gets the itchies just thinking about it
 
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