Day Pack Selection: Comments Please !!

mckrob

mckrob

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I am looking for a "tactical" style day pack around the 30-50 litre range, to be used for bush work (typically I am carrying lunch, FA kit, extra clothes, rain gear, rock hammer, and quite often a full load of rocks by the end of the day). Its secondary use would be for hunting as well as an airline carry-on. The hydration pack is non-essential and would probably never get used. Comfortable straps (internal frame/stays would be nice but not essential), abrasion resistance/durability, and a solid warranty are important to me.

Over the years I have mainly used top-loading packs from Mountain Equipment Co-op in Canada (www.mec.ca). The MEC top-loaders are comfortable, super-tough, light, and have minimal zippers (I have stayed away from zippers; it has been my experience that they always break over time when consistently carrying heavy loads).

This time I thought I would try something different. I have narrowed the search down to the following:

- Kifaru Marauder (41 l) / Xray (30 l)
- Spec Ops T.H.E (42 l)
- Maxpedition Condor (32 l)
- TAD F.A.S.T Alpha (30)

Does anyone have any specific comments on, or experience with these models/brands ? Pros or cons ? Recommendations of other brands/models of similar size / style /quality ?

Any feedback would be much appreciated !
 
mckrob said:

- Spec Ops T.H.E (42 l)
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A very good pack. Mine has been with me for a few years now and while it has needed a few baths and a replacement sternum strap buckle, it has only one or two tiny scuff marks on it. I have only two grumbles:

-sternum strap is too high, and you can't remove one half of it without a few seconds with a seam ripper. :rolleyes:
-the waist belt sucks, take it off. The points where it ties in can handle an ALICE or MALICE clip, so if you want a belt, it's easy to add a padded pistol belt or something better.

Right now, it's sitting with two of their SAW pouches (a pair of Nalgenes and an Olicamp cup in each), and two of their pre-speedback X-6 pouches (one is my water purification stuff, the other is the fuel bottles for my stove- the old style lets me use a long MALICE to anchor them better the pack) hanging off the sides. I've got a small pouch on the shoulder strap with my little, fast access odds and ends.

My only concern is that it is going to be full of rocks!? I'd probably want an external frame with a cargo shelf, and lash a 5 gallon bucket or some PVC sample tubes to it. Partially to protect the samples, partially for better weight distribution, but mostly to protect the pack and your back. All four of these are soft packs, except maybe the Marauder, and I think Kifaru might flinch if you tell them you are going to put rocks in thier bag. :)
 
I have a Kifaru Zulu and love it! 48.4 liters so it is at the high end of your range, but it does not have any zippers that can break. If I wanted a great all round pack for that compresses well for long day hikes or can be used for a 3 day pack or longer this would be it. If I had to carry raock I would want to use this bag.

I have used it as a carry on bag without any problems several times.

I don't have any of the other packs that are listed but I am thinking about the x-ray pack too for an everday pack. My kifaru EMR is a bit too big to carry my gym clothes and stuff.

Good luck.
 
I'll be in Denver for six days before Blade and was contemplating stopping by the Kifaru shop. Does anyone know if they keep product in-stock or are all of their packs built-to-order (i.e could I go there and walk out with a pack the same day?).
 
Another question... does anyone know where Maxpedition packs are made, I don't see this indicated on their website (Kifaru,Spec-Ops, TAD appear to be American made)? My preference would be to buy a pack locally produced, even if I have to pay a premium.
 
The Maxpeditions are all made in the US, although IIRC some of their fixtures might be imported. But that goes for EVERYONE. I don't think you can make anything without having imported parts any more unless it's like a wooden chair, and even then your tools probably have electrical components that were made in the PacRim.

And the TAD Gear back is made by Maxped, if you weren't aware of it.
 
Thanks for the info... maybe it's just Maxpedition's smaller packs that are made offshore... my FatBoy Versipack says "American Design Made in Taiwan" on the tag inside the front pocket. It seems to be very well made, but I also haven't had an opportunity to break it in yet (bought in March '07).
 
ironraven said:
The Maxpeditions are all made in the US, although IIRC some of their fixtures might be imported. ...
Click to expand...

I think my Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon, Condor II, Fatboys, Thermite, Proteus, and waist packs were made in Asia.
 
In that case, they've changed their manufacturing location and their current PR hack should be kicked in the shins. :P
 
After much contemplation, I have decided to go with the Spec Ops T.H.E. pack with a "Rat Pack Drop-in Organiser". Now I just have to track one down, hopefully I can pick one up at Brigade Quartermasters in Atlanta during Blade !
 
I've owned them all. If it had to be "tactical", the Kifaru and Spec Ops were bulletproof, the Fast pack and Maxpedition were the nicest for organizing stuff.

I carry a Kelty now, so the sheeple don't look twice.
 
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