Do Maxpedition bags ever "break in"?

[symphonyincminor]

Have you ever looked at a maxpedition. Their stitching is insanely overdone and done well I might add. And their zippers are so beefy and durable that they're actually hard to use for the first month or so until you get them borken in.

Maxpedition sticking is very good. Double-stiched where it needs to be, and at least on the 2 backpacks I own [Falcon II & Pygmy Falcon], very consistent. Zippers aren't an issue either - YKK are durable and reliable.

And maxpedition thinks their stuff out pretty well to. Much of the value is in their thoughtful design.

No arguments there - their designs are very well thought-out and work very well for their intended user base. I guess I should have stated up front that I'm not really in their intended market, but can appreciate a thoughtful design and execution. Plus I just like packs and such.

Some people have an issue with overbuilt designs [whatever that means]. They could have gotten away with using lighter material on non-stress parts of the bag, and I personally could do without all the molle crap. But again, that's not the design purpose. Ultralight hikers, these are not. I just cut off unneeded straps and buckles anyways.

 

[Infi-del]

I personally could do without all the molle crap.

For me that's one of the plus points. I've never really been able to find a bag that was perfect. Still haven't really. But the molle lets me add stuff I want. I've got a few other packs that have sewn on pouches and they are now sitting in the closet cause they don't give me the options that the molle does. But you're right. A bag needs to suit the end users needs.

I would love to see a maxpedition pack like the Vulture but instead of that flat zip pocket on the front, basically sew on one of their neat freak bags. That way you'd have the main compartment, the secondary compartment, and an organizer right on the front. I'd keep the molle pals on the side.

 

[Masteroffajitas]

I have had my maxpedition pygmy falcon ll know for about 6 months. No visible wear to me, and is still is straight. Although a little extra padding on the sholder straps would be nice. I like how straight and tough it is though, it'll stand up with all my school stuff in it. It carried all my stuff perfectly.

I think Maxpedition should adress the comfort issue though, even in the pictures they have on the site, most are people camping and walking around some park or tourist attraction.

 

[Infi-del]

Although a little extra padding on the sholder straps would be nice.

Try this and see what you think. If you buy two of their removable shoulder pads for their versapacks you should be able to put it under the shoulder straps on your pack and then fold the velcro flaps under the molle points on top of your shoulder straps. I got a few of their pads laying around. I'll see if I can make it work and take a picture for ya. Should double the padding and be fairly secure. Those pads will slip over a 2" belt and I think the shoulder straps on their packs are 2" as well. If nothing else a little Velcro "One Wrap" would make any extension needed to make it work.

 

[rt014]

Maxpedition uses 1000 denier ballistic nylon - it's very stiff material and isn't very forgiving when it comes to conforming to your body or what's inside your pack. No matter how many compression straps Maxpedition uses, it's hard to get the pack cinched down correctly because of how stiff their nylon material is. The material itself is also very heavy.

I have several pieces of both Maxpedition and Kifaru. It seems to me that Kifaru's 1000 Cordura is 'like butta' and flexible....while the Maxpedition 1000 Cordura is unusually stiff.

 

[Infi-del]

I have several pieces of both Maxpedition and Kifaru. It seems to me that Kifaru's 1000 Cordura is 'like butta' and flexible....while the Maxpedition 1000 Cordura is unusually stiff.

Part of that is the treatment process that Maxpedition uses. My eagle bag made of 1000D cordura is probably real similar to Kifaru. When it's raining the Eagle will begin to soak up water far faster than the maxpedition. Because of the treatment they do to their material water sheets off the fabric a good bit before it actually begins to soak it up. To me this is a plus since it's no fun carrying a wet bag. It adds a lot of unwanted and useless weight.

 

[lightleak]

Concerning the question if maxpedition ever "softens up":

A maxpedition dealer once told me you could wrap your MP stuff into a pillow case and throw it into the washing machine if you actually want to make it softer.

Note that by doing so you might sacrifice the water resistance of the bag, which you could probably restore by impregnating it with a spray.

Best regards,

l.

 

[Buzzbait]

I've been carrying a Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon for years now, 5 days a week, through 95 degree summer days and -30 wind chill winter days. I walk 1.5 miles with it every week day, to the bus stop and back home. It gets carried from building to building at work, filled to the brim with PC repair equipment and other assorted goodies. I constantly overload it. Then it gets used for day hikes and weekend field trips. I abuse the crap out this bag.


........ It's still as stiff and waterproof as the day I bought it.

 

[Fonly]

I've a lunada for a few months now, and its taking quite the beating. its definitely much softer on the bottom, honestly, after a couple years of the way I use gear (SAR, Cdn Froces) I will have a hole in it.

It is literally used day in and day out, its my primary edc/emergency kit, and holds about 4-5 pounds of gear. There is some wear on the strap as well, but its not bad. everything else is holding up well, its handle, zippers, its all good.

 

[Bushman5]

hahaha, your stuffing that thing with gear aint ya!

 

[Fonly]

hahaha, your stuffing that thing with gear aint ya!

way more than I should be, but I have come to love the thing. It doesn't leave me. I get in the truck, trough it in beside me, go into a store, Im wearing it. I never leave it behind, so it see's ALOT of use.

It has a trauma kit, various goodies, multitool, all the fun stuff. I'm going to pick up a 1 liter platypus for it, I've got a 2 liter one in the falcon and its very convenient.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I EDC a Malaga gearslinger and it's loaded pretty heavy...but I've had NO signs of wear whatsoever. I don't abuse my stuff, but it's been up and down plenty of mountains and gone through its fair share of mud and rain.

 

[HikingMano]

How's that Falcon-II Fonly, still pretty stiff eh?

 

[Fonly]

How's that Falcon-II Fonly, still pretty stiff eh?

That pack is fine, Its still very stiff, I've had it out edc a few times, but not much. This weekand will tell wether I like it or not. Im used to using an LBV, but I've decided to try the pack. Should do well, a week of shotgun training, boat work, mock heli rescue and general Military woods bumming will tell me if its going to work.:thumbup: