How about this to replace my Maxpidition monsoon

Joined
Apr 18, 2009
Messages
219
Hi guys.
I have had my maxpidition monsoon in digicamo for 6 months now. I love it when its sitting there but I had to admit that its heavy and not very comfortable for long walks. AS MUCH AS I LOVE IT.

I need a new day pack that is light and strong and gorgeous:rolleyes:.



I have my eye on the Maxp. pygmy falcon, This has also caught my eye. What do you think? Is there anything better?
Duluth Pack Sparky Bag- Guaranteed for Life $195.00
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That looks like a knock off of some older Jansports I've had (which were probably a knockoff of something else). I personally don't care for canvas or leather as they will rot, are heavy and are more work to maintain. Jansport may still make those (I was issued one in the Army and a lot of the Air Force PJs I worked with at Bragg had the same packs. Really decent quality for a Jansport). Kelty also makes something kinda similar. You can find a lot of good quality packs with that much organization for less than you'll pay for that pack or a Maxpedition. If you are willing to spend more money then look at some of the offerings from The North Face, Black Diamond, Osprey, Gregory, Marmot, REI, Lowe Alpine, Dana Designs, Mystery Ranch, etc. There's plenty out there. Just figure your price, figure out how many cubic inches you need and what features you desire and start doing your research.

Good luck with your search!
 
Thank you very much for your advice guys. Here is what I need:

Light,comfy,strong
more space than the maxp jumbo, Same space as the monsoon or a little less.
Can hold 2 48ounce nalgine bottles on the outside as I do not like bladders.
Not too flash

Does it ring a bell with anyone?
 
I have a Nato pack in this style. Canvas is tough. Duluth makes REALLY tough stuff. Often the pack will wind up outliving the owner.
 
That looks like a knock off of some older Jansports I've had (which were probably a knockoff of something else). I personally don't care for canvas or leather as they will rot, are heavy and are more work to maintain. Jansport may still make those (I was issued one in the Army and a lot of the Air Force PJs I worked with at Bragg had the same packs. Really decent quality for a Jansport). Kelty also makes something kinda similar. You can find a lot of good quality packs with that much organization for less than you'll pay for that pack or a Maxpedition. If you are willing to spend more money then look at some of the offerings from The North Face, Black Diamond, Osprey, Gregory, Marmot, REI, Lowe Alpine, Dana Designs, Mystery Ranch, etc. There's plenty out there. Just figure your price, figure out how many cubic inches you need and what features you desire and start doing your research.

Good luck with your search!


Actually your old Jansport is the knockoff of an original Duluth Pack.
Jansport was founded in 1967. Duluth Pack was founded in 1882.

Duluth Pack makes excellent canvas packs if thats what your looking for and they don't draw much attention if used for air travel.
 
I have a pygmy falcon and really like it. I had to take the y compression straps off though. In my mind they don't have any use other than making the pack harder to get into. I chose it because I also hate bladders. I'm sure this pack will last just as long as any duluth.
 
i did a review on the snugpak sleeka force 35. it's been a great pack for me and has everything you're looking for. except maybe the traditional look of the duluth. fits your bottles perfectly on both sides of the pack, light, rugged. it's military issue so you can trust it, here's the link to my quick review with lots of pics.
you can't go wrong with snugpak IMHO.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641345

it's also far cheaper than the duluth if that's enticing. more money for steel!
 
I prefer the Wanderer:
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Duluth packs are beautiful, bombproof, and really classy. What they are not, is light. The daypacks aren't real heavy, but an ounce counter will hate them.
 
I can't imagine a leather and canvas bag, of comparable capacity, being lighter than something made of cordura nylon and high grade plastic. I can't see it outlasting it either, especially if it's a Maxpedition.
 
Maxpedition uses ballistic nylon, not Cordura.

I'll put my Duluth Packs up against them any day.

And yes, I own Maxpedition stuff and know how good it is.
 
I have something similar to the one that caught your fancy. I had ordered this pack some years back from this well-known site. Cheap, reliable, rugged and (again) cheap! It's a German Army Mountain pack. I added a thick waist belt and an external front pocket pouch. Now it carries loads comfortably taking it off the shoulders (I believe some members here also have it ) -

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/TRW138-1.html


On the more modern styling, the Mountainsmith Approach seems to be it -

http://www.mountainsmith.com/products.asp?productId=80&categoryId=8&subCategoryId=7&subCategory2Id=1
 
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I have the Camelbak Rim Runner and I like it for a large daypack/small overnight pack. I like the bladder, but two external mesh pockets could let you carry bottles instead.

The back is semi-stiff, and I really like the way it carries a load. The pack itself weighs about 2.5 pounds, so it's not super light, but when it's on your back, you can hardly feel it. You can also probably try one on in your local sporting goods store (such as Dick's sporting goods where I got mine)

good luck!
 
Maxpedition uses ballistic nylon, not Cordura.

I'll put my Duluth Packs up against them any day.

And yes, I own Maxpedition stuff and know how good it is.

You're right. I stand corrected. It's 1000 denier ballistic nylon, treated with teflon and triple polyurethane coated. It's good to be accurate when it comes to these details.
 
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