I'm looking for a pack similar to the Pygmy Falcon

[myright]

I've been looking all over the place trying to find the right pack to buy. I really like the Pygmy Falcon by Maxpedtion but I want something a bit smaller. Maybe something closer to 2k square inches.

I really like the water bottle holders on the sides that also have a drawstring so I can move around and not have to worry about the bottles popping out. I also really like all the various places to stow gear on the outside of the pack, especially the bungee type drawstring on the bottom as well as the MOLLE type webbing. I really dislike that thing down the middle of all the Kelty packs that looks like it's supposed to be there to lash stuff to it, but doesn't really work well..... Hope that makes sense

What are my options? Any suggestions?

For those of you that have the Pygmy, how do you like it?

 

[Wandering_About]

I'm a huge fan of my PF II. Works very well. I actually wish it was a little bit bigger, but for dayhikes and hunting it works okay.

 

[myright]

I'm a huge fan of my PF II. Works very well. I actually wish it was a little bit bigger, but for dayhikes and hunting it works okay.

How do you think it holds up for day hikes with gear for two in it? I normall only carry one bag when it's me and my wife. Oh, and there will also be some kid stuff in there now too.

I don't normally carry too much stuff, just the necessities.

 

[Bwilson]

I have 2 Pygmy falcon II's. One is my edc bag that goes everywhere with me - the other is an "outdoors" bag with all of the essentials in it. I love mine but I will say this - if you are looking for a bag big enough for 2 people, I would think you would want something a little bigger than the pygmy falcon, rather than smaller. IMO it's the perfect size for all of your regular stuff with a little extra room for some additionals in case of overnighters - but IMO, it's not big enough for 2. I'll get some pics and post here in a minute to show what I mean.

 

[Bwilson]

Here are some real quick pics - I'm in the process of getting some stuff together for ice fishing tomorrow.

Here is a pic of my pygmy falcon II

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Here are 2 items that always stay in the main compartment - a 2 person emergency bivy and in the orange dry bag is my "comprehensive" first aid kit, extra hat, extra socks, extra gloves

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This is what happens when I add my hat, thick gloves and liner gloves

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Here is a pic of the front pocket - you can see gps case, camera case, compass, surefire L4. You can't see some other knickknacks I keep in there.

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I don't have time right now to take a bunch of pics. I will add a lightweight fleece to the main compartment for ice fishing tomorrow as well as a small lunch. The main compartment will essentially be full after those 2 items are added. The bottle holders on the sides as well as the slash pocket in the front will give you some add'l room - but unless you always stay pretty close to shelter and civilization - i'm not sure it's going to be big enough for 2 people w/ kid stuff unless you pack pretty light. I use mine for when it's really cold and I need extra clothes or when I'm not very close to shelter and may need to get through a rough night - otherwise I've been carrying my 10x4 bottle holder.

good luck with your decision - the pygmy falcon II is a great pack, I'm just not sure it's going to be big enough.

 

[myright]

Thanks for the pics Bwilson. It looks like plenty of room for two if I use it during warmer weather, you're right I would need something bigger for the two of us and some kid stuff in cooler weather.

I've got a Kelty 1800 and it's done well for everything I've needed it to do so far, but I just don't like the material at all and I would prefer to have side pockets exactly like the PF.

I'll keep my eyes open for something, but this may actuall fit the bill. The backpack that the kid can fit in also has some storage space in it as well.

 

[gajinoz]

I've been using my PF 2 as my EDC bag for a while now. Goes where I do and carries everything I might need in a normal day. I might want something a bit bigger if I was going out bush but for EDC stuff it couldn't be better.