Looking for a new school backpack...

Macchina

Macchina

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Apr 7, 2006
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I am about to start my 3rd year into my Engineering degree and I'm looking for a nice new backpack to make me feel better about it. I like the Maxpedition Falcon, but it's a bit pricey. How are the nock-off Maxpeditions from cheaperthandirt.com? Are they still worth the $50-$60, or do they fall apart. I have a Maxpedition Condor II, but it's too big for carrying 2-3 books and a few odds and ends.

Please recommend me a nice bag, I'm looking for something kinda tactical looking (but not too bad, has to be a solid color, no camo) just for the fun of it.

Thanks,
Michaelmcgo
 
I bought one of the atlantico knock-offs of the maxpedition falcon. I am loving the bag but there are a few gripes that i have.
1. The webbing. No matter what i do the webbing keeps slipping. I can make all the straps tight and by the end of a day or two they have slipped enough for me to go back and have to pull things back to my "zero".
2. The clips. Most of the plastic parts are cheaply made, and you can tell. On mine, if i get too much in the main compartment the front clip tends to pop open when i put a little pressure on it.

That being said, i love the design and actual material is holding up very well. I am throwing it around all the time. I have had no rubs through or had any fading of the pattern( i bought a desert camo). So for the $60 i paid for it a year ago has turned out to be a bargain so far. If it continues to hold up as well as it has i would advise anyone to give them a whirl but as of right now, the + and - are about equal to me. In the end you get what you pay for. :)
 
Well, I just found a real Maxpedition Falcon II for $90 + shipping. Makes it seem worth it when you compare it to a $60 + shipping knockoff.
 
I had a CTD Falcon II knock off. I was keenly interested in the Max Falcon II, but wasn't sure if the pack would work for me. I decided to invest $40 in the CTD version and try it for a while to see how it worked.

The pack was made pretty well, to my surprise. It had very simple, straight backpack straps, but they sitll worked fine. Zippers were good, and I didn't have any issues with the straps slipping.

What I didn't like about the pack was that even under a moderate load, it stuck out off the back pretty good. It is not what I would call a body-hugging, low-profile pack. I found it sort of clunky/chuncky.

Though it was a decently made pack, I decided the design was not for me. I donated the pack to a friend, who has overloaded it for a few weekend and quick overnight camping trips, and it is still going strong for him.


Don't get me wrong. I love Maxpedition stuff. I have a number of their products that I use and love on a daily basis. However, the Falcon II just wasn't the pack for me, and I'm glad I didn't invest in one. These days I'm eyeing a Malaga Gearslinger. Mmmmmmm.... Someday, perhaps.
 
Well, I bought one for $90 off of Ambiantweather.com
I'll let you know how it goes.

It seems like you can get 100% of your money back here on the exchange with these things, so I don't mind buying it without trying it.
 
Can you please post side by side pics of both? I'm going back to school in the fall and was going to use my Condor II, but you mention it might be too big for a few books.
 
just to throw it up there for other people who are looking into packs: http://www.tacticaltailor.com/enhanceddaypack.aspx

Handmade in the USA by a great company with 1000denier cordura(unlike maxpedition which uses ballistic nylon)

its at a great price and comes in a variety of colors. i dot know why less people use this bag its simply excellent, i have one of every style TT makes and im geting more, whatever your use TT makes a great pack you can use and that wont break the bank.
 
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