Maxpedition Condor II mini review w/ pics

Macchina

Macchina

Joined
Apr 7, 2006
Messages
5,215
Well, I received my Maxpedition Condor II last week after a lot of debate (between it and the Falcon II). It came down to the Condor just because of the one large main compartment, and I'm really glad I went with it. The bag is not nearly as big as I thought it would be, it's smaller than my Columbia daypack I use for college. The thing is very well built and everything is functional. The one gripe I have is the waist strap is so far up the bag (because the bag is not very tall) that it tightens around my belly button. I guess I'm only going to be carrying around 20 lbs. in it anyway, so I probably won't be using the waist strap. The shoulder straps are very comfy, much better than the original ALICE style. Zippers are huge and stay put, sewing is very robust, and the fabric is so stiff and thick it almost hampers performance a little (this is just the way I like it). The hydration bladder pocket cannot be used when the pack is stuffed, but a nalgene stores very nicely under the side compression strap. There are two 2" webs on the shoulder straps that allow you to clip a flashlight and knife on as if they were pockets, I like this feature a lot. The bottom is very robust and appears to be water proof. There are also two straps on the bottom designed for carrying tent poles or a very small tent. I was able to fit enough in for a comfortable (this means three knives and a hatchet, sleeping mat as well) overnighter. I backpack with others, so it's there turn to carry the tent.

Inside is:
32 degree slumberjack sleeping bag
Thermarest prolite 3 sleeping mat
MSR Wisperlite (what's with spelling light: lite) gas stove inside of a 1 qt. MSR pot
1 liter of white gas
Water filter
Steel cup
GPS
Compass
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Snacks
Surefire 6P
Mora
Benchmade Griptilian (should be on shoulder strap)
Fleece
Extra socks
Matches and a bunch of other small stuff

Outside is:
Ontario RAT-5
Wetterlings 14" Hunters hatchet
1L nalgene
Fenix L2T
Accesory Bag for stuff I have to get to on the trail

You can see I don't pack light at all, but the mid-sized daypack pack fits it all. It's a little snug, and I wouldn't want to add any more for sure. I may slim down before I take it hiking, but I wanted to show what it can hold. It carries nicely even when full at about 25 lbs.

Condor1.jpg

Condor2.jpg

Condor3.jpg

Condor4.jpg
 
Nice setup. I like the water bottle setup - how is it attached? Do you prefer it over the hydration sleeve? Here's my Vulture loaded down for a winter day's rabbit hunt - Barker, shoes, and Ruger 10/22 attached:

SANY0004-4.jpg


other angle shows my Eberlestock shotgun scabbard which also used molle attachments (provided) :

SANY0002-5.jpg
 
The nalgene has a bra on (yeah, that's what it's called) that has a strap that allows me to clip it to the bag with a carabiner. I have a camlebak MULE as well (it was issued to my brother in Iraq, he sold it to me NIB for $20) and I like it for hunting, but I'd rather have a water bottle while hiking. I like having something portable around camp, and filtering into a nalgene is a lot easier than into a water reservoir. The water also seems to get too hot when it's that close to my body.
 
Nice backpack. Someday I'd like to get the Condor-II or Falcon-II. The one I really want is the TAD Gear Fast Pack EDC, but that's about $300 :eek: They have this package right now that comes with the backpack, jacket, and inner shirt/pants for about $560 and they throw in their special edition ZT300. Tempting, but still a lot of money.
 
If you like rugged gear, I'd give maxpedition a second look. I've never owned a FAST pack, but I do own a few nice packs from Lowe Alpine, Gregory, Camelbak, Columbia, and the Maxpedition is in another category all together. The FAST pack may be something special, but $300 is a whole of money for something like that.
 
The clip on your Fenix...did you make that or does somebody sell them?

Good looking gear. You carry a lot of the same stuff I do.
 
No shelter?

Pack looks good. I looking to buy a pack with about 3000 cubic inches and all hear is good things about this brand. Now I just need to get over the price.
 
orrey45 said:
No shelter?

Pack looks good. I looking to buy a pack with about 3000 cubic inches and all hear is good things about this brand. Now I just need to get over the price.
Click to expand...

Good stuff costs money. This is a pack you will use and abuse. Just pull the trigger... :)
 
TFin04 said:
The clip on your Fenix...did you make that or does somebody sell them?

Good looking gear. You carry a lot of the same stuff I do.
Click to expand...

I made that one. Fenix's are some of the easiest flashlights to put clips on because they come with two pre-drilled holes (for the lanyard) that are the perfect tap size for a 4-40 screw. All flashlights should have pocket clips.

I just finished up the clip for my surefire 6P today:
DSC01757.jpg

They are a little rough, but they work great, and they take 1 lunch break.
 
orrey45 said:
No shelter?

Pack looks good. I looking to buy a pack with about 3000 cubic inches and all hear is good things about this brand. Now I just need to get over the price.
Click to expand...

When I hike, we carry 3-man tents as a group. I've always carried one, so when I bring a daypack, it's my turn to go light.

As far as a Maxpedition being expensive, I paid $115 shipped for mine off eBay. I've spent that much on many pieces of gear, and over double that on some packs that I know won't last half as long as a Maxpedition. They may be a bit of money, but they have value.
 
The Maxpedition Vulture II is around $150 and holds 2810 cubic inches. If it is anything like the Tactical Attache and the Colossus both of which I use daily, it is worth every penny. If you have the pennies to spend.
 
protourist said:
The Maxpedition Vulture II is around $150 and holds 2810 cubic inches. If it is anything like the Tactical Attache and the Colossus both of which I use daily, it is worth every penny. If you have the pennies to spend.
Click to expand...

Thats the one I was looking at. Hmm, tax return check has to get something fun.
 
I've been contemplating one of these and I'm impressed with how much you fit into it. I would have guessed it could carry that much.

BTW did you modify the pommel of your RAT5?
 
Yup, I tend to give all my gear a little modifying. The RAT-5 got the "melt" job to make the handle more comfortable.

Now what can I change on the Condor II....
 
I have this guy in ranger green. Its a nice bag altho my one main zipper went on me which is annoying but not completely disastrous as there are two zippers

I added two Tactical Tailor canteen pouches to mine with Malice clips. They can take Nalgenes or whatever you want.

I can't use the waist strap on mine either.

P1010015-1.jpg
 
michaelmcgo said:
I made that one. Fenix's are some of the easiest flashlights to put clips on because they come with two pre-drilled holes (for the lanyard) that are the perfect tap size for a 4-40 screw. All flashlights should have pocket clips.

I just finished up the clip for my surefire 6P today:
DSC01757.jpg

They are a little rough, but they work great, and they take 1 lunch break.
Click to expand...
Are you willing to fab up a couple clips and make a few bucks on it? I have two Fenix lights that need clips. Tapping the holes are no problem but making the clip is more than I want to do right now. Too many projects and it looks like you have it down pretty well.

If interested email me. If not I completely understand. tfineis at gmail dot com
 
Great pack, just way to small for me..I went through the search for the perfect bag about a year ago, bought both the CONDOR and the FALCON, and sold them both...I have returned to my old stand by..LARGE ALICE..I carried one as a kid, and one in the Army..its BIG, SIMPLE and TOUGH.
I set my CONDOR up in the same manner as you!! I even had the same Wetterlings hanging on mine! Like I said, super tough little pack, but just to small for my frame. Gene
 
Wow, I can't believe you choose an ALICE pack! I have a large one as well, and though it is tough, and simple (only if you know what you're doing), those things are amazingly uncomfortable. The external frame is not padded at all, and the straps are miserable. I replaced the waist buckle with a large Lowe Alpine clip, added a sternum strap, and tweaked a few of the pressure points with my rudimentary sewing skills, and the thing is still awful. I keep it only as a backup to my primary lending bag, maybe I'd lend it out if I didn't like the guy.
 
That's a good looking pack. It is more than I need for my little walks, but it would be great for an all-day in the boonies like the Altamaha. I am looking at the Fat Boy to replace my Wal-mart fanny pack. Anybody got any experience with those?
 
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