[...]I was planning on ordering 2 rolly-polys for the side but after seeing the 10X4 it looks good. Do you think the rollys would be a better option and if so why ??
I think that they would be good to have on day when you don't need the bulky insulated 10x4's on the side. Rolled up, they are so small that they keep the pack looking slick outside. They really are very useful and reasonbably priced.
You may or may not be able to get a cup in these though.
I personally liked the rolly-poly's better on the pack. When I tried it with my 10x4 on one side, it became pretty bulky and awkward for me. Although I have no doubt that if I had one more to balance out the other side it would have felt a little better (like Jake's set-up), I still think it would have been too bulky for me.
And you can't fit a cup in the mini-rolly-polys; I tried to no avail. The bottle alone is a snug fit. The one thing about using the mini-rollypoly's is that the molle doesn't run the length of the pouch (this lets you fold it up compactly). As a result, the rolly-poly tends to swing around a little bit. You can counter this by using the bottom side compression straps over the pouch with the bottle in it, but it's a bit annoying sometimes and doesn't let you really cinch things down.
I wish Maxped would make a pack a little larger than the Falcon-II (maybe 30-35L and a bit wider across the back rather than out from the back), that also had built in mesh bottle pockets like the Pygmy....I'd be all over that
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I'd read a brief owners review that he thought that the pack was much larger than it actually is. I was surprised when I checked the spec'. It seemed larger to me too.
Yeah, the pics on the maxped site make the Falcon-II look really large and the Pygmy really small due to their choice of model. However, if you look at the specs, both packs are pretty close in size. Having owned/used both now, I can confirm that they are pretty much the same size.
If you like a smaller bag, the Falcon-II is a pleasant surprise. It used to feel a bit small to me, but I've pared down the stuff I carry since I sold the pack, and wouldn't be opposed to picking up another one down the line. I'm using a Camelbak military HAWG now, and it fills my needs just as well (if not better), so I'm not missing the Faclon-II too much
It is a great pack though :thumbup:
Maybe you should check out the Condor or Vulture for a bigger maxpedition pack, AeroNautiCal :thumbup:
I'd like hear from more folks and any of the long term owners. I have a LL Bean & REI backpack that are new that I need to get rid of and hopefully buy something like this.
I know KGD got one of these a little while ago, hope he chimes in with why he likes it
Looking back, my only real complaints about this pack were the accordion compartment design and the bladder pocket.
I found that I wanted the main compartment to be a bit larger to accommodate bulkier items, especially since a full bladder takes up a bit of room in the main compartment. Also, when you really load the pack up, the accordion design allows the weight to settle farther from your back (even if you put the heaviest items closest to your back). I found this put more strain on my shoulders/back for long hikes, and I didn't like the way it affected my balance. While the accordion design is great for keeping the pack slim on your back, and minimizing excess empty space...I think the pack could benefit from being a little wider while not expanding so far away from your back. This is just based off memory...I wish I still had the pack so I could directly compare how it rides to my current Camelbak.
I think Maxped could learn a thing or two from Camelbak with regards to the bladder pocket and the back of the pack. First, I think no one would complain if the back used a little better padding and was more ventilated. If you stick the bladder in the pocket with the fill port facing out, you will feel it on your back. Not a big deal after a while but you notice it when you first put it on. Desmobob pointed out a simple solution to me a while back: just turn the bladder around so the fill port faces the interior of the pack. The loop for hanging your bladder was annoyingly wide, you have to tie a paracord loop or something on there if you'll be using bladders often. Lastly, the insulation on camelbak bladder pockets are awesome; I wish maxped would beef up the insulation in their hydration compatible packs.
Other than those two things for me, the pack was awesome :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:. Great for dayhikes, excellent for neat freaks, and tough.
makes it a no-go at the moment.
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One can be a dedicated hiking pack, one can be a vehicle/home BOB... 