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Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
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maxpedition Falcon II
- Thread starter 3wolves
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2008
- Messages
- 26,045
I love mine. No pictures, but for that I'd recommend a look over at MilSpecMonkey.com He has lots of good pictures, and a detailed review. 
- Joined
- May 5, 2003
- Messages
- 2,493
It's one of my all-time favorite daypacks.
The shape is kind of hard to get used to... when you load it up full, it sticks out off your back farther than it is wide. But for off-trail use, the narrow pack is a dream. It has lots of pockets and organizational features and Molle webbing for add-ons. It works well with a hydration bladder, which is important to me.
It holds plenty of gear, but compresses nicely when empty. I think it's one of the most versatile packs I have.
Stay sharp,
desmobob
The shape is kind of hard to get used to... when you load it up full, it sticks out off your back farther than it is wide. But for off-trail use, the narrow pack is a dream. It has lots of pockets and organizational features and Molle webbing for add-ons. It works well with a hydration bladder, which is important to me.
It holds plenty of gear, but compresses nicely when empty. I think it's one of the most versatile packs I have.
Stay sharp,
desmobob
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2008
- Messages
- 7,702
I liked it, though I discovered it didn't quite fill the purpose for which it was intended. But I wouldn't mind picking up another later for an EDC backpack (just sold mine) :thumbup:
My review on the Falcon II. Lots of pics. Milspecmonkey has good pics too :thumbup:.
ETA: Duh, I should mention that I got rid of mine because it didn't match the task I needed a pack for, not because of any real negatives on the pack's part. The pack is excellent, well designed and well constructed. It is sturdy, and will definitely last through some scrapes and rough times. That's the reason I want another one for EDC use in my urban environment. Most of my negatives are probably subjective, things like:
-No frame.
-Waistbelt wasn't that useful for me. If you don't load the pack, it's fine, but once you do, the weight is all on the shoulders.
-Fill port for bladder pokes into your back if you use it in the bladder pocket (quick fix- put something hard between the bladder fill port and inside of bladder pocket flap)
-If you use a camelbak, taking a bladder off the strap that is standard on the pack gets annoying really quick. Put your own piece of paracord or something to make putting and taking off a bladder easier.
-Y-strap can get annoying sometimes, and the bottom zipper pocket doesn't leave much room to fish out zippers when opening the pocket. You have to remember to leave the zippers on one side or another to get to it quickly and easily.
But for a neat freak, the pack is excellent. A place for every item. It is durable, and I definitely was not worried about throwing it about. And the pack really is versatile with all that MOLLE. I am sort of done with MOLLE on packs, because it tends to distribute weight awkwardly on the back if you attach too many items, but for a pouch or two here or there, it's fine. If find I prefer a simple one compartment top loader nowadays, and organize everything internally with pouches and stuff.
My review on the Falcon II. Lots of pics. Milspecmonkey has good pics too :thumbup:.
ETA: Duh, I should mention that I got rid of mine because it didn't match the task I needed a pack for, not because of any real negatives on the pack's part. The pack is excellent, well designed and well constructed. It is sturdy, and will definitely last through some scrapes and rough times. That's the reason I want another one for EDC use in my urban environment. Most of my negatives are probably subjective, things like:
-No frame.
-Waistbelt wasn't that useful for me. If you don't load the pack, it's fine, but once you do, the weight is all on the shoulders.
-Fill port for bladder pokes into your back if you use it in the bladder pocket (quick fix- put something hard between the bladder fill port and inside of bladder pocket flap)
-If you use a camelbak, taking a bladder off the strap that is standard on the pack gets annoying really quick. Put your own piece of paracord or something to make putting and taking off a bladder easier.
-Y-strap can get annoying sometimes, and the bottom zipper pocket doesn't leave much room to fish out zippers when opening the pocket. You have to remember to leave the zippers on one side or another to get to it quickly and easily.
But for a neat freak, the pack is excellent. A place for every item. It is durable, and I definitely was not worried about throwing it about. And the pack really is versatile with all that MOLLE. I am sort of done with MOLLE on packs, because it tends to distribute weight awkwardly on the back if you attach too many items, but for a pouch or two here or there, it's fine. If find I prefer a simple one compartment top loader nowadays, and organize everything internally with pouches and stuff.
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I have had one for sometime. It took me a while to get the straps adjusted so that it fit well on my shoulders. I have it fairly loaded and can carry it for hours with out it getting uncomfortable.
The only thing I really don't like about it is that a full bladder is a tight squeeze. I have to unzip the main compartment so I can put a full bladder in the compartment. Then it is hard to zip the main compartment back up.
Besides that it is a sturdy comfortable pack.
Chad
The only thing I really don't like about it is that a full bladder is a tight squeeze. I have to unzip the main compartment so I can put a full bladder in the compartment. Then it is hard to zip the main compartment back up.
Besides that it is a sturdy comfortable pack.
Chad
- Joined
- May 5, 2003
- Messages
- 2,493
I'd like to respond to some of rksoon's observations (in black)...
-No frame.
I really wouldn't expect a frame in a small pack like this.
-Waistbelt wasn't that useful for me. If you don't load the pack, it's fine, but once you do, the weight is all on the shoulders.
Agreed. But again, on a pack this size, I honestly wouldn't expect to see, or want the added bulk of, a load-bearing waist belt. I like NOT having a waist belt on a daypack: quicker on and off and no interference when wearing a knife in a standard belt sheath.
-Fill port for bladder pokes into your back if you use it in the bladder pocket (quick fix- put something hard between the bladder fill port and inside of bladder pocket flap)
-If you use a camelbak, taking a bladder off the strap that is standard on the pack gets annoying really quick. Put your own piece of paracord or something to make putting and taking off a bladder easier.
Turn the bladder around! I use Blackhawk Hydrastorm hydration systems in my packs. They have quick-release fittings on the hose ends so you can easily unhook the drinking tube and remove the bladder from the pack to fill it. I do have a piece of paracord on the bladder to hang it on the Falcon II's loop.
-Y-strap can get annoying sometimes, and the bottom zipper pocket doesn't leave much room to fish out zippers when opening the pocket. You have to remember to leave the zippers on one side or another to get to it quickly and easily.
I was initially worried I was going to be continually annoyed by the Y strap, but it ended up being one of my favorite features of the pack. I could roll up a down jacket or a couple of lighter layers and lay it across the top of the pack, securing it with the Y strap on top and the compression straps on the sides. (see photo in my post above) Even with a jacket attached like this, I am still able to access the outer compartments.
I agree with the tight space issue on the lower pocket zipper. I guess one solution would be for Maxpedition to put the zipper for the lower pocket on the outside (rearward) surface of the pocket rather than on the sides. But the fix is simple enough, as you mentioned: keep the zipper ends on either side of the pocket rather than the top of it when zipping it up. But I admit, I usually forget to do this and have to dig for the zipper pulls on the bottom pocket.
Stay sharp,
desmobob
-No frame.
I really wouldn't expect a frame in a small pack like this.
-Waistbelt wasn't that useful for me. If you don't load the pack, it's fine, but once you do, the weight is all on the shoulders.
Agreed. But again, on a pack this size, I honestly wouldn't expect to see, or want the added bulk of, a load-bearing waist belt. I like NOT having a waist belt on a daypack: quicker on and off and no interference when wearing a knife in a standard belt sheath.
-Fill port for bladder pokes into your back if you use it in the bladder pocket (quick fix- put something hard between the bladder fill port and inside of bladder pocket flap)
-If you use a camelbak, taking a bladder off the strap that is standard on the pack gets annoying really quick. Put your own piece of paracord or something to make putting and taking off a bladder easier.
Turn the bladder around! I use Blackhawk Hydrastorm hydration systems in my packs. They have quick-release fittings on the hose ends so you can easily unhook the drinking tube and remove the bladder from the pack to fill it. I do have a piece of paracord on the bladder to hang it on the Falcon II's loop.
-Y-strap can get annoying sometimes, and the bottom zipper pocket doesn't leave much room to fish out zippers when opening the pocket. You have to remember to leave the zippers on one side or another to get to it quickly and easily.
I was initially worried I was going to be continually annoyed by the Y strap, but it ended up being one of my favorite features of the pack. I could roll up a down jacket or a couple of lighter layers and lay it across the top of the pack, securing it with the Y strap on top and the compression straps on the sides. (see photo in my post above) Even with a jacket attached like this, I am still able to access the outer compartments.
I agree with the tight space issue on the lower pocket zipper. I guess one solution would be for Maxpedition to put the zipper for the lower pocket on the outside (rearward) surface of the pocket rather than on the sides. But the fix is simple enough, as you mentioned: keep the zipper ends on either side of the pocket rather than the top of it when zipping it up. But I admit, I usually forget to do this and have to dig for the zipper pulls on the bottom pocket.
Stay sharp,
desmobob
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2008
- Messages
- 7,702
Haha, ok
:thumbup:. I guess it came across as knocking the pack too much, let me repeat, I really do like it. And again, most of the issues I had with the pack, are probably unique to my own experience, but I thought them worth mentioning instead of me only saying "it didn't work for me" without providing any reason.
The frame:
I guess it's because I have previous experience with camelbaks that had some kind of framing inside despite their size. I agree that on a pack that small, you don't need a frame, but I have discovered that I prefer a frame, even on daypacks. I can only afford to have one hiking pack, and I purchased the Falcon-II with the intention of using it for overnighters as well if need be. So for my uses, I wanted something built more along the lines of an overnighter pack, I guess, with that sort of load support, yet small enough to use on regular dayhikes.
When I first bought the pack, I thought: sure, I could use this for overnighters. But once I did a few long hikes with it loaded up a bit, I realize the pack doesn't carry loads as comfortably as I'd like it to. I have more experience now to recognize the features I want BEFORE I order a pack, but when I bought the Falcon-II, I was relatively new to it all.
Waistbelt:
No argument there really. I would rather the pack come without the straps that I referred to as a waistbelt. I just thought it added more straps to the pack without added function. And before I discovered drop loops sheaths, yeah, I too, wanted to stick with packs that kept my waist area free. In fact, when I originally purchased this pack, I thought I might be able to use it with a Proteus versipack at the same time (to house my psk, protues riding below bottom of pack). It didn't work out as well as I had hoped, but it does indeed keep your belt area free :thumbup:.
But nowadays, most of my knife sheaths are droop loop, and I can wear a waistbelt comfortably with them. If a Falcon-III comes out and they keep the same dimensions, I would hope they drop those straps all together.
The bladder deal:
Duh. I am retarded
. Turn the bladder around. Wow. Gotta retract that one then :thumbup:. I would actually like a bit more room in the bladder pocket though, it was a bit tight with a full 3L bladder. And once you put a full bladder in the bladder pocket, it took out a good chunk of space in the main compartment.
Y-strap:
I've got to admit, that is a very good point. I too loved that I could put my jacket there as soon as I got hot while hiking :thumbup:. And you CAN remove the Y-strap completely, if you don't like it. I left it on because of the jacket thing, but having to take that extra second to get to the pocket did still annoy me sometimes. Not a big deal I know, but like I said, it's subjective.
ETA: One other nice thing, as already pointed out, is that the pack really is slim. Very nice and low profile on your back.
ETA2:
And the compression!! I forgot about that, but as desmobob said, this pack compresses REALLY well. A big plus in my book, this pack can expand a good deal, but when you don't need all that space, it compresses down to nothing. Really well done on Maxped's part :thumbup:.
:thumbup:. I guess it came across as knocking the pack too much, let me repeat, I really do like it. And again, most of the issues I had with the pack, are probably unique to my own experience, but I thought them worth mentioning instead of me only saying "it didn't work for me" without providing any reason.The frame:
I guess it's because I have previous experience with camelbaks that had some kind of framing inside despite their size. I agree that on a pack that small, you don't need a frame, but I have discovered that I prefer a frame, even on daypacks. I can only afford to have one hiking pack, and I purchased the Falcon-II with the intention of using it for overnighters as well if need be. So for my uses, I wanted something built more along the lines of an overnighter pack, I guess, with that sort of load support, yet small enough to use on regular dayhikes.
When I first bought the pack, I thought: sure, I could use this for overnighters. But once I did a few long hikes with it loaded up a bit, I realize the pack doesn't carry loads as comfortably as I'd like it to. I have more experience now to recognize the features I want BEFORE I order a pack, but when I bought the Falcon-II, I was relatively new to it all.
Waistbelt:
No argument there really. I would rather the pack come without the straps that I referred to as a waistbelt. I just thought it added more straps to the pack without added function. And before I discovered drop loops sheaths, yeah, I too, wanted to stick with packs that kept my waist area free. In fact, when I originally purchased this pack, I thought I might be able to use it with a Proteus versipack at the same time (to house my psk, protues riding below bottom of pack). It didn't work out as well as I had hoped, but it does indeed keep your belt area free :thumbup:.
But nowadays, most of my knife sheaths are droop loop, and I can wear a waistbelt comfortably with them. If a Falcon-III comes out and they keep the same dimensions, I would hope they drop those straps all together.
The bladder deal:
Duh. I am retarded
. Turn the bladder around. Wow. Gotta retract that one then :thumbup:. I would actually like a bit more room in the bladder pocket though, it was a bit tight with a full 3L bladder. And once you put a full bladder in the bladder pocket, it took out a good chunk of space in the main compartment.Y-strap:
I've got to admit, that is a very good point. I too loved that I could put my jacket there as soon as I got hot while hiking :thumbup:. And you CAN remove the Y-strap completely, if you don't like it. I left it on because of the jacket thing, but having to take that extra second to get to the pocket did still annoy me sometimes. Not a big deal I know, but like I said, it's subjective.
ETA: One other nice thing, as already pointed out, is that the pack really is slim. Very nice and low profile on your back.
ETA2:
And the compression!! I forgot about that, but as desmobob said, this pack compresses REALLY well. A big plus in my book, this pack can expand a good deal, but when you don't need all that space, it compresses down to nothing. Really well done on Maxped's part :thumbup:.
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