Maxpedition Fatboy S-Type + M2 Waist Pack

VultureParade

VultureParade

Joined
Apr 25, 2003
Messages
369
I recently had the chance to check one of these out by participating in a passaround and I wanted to post my impressions.

I've heard a lot about the Fatboy on this forum and several other forums that I frequent. Since I've been in the market for a bag to tote some extra gear around in I figured I'd give it a try and see if it could suit my needs or not. Upon taking the Fatboy out of the box and giving it an initial inspection I found it to be very well constructed and sturdy. It has a lot of pockets for different items as well as many attachment points that can be used to lash on other assorted gear.

The Fatboy is carried by slinging the strap over your shoulder and across your chest so it lays against either your right or left side. The S-Type Fatboy is a variation on the original Fatboy and can be carried on both sides while the original was meant to be carried on the left. Maxpedition introduced this new model for individuals wishing to carry a holstered firearm on their right side. The shoulder strap used with the Fatboy is quite comfortable and adjustable so a variety of people can fit it across their chests. I found that I would have liked the strap to get a little bit tighter on the lowest setting. However, I'm a really skinny dude so I doubt this would be a problem for most people.

While I'm on the strap topic it is a good time to voice one of my few compliants about the pack. On the back/underside of the back there is a little button strap. Now, this may have just been because I'm so skinny and therefore couldn't get the strap tight enough, but this strap rubbed against my side constantly. I found this to be quite uncomfortable and annoying after a while and I wonder if the strap really needs to be on the underside of the pack to begin with. I guess it is there to attach the pack to something when you remove the shoulder strap, but maybe a different system could be worked out so the button and strap isn't pressed right up against the user's side.

Now, I don't really have that many carry needs. I was thinking about getting a pack to carry a paperback book, a water bottle, maybe a snack, and some first aid supplies. The Fatboy is relatively small but I was able to fit these items inside of it without much room to spare. Clever use of all the pockets could allow someone to place a large amount of items in the pack, but I don't know how comfortable it would be to carry around and the items would have to be compatible with the pocket sizes.

The M2 waistpack is a nice little addition to the Fatboy. I'm a full time student and the pen holding feature of the M2 is great. I rigged it up to the shouldar strap on the Fatboy so I had easier access to it. In this way I was able to quickly grab a pen whenever I needed to jot something down and keep a small notebook inside of the M2 to take notes on. I also experimented with using the M2 as a cell phone holder since my phone resembles a large brick and is uncomfortable in the pocket. I found the M2 barely held my cell but made it possible for me to access it quickly and easily when needed. If I were to buy a Fatboy I'd definately get the M2 along with it.

The only problem I had with the M2 was with the malice clips used to attach it. I found these clips difficult to disengage after attached which would make quickly changing the M2's position difficult. However, if one plans to just leave the M2 in a certain spot, these clips are strong and perform great.

So to sum up.

PROS
-sturdy construction
-practical size
-variety of pockets and gear attachment points

CONS
-shoulder strap only adjustable to a certain point
-might not have enough storage for some users
-irritating strap on the underside

Verdict

I don't know if I would buy the Fatboy or not. At the $60 dollar price point it is a little pricey for my purposes. I would also have to do something about the strap on the underside since it made wearing the pack a pain.

If I were to buy a Fatboy I'd definately get the M2 along with it, I found it a great addition to the pack.

-Bryan
 
That strap on the back is to attach the FB to your belt and keep it from flopping around. Just an extra retention device.

KS
 
Now that I think about it that makes perfect sense now. I have no idea why I didn't figure it out while using the Fatboy. I wonder if it would have been sufficient to counter the loose shoulder strap.

-Bryan
 
Nice review Bryan.:)
Re the strap....On the flip side of our heights I loosened the strap to it's fullest length.
I have a long torso and little fireplug legs :) :)
Six feet tall and a 29 inseam....

I'll probably not be using the belt strap that's been identified. I can see the need when I bicycle, BUT I won't be doing this for quite some time.

More to come when I carry this for a week.
Pics too...I do so love pics....
Tom
 
I'm going to bump this and add a question.

Is the S-type Fatboy a left-side ONLY model (as I thought I read somewhere), or is it ambidextrous? Are there other differences between the two models, or is it just "handedness" that distinguishes them?

Um.... DUH :footinmou

http://www.maxpedition.com/catalog/product_vp_fatboy_s.htm

"MAXPEDITION HARD-USE GEAR is proud to introduce the new #0408 Fatboy S-Type. Originally designed for Search and Rescue work, the S-type allows for the additional attachment of #0102 CP-L Radio Holster, #1708 Universal Flashlight Sheath, or any other MAXPEDITION Waistpack in place of the cellphone pocket on the standard Fatboy.

In addition, the Fatboy S-Type rides on the left side of the body filling the need for a 'lefty' Fatboy and a grab-and-go gear bag that does not hinder the quick drawing of a sidearm on the right hip. The following are the major differences between the S-type and the standard Fatboy:

(1) The footprint of the S-type is in the MIRROR IMAGE of the footprint of the standard Fatboy.

(2) The S-type has an additional anchor attachment point where the cellphone pocket is on the standard Fatboy. It also has a 2" wide loop patch on the front lid for attachment of patches and ID's.

(3) The S-type provides more modular capacity than the standard Fatboy with three anchor attachment points. It is also the "Lefty" Fatboy. Moreover, it is the Fatboy that does not get in the way of a right-side holstered firearm.

P.S. FatBoy Versipack S-Type can be worn both on R/H side and L/H side."

If some of you are posting pics, could you post pics of the S-type on BOTH sides? The thing still looks like it's made for left-only, so I'm wondering how well it sits on the right side.
 
Here's another:

f2.jpg

Fatboy with M1

This is the standard flavor Fatboy, not the S. I don't know what the difference is, except that the S is the mirror image of the non-S. The Maxpedition website suggests that the S-type was made, in part, to be worn on the left side so that right-side concealed carry could be accomplished. But I've always worn my standard Fatboy on the left anyway, and it works just fine. Seems to me that they can be worn on either side. Since the S-type supposedly is a mirror image of the non-S, I would think that the S could be worn on either side too.

I keep mine in my vehicle, carrying everything from a Stinger flashlight to Advil and dental floss to a Sharpie pen. The kind of stuff you need away from home but usually don't have. From time to time I actually carry the thing, and load it with an extra knife, more flashlights (heh), digital camera, etc. I'd like to get some kind of water bottle carrier for it, if such a thing exists.

best regards
 
It's almost the same with the lack of the pouch on the belt side and the addition of the velcro patch. I like the older model as I want the key keeper on the front of me as I wear it left side carry.
Tom
PS. I've read thet the mini Roly poly makes a fine large, 32 ounce, bottle carrier
 
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