Maxpedition: Jumbo or Colossus?

M

Moving Target

Joined
Feb 8, 2000
Messages
617
Anyone own or used both of these who can compare them for me?

I'm looking for a bag to carry some everyday gear (light, cellphone, first aid, raingear, lunch, handgun, etc) and still have some space left over for some additional items I may want to pack on the way home (sweatshirt, souvenirs, snacks, etc).

The Jumbo looks more comfortable but it's size seems strictly limited to small items. The Colossus looks big enough to carry everything I could want or need, but is it too bulky to wear comfortably?

Any opinions or experiences would be MUCH appreciated!
 
I have the jumbo... works great for me. IMO the collossus is a bit big to carry. If you have that much stuff a backpack will be much more comfortable. Either way, great bags.
 
Jumbo. KD is right, I'd rather have a back pack than a Colossus... My fully loaded jumbo gets heavy on the shoulder after a while.
 
If you were 6'8" tall, 265 pounds, would the Colossus be basically a proper increase in scale, equivalent to a Jumbo on an average height person? Or would it still be overly large?

I ask because a sweatshirt, rain gear, etc., takes up more space for the larger person. I have been wanting to acquire a Maxpedition bag, but have been leaning toward the Colossus. Can any big people who own Maxpeditions give me some advice?
 
Mike, don't forget that "shoulder durability" does not necessarily scale up with height and weight. You may need more space and be able to cary more weight in a backpack, but the same extra mass in a shoulder bag can do a real job messing your joints. It can be a cumulative effect and won't necessarily show up right away.
 
64, here. :D I can tell when I've overloaded, and I usually do carry a shoulder bag. (Good way to stop carrying way more than I need.)
 
So..the overall impression that I'm getting is that the Jumbo is more useful and comfortable as a dedicated of CCW gear, but leaves very little room for anything but the smallest common/everyday items (i.e. things you would normally carry on your belt or in your pockets). It is a true "man-purse".

Whereas, the Colossus bridges the gap between shoulder-bag and a true backpack. Offering locations to carry a handgun but also added capacity to keep additional gear for day trips. Downsides seem to be less comfortable fit and the potential for over-packing(?)

My problem is that I don't normally carry enough items on my person to need a man-purse...just wallet, keys, comb, pen, mini flashlight, cellphone, Glock19...

...but for the work and travelling that I will be doing in a couple months, I will be carrying all the usual things plus a digital camera, snacks, raingear, a small first aid kit, maps, and sunglasses. None of this stuff is particularly heavy or bulky, the worst perhaps being the raingear, but looking at the Jumbo it doesn't look like it will carry more than what I EDC on my person already(?)

I'm not worried about overpacking, because I've carried all this stuff in the same situation before...but that is why I know I don't want a regular backpack - too much hassle taking it off and on constantly while going from the street to public transportation to boats and back again, not to mention every time I need to access something.

I have some doubts but I guess I'm leaning toward the Colossus for my needs. Thanks for all the ideas so far...any more opinions?
 
I have a Maxpedition Jumbo, so I can only comment on that, if you are planning on carrying raingear, then do not get the Jumbo.

It will hold all the items that you mention, with the exception of the raingear, then it would be more or less full. Hope this helps.
 
J_Roc said:
It will hold all the items that you mention, with the exception of the raingear, then it would be more or less full. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

So let me see if I understand...the Jumbo will carry all the little items and EDC stuff I mentioned, but with no room left over for raingear, sweatshirt, or any small purchases I might pick up and want to pack?
 
I was just looking at the Jumbo, and figured this might be a good thread to ask a question about it in.

Will the water bottle pouch hold a GI canteen w/cup?
 
Moving Target said:
So let me see if I understand...the Jumbo will carry all the little items and EDC stuff I mentioned, but with no room left over for raingear, sweatshirt, or any small purchases I might pick up and want to pack?
Click to expand...


Yes, that right. I find that once I pack mine with the EDC stuff, more or less the same as your list (minus the handgun), there is not much room left for other stuff. I can put most the EDC items in the smaller compartments, and leave the main one empty, this way I can fill that with whatever I need for the occassion - camera, sandwiches, etc. I wouldn't get a Jumbo, and then plan to add sweaters, raingear, etc. on top of all the other stuff.

For me, I think the Jumbo is perfect for day hikes, it holds all the stuff and is not too big.

BrianB, I don't know about the GI canteen w/cup, but it fits a 1L Nalgene bottle like a glove.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top