Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon review (pic heavy)

myright

myright

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Jan 31, 2008
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Alright fellas - I got my pack in the mail just in time for an 8 miler I put in yesterday with Primitiveman and his friend. While I knew the day would be short, I loaded the pack up as I would if I were going to be out all day long. The only thing I didn't bring was extra food for a long day trip.

I was a bit nervous after hearing some people thought it was small, but when I got it I realized it is perfect for the day trips I put in.

I filled two Nalgene bottles on either side to help add some weight as well as a small camp stove and fuel... well and everything else you can see in the pics. It carries pretty high on my back with I really like and I did not miss not having a waist strap either. The sternum strap is VERY comfortable and I did not experience hot spots. I must say that I had a long sleeve T, wool sweater and a fleece on so my shoulders and back were pretty padded from clothing as well.

I can say enough about how much R&D must have went into this pack. I like that the main compartment opens completly so you don't have to fish around for your gear.

It performs much larger than a 1400 cu in pack, but doesn't feel that large if that makes any sense at all. :D

Well - enough talking, here's some pics. (Next time will be the Falcon II I got yesterday)

I strapped my NF jacket to the bottom front where the bungee is to also add some weight.... hmmm I never did weight the pack. The jacket stayed very secure and in place.

P dog felt as if she needed to say hi. As a size ref. she is about 80 lbs.

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Dump of just the outer two pockets

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Large inner area packed

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Entire dump

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Back with straps - The part that is actually against your back is padded and looked to be pretty breathable. I'll be able to test that out more once I am able to wear less clothing in nicer weather.

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Here it is on my back

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Myright,

Thanks for the review... I really like Max stuff... I was thinking about picking up a Camelbak Chaos, but now you have me thinking.....
 
It's not built for hydration, but you can certainly rig something up. The Falcon II is hydration compatible.
 
Nice man thanks, I've been looking at these and the falcon II, If I go for one it will be this one.:thumbup:
 
PrimitiveMan said:
I knew you had stuff in the pack, but had no idea you had all that gear stuffed in there! Very nice.
Click to expand...

Yep :thumbup: Definetly more than I needed for our trip, but I like to try out different set ups and different ways of shifting weight around.

It's a great pack!
 
Fonly said:
Nice man thanks, I've been looking at these and the falcon II, If I go for one it will be this one.:thumbup:
Click to expand...

They are both great packs. I haven't used the Falcon II yet, but I've jammed a bunch of stuff in it to see what it would take and seems like it's a bottomless pit :thumbup:
 
I have the Falcon II and not only can you fit a ton in it, the compression straps pack it down ultra flat! Great bag.
 
Yup - the compression straps on the Falcon II are one of the reasons I went for that pack in the first place. I like the idea of being able to cinch it down.
 
I keep looking at these but just can't decide. Like oyu I thought it may be a bit too small, but it looks like it would be perfect for all my day hikes. I want something a bit narrower like that. And I had wondered if full sized Nalgenes fit the side pockets, so that's cool too.

I just noticed though, does it have a waist belt?
 
No waist belt on the PFII. I've been enjoying mine a lot. Bought it last fall before rifle deer season and kicked off its use with that. It's a great little hunting/hiking daypack. I could stand the main compartment being a bit bigger, but if you're efficient with your packing it has plenty of space. In winter I tend to want more gear along, so as the temps are warming it seems to suit me much better.

It's very comfortable and it tucks back behind even my rather small body. Doesn't catch on the brush I tend to plow through when hunting and hiking a lot.

It's also a handy way to keep your outdoors essentials with you. I usually keep it stashed in the car in case I get the sudden urge to head out. Keep it stocked with a decent knife and all the other goodies I'd want on a quick dayhike.

I use it a lot for carrying extra hunting essentials, licenses, ammo, gutting gloves, gun tools etc. Works great for that, but if somebody forgets something they always ask to use stuff from your pack.

The only thing that really annoys me is that you really have to undo the "Y-strap" to get any real access into the outer pockets. This gets really annoying to me, and the strap really doesn't have much function on a pack this light, in my opinion.

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RB - That would be probably one of the only complaints I havce about this pack so far is that the Y strap HAS TO BE undone in order to get in any of the pockets, as you stated.

The one thing i DO like about that Y strap is that you can pack things under it. I almost put my rolled up jacket under it.
 
Great review myright!! Nice pics man :thumbup: I might have to go your route and get the Pygmy too, for when I go out alone. It's funny how the Falcon-II only has about 120 cubic inches or so more room than the Pygmy, but the pygmy seems so much more unobtrusive!

I think you can actually remove the Y-strap if you don't like it. At least I'm pretty sure you can on the Falcon-II, maybe it's different for the Pygmy. It is indeed nice though for carrying a jacket or something. I spurred/convinced my friend to get the Pygmy a while ago, and he loves it :thumbup:

And yeah, the compression straps on the Falcon-II are awesome :thumbup:
 
You can remove the Y-strap on most of the Maxp. bags, but I've found that you quickly get used to undoing the SRB.
 
thanks for the review i just picked one of these up on the gear exchange... looking forward to filling it up and getting out with it.
 
I have one and LOVE it for my day hikes and general stuff. It has just enough room for that purpose. I agree the y-strap can be a pain sometimes but its something I have grown used too. its alot of pack in a little package.
 
Ditto here; it is my favorite day hike pack. Anyone will have a hard time beating it for the price. I don't mind it not being rigged for a hydration bladder since I don't like them.
 
No clue... I'll shoot a PM over to the mods.

WOOHOO - Fixed!
 
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