Medium sized hydration pack with MOLLE webbing for under $200

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Kirk_Ferentz

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Feb 16, 2010
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I'm looking into picking up a rugged mid-sized pack, mostly for camping and hunting trips and hiking. I would like it to be able to play the role of a small pack to take on an afternoon hike (i.e. not some lug of a pack that is way more than I need) as well as something that I can carry some heavy gear in if need be (without going to the extreme of a big 75 liter pack or something). I'm not quite certain about the volume (and different designs seem to carry their volume differently), but I'm thinking somewhere in the 1500 to 3000 cu. in. range. But maybe I am mis-estimating.

It has to be rugged--this isn't for sitting in my car or carrying a laptop. It is for being used and abused out in the elements. I want it to be better built than a bookbag (i.e. not just something that is made to look tougher).

I want it to be a hydration pack (and to be good at carrying water and being a hydration pack--not just a pack with a bladder holder sewn on). I would also like it to be something that is well designed for carrying weight (probably needs to have a weight bearing belt) while being light and comfortable.

Since I love the idea of hooking various pouches and gear on, I definitely want it to have a good deal of MOLLE style webbing on the exterior. I wonder if the non-military style makers like osprey will ever start adding this to their packs, since it seems like a great addition to me. But for now, I am wondering if that means I am limited to military style packs.

Also, given the fact that I would like it to play the role of both a small and medium pack, any pack that effectively uses detachable sub compartments appeals to me. But not necessary.

I would like it to be under $200. This is based on the idea that I should be able to get a pretty damn good pack for that price given what I have seen, but if you think spending more will make a huge difference, I will hear you out.

Just to give you an idea (feel free to point me in a different direction), when I am looking at the Camelbak options, the HAWG 500, Motherlode, and Talon-J look like they might be up my alley (link to the military packs: http://www.camelbak.com/government-military/hydration-packs.aspx)

Looking at Maxpedition, I see the vulture II and condor II (http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/Backpacks-c12.htm)

But there seem to be a ton of other brands to choose from, so let me know what you think about these brands or any other.

Thanks in advance.
 
I like the Camelbak stuff over the Maxpedition, if hydration is a big deal to you. I think they areas that are meant to hold the hydration bladders are actually TOO big on the Maxpedition packs, so the bladders do not stay in place as well. I may very well be doing it completely wrong though. The Camelbaks are, of course, designed around being hydration packs. Of the ones you mentioned, I really like the Talon.
 
I also like Camelbak over the Max products. Be aware, I think the Talon is designed to be used without a waist belt. You should check one out before buying.
 
glee said:
I also like Camelbak over the Max products. Be aware, I think the Talon is designed to be used without a waist belt. You should check one out before buying.
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Yes I had noticed that it doesn't seem to have one and was wondering about that.
 
check out the Camelback Trizip- these were made in concert with Mystery Ranch (very high end military packs)- it's ~ 40 liters, has plenty of molle webbing and a very unique (trizip) opening- it's also has a 3 liter water capacity

it would be suitable (w/ the right gear) for 2-3 day trips or day trips where your carrying heavy and/or bulky gear

they retail for over $200, but I've seen them several times under $200
 
the mil spec camelbaks are great packs, for me at least. have a tri-zip. like it lots. a pal has the motherlode. more pockets, different access. they are similar capacity. just designed differently. either would be a good option and both can be had for under $200 if ya do some looking. just depends on what features you like in a pack which one you might chose. ive had that tri-zip seriously stuffed and really like how it sets on my back. most comfortable pack ive owned in that size/price range. the futura harness designed by mystery ranch is easily adjustable. well designed waistbelt. a real plus when ya put some weight in that puppy.
 
sadiejane said:
the mil spec camelbaks are great packs, for me at least. have a tri-zip. like it lots. a pal has the motherlode. more pockets, different access. they are similar capacity. just designed differently. either would be a good option and both can be had for under $200 if ya do some looking. just depends on what features you like in a pack which one you might chose. ive had that tri-zip seriously stuffed and really like how it sets on my back. most comfortable pack ive owned in that size/price range. the futura harness designed by mystery ranch is easily adjustable. well designed waistbelt. a real plus when ya put some weight in that puppy.
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The tri-zip looks like a solid option. From my limited experience, I see the following design differences between the tri-zip and the motherlode:

1. tri-zip is better designed to carry weight (and be comfortable doing it)
2. motherlode is designed better to set on the ground or a table and open up and find various gear
3. tri-zip is probably a stronger design in terms of carrying weight
4. tri-zip seems to be much better designed as far as resisting moisture and the elements
5. tri-zip seems to be a newer design
6. motherlode a lot better for carrying lots of small gadgets that you want to keep separate, whereas tri-zip better for carrying things you throw together or big things (and motherlode's myriad of compartments might actually get in the way of big things)

If I'm wrong about any of these, let me know.

Definitely tending towards the tri-zip. The webbing will allow me to carry things that I need to access quickly in a separate compartment, so that advantage of the motherlode isnt a big deal ... although I think the tri-zip could use a FEW more outer compartments. But I have a camera backpack that has the motherlode type of design ... I'm sure the motherlode is much, much stronger, but it has alwasy struck me as a weak design (things can fall out if you aren't zipped up very well), and I hate having to take it off, set it down, and open it up like a brief case. The way it zips up, that is pretty much the only way to access gear without risking dropping stuff out of it or just not being able to find what you want. And it doesn't carry weight all that well.
 
i have a Camelbak HAWG that i really like as a day pack. recently got a MULE, don't like the access to the bladder as much, but perhaps it's an older model. not sure. both are the mil spec versions and not the civi ones.


big +1 for the HAWG if the size fits your needs. IMHO, the only thing it's lacking is a loop or two on the smaller pouch to tie dummy cords to.

haven't looked at the Motherlode or Talon, at least not recently.

the mil-spec CB packs always seem "better" than the other brands. better looking, better designed, etc.
 
The Blackhawk Cyclone is an excellent choice. It runs at 1900 ci. It is primarily a hydration pack which you specified. It comes with a very good waist belt. I can fit a GB SFA in mine. I do not know if Blackhawk still sells them, but I also have the three piece add on kit which is two side pods and a sleeping bag carrier. I have the old version, which has a limmited amount of PALS as compared to the large number on the new version. MSRP runs close to your price limit, but they can be found for a little over 1/2 that. I kick myself for not grabbing one in digicam when Sportsman Guide was selling them for some ridiculus price of $70-80.
 
Just as an update, I got the eberlestock X2. Thank you to all of you who provided insight.

Haven't had a chance to give it any real use so far, but it definitely does not disappoint out of the box. Definitely well made. It is a very toughly built pack with durable materials, put together very solidly. But you can tell that they didn't want to do overkill, so it is a nice balance between durability and weight.

The thing that really sticks out is the details. I would describe it as a very intricately designed pack. A lot of thought went into it. And the overall design is very well planned out. Although my knowledge of the packs out there is pretty limited, the design seems to me to be cutting edge, insofar as a lot of thought went into this to make it a pack that does everything that people want to do with packs in 2010. Finally, i would say that the design allows for doezens and dozens of gear-carrying configurations. It can be a small pack carrying a few things for an afternoon hike or a pack that can allow you to haul a heavy, cumbersome load with relative comfort.

If that is what you are in the market for, I would highly recommend the eberlestock. If you want something more simple, I would probably suggest the ATS RAID II or maybe the Camelbak Motherlode (although for me, I liked the ATS). The camelbak tri-zip is a bigger pack than these two, but seems to be a smaller pack with a bigger pack design. It was just too big for what I wanted.
 
RUSH 24. It'll change your life.

I see the OP made his choice (a good one too) but if anyone is reading this and still deciding...

I'd say my old ATS and EAGLE packs deserve hall of fame status....especially for all they did for me over the years....
but sometimes somebody just builds a better mousetrap.

around $100.
Mine's black - doesn't fade, show wear, or nothing either...
been beating on mine daily over a year now.
EDC during week with laptop and files in main compartment....
goes everywhere I do on weekends...can trip in it for couple days if I had to. (But I got a duluth pack for that)
OCD lovers dream with all the pockets and storage area....
It's a panel loader (awesome)
and the back pad and straps...they just changed the game. (for me)

lots of good ideas here though. a pack is the most personal part of gear to me. everyone is different and every pack feels a little different....
 
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Check out the CamelBak Linchpin Hydration Pack if you want something with the size of the HAWG but the comfort of the mystery ranch harness. I own a camelbak HAWG and love it and picked up the Linchpin a week ago, but haven't tested it yet. It is super nice though.
 
this might be a little pricey(sorry) but i think you should check out the esee junglas pack, that you can get on there sight. i dont think ive seen any better packs that are as rugged
 
101stinfidel said:
Check out the CamelBak Linchpin Hydration Pack if you want something with the size of the HAWG but the comfort of the mystery ranch harness. I own a camelbak HAWG and love it and picked up the Linchpin a week ago, but haven't tested it yet. It is super nice though.
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I was looking at the Linchpin but couldn't get my head around the lower compression straps that wrap over the lower compartments of the pack. It just looks like they needed to move a few inches up and above those compartments. I am a camelbak sort of guy, and will likely end up with a Hawg, but this time of year Im going to the Tri-Zip for winter dayhikes, and will serve as my 3 day pack in the summer.
 
I've been using the Max Condor 2, and really like it. Very well made, and holds my 100 oz bladder.
 
Just a note, I *think* the 500 on the Camelbak models is the lighter weight fabric, 500 denier vs 1000. I'd go 1000. The HAWG, the MULE, the Transformer...I was tossing all of them around for a bit, all are in the 'mil spec' model lineup and had good durability reviews from troops who carry them. No clue about the vendor but http://www.botachtactical.com/ had the whole array of them for browsing purposes.
 
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