Outdoor's Hiking/Camping Backpack?

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minipyro23

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Oct 12, 2006
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Hey I was looking at two bags, one was from Maxpedition and the other one was from Camel back. I was planning on using one of these bags as a camping-hiking kind of bag. The two bags are the Condor 2 from Maxpedition and the BFM from Camelbak. I got the okay to order tommorow and I was showing my dad the Condor 2 which I thought was a very nice bag. He said it was tiny and I should get something bigger. I thought it would be big enough but I guessed something bigger wouldn't hurt and I went to look at Camelbaks bags. This bag was much bigger with around 2,750 cubic inches of space, the condor was only around 1,800ish. The BFM came with a bladder that held 3 litters and you had to buy your on for the Condor. The condor with the bladder would run around 125 and the BFM was around 145. Not much of a difference so then I thought about them having places to strap my sleeping bag, pad, and bivy sack. The condor 2 specified it had straps for those but the BFM did not say whether it had straps. The BFM looks like it also has more pouches to carry things. I really can't deceide but I'm wondering if you guys have tried any of these bags and if you liked them or disliked them and why. Even if you don't own one of these bags your feedback is welcome. I'm siding with the BFM but I could go either way, Thanks.
 
If i may put out my 2cents. If you are planning on a pack for a day hike then BFM is just too big. If you are planning on backpacking for more then one night you might want something atlist the size of BFM or bigger. Its very easy to get a big pack and then end up carrying too much for a day hike. Us for me i have my hiking pack which is on the large size at 1,800. Its mostly empty but i like the 3 litters of water i can carry. You can check out this site. They are copys but i found them to be very good and should last for a long time, just a thought.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/military_bjge.htm

Sasha
 
It's hard for me to make a decision. Most of my hikes would probably be a day hike some might just be sunrise to sunset type of hikes. But I am planning to hike the appalachion trails several times a year. Also I will probably do lots of long camp type thing. It seems like I might need both the packs... Not sure what I'll get yet I'll deceide some time soon
 
If anyone else has some input or wants to aid me in my decision that would be helpful and appreited.
 
I agree with Sasha - 1800 cu in. is a big daypack but isnt' going to give you enough room for backpacking for several days/weeks. 2,750 is better for longer term backpacking but still small. My backpack is a Gregory Shasta and it's almost 5000 cu in. if I remember correctly.

On the other hand, a small backpack will tend to reinforce traveling light. And that can be a good thing. But you may eventually find less than 3000 cu in. just doesn't suffice for a long trek.

In general, I'd advise civilian backpacks over military rucksack ones. They're lighter and just as durable, IMO. Big drawback is the expense - my Gregory backpack is about $250 bucks. Not cheap.

I have a Camelback daypack that I carry everyday - it's rugged and has held up really well. No experience with Maxpedition.
 
I'll prolly wind up getting the maxpetion since I won't be doing any long treks for a bit. I really like the maxpetion as it has lots of webbing attached, has straps for sleeping bag, has some pouches, has a water bladder, and it's not to big so it would be good for a day or two. The BFM is probably to small for week long hikes so I'll prolly just get a big big bag from some store that is close by and I can try the bag on. Thanks for all the input, and I might not even go with the condor 2 though I probably will.
 
2000ci is a good size for a daypack, and you could use that for a light overnight as well....maybe even a two day trip if you went really light. I wouldn't want to regularly carry a 2700ci pack for day hikes, I think that's just too big. What it really boils down to is if you are going to do a lot of multiple day stuff, then you need at least 2 packs....one for day hikes, one for longer trips. I have probably half a dozen packs, from 1800ci all the way up to almost 6000. Each has it's use.....for example if I go on a 2 or 3 day trip, the 3500ci bag works great.

Hit the local outdoors store, and look at some packs. Try them on. A good store will take the time to fit you to a pack. Good packs come in S, M, and L....and there's a reason for that. They also aren't cheap. The 'one-size-fits-all' pack is OK for light loads, but not for longer trips.

I can't comment on either pack, as I've never used one. I will say I'm not a big fan of Camelbak packs. I think they make the best bladder, but I owned a MULE at one time and thought the pack itself was poorly designed and didn't carry well with even a light load. Obviously I'm in the minority there, as lots of people love the MULE. It was well made, it just didn't fit me.
 
Both are well built. You can't go wrong with either one.You just need to see which fits you better. If your pack fits you poorly you will suffer the entire hike.
 
Within reason, a larger pack can generally be cinched down to function quite well as a daypack but a small pack really can't grow. The contents of a daypack can vary greatly depending on geography and intent. In my neck of the woods layering clothing is a requirement so I need room to carry layers as they come off. Take a look at the gear you have and determine what you will really have a need for and that should aid you in identifying the best pack for your needs. As mentioned getting too large of a bag can make it easy to pack too much but sticking to a disciplined gear list can help avoid that.
 
I have both the Condor II and the Vulture II from Maxpedition. Both are well thought out ad well build with features I didn't expect to get.

The Condor II is going to work if you know how to pack and you might make it 2 to maybe 3 days. I figured this a day pack and mounted 2 USGI canteen covers to the lower PAL's webbing, added a Proteus Versapack to the back and a couple smaller waist packs.

Myself I would opt for the Vulture II and add a few pockets for 1st Aid (note Pockets for 1st Aid and what not get moved depending on the pack I am using) I wish Maxpedition made some pouches that would fit the sides from top to bottom as 2 additional side bags would get you about 600 CI of extra space.

I figure it this way, you can alway pack 1950 CI into a Condor II but you aren't gonna get anymore in. With the Vulture II you have 2810 CI and you don't have to fill it if you don't want to. The Vulture II doesn't cost that much more but has a few more features.

Karsten
 
Thanks for all the replies guys. I checked out cabelas and they have some real big bags I'd condiser buying. I'll prolly get a condor 2 sometime and then a larger bag from cabelas. They have a cheaper bag that looks pretty nice. Not sure what I really want now I'll have to give it some thought.
 
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