Since the Junglas Pack isn't available yet...

[Huntsman Knife Co. LLC.]

I went ahead and picked up a maxpedition falcon II. Seemed like the next best thing. Have any of you guys used this pack? I wanted something that would be good for anything from a day hike to up to 2 day trips and I think the water bladder and all the molle attachment options are excellent features to have. Now I just need to get some ESEE patches and a junglas to strap on it

 

[adaman04]

The Falcon II is a nice pack. The materials are strong enough to handle a lot of beating.

No doubt in my mind the Junglas pack is probably built stronger to last longer but you're paying for it.

I was going to buy a Falcon II as my new pack but ended up going with a Kelty Redwing 3100. Everything fits inside instead of attaching much of it outside, depending on how you like to carry your gear.

 

[R.A.T.]

If you're talking about the Pygmy Falcon is has no waist strap or hydration port if that kinda stuff is important to you.

 

[Huntsman Knife Co. LLC.]

Nope I got the full sized one. The pigmy does look like a good light hiking bag though. Can't wait for the junglas pack! I'm glad you guys are taking the time to really use it well and make tweaks that are needed. its comforting to know that there are still honest companies out their that genuinely care about the quailty of their products. I'm sure it will be well worth the wait!

 

[Greyswandir]

I have a maxped Falcon II and it's a great pack, but there are some problems that I have with it. One is that it doesn't have a side pocket for bottles. I solved this problem by buying a maxped mini rolypoly. Second, it's a heavier pack that it looks. It's constructed of heavy duty 1000d canvas and once loaded down with stuff it can easily reach a weight that is uncomfortable to carry. The waist strap on the pack does little to distribute weight. Third, a positive and negative thing is it's organization. Sometimes you need 4 discrete compartments in your pack and sometimes you need 1 larger area to store stuff. The maxped falcon II obviously fits into the former and can really help or hinder you depending on your day to day requirements.

I think if you understand it's limitations (weight) and strengths (organization) you'll find it's a nice pack to have.

I will state though that having bought a maxped falcon ii for an everyday pack I eventually shelved it to carry a redwing 2650 which suits my needs a bit better.

 

[R.A.T.]

I like packs that are made for organization. I've learned that keeping gear organized instead of stuffing it all down one tube from the top makes life a lot easier and quicker in the field.

 

[Moosez45]

Do you search by feel, memory, or both. I organize my packs in a manner that I can remember where it is, but feel instantly brings to mind the location of everything in the dark.

I don't do many "night op" for Uncle Sam, but being able to find something I need in the pitch black, and half asleep is important, stuff like tums and excedrine. Seriously. Or batteries for my flashlight if they run dead.

Just a question.

Moose

 

[Delkancott]

I'm really itching on buying a Maxped Falcon II, but the only thing holding me back (besides money) is the weak waist strap. Anyone else have major complaints with this?

 

[R.A.T.]

Do you search by feel, memory, or both. I organize my packs in a manner that I can remember where it is, but feel instantly brings to mind the location of everything in the dark.

I don't do many "night op" for Uncle Sam, but being able to find something I need in the pitch black, and half asleep is important, stuff like tums and excedrine. Seriously. Or batteries for my flashlight if they run dead.

Just a question.

Moose

You nailed it, Moose. I pretty much have a snapshot memory of where my gear is located in the Junglas Pack. I'm not one of these guys that just stuffs something in there and forgets about it. In fact, I carry this pack every day and ever day I take a portion of the gear out and re-pack, in the field, just to keep myself familiarized with what's in there. Can't say enough how important it is to practice and put your hands on everything you use and carry as much as you can. It saves you a ton of time, worry and hassle in the field.

 

[Don Rearic]

I have a Spec-Ops T.H.E. Pack and gave my MP Pygmy Falcon II to my Wifey. The Junglas Pack sure does look good though.

 

[luckykitty]

In fact, I carry this pack every day and ever day I take a portiong of the gear out and re-pack, in the field, just to keep myself familiarized with what's in there. Can't say enough how important it is to practice and put your hands on everything you use and carry as much as you can.

Some people would call that "building up of muscle memory" - you think of gear x and your hands will do the movement associated with getting that after enough practise. That way, when you get woken in during the night, and you need some specific gear, you have the gear ready before you're fully awake.

Which means:

It saves you a ton of time, worry and hassle in the field.

 

[R.A.T.]

Some people would call that "building up of muscle memory" - you think of gear x and your hands will do the movement associated with getting that after enough practise. That way, when you get woken in during the night, and you need some specific gear, you have the gear ready before you're fully awake.

Which means:

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Horridus]

I keep eyeballing the vulture II since no one seems to want to sell their junglas packs (which is a great sign, btw! :thumbup. I think the Condor II is the closest in size to the junglas laserna so I figure I'll get the big ol' vulture first and then get the junglas when it comes back on the market. That way I don't have two packs the same general size.

 

[Futz Brown]

I don't mean to hijack the thread or anything like that, but since we're on the topic of packs, what would be a good option in the 50 dollar range? I'm just looking to spend more time outdoors and maybe do an overnight once in a while.

 

[Greyswandir]

I don't mean to hijack the thread or anything like that, but since we're on the topic of packs, what would be a good option in the 50 dollar range? I'm just looking to spend more time outdoors and maybe do an overnight once in a while.

Kelty Redwing 3100 is a fantastic pack for that dollar range. Not much organization, but really well thought out ergos and it carries wonderfully.

 

[Huntsman Knife Co. LLC.]

Ah I hope I like it. I was worried about the weak waist support strap. Hopefully it won't be an issue, Ive hiked really far with much crappier back packs and lived to tell about it. Sometimes I get too caught up in making gear perfect.

 

[YODELAYHEHOO]

I just bought a Vulture II because I didnt snag a Junglas

Has there been an approximate ETA on when the Junglas might be available?

 

[DH1]

I don't mean to hijack the thread or anything like that, but since we're on the topic of packs, what would be a good option in the 50 dollar range? I'm just looking to spend more time outdoors and maybe do an overnight once in a while.

An ALICE pack maybe? There are planety of "new" packs out there for $50, but their quality is suspect.

 

[Horridus]

Ah I hope I like it. I was worried about the weak waist support strap. Hopefully it won't be an issue, Ive hiked really far with much crappier back packs and lived to tell about it. Sometimes I get too caught up in making gear perfect.

I got side tracked when I replied above and forgot what I was trying to get to. Haha, sorry.. anyway, I have a what is either a knock-off or a factory second falcon II with no branding marks on it at all. Either way, the strap while not padded and fancy, is perfectly functional. If it is a knock off, there is no way they made it better than the original so you will be fine and if it is a factory second then I'd say that you won't be disappointed. It's not the most comfortable (as say compared to a padded waist strap) but it serves its purpose.

 

[JV3]

I was going to buy a Falcon II as my new pack but ended up going with a Kelty Redwing 3100.

the kelty is a better hiking pack than the falcon ii due to the location and size of the waist strap. for edc, mountain biking, or any activity where the weight is less than 15 lbs though, i love the falcon ii.

I have a maxped Falcon II and it's a great pack, but there are some problems that I have with it. It's constructed of heavy duty 1000d canvas and once loaded down with stuff it can easily reach a weight that is uncomfortable to carry. The waist strap on the pack does little to distribute weight.

exactly the problem i have with it. all the weight are on my shoulders instead of on my hips.

I'm really itching on buying a Maxped Falcon II, but the only thing holding me back (besides money) is the weak waist strap. Anyone else have major complaints with this?

that's my only complaint with the falcon ii. lack of a good waist strap for hiking is like a bad heat treat on a knife...you'll only notice it when you actually use it hard.
don't let us stop you from buying one though. get it and then go to a good outdoors store and ask them to put their sand bags in it and then do the same thing on kelty, mountainsmith, arcteryx, etc. packs and see if you'll notice the difference a good waist strap makes. if you can't, then good for you since other than the waist strap the falcon ii is an amazingly versatile pack the way it compresses and expands, all the attachment points, etc.

anyway, i'm done slaying someone's sacred cow lest they'll start throwing veiled insults again like they hike off trail only, like they're some kind of a high-speed, low-drag operator. i only speak from my own first hand experience. take it with a grain of salt.

I don't mean to hijack the thread or anything like that, but since we're on the topic of packs, what would be a good option in the 50 dollar range? I'm just looking to spend more time outdoors and maybe do an overnight once in a while.

for the $50 range, i used to use a jansport goshawk 40. i'm not sure if they still make it. the materials are pretty durable and the waist belt is padded enough. there's also a lot of external pockets. honestly, i think it's a better hiking pack than the falcon ii. here it is from last year's hike.