Versipacks?

[bodhi_]

No, no, no.

Do NOT buy it. I have a Sitka, a Jumbo and a Proteus.

The Sitka is the perfect size for a small backpack, regrettably the single strap makes it uncomfortable if you put any weight in it (e.g. 13 inch laptop). If you live in a hot climate then the strap is in front of you making you cook. You cannot get this pack to sit close to the body with sweating on the front. You cannot hold this pack with you hand over one shoulder. The single strap system is useless.

The problem is that finding a backpack of the Sitka size with two straps isn't easy (the pygmy is significantly bigger). I tried to do that and could only find Killspencer (very, very pricy, it is more a fashion accessory for hipsters), Gopack (ok but not cheap and few features) and Kifaru E&E (straps not padded). In the end I replaced my Sitka with a Kifaru because of the modularity. The Sitka is only usable for light loads and CCW (the swing motion works surprisingly well).

The Versipack Jumbo is absolutely useless. Too small for anything, doesn't even fit an SLR. Looks like a (m)urse and because of the large padded segment it actually gets hot. If you carry CCW and want everybody to know where your handgun is then this is the bag to go for. I got one about a year ago, carried it twice and never again, gave it to my kids who didn't use it either. Wasted money.

The Proteus is a fanny pack (that is a strange name for anybody who isn't American) which could be improved in that the two side pockets are badly designed. Two bottle holders instead would be far better. It is a tad too hard and the zippers only open a very small part of the bag. Works well for traveling and putting your phone and a couple of documents in. You can also carry it over your back. It does not fit a book btw.

Sorry for the trashing of Maxped. People say they are overengineered. They are not, they are overstitched and far too hard. And frankly any product that says it is hard use gear but you cannot wash it makes you doubt about their real durability.

Maxped had some very good bags (fliegerduffel, pygmy 2) and lots of small pouches. In fact if you are looking let's say for a tactical pipe holder, I'm sure they have it. But I seriously doubt that they actually test their products because in almost every single one that I own I can find small things that could be improved without affecting the final price. Regrettably you cannot not put critical reviews on their website because they get deleted.

 

[Mongo]

Different strokes for different folks...

I have a MaxPed Colossus, and for my uses... it is perfect. My uses? I use it as an essentials bag on short day hikes. Carry it with the strap over my left shoulder and the bag usually on my right side as I am right-handed. You can swing it over your butt if you need to, but I don't usually do anything too vigorous such as leaping small streams etc. anymore. I attached a small roly-poly onto it, which holds a 32oz. Nalgene perfectly. Can also attach a G.I. canteen onto the other side for even more water if necessary. The main compartment also opens "correctly" for me while you are wearing it. Of course, the CCW compartment is easily accessible... I put a paracord fob on it to make it even more obvious to grab. I find it holds all my necessary stuff for a day hike, and then some. I include a small FA kit, sunblock, bug dope, at least 3 different ways to make fire, multi-tool, knife, paracord, wipes, small hone, hat, gloves, space blanket, small pad and sharpie, bandana, small meds container, whistle... and still have room for more stuff. Sometimes I'll stick some snacks/food in there so I can have a little trail lunch with the kids. Contents can also be modified for an urban trip.

All in all, I really like it... glad I bought it.

 

[Wandering_About]

I have a Jumbo and use it almost daily. I have used it as my car/tractor bag to carry some water, first aid kit, basic outdoors stuff, and sometimes I throw in a bit of food or my Nikon D60. It works quite well for me, and I have done several 5-10mi hikes with it. It is a bit heavy when loaded with a liter of water and the camera, but it is not horrible.

I actually got it more as a hunting bag than anything else. It rides very well, and has some easy to access pockets for things like a knife, extra ammo, and a few other hunting goodies that I use frequently. It is also nice because I do not have to take it off to get into it frequently. That's the main advantage I have found in it, to be honest. I used a Pygmy Falcon II as a hunting bag for a while but taking it on and off constantly got old very quickly. I also usually only carry one liter of water, and that tends to make one side of the Pygmy Falcon a lot heavier than the other unless you stuff the water bottle in the main compartment.

I guess what can be said about the versipacks is that you should consider what you want to use one for. They're really not for carrying big loads long distances, although that should really be obvious. Where they shine is in carrying lighter loads or carrying things that you want to access frequently.