MaxpeditionFalcon-III™ Backpack (Black)

I've owned and used this pack daily for at least five years now - I'm not sure exactly how long. It has held up extremely well, and although I didn't even buy it on Amazon, I felt like I would share my experiences for anyone considering buying this bag. I asked a lot of this bag and it performed. If you only have two minutes to read this review, here you go:PROS: extremely durable, sufficiently water resistant (protects your items even if the bag is pretty soaked in a downpour), very square-shaped to a very toaster-like degree which means it expands outwards but stays the same width, can pack several days worth of rolled clothes and all the essentials for a multi-day trip, and has an awesome clamshell design. The buckles and straps are solid and you can rely on them, and the shoulder straps quick-disconnect. Why you'd want that - I don't know. If you're okay with the uber-tactical rucksack look, this bag can do it all. It holds its shape decently well because the material is thick, it won't just collapse into a pile when you set it down like other packs made of thinner materials. If you load it with a decent amount of stuff, it stands on its own pretty easily. One unique point: The material lining the two main compartments is basically velcro backing, so you can easily stick velcro products securely inside.As an ultimate test of capacity, I frequently emptied my usual stuff out and used this pack as a trunk to carry groceries home from the store while on a motorcycle. It's truly impressive how much stuff you can fit in here if you really put your mind to it. It will hold the weight without a problem if you will.CONS: I don't care for the hip belt and never used it, it's not going to be comfortable because it is made of thick nylon webbing. The belt can be removed, but the ugly buckles are there to stay. The knot on the zipper pulls will eventually come off in a few years, I just re-tied the knot every month or two. The color eventually fades if you spend a lot of time in the sun (probably the case with any bag that sees daily sun for multiple years). The straps are decently padded but pretty narrow, you'll notice this if you load it up with a lot of weight. Has load lifters but I didn't find these particular ones to be that helpful. If you like lots of little small zippered pockets inside other larger pockets, this isn't the bag for you, because the bag features mostly exterior blocky organizational pockets with two main compartments and a clamshell design for stuffing a ton of things into the bag. There are straps on the bottom to accommodate something like a rolled up sleeping bag, I found those to be really annoying since this isn't big enough to be a multi-day backpacking pack, so I rolled and zip-tied the loose strapping tight and haven't touched it since. They offer ridiculously long strap lengths and webbing in ridiculous places (like the shoulder straps themselves) which are unnecessary and hang all over the place, you'll want to use some zip ties to neatly roll up and secure the slack. I can't see the detachable shoulder straps being useful unless you find yourself getting stuck in trees a lot and require cat-collar anti-snag technology to help you out. In general, my biggest gripe about this bag would be that they added a lot of features - like endless MOLLE webbing and multi-day pack style straps - that aren't actually useful given this bag's small size. There are lighter and more comfortable 30-something liter packs for ultralight backpacking.ADDITIONAL: In general, I absolutely love this bag and will never get rid of it. I am confident it will last at a minimum 10 years of hard daily use. In fact, I've already used it for 5 years of hard use and would expect another 10 on top of this. The color, by that point, will resemble a wet newspaper, but the bag will be fully functional. If you're in the market for a durable bag first and foremost, don't waste your time going elsewhere. I'm pretty sure this thing wouldn't have a major issue if it tumbled off my bike while going freeway speeds aside from some scratches.I loved the slim profile overall (for its 35L capacity) because it worked very well as a carry-on. If it's stuffed with gear to the brim, you still have a pretty slim profile if you lay it sideways. Reasonably packed, it is probably the largest pack they'll let you bring onto a plane as your personal item while also having one carry-on suitcase. The top pocket on the front is great for pencils/pens/smaller items that you want to access frequently, while the bottom front pocket is large enough for a phone/wallet/other frequently used items.I didn't think I would end up using that Y-shaped adjustable strap that runs from top to bottom of this thing, but it turned out to be EXTREMELY useful. Not only does it do an awesome job compressing your load down tight (much better than the compression straps), but it is literally the perfect way to strap down a sweatshirt if the weather heats up. You can also run the strap through and securely stow a bicycle helmet for the day, or even through the handle of a water bottle if you really need extra space. You can also attach those via the 1,000 webbing loops on this thing. Overall, if the price of MOLLE webbing skyrockets like Bitcoin some day, you'll be a billionaire. If you don't mind the tactical look and the need to zip tie the long straps down on this thing to avoid looking like a tactical octopus, buy it - you won't regret it.

This Falcon III is appropriately BIG for how I primarily use it (as an outdoor range bag, though sometimes as an EDC pack to-and-from work). The toughness and weight of its nylon is what I expect out of Maxpedition product; clearly a step up from the usual $50 to $70 tactical backpacks that I've skimped on in the past. I can haul a lot of gear with this pack, and it so far has shown that it can easily handle serious weight such as ammo or even small plate targets when needed. When using both shoulder straps, it fits me comfortably and securely and I don't have to fuss much with the fitting. The main storage cavity is generous; I can have a collapsed AR pistol or my braced MPX safely stowed and still have plenty of room for accessories and a tablet or laptop.The secondary storage area just forward of the main containment area offers additional space for paper items, like targets and a notepad, as well as some factory ammo (boxes placed in on their sides) and magazine storage. But this compartment does best with items of limited girth. Both of these compartments can handle any of my target pistols in addition to the items already listed. There's netting and sleeves and such for smaller items like writing implements and multi-tools and other hand items. Certain articles of light outdoor clothing can also be stored away, again in addition to what's previously cited. There are two other ancillary zippered compartments; I use them for various tools and hand accessories. Plus I went ahead and weaved on a first aid kit (also made by Maxpedition) to the Molle webbing, though aside from the few bandages, some gauze tape and a pair of scissors, it's mostly filled with more hard gear.As much as I like this backpack, I must admit that it's not perfect despite my apparent 5-star rating. It lacks a rain shield, the most glaring omission. Even heavy denier nylon like that on this backpack will still wick in moisture, a situation that's not great for firearms. And although Maxpedition provided additional reinforcing to the bottom of the main storage compartment, I think it would have benefited from an even thicker layer of reinforcing. And then there's the lack of an external pouch for my Yeti tumbler, inexcusable though I must admit that this pack has provisions for hydration in its main storage area. However, there ARE times that I'd like to have something other than water to drink. Aside from sealed/closed bottles and flasks that can be carried inside (and at the same time taking away storage space for other uses), there's nothing that's built into (or onto) the pack that gives me that utility immediately. At least Maxpedition provides Molle webbing along both side panels of the backpack, so I can see about adding a bottle carrier in the future.But those are quibbles that have solutions. I can add a stiffener board to the bottom of the backpack as I've done on other backpacks. Bottle holders can be configured for Molle webbing and I already have a synthetic rain guard that fits over this mammoth backpack. So all is not lost, though I will confess that there IS one problem that is harder for me to rectify. Early on in my review, I mentioned that the pack fits me well...when I use both shoulder straps. My problem is that I have a longstanding tendency to carry backpacks by way of a single strap, just as I did in high school and college many decades past. Carrying the Falcon III in this manner is NOT as enjoyable, as the balance is always off kilter no matter how light the load is. Just the backpack alone is enough to skew how it fits across my back. An impromptu sling pack it ain't. However, the fault lies within me on this nitpick; old habits DO die hard, if they die at all.I won't hold that against this excellent Falcon III. In truth however, it's 4.5 out of 5 stars. And I'm quite happy with that.

This is a great backpack in terms of quality materials and construction! I like the +1000 dernier fabric. It is super tough and stiff (gives the pack shape). The layout of pockets is well thoght out. Especially like the outer pockets that give easy access to things such as your phone and keys. There are Molle loops, rings, and hitch points everywhere. So no problem with adding and hitching things to the outside of the bag. Maxpedition has an endless array of add-on pouches and other goodies to customize it to your needs. Included, are firearm accessories that attach to the Velcro loop material that forms the middle section "wall". As a RN, I have to hike daily to get to the hospital. So I pack: lunch, drinks, books, electronics, and misc. supplies. This bag is perfect for my needs. I also stow a rain parka on the bottom, using the attached hitch straps (convenient).Now the design aspects I do not like. I am 6'2" and 250 lbs. The bag could be a bit larger (for my needs). This is why I sought out the Falcon III, as it is larger than its predecessors (keep going Maxped). The straps are a bit narrow for me. I wish they were wider, which would pad and stabilize the load better. There needs to be a few more internal pockets for organizing stuff. Maxped could include some removable ones with the bag. I spent almost another $100.00 buying the pouches and straps to optimize the pack for me (good for their bottom line, bad for mine). Overall, IMHO, this is an urban use pack. I would take something else, if I were hitting the woods.In summary, this is a wonderful pack that should last for many years. Best built of all the major brand bags that I have owned.