Posted: 8/16/2011 7:41:37 AM EDT
| For the guys here in AZ I need a new pack and I’m looking at the Eagle A-III. I have found it in MultiCam and Coyote Brown. Which one would be better to use in the desert? |
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If that's the size of pack you're looking at, I'd recommend you look in to a Camelbak "BFM". It's a little bigger (not a bad thing), has a ton of MOLLE attachments, comes with a 3 liter water bladder (not so with the Eagle pack), and is about the same price (even cheaper if you take your time and shop around). And they're available in Multicam now. I've got one in the DCU (3-color desert "coffee stain" scheme) and think it's a great pack. I believe you'll find it has lots of room for what you're looking for in a pack of this general size group, and it's well made (life time warranty; just like the Eagle packs). I've been teetering on buying another in Multicam as I want to change all my gear over to that camo scheme. |
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Quoted:
If that's the size of pack you're looking at, I'd recommend you look in to a Camelbak "BFM". It's a little bigger (not a bad thing), has a ton of MOLLE attachments, comes with a 3 liter water bladder (not so with the Eagle pack), and is about the same price (even cheaper if you take your time and shop around). And they're available in Multicam now. I've got one in the DCU (3-color desert "coffee stain" scheme) and think it's a great pack. I believe you'll find it has lots of room for what you're looking for in a pack of this general size group, and it's well made (life time warranty; just like the Eagle packs). I've been teetering on buying another in Multicam as I want to change all my gear over to that camo scheme. Everyone hates Botach but they've got the Motherlode on clearance for $99 and on memorial day and labor day they offer 10-15% off and free shipping. I ordered one on Memorial day along with a delta-5 vest for work and for ~$160 I got two items that combine MSRP for over $500. edit: It was the Motherlode 500, mah bad  But they've got the BFM for $110 too. Still cheap cheap.
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I have a Red Rock "Scout" pack that I got from Sportsman's Guide for $40 or so. For the price, it feels freakishly durable. Bought it to have with me on my motorcycle... haven't quite field tested it yet though. It's not very big, but I used it this past weekend to go out of state for a several days and was able to fit 4 solid days worth of clothes in there, plus toiletries and what not. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=681026 |
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I have a 5.11 Tactical RUSH 72 Backpack Can't speak highly enough about it it's HUGE, padded, and has a spot for a water bladder.
Full-size day pack with 23"H x 13.5"L x 8.5"D (2,639 cu in.) main compartment and numerous smaller individual pockets and pouches, several with zipper closures. http://www.511tactical.com/All-Products/Bags-Backpacks/Backpacks/RUSH-72-Backpack.html |
| The 5.11 Rush 24 is also a great pack. My unit got them before we deployed and slot of the guys used as fly away bags in AFG. They hold lots gear, have a stupid amount of pockets and pretty durable. As far as color scheme for the bag you want, I would go with the CB just because it does not cost extra, and most people have no use for camo in their day to day life. |
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Quoted:
I like the Motherlode pack better than the BFM in Camelback's line. The side pockets aren't fixed, but there's plenty of webbing on the side to attach MOLLE pouches. More flexible options. That's a good point on the BFM's side pouches.... I have the first generation BFM and do find that the side pockets are a little limiting (The current "2nd" generation BFM's have a different outer-side pocket configuration now). But I agree; have 'slab' sides on the pack allow you to attach practically any sized MOLLE pouch on them ––- and there are a gazillion different sized pouches on the market now. And BTW; that $110 that 'the_end is quoting for a BFM is a crazy super price! 
ETA: Here's the linky for the Botach Camelbak BFMs & Motherlodes on sale (both with free shipping): 
http://www.botachtactical.com/cacl.html Bear 
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Quoted:
The 5.11 Rush 24 is also a great pack. My unit got them before we deployed and slot of the guys used as fly away bags in AFG. They hold lots gear, have a stupid amount of pockets and pretty durable. As far as color scheme for the bag you want, I would go with the CB just because it does not cost extra, and most people have no use for camo in their day to day life. I have the Rush 24 and it is awesome. Well worth the money. |
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Quoted: How much more space does the BFM have over my Maxpedition Vulture-II? Maxpedition claims my Vulture-II has 2800ci of space. But the CamelBak BFM looks MUCH bigger.  Maxpedition's advertised capacities are hugely overstated from my experience. I have bought and returned multiple Maxpedition packs due to them turning out to be far smaller than what they claim. |
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I have one of these Eagle A-3's in coyote brown.
So far, in the few field trips I've taken it on - it blows chunks. The pack straps are crappy. Even with the frame stiffener, it carrys weight poorly. Waist belt is useless. There isn't any offset on the wearer - meaning it lays directly on your back. On the pro side: it was cheap www.natchezss.com lots of PALS webbing on the ouside. will carry a ton of stuff. I'm going to hit up REi or AzHiking shack for a proper pack next time. |
| Another option if you're looking for tons of room is the ILBE ARCTERYX pack system from the Marine Corps. It's huge, versatile with plenty of molle, incredibly durable, and the most comfortable bag I've ever worn. 99% of Marines don't even know it but you can take the back of it apart and the aluminum integrated frame pieces come out and you can shape them to your back for a custom fit. Ebay has them for $75-100. A downside would be the only option for color is woodland digi. I don't like it for the desert or for using in public but it's a small drawback IMO. I recently acquired another one of these for my BOB. There's just nothing else I could see myself wearing for days on end if worst came to worst. |