Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon 2 Backpack Review - INTENSIVE REAL WORLD TESTING

Comprehensive Field-Tested Review: Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon 2 Backpack
Join me for an in-depth evaluation of the Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon 2 backpack, where I provide real-world insights into its performance and meticulously analyze both its strengths and weaknesses.
Introducing the *Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon 2*, a compact 18L backpack designed to excel in a variety of outdoor scenarios. This lightweight pack is the perfect companion for day hikes, offering the versatility to tackle casual strolls, mountain expeditions, and extended day-long treks.
After rigorous testing during hiking trips, canoeing excursions, and challenging bushwhacking adventures, I've amassed valuable experience with this pack. In this review, I'll delve into its features and share my honest recommendations.
On the exterior, I carry a 1L Nalgene bottle and a lightweight plastic bottle filled with water to minimize gear weight. Attached to the outside, you'll find the Garmin inReach, ensuring constant connectivity with the skies. I also make use of the top of the backpack to stow my jacket when I get too warm and secure my leggings at the bottom, a common practice to adapt to changing conditions.
Starting with the exterior features:
Comfortable Shoulder Straps: These straps offer exceptional comfort, even during strenuous 30 km hikes in alpine terrain, with a fully loaded pack for day trips and potential overnight survival situations. No discomfort whatsoever.
No Belt Strap: Initially, the absence of a belt strap may raise concerns, but in practice, it provides enhanced mobility for navigating challenging terrains, such as mountain climbs and scrambles. Surprisingly, I found it to be advantageous for such a lightweight backpack.
Comfortable Fit: The pack sits comfortably on my back, and while I'm prone to sweating, the backpack's breathability seems effective.
Dual Water Bottle Pockets: Having two external water bottle pockets is a fantastic feature, although I personally find them slightly challenging to access while wearing the pack. Nevertheless, they are indispensable for a day hike.
MOLLE Webbing: The MOLLE webbing is a valuable addition, allowing me to attach camera gear and my Garmin inReach. Additionally, when my hiking pole broke, I could secure it externally, since I couldn't use it anymore.
Sturdy Top Handle: The top handle is robust and practical for quick handling and hanging.
Durable YKK Zippers: The YKK zippers have proven their durability, with no issues encountered during my usage.
Bottom Elastic Bands: These bands are a handy addition, offering easy access to my zip-off pant bottoms when I need to put them on quickly after overheating.
Front Small Compartment: The small front compartment is ideal for organizing small items like maps or bandanas. However, if the main front compartment is heavily packed, it may become a bit tight for additional items.
Spacious Front Large Compartment: The larger front compartment provides ample space and includes four separate pockets of various sizes and shapes for efficient organization of smaller gear items.
In summary, the Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon 2 backpack is well-suited for wilderness day trips, offering comfort during mountain ascents and enough gear capacity for overnight survival situations. Its robust features, combined with its compact design, make it a valuable companion for outdoor enthusiasts.
🎒 This backpack has undergone rigorous testing in various challenging scenarios: 🎒
🛶 Canoe Trips: Including one that spanned over 25 km (16 miles).
🏔️ Alpine Hiking: Covering distances of up to 32 km (20 miles) in mountainous terrain.
🌲 Bushwhacking: Venturing off trails into the rugged backcountry wilderness.
🧗‍♂️ Rock Scrambling: Climbing up steep mountainsides with ease.
🚣 Kayaking Adventures: Used on Kayaking day trips.
❄️ Exploring Ice Caves: Used in ice caves.
This video is NOT sponsored.
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Thank you for watching Backcountry Tripper aka Dave.
#maxpedition #backpack #gearreviews #hiking #survival

[@BackcountryTripper]

👉 10 Year Review of Maxpedition Falcon 2, click here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKHIiqydiptmg6s 👉 Here is my Hiking gear: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6rSYpmLoqx1ldk 👉 And here is my Pocket Survival Kit: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXXLXmuCqdqJb6c Thanks for watching my review of the Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon 2 backpack. I hope it helped making your decision on this backpack. Happy adventuring! Dave

[@HM-qf8ml]

Very helpful. Appreciate the shots of footage demonstrating what yiure referring to. Thanks!!

[@BackcountryTripper]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for the feedback.

[@ragingelch5042]

I was looking for a new review for this pack, glad i found this one. Nice work! As others have said, seeing the pack in action is very helpfull. I'll gladly subscribe!

[@BackcountryTripper]

Thank you so much for the feedback and kind words. I'm glad you found it useful. Cheers, Dave.

[@ragingelch5042]

@@BackcountryTripper Mine arrived today :)

[@BackcountryTripper]

Nice!!

[@industrialartisan1759]

Great review on a really cool little bag. The side water pockets and less cluttered design are what I like about this one. I have a bunch of other Maxpedition gear, but it's nice to have something lighter. Can you post a link to the video of the gear you take in this pack?

[@BackcountryTripper]

Thank you! Yes agreed the water pockets are essential. Sorry for the delay on videos, I tried filming my hiking gear a few times and I suck at filming myself lol. I need to go out and finish filming the gear. I'm hoping to get that done hopefully soon by end of this month. Cheers, Dave.

[@TressaZimmerman]

Is 18L big enough? Would you say it's more like a 2-day pack? Looks like a good back

[@BackcountryTripper]

Hi Tressa, An 18L backpack is more than sufficient for a day hike and to carry essential survival gear for an overnighter. It may not provide the most comfortable night, but it serves the purpose in a survival situation. However, for a 2-day trip involving camping or backpacking, I wouldn't recommend a bag with less than 50L capacity. In my younger days, I used to hike with an 80L backpack and hike up mountains, but now, I can't handle that kind of load anymore. I'm currently in the process of filming a video showcasing the gear I carry with this backpack on my hikes. Please let me know if this answers your questions.