My background: I own more than two dozen tactical bags, packs and pouches, the majority of them being Maxpedition--multiple Versipacks, laptop bags, messenger bags, ARG gear, etc., some of which I have been using for roughly a decade. I am extremely active, have taken my Maxpedition bags with me through every form of sporting activity, have used them extensively in the field and have taken them around the world on my regular international travels. Maxpedition gear is, hands down, the toughest stuff I have found at ANY price range. Some of their bag layouts are dated and not always an efficient use of real estate (Fatboy), but they are the only bags that I can honestly say have NEVER failed me, or even hinted at failure. I bought this Falcon II for the primary purpose of being my international carry-on, replacing my Max laptop quad bag that didn't hold enough travel gear. And while I only unpacked my new Falcon II a few hours ago, I can already tell you that this is my new favorite backpack and an amazing piece of work. INITIAL IMPRESSION: Again, I just received it. But again, I've owned Max gear for years. I can spot/feel quality, and this is quality. As always, the bag is stiff and compacted. Max bags generally take a month or two to soften up a bit, but they will never be "soft" bags. The thick, quality material that does not give in. I own a 9yo Versipack that I have beat the living **** out of over the years and it still looks new. Granted, it's covered with white crusty stains--that's my old dried sweat salt, from using it in the field and never washing it. A cop buddy of mine bought his Max bag just before starting the police academy ten years ago, and to this day still uses it. Crams it full of backup/tactical gear, ammo, magazines and chucks it in the trunk of his patrol car every morning and a decade later it still ain't coming apart. SIZE/LAYOUT: This is the area I'm most excited about. This bag is the PERFECT size for me. We've all seen the pics so no need to go into detail about the compartments--there's a main compartment, a middle one, two smaller pouch-type compartments on the exterior and a hidden compartment in the back for hydration or a concealed handgun rig. For my needs, I wanted a backpack that could fit my laptop in it and comfortably accompany me both on the airplane and also out in the field where I may, at times, be moving quickly. This is a long but narrow pack, not at all bulky even when fully extended, and is just the perfect size to combine storage space with maneuverability. I know some guys have said they would use it as an overnighter bag, and I'm confident I could pull that off, but I seriously would not want this as my primary bag if I was going into a situation where there's even a remote chance that I might have to stay out for more than a night. That's when I switch to my Samsonite Airlight shoulder pack and a smaller tactical secondary for my electronic/weapons gear. If/when I carry a firearm I do so in a concealment rig on my body, and I'm not carrying a hydration rig, so the only thing the hidden pocket will be used for--and very effectively--is to hold my boarding passes and other airport paperwork that I don't like to store in areas more easily accessible to thieves (like the outer pouch). To that end, the hidden compartment wonderful. Simply swing the bag to the side and grab my documents. The zipper and layout would be very, very difficult for a thief to access without my knowing. My main concern with the main compartment would be that it fit my 14" laptop in a sleeve, a sweater/fleece and perhaps a couple cans of beer that I always sneak onto the plane. I can tell you now, IT DOES. The middle compartment is perfect for my 10.1" Samsung notebook and Amazon Kindle. This compartment, like the main, is quite tall and surprisingly roomy, so you can fit a surprising amount in there. I took off all the cross-body straps and store them in the bottom of this compartment, just in case I have to use this pack while running. I obviously don't need to be all strapped-in to a rig while strolling through the airport. With the outer pouch pockets, the larger (lower) of the two has an internal panel where I'll probably just store a few pens and a flashlight, plus my medicine kit and toothbrush travel set. It can hold much more. The smaller will be for all of my travel USB cables and chargers or, once I've landed, perhaps a pair of sunglasses. You could probably fit at least two pairs in there. OVERALL COMFORT: This is not a bag meant to carry heavy loads. I would probably be hesitant to load anything more than 30lbs in this pack, as it's simply not built for that kind of payload. The straps are well made and designed, but not thick, padded or robust enough to carry around a lot of weight, and while I have no doubt the structural integrity and materials of the bag could withstand 50lbs of crap in the bag, I doubt it would be very comfortable. This is a light bag for a person who many need to maneuver through dynamic situations. LIKES: 1) Size, layout, expected Max quality and projected durability. 2) There's an ACTUAL, WELL-MADE CARRYING HANDLE ON TOP!! This has consistently been my only criticism of Maxpedition gear--go ask anyone who owns a Fatboy Versipack, or almost any other Max pack. But the Falcon II has about as tough of a handle as you can ask for and it's AWESOME. 3) Fits everything I need as an airline/tactical bag, nothing more, nothing less. DISLIKES: 1) This is not an actual criticism as it plays a functional component of this bag, but there are SO MANY straps hanging here and there. Again, I removed the cross-body straps and keep those in the middle compartment. If you don't have any specialist hardware to tie-up or tie-in all the loose straps hanging about, just get creative and fold, flip or otherwise rig them into any of the many existing and functional loops. 2) This is also not a criticism but a hopeful suggestion. If, like on most other Max packs, they could rig a small side pouch or two on the exterior (yes, I know you can purchase one separately and I do own them), that would be amazing. Somewhere to store my Leatherman or tac light for quick and easy access, or perhaps a small camera or even pepper spray. Small side pouches are always useful and wouldn't take up much space or obtrude much on a pack this slim. I rarely receive new gear and am so excited about it that I spend the next three hours playing with it and writing about it on Amazon, and like I mentioned earlier, this is not my first tactical bag. That should tell you all you need to know. If the dimensions and layout work for you, don't bother having to ponder over this one. Just hit order, and you'll have your new favorite bag.
