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Gear Bag Recommendation: Maxpedition Colossus?

The Nid Hog

The Nid Hog

I've been thinking about getting a new gear bag for a while. I tried to talk myself into a Saddleback Satchel, but I just don't think that it's going to fit the bill. I want something that will handle extreme climate, adverse weather and rough conditions. I need to be able to carry a camera, recording equipment, notebooks and miscellaneous writing stuff, raingear, assorted junk like bug juice, a water bottle, a meal or two and maybe a change of clothing in a pinch.

I'm leaning toward the Maxpedition Colossus Versipack. I like it out of the box, but I also like the add-ons. Anybody have one? Any other suggestions?
 
wimbouman

wimbouman

DeWalt?

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soapbox

soapbox

I don't have any Maxpedition gear, but I have a couple of questions.

  1. The bag is suitable for concealed carry. Is that important?
  2. Are you going places where a "paramilitary" color like olive drab or desert yellow might get you in trouble or worse?
  3. Are you trying to split the difference between a briefcase and a backpack? Or would a backpack be suitable as well?

If you don't need a concealed carry and a nylon look is okay, I can't recommend Mystery Ranch gear enough. They make unbelievably good gear, including backpacks, messenger bags, and I personally attest to the abuse their gear can take.
 
The Nid Hog

The Nid Hog

soapbox said:
  1. The bag is suitable for concealed carry. Is that important?
  2. Are you going places where a "paramilitary" color like olive drab or desert yellow might get you in trouble or worse?
  3. Are you trying to split the difference between a briefcase and a backpack? Or would a backpack be suitable as well?
Click to expand...

Concealed carry isn't that high on my list of priorities, and I won't be carrying in the near future. However, it is kind of nice to have that option for later.

I don't expect that colors will be a problem. Rather than going tactical, I want something that doesn't look dingy as it ages.

I have a pretty good backpack that I'll be using for longer travel. What I'm looking for is a versatile day pack with a bit more room. On the other hand, I don't want to look like a backpacker when I go out and I'd rather have something that I could swing around onto my lap if I'm in a vehicle.

Thanks for the link--I'll check that out.
 
proxymoron

proxymoron

Tom Bihn has an excellent reputation and has just introduced the Co-Pilot which may suit your needs.

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Splash-proof YKK zippers, top-quality 1050 denier ballistic nylon, and a variety of thoughtful features make it a good choice. Sized smaller than a backpack and less casual to boot. The aesthetic isn't quite for me, but if you're considering Maxpedition, the utilitarian styling might be a better fit. Similarly, you might want to consider RedOxx.
 
djh

djh

It sounds to me as if you want to carry more than enough gear to make an over-the-shoulder bag very uncomfortable. I carry a messenger bag nearly all of the time and if I am going to be carrying lots of gear, I will always try to grab a backpack instead. YMMV
 
thebikingengineer

thebikingengineer

Saddleback's coming out with a carryall type of bag that might work for you. It's not quite as large as that Maxpedition but should age quite nicely. It should be coming out in the next week or so. You could also look at their briefcases, I've got a large thin briefcase and I haven't run into a situation where I couldn't fit everything I needed in there.
 
The Nid Hog

The Nid Hog

thebikingengineer said:
Saddleback's coming out with a carryall type of bag that might work for you. It's not quite as large as that Maxpedition but should age quite nicely. It should be coming out in the next week or so. You could also look at their briefcases, I've got a large thin briefcase and I haven't run into a situation where I couldn't fit everything I needed in there.
Click to expand...

I'm just leery about carrying a leather bag in an intensely humid, subtropical environment. In the past, despite keeping up with regular maintenance on things, rot and other nastiness has crept in pretty quickly.
 
VampyreWolf

VampyreWolf

Picked up a US Alice bag a few months ago as I carry a mobile IT lab. If I don't need the adapters and cables I can use my briefcase for day to day carry.

I have a Fatboy that I don't carry often, but it carries a fair amount of gear.
 
Doc4

Doc4

Stumpy in cold weather
Staff member
I'll plug Red Oxx http://www.redoxx.com/Default.aspx Made in the USA and high quality ... I just bought an Air Boss and am impressed with the quality.

The Nid Hog said:
I've been thinking about getting a new gear bag for a while. I tried to talk myself into a Saddleback Satchel, but I just don't think that it's going to fit the bill. I want something that will handle extreme climate, adverse weather and rough conditions. I need to be able to carry a camera, recording equipment, notebooks and miscellaneous writing stuff, raingear, assorted junk like bug juice, a water bottle, a meal or two and maybe a change of clothing in a pinch.

I'm leaning toward the Maxpedition Colossus Versipack. I like it out of the box, but I also like the add-ons. Anybody have one? Any other suggestions?
Click to expand...

Are you looking for waterproof? "Drop it in the lake and don't worry" waterproof? "Stand in the rain" waterproof? Really water resistant?

IF you are wanting something with significant water-proofiness, a lot of the products mentioned (including Filson and Saddleback ... sorry, guys) will let you down.
 
The Nid Hog

The Nid Hog

Doc4 said:
Are you looking for waterproof? "Drop it in the lake and don't worry" waterproof? "Stand in the rain" waterproof? Really water resistant?
Click to expand...

I guess that I'm looking for something in the "got it wet climbing out of the boat" to "caught out in the typhoon" range of waterproof. I at least want a central pocket that will hold gear--from notebooks to electronics--that would be ruined if soaked.
 
T

tailorrmade

I don't know that any canvas or ballistic nylon gearbags would keep your stuff dry if you got "caught in a typhoon". You could put the valuables inside a waterproof bag inside your larger gear bag or go with something leather . . .

We used a lot of tactical stuff like Maxpedition, Camelbak and Blackhawk in the desert when I was over there but there was very little water. Maxpedition is good HARD use gear but, again, I don't remember it being fully waterproof.
 
alexo

alexo

If you intend to walk a lot with it, I think a gearslinger would be more comfortable. I have the Lunada which is smaller but a Malaga or larger might be fine.
I traveled a lot with Tenba and Tamrac camera bags which might suit your purposes better with all the padding.
 
thebikingengineer

thebikingengineer

If you drop a bag in a river everything's going to get wet regardless of how "waterproof" it is unless you've got a rolltop dry bag. I would suggest getting a smaller rolltop drybag for your stuff that has to stay dry and putting that inside a larger bag like some of the ones linked in the thread.

I would agree that the Saddleback (or any leather bag) would not be optimal in this situation, canvas or nylon would be a better choice as it won't get waterlogged and should dry fairly quickly. I personally like the Filson stuff, but there's a multitude of very good options.
 
Matchgrade

Matchgrade

I have a Colossus in black and have really enjoyed using it. That said, I don't think it is big enough for what you want to use it for. It's an excellent edc bag and will hold most of my electronic gadgets, first aid kit, note pad, flash light, spare batteries, Leatherman tool, small pry bar, power bars and 1911 with 2 extra magazines. I also added a RollyPoly on the side for a water bottle. If you want to carry meals and clothing, I would recommend something bigger (Gearslinger, etc.).
Maxpedition gear is good stuff. Just make sure you get the right size for your needs because they look bigger in the pictures on the Maxpedition site than what they actually are.
 
C

charger02

Have you looked at kifaru. Their stuff is top notch, made in the USA, and they have a pretty diverse line. Only draw back is the price.
 
Ken Tanaka

Ken Tanaka

I had a colossus and was a little disappointed in how much it could carry.

This model has lots of padding stitched in – cuts down on the interior room quite a bit.
Good for a slr camera though.

Added a nalgene holder on the outside of it and the multiple exterior pockets were fine.

Bomb proof construction.
 
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