This is a review of the Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon II, a small to medium-sized tactical bag. The Pygmy Falcon II is not to be confused with the regular Falcon II backpack. The regular Falcon II is larger than the Pygmy and also has more PALS attachment points.
The Pygmy Falcon II can be used for school, work, or for hiking. Due to its smaller size, you get a very slim profile but with enough space for an entire day’s worth of gear. The Maxpedition line has some of the most durable backpacks available today. They’re made of a very thick material, yet the Pygmy Falcon II weighs less than two pounds. This is by and large, a very well-balanced backpack.
- Category name: gear-bags-and-accessories
- Country of origin: Vietnam
The King of Durability
A part of what makes the Pygmy Falcon II so durable about is the fact that it is made out of 1000D nylon material. This is about twice as thick as regular backpacks. Not only is the material thicker, it comes triple-coated with polyurethane, making it highly water resistant. While some backpacks need a rain cover in order for the gear to stay dry, you can carry this one around in the rain without needing to worry about damage. Over the polyurethane coating as a final coat of Teflon. The Teflon is used to help prevent against abrasion and dirt accumulation. This means that you won’t be stuck with a backpack that constantly looks like it is dirty, even with the darker colored ones. In order to clean it, simply run a wet washcloth over it.
The military grade material is used on all the parts of the backpack.
This includes the webbing, the handles, and the modular attachment points (PALS). This means that when pulling or applying pressure to the straps, they will not rip very easily. In fact, the Pygmy Falcon II is stitched up with composite thread for the seams. Looking at it closely will reveal how carefully it was actually stitched up. Stitching is only included in areas where they are really needed, and it is minimized in areas.
Most backpacks are made with generic zippers that have YKK slides. But the Pygmy Falcon II is made with actual YKK zippers under YKK slides. The zippers are more durable and will not unhinge as easily.
In order to further protect the material, there is vinyl material at the bottom of the backpack. This is for when you want to set the backpack down on a dirt or gravel ground. This means that there will not be any wear and tear at the bottom like there is usually in a backpack.
Pocket organization and volume capacity
The Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon II can hold up to 18 liters of gear. This makes it a small to medium-sized pack for daily use. It is not meant to be taken on weekend trips, as there would not be enough room unless you’re packing ultralight.
There is a main compartment that has inner pockets for your papers, some pens, and other small items. In front of the main compartment is a large pocket that has plenty of depth. This outer pocket also has another compartment with a zipper built right into it. This is for putting in smaller gear that you will need on a regular basis.
Unlike some other backpacks, the Pygmy Falcon II has pretty large side pockets. You can put large-sized water bottles in these pockets for plenty of hydration. This is great considering that the Pygmy Falcon II does not come with a hydration bladder sleeve. In case you were wondering, the regular Falcon ii backpack does have a special hydration bladder sleeve that will accommodate most aftermarket hydration bladders.
There are PALS attachments on the backpack for MOLLE and ALICE pouches. Keep in mind that the regular Falcon ii actually has more PALS attachments. Even so, the Pygmy Falcon II comes with enough PALS that you can greatly increase the volume capacity of 18 liters.
Fit and comfort
The Pygmy Falcon II comes highly padded in the shoulder straps and the back panel. Like most Maxpedition backpacks, the shoulder straps are quite wide. This, paired with the fact that there is double padding in the shoulder straps, means that there will be no digging into your shoulders. The padding around the shoulder straps and back panel has a mesh cover for extra ventilation. If you sweat a lot, this is a great feature. There is a sternum strap built into the shoulder straps. This helps keep your backpack on your shoulders, even as you are moving.
One of the nifty things about the Pygmy Falcon II is that it comes with front compression straps, as well as light compression. This further enhances the compressibility of the gear.
While this backpack can be used for school or work, it does not really have enough room to pack a laptop. You would be able to pack a tablet at most, and perhaps some papers or some binders. In fact, many customers use the Pygmy Falcon II for school and work because it is so durable and well made.
Features
- Weight: 1.98 pounds
- Volume capacity: 18 liters
- Made of 1000D nylon material
- Triple coat of polyurethane with a final coat of Teflon
- YKK zippers on YKK slides
- Military grade nylon webbing for straps, handles, and modular attachment points
- Composite thread for seams
- Front and side compression straps
- Vinyl material at the bottom
Pros
- A highly durable and water-resistant backpack
- Has PALS attachments to increase the volume capacity
- Despite the high durability and material thickness, it weighs less than two pounds
- Comes with very large side pockets for water bottles
- Comes in 4 camouflage colors to choose from
- Will not easily scratch or build up any dirt on the surface
Cons
- Does not come with a waist belt
- Does not come with a hydration bladder sleeve
- Has less Pals attachments than the regular Falcon II
Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon II Pricing
The Verdict
The Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon II is a well-balanced backpack for multiple uses. A growing trend nowadays is to use hiking and tactical backpacks for city travel. They look super stylish, and are highly durable to boot. This one does not come with all the bells and whistles like most hiking backpacks do. So you would be able to carry this around the city without the extra weight of more features. This is a small to medium-sized backpack for day use. It is also suitable for rough terrain, as well as for school or work.