Maxpedition Fatboy alternative

[staggerlee213]

I see quite a few people on this and other messageboards posting about Maxpedition bags. When I was at my local army surplus shop I found a 'Fox Advanced Tactical Hipster'

Which is nearly identical to the Fatboy bag. I also paid about half what I see the Maxpedition bags going for. About $35 after tax.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Seems like a nice pack. How's the construction? One thing I've noticed about Maxpedition is the durability of materials and workmanship. Maxpedition packs are things you can toss in and out of a HMMWV for a year and they won't rip or wear. I'm not sure if the same can be said of a $30 lookalike.

 

[staggerlee213]

It's made of heavy nylon and water proofed lining. Seems durable. Granted I've only had it about a month.

I've never actually seen one of the Maxpedition bags(I found out about them after I bought this).

 

[Zundfolge]

I bought another $16 Maxpedition knockoff a while back (mine's an "Everest") and I know its not as strong or well made as the Maxpedition, but considering how often I use it I think I will have got my money's worth out of it.

But if you use a bag like that a lot, Maxpedition stuff is worth the extra cash.


edit ... found the one I bought here.

 

[staggerlee213]

Oh and this bag came with the velcro holster that appears to be an extra accessory for the maxpedition bag.

https://www.foxoutdoor.com/ItemDetails.aspx?cid=1&ccid=5&cscid=23

 

[dairycreek]

The cheaper look-a-like bag may be the way to go. For me, it depends on just how how hard (and over what period of time) you use the bag. While I tend to use my equipment hard I also take very, very good care of it. However, when I find seams splitting or unravelling, or zippers failing I think that the better quality bag is the best purchase. FWIW!

 

[Joe Demko]

If you shop around online, genuine fatboys can be found on sale for good prices. I bought an olive drab fatboy last month for $45. I was impressed by the workmanship and materials. I carry a load of crap, including a gun, in it every day. It gets thrown in the car, crammed into drawers, and worn every time I leave the house. So far, not a mark on it or so much as a loose thread.
I've never had good luck with cheap holsters or packs; so if an item has gained a good reputation, I buy the genuine item now. The cheap stuff isn't much of a savings when it doesn't hold up well under actual use or doesn't work as well as the original to start with.

 

[paddling_man]

I had one of those = Fox and from a mil-surplus store. I wore the crap out of that thing although its construction quality is nowhere near a Maxpedition. The nylon was much thinner, the plastic clasp ripped out a few times and I had to resew the little gauzy-thin storm sleeve back in a few times until I gave up.

I had a Maxped FatBoy but ended up switching up to a 5.11 Push, which I liked better.

Wear the heck out of that thing. I more than got my money's worth... I think I paid less than $25.