Maxpedition MONSOON™ GEARSLINGER
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List Price: $132.99
Our Price:
Your Save: $ 132.99 ( 100% )
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Average Customer Rating: 
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Binding: Apparel
Brand: Maxpedition
Department: unisex-adult
Feature: Innovative single shoulder large size backpack design
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Features
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Innovative single shoulder large size backpack design
Criss-cross compression strap and abrasions resistant rubberized bottom
Internal hidden pocket for cellphone or iPod
Frontal organizer for pens
Compatible with 100 oz. water reservoir (not included
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Don't Be Alarmed at Price, a Decent Value
Comment: Frankly, I was a little skeptical at first at the price (as you can get similar high quality famous brand bags and packs for this high price range) and I almost dismissed it offhand as some overpriced ripoff. But I happen to like the one shoulder "sling" design, uncommon in rugged military grade field gear, so I decided to take a closer look.
For those unfamiliar, the sling bag design provides the perfect compromise solution for the person who carries extra gear in a pack AND who frequently needs access to stuff. I know it sounds lazy, but realistically, when I use a conventional rucksack, I tend to limit taking the pack on and off frequently to just access an item or two, and thus never get that photo, or that closer look with my binoculars, or forego the insect repellant until the swarms get worse... LOL. Oh, come on, you know what I'm talking about. Without taking the sling pack off, I just conveniently "flip" it around to the front to access my electronics, a snack, suncreen, sample bags, or my stow my extra clothes.
As for the price, I can just say that the Maxpedition Monsoon is solidly and ruggedly built to demanding MILITARY standards. I'm not kidding. Triple-stitched, taped seams, sturdy webbing, quality Fast-loc buckles, triglides and trovatos, double access zippers with zipper pulls, durable ballistic Denier cloth, rubberized bottom for waterproofness, well-ventilated mesh back pads, highly adaptable with MOLLE attachment points all around, and ample pockets (15) plus an organizer, all in the right places. Back in my Army days, I would have loved to have a bag like this for my auxilliary gear and light necessities. When you get this bag in your hands, you will "feel" where the extra value is. To me, it is like they ergonomically adapted a military load-bearing vest into a comfortable sling pack that fits the body nicely. I especially like the extra MOLLE webbing attachment points (allowing me to put my most commonly used gear right where I want it), the hidden waistbelt which helps to stabilize it under load, and the ample padding and ventilation features throughout the bag. I originally bought this Monsoon for work, but I soon found it so useful that I wear it, very comfortably, almost constantly.
It's a good sized pack (read "large"), but it has lots of compression straps which help keep it flat or non-bulky when you are not carrying a full load. Personally, I can effectively live out of this bag for a weekend trip or more (socks, underwear, toiletries, change of clothes, raingear, electronics items). Except for the extra scrutiny I seem to get at TSA checkpoints due to it's military appearance, it is the perfect carry-on bag for travel. In fact, when I need to, I sometimes circumvent 1 bag carry-on restrictions by "wearing" this sling bag as an article of load carrying clothing, even under my jacket, and no one seems to notice.
Now, if I totally had my "wishlist" to improve this bag, I would ask Maxpedition for 3 things. 1) the availability of a more "civilian" looking colour so as not to attract so much attention (i.e. flat grey, forest green, fluorescent safety orange) 2) an interior lining of a contrasting lighter, luminous or fluorescent colour so that it makes finding stuff in the dark or lowlight easier 3) the availability of a "left shoulder" version or better yet a switchable "ambidextrous" version because a) rifle shooters want their right shoulder clear of impediments, and b) in doing the sling pack "flip" it puts the pistol compartment in the off-hand draw position (for those that have a need for this feature). c) I just find the left shoulder more comfortable.
Finally, I like to add that although that this type of sling bag is not really marketed as such, I find that this design is perfect for a "frontpack" (as opposed to backpack). Yes, I sometimes intentionally wear it backwards, with the pack in the front and the sling in the back. When I am actively engaged in some outdoor activity that requires access to my gear often (geo-caching, birdwatching, collecting samples, etc.), for when certain activities requiring balance or a certain body position actually make a "frontpack" advantageous (crossing a stream, riding a bike, rollerblading, etc), and when I travel. I use one larger carry-on size rolling convertible backpack, and a my smaller Monsoon slingpack. This allows me to wear the sling in the front (with easy access to tickets, maps, itinerary, water bottle, etc) and my convertible backpack luggage on my back.
I guess that the advantages of the slingpack design will be obvious to people that have use of this category of bag. I mainly wanted to write this review for those that may be alarmed at the price tag at first glance. I honestly would "value" the bag at about half the price, and I would have happily bought this bag at 3/4 of the listed price (and thought it a fair full retail price). Yes, it's current price is quite a stretch value-wise (borderline gougy), but in the end, I will still recommend it because it is so high quality that it will last me a lifetime.
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Editorial Reviews:
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The MONSOON GEARSLINGER is our large size single shoulder pack with over 1600 total cu. in. of total capacity. Based on a triangular design, the main compartment contains numerous internal accessory pockets. There are drain hole grommets throughout and three high airflow islands to keep your back cool.
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