Maelstrom Hiking Backpack

This is a very nice pack, at a great price. The 40L pack is LARGE. You can easily fit 2-3 days worth of packing, if you remove the water bladder. The pockets are all easy to reach and well organized. The straps are comfortable, and the backpack seems (so far) to ride comfortable. Good backpack and good value.

I love this bookbag. I needed a bigger bag to fit all the stuff for myself and 3 young kids on our day trips to a national park as we were doing the park and ride. I was able to fit 4 towels, bathing suits, 4 change of clothes, snacks, Instax camera, national park stamp book, wallet, phone, water bottle, first aid bandaids and Neosporin, sunscreen, etc in this bag. I'm 5'4" and this is as big as I'd recommend for my height. It was very comfortable with the hip belt and chest belt on a 4 mile hike even stuffed full. I got multiple compliments from other hikers / visitors. They couldn't believe when I told them the price. It has a huge main compartment and lots of pockets. It is a quality hiking bookbag and I highly recommend it.

What is amazing is the day pack feels Lighter when it is on and filled - than when I lift it alone by hand !Likely due to well thought out and tested fit. Great start !Many good features for the price - especially when compared to competitors that cost $100 more !Description is not clear or comprehensive, so let me try to add something useful --Has Hip belt with (slightly too small pockets).All straps are nicely adjustable.I need shoulder-strap-pockets - but will have to get add-ons from another manufacturer.Has pocket for Hydration which can also be used for a Laptop. I was hoping for 2 separate pockets for water and laptop - but for the price - I'll live with it.Several other pockets internally.One can be used for quickly needed or valuable stuff - but its too small to handle a large wallet and much else.Good zippers.Has a separate water proof bag for wet clothes. Bag is not attached so it can be put in either large main gear pouches.Obligatory Whistle works - but is anemic & doesn't work if you blow too hard.Recommended.

In the short time I have owned this 40L backpack, I have really put it to the test. It's been on 3 day hikes, 5 overnight backpacking trips, and trips on an airplane. This Maelstrom Hiking Backpack is actually of decent quality and well-stitched. So far I've had no failures in the straps, buckles, cordage, pockets, or anything else. It wipes down clean and airs out fresh after every trip.There are plenty of pockets and pouches along with two water bottle pockets to either side for balanced water carry. The zippers have been no issue whatsoever. They are quality and never bind of snag. The straps all stay put and adjust the way you expect them to. The buckles seem sturdy and snap on and off exactly as expected.If you are hiking overnight I think this is a good option at 40L. If you are going for multiple nights, it's likely you will want something bigger. In my experience, it holds 25 lbs comfortably. I have had up to 35 lbs in it but it was really hard on my shoulders not matter how I adjusted it. Trying to stuff what you need into this smaller pack for multiple days backpack camping is tough. It's really hard to settle the pack in the right way so that it hangs properly for ease of carry.One good thing about the size, is that this backpack will easily fit into overhead bins as a carry-on if you are flying. I've had it on overnight and a 3-night plane trip and I easily fit what I needed into this pack.It seems to spot-clean pretty easily. I have just used cold water on a cloth so far and it's gotten out typical camping dirt and grime. If it takes on any camp odors like smoke, I have gotten it to air out in a couple of days hanging up in my garage.In summary, this is a great starter pack for an extended day hike or overnight backpacking/camping for someone new to camping that wants to see if they like it without spending much more money on a name brand pack. Ultimately, I upgraded to the Mystery Ranch Bridger 55L backpack for backpack camping as I needed something more suited for 2 - 5 day overnight excursions with heavy water carry. I do still use this Maelstrom 40L whenever I fly out for a night or two.

This backpack was great value for the money. It is large enough to carry a solid day or two's worth of gear, durable enough that it can handle a solid beating, and comfortable enough that I can carry it a long way. What I like the most about it is the solid waist-belt. Many backpacks at this pricepoint have no waist belt at all -- or a waste belt that is worthless. While this isn't a high end waist belt, it is above average for backpacks that you will find in the same price category.

Best backpack I've used for hiking thus far. lots of storage and pocket options. The weight is. light and sits well on the shoulders. This backpack even has a compartment for a camel back and compartment to keep keys or smaller personal items.

This is a highly durable and versatile backpack that is suitable for everything from hiking and camping in rugged terrain to carrying books at a university or at a college. It is a very well-constructed multi-use backpack. It has plenty of storage room that can hold everything from electronics to textbooks to food rations and medicine. The material looks very strong and like it can probably take some damage and keep on working. If you're looking for a backpack you can take to campus in pursuit of higher learning and also through forests while on spring break, this is the one for you. There are plenty of colors from which to choose, but I got the green backpack because I'm an avid environmentalist. Definitely give it some thought. It's a solid purchase. Best of luck out there!