Review of the Maxpedition Sitka Gearslinger

[kev]

The Maxpedition Sitka Gearslinger is everything you might expect to find in a daypack – and more. There is a pouch on the outside for a 32 ounce water bottle, a compartment for a water bladder, the main compartment is big enough for a Meal Ready to Eat (MRE), or an Eversafe meal, rain poncho, some tent stakes (for setting up an emergency shelter), water filter or water purification tablets, and a few other odds and ends. The large outside pocket is big enough for a small first aid kit, TOPO maps, flashlight, matches,,,. The small outside pocket is big enough for map compass, medium sized GPS and maybe a couple of other small items such as a swiss army fire starter.

The reason why its called a “GearSlinger” is because the pack has one shoulder strap and another strap that goes under the opposite arm. The under strap is released and the pack can be “slung” under the right arm and positioned in front of the wearers chest. The pack is designed to be unzipped in a horizontal position while being worn.


Lets get started with the amount of gear that can be carried in the Sitka. Just to show how much this pack can carry, an assortment of dayhiking equipment was rounded up.

This list includes – 2 quart water bladder, 32 ounce water bottle, Meal Ready to Eat (MRE), home made first aid kit with a custom logo custody of my daughter, toilet paper, rain poncho, GPS, TOPO map in water proof case, map compass, water filter, bible, hand sanitizer, insect repellent and strike anywhere matches in a pill bottle. Two things that were overlooked was some cord to build an emergency shelter with and a cell phone.

This should be everything that anyone might need for a warm weather hiking trip. The MRE has enough food for 2 meals – 3 meals if its stretched out, the poncho can be used to build an emergency shelter or worn during a rain storm, water filter to refill the water bladder and water bottle, first aid kit of minor cuts and scraps, bible for reading material, toilet paper for taking care of business in the woods.

YouTube - Maxpedition sitka review

Now lets get this pack organized.



Inside the main compartment we have the MRE, first aid kit, rain poncho, matches, bible, toilet paper, first aid kit and hand sanitizer. Notice that one of the internal compartments is not even being used right now.

Keep in mind, that this is just for demonstration purposes. The smaller items can be put into a plastic bag to keep them from falling out of the pack – just in case the zipper opens up. But with heavy duty YKK zippers, its unlikely that the zipper on this pack will work its way loose. Its also a good idea to keep the zippers on the top of the pack when its zipped up.



In the two outside compartments we have the rain poncho, insect repellent and water filter in the larger outside compartment. The GPS, TOPO map in water proof case and map compass are in the smaller outside pocket.



Here is the pack with everything that was table. Some of the internal pockets were not used, so there is still plenty of room left over.
The plentiful Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS) makes this pack expandible and flexible. If you need room for more gear, just add an extra pouch, or two, or three.

The items that are used on every rest break are kept on the outside pockets – water, insect repellent, map, gps and compass. When it comes time to stop and take a break – that that time to rehydrate (drink plenty of water), if ticks and other biting incests are a problem then put insect repellent on. Get the map, GPS and compass out and check your location. If any water sources are nearby, take the time to refill the water bottle and water bladder at every rest break.



There are several things that can make or break a pack. Sometimes its the simple things, such as self repairing zippers, and having good padding on the shoulder strap and backside of the pack. The Maxpedition Sitka takes care of this and lots more. The backside of the pack and shoulder strap have plenty of padding.

Notice how the tube for the water bladder goes over the shoulder and then through the straps on the shoulder strap. This put the nozzle at almost perfect position to be pulled up and inserted into the mouth. Water bladders help keep the pack balanced as compared to wearing canteens on each side.



Conclusion – the Maxpedition Sitka Gearslinger is a well built, well designed pack. It should fit the bill for just about anyone looking for a heavy duty pack. There are a lot of “day packs” on the market, but few are as well built as the Sitka. With heavy duty YKK zippers, 1000 denier cordura, the internal seams have been taped and finished, paracord on the zipper pulls, treated with Dupont Teflon for water resistance, has an approximate capacity of about 618 cubic inches, plenty of room for day hiking equipment, PAL attachments for extra MOLLE and ALICE gear.

[AKpredator]

Looks like it would fit the bill for my fishing trips better than my 3 Day pack, which is a little inconvenient to have to take off all the time when I want to get some food, water or check my fly boxes.

I like the chest strap, too.

I think I'm going to dump my Fatboy Versipacks and get a Sitka. Better capacity and comfort.

[brownstone]

i have a couple fatboys , nice well made gear

[AKpredator]

Got a Sitka and Pygmy Falcon II on the way. Running out of time to go play with them, though. Winter is coming fast. Usually snow on the ground here by now but not yet. Almost 50 degrees today.

Sitka looks about perfect size for a GHB.

[hafcafdcaf]

I also have a Sitka, difference being mine is desert tan. It is an excellent pack. It is well made and is well thought out for access to different compartments.
I call mine my tactical diaper bag. I am a stay at home dad and am able to carry a good bit of my kit with me and some necessaries for the boys. I have had mine for about a month, maybe a month and a half.
I have two recommendations regarding use of the Sitka. First don't overload it, it can pull at your neck and the left shoulder when it is much over 10lbs. Second, and this is important in my opinion. Get a great big obvious zipper pull for the hydration compartment if you are going to carry a CCW in there. I made one by weaving 550 cord about 4inches long in green instead of desert tan. Makes it easier to find if you are in a hurry.

Thanks,
Rob

[COlongshot]

I use the bigger version 'kodiak' for my edc. Love it a lot, only wish it was a traditional two-strap backpack rather than the single sling. :/

I probably carry 20# gear in the thing, and if I had to hump it further than to the car and back it would probably wear on me lol.

I keep looking for a replacement, but dammit it's a good pack. Can't find anything as well built or with as many options with accessory pouches etc (or interior organization!)

loves the maxped

ps i use one of their duffles for my 3 day bug. has traditional single shoulder strap as well as double shoulder straps for backpack carry. good stuff

[VNV_ATX]

Adding one to my wishlist for Xmas this year. Will probably buy one for myself if it doesn't end up under the tree.

Currently using a Kelty Blanca 2000 for my GHB, but it's overkill for that and better suited to long day hikes or overnight camping. Figure the Sitka would be great as a GHB for around town and for impromptu hikes. I'm not hauling around as much kit as some of you guys, at least not weight-wise. Maybe 5# in addition to the weight of the bag. For me, a sling bag does that just fine without comfort issues.

[Joshohoho]

Those kind of packs put all the weight of the pack on the left shoulder. I have a flyye go bag similar to that, and use it as an EDC, having all the weight on just the left shoulder will get tiring and annoying. I replaced it with a Camelbak H.A.W.G.

[AKpredator]

Originally Posted by Joshohoho

Those kind of packs put all the weight of the pack on the left shoulder. I have a flyye go bag similar to that, and use it as an EDC, having all the weight on just the left shoulder will get tiring and annoying. I replaced it with a Camelbak H.A.W.G.

They are not designed to have heavy loads in there. It's about like a day pack but with easy access. They are cool. Still waiting for my Sitka.