Sandpiper of California Long Range Bugout Backpack

This is not written to be a negative review. I simply wanted to raise the attention to people before they make a purchase on this. This bag is HUGE.I originally owned the SOC BOB (black) and I have owned it for years. It has flown with me, carried textbooks and gear, etc. FANTASTIC BOB! No joke. SOC makes awesome gear and it's make in the USA. I wanted to upgrade (because I'm a stupid materialistic American). To be honest the side pockets were what intrigued me since my BOB didn't have any and my middle and small pockets were filled with gear (always EDC everywhere you go).I traded in and got this pack. My... god... it's massive. I mean I'm staring at it now and it's almost as large as my laundry hamper, and it's sitting on the floor leaning against my book shelf. When I have it fully up and on my shoulders, strapped down, any gear that is not strapped down inside you will feel around your bum. That's how low it will hang. And I'm 6ft 2in. I truly love the pack - no joke. I do. But looking back in hindsight it is actually too much for what I wanted, which was just some added pockets to my already great BOB. I cannot however, let my wife know this as she will cut my head off for getting rid of a perfectly good BOB to "upgrade."The one thing that king of bugs me about the LR is the waste strap. I weigh in at 200lbs and with the waste straps fully tightened WITHOUT going over the thick cushion parts of the belt (same foamy material as the thick part of the shoulder straps), it does not tighten fully on my waste. To get it tight I have to tighten the straps OVER the thick foam to get a tight fit. It is obviously meant for someone wearing a bit of gear.It truly isn't a big deal for me though as I just use this as my EDC/BOB/Work Pack. I removed the waste straps and folded them up into one of the small side pockets (... oh what purpose they serve now...). That way if I find myself wearing a kit I can pull them out and hook them up.So... I love the pack. But with me and my big head/ego, it is too much for me. I wish I had kept my BOB or at least tested this thing out before I purchased it.It is damn tough though, and the straps have been improved in design and stiching.

I bought this as a work bag, on recommendation from my brother who used this brand extensively when he was in the Army. However the bag is not a standard backpack size, but more of a large rucksack. Since then it has become my default travel bag and it has proven it's worth more times than I can count.I have travelled internationally with it a dozen times, numerous times domestically and it has been gate checked, dropped, kicked, and mishandled in every way possible and it's still going strong. I'm writing this review 7 years after my purchase date and I can't imagine how my travel would have been without this bag. I'd highly recommend for anyone looking for a 3-5 day travel bag that you can stuff in an overhead compartment.

I had very high hopes for this bag, although it meets my needs for the purpose I intended for it it still lacks some features for a bag this expensive.The goodIt is HUGE!! Plenty of room for all your gear, easily a 4500+ cubic inch bag.Many pockets 4 main compartments and 4 side compartments big enough for your gps/camera/iPod ect.The largest compartment is a front loading pocket with internal compression straps built in, a sleeve for inserting a water bladder and a small mesh pocket (on the panel closest to your back which means is inaccessible if you have a bag full of clothing strapped in) for music players ect . This compartment also can expand another 4 inches giving you more room for gear and a small covered slit at the top for headphones/drinking tubes to pass through.The next biggest pocket is about the size of a small backpack capable of fitting 2-3 college text books inside, also an additional 2 mesh pockets for storing smaller items.The next compartment is flat panel type allowing you to tuck a tablet device/small laptop intoThe smallest has more pockets inside for cell phones, keys, wallets ect. Also has the MOLLE webbing on the front to attach more accessories.The shoulder straps can stow into the bag and has 2 aluminum stays running the length of the bag for rigidity, which leads to the only complaint for this bag, the waist belt. Perhaps I have been spoiled by having a nice backpacking waist belt but I have seen far better belts on cheaper bags. It doesn't allow you to strap it tight onto your hips where the majority of a heavy load should ride, the buckle works its way loose so your constantly synching it down and it only goes down to about a 36-38 inch waist, I wear a 33 so it is very loose around me. On top of all that there is no where to stow the waist belt like you can the shoulder straps without completely removing the belt from the bag and stowing it in with the shoulder straps. So for me the waist belt is pretty much useless which is a shame for such a nice bag.If your looking for a giant school bag, this is awesome... But if your need something you can strap snug to your back for a ruck run, look elsewhere.*****UP DATE REVIEW*****Another con: minus one star.I've had this bag going on 5 months now carrying a very light load (<15 lbs) to an from work. The bag sits on a shelf all day until its time go back home again, so it gets very little use. I bag has started to show some premature wear for the limited 'use' I've put it through. The material on the shoulder straps have some sort of fake leather type material sewn into it and has become brittle and started to crack. I'm starting to wish I had spent more time looking at other companies that incorporate a better harness system (shoulder straps and belt) into their bags. My buddy has a 'camelbak' bag he's had about 3 months longer than I have had this bag and he carries a good 25+ pounds in his every day and his 'camelbak' doesn't look nearly as beat up as my bag does now.