I've searched through the forums using the search function looking for some feedback on the Camelbak BFM, and the only information I found was that the water sometimes tastes bad. I'm currently considering purchasing one for myself, but I'm in the process of trying to justify the $150 pricetag for a backpack.

I'm looking for a pack for EDC, as well as occasional daylong hikes and mountain bike rides. I have been trying to look for reviews of this pack online, but I have found only a couple that don't go into great detail, so I was wondering if anyone here has one that they use that could offer some insight.

I'm mostly curious about what the insides of the various compartments look like. The descriptions I have read say that they are not just normal compartments, but rather they are divided and have various "things" inside of them to further organize each compartment. I've tried to find pictures of this, but I have been unsuccessful.

Anyway, to sum it all up, I am mostly just wondering if people who have this pack like it, and if possible, what the composition of the inside compartments is like.

Thanks for any information.

The BFM is a nice pack. A little big for EDC for my purposes, but it is a durable, versatile pack. I have wanted to try one, but I already have way too many packs and need to divest some before I buy any new!

I personally prefer a “Three-Day” style pack like Eagle’s A-III. It is a little more open and less compartmented, allowing a larger variety of stuff to fit in. Eagle Industries, Blackhawk Tactical, London Bridge Trading Co, and many others make various versions. Personally, I am a fan of Tactical Tailor's Three-Day Pack.

I know how frustrating it can be to try and find detailed preview images of equipment online, but I'll tell you something I do every once in a while when I can't find a store nearby where I can check things out first hand.

I'll look for someone selling the equipment I'm interested in buying on ebay, someone that posts actual pictures of the equipment they have on hand rather than using product shots from a website, and I'll ask them if they'll take a photo of the particular part I'm interested in. Sometimes they'll oblige if they have a digital camera handy, which most sellers do.

It sounds sneaky, but more often than not, if the person took the photo, the item was what I was looking for, and the price was right, I went ahead and put a bid on the item right there.

Hopefully somone in the ETS forum will know more about the BFM though.

I owned and used a BFM for about 4 months. It is a very nice pack, but I wouldn't recommend it for EDC. It is quite large and heavy. It has a huge carry capacity, and I found I would fill it up easily. The more room you have the more you will carry.

Things I liked. The bladder with insulation tube was good. It helped keep the water cool, and helped to prevent freezing in really cold weather. Pack is also large and fits very well on large people (me). It rides nicely on hips and didn't hurt my shoulders. I used it every weekend for about 4 months until I sold it to go smaller. Picked up a Maxpedition Vulture and like it more with the exception of the waist belt. BFM is much nicer and more comfortable.

Downside. The two side pockets are nice, but when you use the lower cinch straps, it will crush items in these pockets, so be ware. Heavy pack. Something like 5 pounds without water in the bladder. Why carry extra weight if you don't need to.

Hope this helps. Also, don't spend $150. Do a Google search and you can find it for about $120 shipped.

From what I understand it seems like the BFM might be a bit too big for my needs. The other two packs I have been interested in are the Camelbak Demon and Camelbak Hawg. I'm leaning more towards the Demon since it has 5 extra compartments instead of just 2 in addition to the water like the Hawg. However, I cannot find a single review of the Demon online, nor can I even find anyone selling one on ebay. Does anyone here have any experience with the Demon that they would like to share?

Thanks for any replies.

Here are some great pics.

LINK

I've had a Demon for about a month now. I had been looking for a smaller (1500cu) pack for EDC use for quite some time when I found this one. It suits my needs perfectly.

Be aware that one of the compartments is a semi hard-shell hidden compartment designed for concealed handgun carry. The pack was designed for undercover police use and is very functional in that regard. It is definately non-tactical in appearance.

Construction is very good and it is comfortable to wear. If the hidden compartment is what you are looking for, I highly recommend the Demon.

I forgot to mention in my previous post that the Demon is on sale at elitetacticalsources.com for $99. I received my order from them in about a week.

My wife used a backpack style water container one year at Burning Man; I don't know the brand. We had been carrying canteens. She liked the backpack so much she gave it to me and bought one that is the combo-pack&water container. I really liked the backpack-style water carrier.

She, however, found that when she filled hers with water and all the other crap she carries, it was uncomfortably heavy, and she was taking it off all the time to get stuff out. The hose was clipped to her collar, got under the straps, fell in the dirt, tangled in her arm, and etc. Water is heavy (I think about 8lbs. per gallon).

I don't know what the solution is with regard to weight and ease at getting to stuff. I used her old watercarrier (platypus?), putting it on first, then a photographer's vest for my crap. I don't know what they cost, but see if you can try one on and try it out for ease of access.

Phil

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Stevez, I have a couple more specific questions about the bag if you have a minute. I had heard of the hidden compartment in my research of the bag online. Since it is for a concealed handgun, it seems like it would only make sense that this compartment is easily accessible with the backpack on. Where exactly is this compartment located? Is it in the lower-back area? Does it zip shut like the other compartments, or does it close by some other means?

Also, are any of the other compartments subdivided or do they include any sort of organization slots, like the little pencil holders you see in so many generic backpacks?

Thanks again everyone for the replies.

I have & use the BFM, Motherlode, HAWG:

My thoughts:

BFM- great pack!. Lots of pockets & mesh pockets. Comfortable. A little big for just day carry. I like the way the bladder is accessible from the OUTSIDE of the pack, so you don't have to dig out your packed stuff to get to your bladder.

Motherlode- A great mid-sized pack. The one I use the most for day outings in the woods. Also has plenty of pockets.

HAWG (Military HAWG)-Smaller. My favorite for family outings (like in town on vacations), but you can get a fair amt of stuff into it. (ie, rainjacket, small 1srt aid kit. treats, radios, flashlights)

....I have My BFM in my truck loaded with Bugout gear (including sleeping bag & bivy bag)

...If you are NOT looking for a CCW compartment, I recomend one of these as they are well built, an pretty well thought out.

...I have also been eyeing the Demon for CCW, however! <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the reply.

I'm not looking for anything specifically for CCW, so would you recommend against getting a Demon?

I have been wary about getting the HAWG, because from what I understand, it only has one large and one medium compartment. I don't like the idea of having to just throw all of my small gear and tools in a large pocket and have them all bounce and clunk around with eachother. I'd rather have a bag with subdivided compartments so I can keep my small tools such as flashlights, knives, batteries, snacks, etc. all in their own little sections. I guess I'm just wierd like that.

I wish there was somewhere near where I lived that carried these bags so that I could check them out in person and decide for myself...

I have a variety of packs and hydration systems. I suggest you get whatever pack suits your needs best. Insert the Platypus of your choice with hydration hose et voilà ! It offers the most flexibility.

Are the bottoms of the BMF and the Motherload fitted with ALICE/MOLLE/PALS webbing?

I work this prob. in another manner. I use other containers with items already loaded ready to go. I move them between packs as I need them. I use cases from Pelican, Otterbox and Ultimate survival and I have some fishing boxes which I can throw stuff into as well.
I have ended up with double ups sitting there, like my 3 battery boxes. They are different sizes so I grab which ever suits my outing.
My lable machine comes in handy, as do some cases with clear lids.
It may not be the best system to use, but it has evolved into some thing useful for me.

Corallis,

The hidden compartment is at the very bottom of the pack. It's about 2 to 3 inches in height and the top and bottom inside surfaces are lined with velcro. The pack comes with a nylon thumb-snap holster and spare magazine carier. These are covered with velcro and can be positioned to your preference inside the compartment. The compartment is designed so that the handgun lies parallel to the bottom of the pack.

Access to the hidden compartment is via a flap that rests against the small of the back when the pack is worn. The flap is secured with velcro. To access the weapon, you would reach behind your lower back and tug the flap open. When closed, the flap looks like a section of the padded back.

The main compartment is subdivided by a panel that runs along the back surface. Two of the outer pockets are also subdivided. One has an organizer panel, the other has two elastic mesh slots. There are also a couple of flat velcro panels - one inside the main and the other in an outer compartment. These can be used to attach anything made of velcro.

The Demon is a very cleverly designed pack. I'm very happy with mine.

I hope that this all makes sense - I'm on pain meds for a back injury.
I'll be happy to answer any other questions that you may have.

Steve

The bottoms of the packs each have 4 slots sewn on ( in a 2x2 fashion).....this looks as though 2 pieces of webbing can be strung through so you can strap on a sleeping bag or something similar.

I have a question about the packs described -- how good are their hip straps? I always look for wide padded hip straps, even in a day pack, to take the weight off the shoulders.

The commercial (non-mil) HAWG seems to have a pretty thin strap. Many of the REI hydration packs I've looked at have wider hip straps, so that might be what I eventually get.

Thanks,
Steve

If you want compartments, but less volume, go for the MOTHERLODE....It's a medium sized pack. Inside the MAIN comparment is one mesh zippered pocket. Then the next-to-outside front compartment has 2 slots ( can hold thin notebooks), and several smaller slots (ie, for radio, pens, folding knife.....), then one outside front pocket that is one big compartment. .......In the Main compartment, there are 3 small tabs (one in the top, and 2 in the sides), where I attached a small zippered mesh bag for yet another pocket to put stuff!

......hope that helps!!!.....

I've used the military version of the HAWG for about 3 years now (though not military). I like it a lot. The main compartment is on the smallish side of "just right" for me, but I can live with it.

The front "pocket" is great, & has smaller pockets & sleeves inside, including one with an elastic strap (such as to secure a walkie-talkie). As someone else noted, using other containers (Pelican boxes, decon kit containers, stuff sacks, etc), along with the pockets, provides quite a bit of organization.

Additionally, the compression straps on the sides are of sufficient length to permit things to be secured under them (blanket, jacket, tripod, machete, whatever). I added a couple of side pockets from REI, designed to go on the compression straps of almost any backpack & provide additional space. I keep them handy, but not attached to the pack, unless I need them. Even when attached, the straps can still be used to secure large items, too.

The MOLLE/PALS attachment points all down the back face, & a couple more on the bottom, are quite useful, too.

The only real complaint is that the body of the pack is too short for my torso, so I can't use the "waist belt". However, the strap management system is great, & keeps it out of my way. I've adapted some of their ideas to other packs.

Just my 2 cents.

David

Thanks for the specific reply stevez. I think I'm going to go ahead and order one right now actually. My only other concern, although it's not enough to prevent me from buying the pack, is that there doesn't seem to be any sort of waist strap. Is this true?

Also, thanks to everyone else for all of your input, and helping me make up my mind.

That is correct. Actually, a waist strap would interfere with accessing the hidden compartment. Seems like Camelbak thought about everything.

I bought the camelback Commander a while back but it isnt big enough, i like the bfm, alot but dont want to pay the $200 asking price do you know were i could get it for $120?

PM Sent

If you could let me know too, I would appreciate it. Thanks.