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