I'm looking into getting an Eagle Industries A-III pack for a BOB and every day use. I'm weary of ordering online without some initial feedback from people who've used/seen the product first. Anyone tried Eagle stuff? Thanks!

I have had a number of Eagle Industries products, including a couple packs (both I still have) and they make an exception product. I have zero complaints! I wish I could comment on their replacment/repair policy... but I have yet to use those sewrvices. They only reason I have parted with any of my Eagle gear was because it no longer fit my needs. The A-III pack is big and fits the BOB duties well, mine also servced well as an everyday pack for my laptop/breifcase.

I have a black A-III that was given to me prior to deployment to the desert in 2001. This pack is really stout! I carried it with me every day and basically lived out of it for six months. I put a three liter CamelBak bladder in the hydration pocket and when I returned I bought two accessory pouches that mount on the side for more space. I use it during my weekend outings and have plenty of room for my two/three days worth of food/gear. The heavy duty zipper are awesome! I don't see how they can break. As with any piece of gear It depends on what you intend it to be used for. It's a medium size pack that has a lot of room. If you want it for an everyday pack to carry a few items then it may be too big for you. If you want a pack that is sturdy and will hold a water bladder and a lot of gear, then I highly recommend it. Once I wear my A-III out, I will purchase another in a heartbeat!.

Eagle Industries also makes CamelBak gear such as the BFM. Great bag with lots of room and features.

I don't have an A-III, but I do have the Becker Patrol Pack - I've carred this pack EVERY day for about 5-6 years - The back padding is torn, and my stainless cup has worn through a side pocket in one spot, but the condition is really good for a pack with this much use

The have said "send it in, we'll fix/replace it", but I have not been able to spare the pack, and truthfully, I don't feel that they owe me anything - I have MORE than gotten my monies worth out of the pack!! The have said that the BIGGEST problem they have with their repair policy is getting people to send them back - the woman I talked to on the phone said "It's almost as bad as a babies binkie - you guys don't want to give them up"

She's right

That's one smart company. Not only does their policy rock, they even get people who DON'T take advantage of it to spread the word. And in their world a few hardcore fans will convert others and they know it. I know whenever I've been on any tour with a guide, I ALWAYS inspect and check his equipment and if possible ask what s/he uses and why s/he uses that particular brand.

Sometimes that even elicits recommendations about other tourguide's equipment that they may not posess. There's a reason most pro's use the stuff they use, I figure it saves me a lot of money and hassle just going straight to the best stuff.

"There's a reason most pro's use the stuff they use, I figure it saves me a lot of money and hassle just going straight to the best stuff."

That is what I have been trying to tell my wife all along!! (See my signature)

Yep. AT&T had a commercial back in the 80's about nobody ever regretting that they bought the best. Obviously a marketing gimmick to compete with their newly spun off Baby Bells, but it doesn't make it any less true. I absolutely hate cheap equipment. Thankfully most of the crap out there comes from China and since I try to avoid contributing to our already staggering trade imbalance, just not buying Chinese or Eastern European cuts down on junk parts rather quickly.

And I had noted your sig a long time ago and thought of the above commercial.... strange that you should provide an opening to say so. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Some folks might also want to consider this:

http://www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/tame.e...2Flevel3c%2Etam

I looked at several, including the Blackhawks and the Eagles. This was the one I settled on.

Here is another pack that I have look at a time or two...

Tactical Assault Gear's 5 day pack is designed for today's operational requirements. Main compartment has (2) two 100oz. hydration bladder pouches sewn to the inside of the pack on the left and right hand side. There is a slot for a frame sheet for added rigidity or another 100oz. hydration bladder.

I like the idea of being able to lug aroundcover 2 gallons of water if I need to. Tactical Assault Gear does not show it on their web site but Down Rang Tactical does carry it. I like of all the PALS webbing to hang stuff off of the pack (which my A-III does not have) and it is made in America. I just hate to give up my A-III. It has served me so well!!

Wow, Benjammin, that's a long URL. Do you think you could edit your post to put it in [url] tags with a shorter title? Otherwise this forum software makes the page really, really wide, and in "flat view" all the other posts become hard to read. Click on URL in the "Instant UBB Code" block below the edit window to be prompted for the syntax. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I'll have to try that on the next post. The reference doesn't seem to change my view any. Admittedly I don't know much about forum settings beyond what I prefer to use. I didn't know it would do that or I would've tried something different.