This is very helpful, thank you. No grommets and waist strap also helps with the price as well. Getting close on the decision…its down to MR or Kifaru UZ. I think the Kifaru is nice in that you can add or delete pouches as necessary. The MR has some PALs on the sides which may come in use. Thanks again.
If you have any more questions feel free to ask.
I am starting to look at reviews of both the MR 3 day and the Kifaru UZ on you tube, tough choice for sure. MR also has the sweet pea which looks like the civilian version of the MR 3 day assault. How about internal water storage on both of the MR and the Kifaru UZ, do you find both are pretty much the same in capacity? I have a camel back 3L bladder I would like to haul as well as water bottles. I tried out my Eagle 3 day pack today and it is comfortable except it is not laid out very well. Just a bunch of larger pockets. I suppose I could by a bunch of sacks or pockets from either MR or Kifaru. The Eagle is also that baby poop green which looks so tactic-cool. I like the idea of being able to add and subtract storage pockets as needed. Did your MR 3 day come with some sort of “radio” pouch that is internal? I remember seeing a comment on another forum about that. Trying to get this decision locked down as I have a spring break trip coming up with my kids and want a pack to use for it. Thanks for your help.
Finally something I know a ton about.
OK let me start with the Urban Zippy. It’s a great pack but it’s floppy. Good size but it doesn’t hold much very well. The back bulges and it sags when it’s not packed. Good luck with weight and odd shaped stuff because youll get piked in the back. Now with the new Frame sheet available it might help that a but but it’s still not a 3 day pack. More of a morning to afternoon pack. Perfect for a 8 mile loop hike or the rides to work and back. But I’d get the MR ASAP over the Zippy.
The 3DAP is awsome too. But for EDC I feel it’s too big. I finally got ahold of one and realized this. But for a 3 day pack it is ready to roll. If it was just a hair smaller and had a built in laptop sleeve I’d be all over it for a EDC pack. Very comfortable for weight and long hikes but it’s way to much pack just to bring the kids around town or clothes to the gym.
My favorite pack is the Xray. When loaded down or hikes I throw the midlongs on the sides and the belt on. When it’s just a day pack I leave it slick sided. I run an organizer on the inside and with it being all black it’s very neutral. It’s perfect for me. I have a few lock and loads and a few pull outs to organize my stuff.
I used to think it was to big but since I got the new version with the full top lid pocket and I’ve been running the organizer on the inside it slimmed down the bag. Still carries as much though. Taking the stays out when it’s not heavy also makes it much better suited for daily use.
I wrote this up on my phone really quick so it may be pretty jumbled. If your interested I can post some pics tomorrow.
Spending a lot on a bag hurts when you have to turn around and sell it at a loss because it wasn’t what you expected. Trust me I’ve done it a dozen times.
I got the upgraded waist belt, but back when I bought my 3Day it was just an upgraded waist belt, not a “livewing”.
Anyway, it doesn’t breath very well. I haven’t used it much in a while, but I remember throwing a kettle bell in it for morning walks about a year ago and my back getting pretty sweaty. But then, I’ve yet to meet a pack that doesn’t get my back sweaty.
My 3-Day at least does have sufficient provision for a fully laden, insulated 3L Camelbak reservoir. There are also a couple small pockets on the inside, but I have never used them for comms, only to keep smaller items separated out from larger items in the main compartment.
ETA: The BVS-version is supposed to help with back sweat/ventilation. However, I have never used any of the BVS packs and any such improvement is, of course, a secondary consideration after the improved stability when the pack is worn over armor.
It appears that they have redesigned the BVS, however, and as such I do not think the packs with BVS would even be comfortable without armor underneath or removing the BVS (but the BVS is now removable. Which is nice, I guess).
ETA2: And it looks like since this thread started, that MR has dropped the Spartan. Shucks.
I like the internal water setup on the Urban Zippy. Very easy to use. Both will hold a 3L bladder no problem.
I do agree with the above post in that the Kifaru UZ is floppy. The MR 3Day is much more ridged. I prefer the less ridged pack as an EDC. If you are not carting a lot you can sinch it down.
The radio pouch in the MR is more of a series of straps to secure one. They can be useful for other things and can get in the way for others.
Well, I pulled the trigger on the MR 3dap. Just too many videos convinced me of it. The MR spadelock insert will be coming as well. Maxpedition has a bunch of Velcro backed panels and pouches as well…this is going to be a great bag.
If it doesn’t work out…there is always the Kifaru UZ…Thank you for all of the replies and help on the decision. Looking forward to getting it.
I also sprang for the MR “Booty Bag” as well…interested to see how it works out.