My background: I own more than two dozen tactical bags, packs and pouches, the majority of them being Maxpedition--multiple Versipacks, laptop bags, messenger bags, ARG gear, etc., some of which I have been using for roughly a decade. I am extremely active, have taken my Maxpedition bags with me through every form of sporting activity, have used them extensively in the field and have taken them around the world on my regular international travels. Maxpedition gear is, hands down, the toughest stuff I have found at ANY price range. Some of their bag layouts are dated and not always an efficient use of real estate (Fatboy), but they are the only bags that I can honestly say have NEVER failed me, or even hinted at failure. I bought this Falcon II for the primary purpose of being my international carry-on, replacing my Max laptop quad bag that didn't hold enough travel gear. And while I only unpacked my new Falcon II a few hours ago, I can already tell you that this is my new favorite backpack and an amazing piece of work.INITIAL IMPRESSION: Again, I just received it. But again, I've owned Max gear for years. I can spot/feel quality, and this is quality. As always, the bag is stiff and compacted. Max bags generally take a month or two to soften up a bit, but they will never be "soft" bags. The thick, quality material that does not give in. I own a 9yo Versipack that I have beat the living **** out of over the years and it still looks new. Granted, it's covered with white crusty stains--that's my old dried sweat salt, from using it in the field and never washing it. A cop buddy of mine bought his Max bag just before starting the police academy ten years ago, and to this day still uses it. Crams it full of backup/tactical gear, ammo, magazines and chucks it in the trunk of his patrol car every morning and a decade later it still ain't coming apart.SIZE/LAYOUT: This is the area I'm most excited about. This bag is the PERFECT size for me. We've all seen the pics so no need to go into detail about the compartments--there's a main compartment, a middle one, two smaller pouch-type compartments on the exterior and a hidden compartment in the back for hydration or a concealed handgun rig. For my needs, I wanted a backpack that could fit my laptop in it and comfortably accompany me both on the airplane and also out in the field where I may, at times, be moving quickly. This is a long but narrow pack, not at all bulky even when fully extended, and is just the perfect size to combine storage space with maneuverability. I know some guys have said they would use it as an overnighter bag, and I'm confident I could pull that off, but I seriously would not want this as my primary bag if I was going into a situation where there's even a remote chance that I might have to stay out for more than a night. That's when I switch to my Samsonite Airlight shoulder pack and a smaller tactical secondary for my electronic/weapons gear.If/when I carry a firearm I do so in a concealment rig on my body, and I'm not carrying a hydration rig, so the only thing the hidden pocket will be used for--and very effectively--is to hold my boarding passes and other airport paperwork that I don't like to store in areas more easily accessible to thieves (like the outer pouch). To that end, the hidden compartment wonderful. Simply swing the bag to the side and grab my documents. The zipper and layout would be very, very difficult for a thief to access without my knowing.My main concern with the main compartment would be that it fit my 14" laptop in a sleeve, a sweater/fleece and perhaps a couple cans of beer that I always sneak onto the plane. I can tell you now, IT DOES.The middle compartment is perfect for my 10.1" Samsung notebook and Amazon Kindle. This compartment, like the main, is quite tall and surprisingly roomy, so you can fit a surprising amount in there. I took off all the cross-body straps and store them in the bottom of this compartment, just in case I have to use this pack while running. I obviously don't need to be all strapped-in to a rig while strolling through the airport.With the outer pouch pockets, the larger (lower) of the two has an internal panel where I'll probably just store a few pens and a flashlight, plus my medicine kit and toothbrush travel set. It can hold much more. The smaller will be for all of my travel USB cables and chargers or, once I've landed, perhaps a pair of sunglasses. You could probably fit at least two pairs in there.OVERALL COMFORT: This is not a bag meant to carry heavy loads. I would probably be hesitant to load anything more than 30lbs in this pack, as it's simply not built for that kind of payload. The straps are well made and designed, but not thick, padded or robust enough to carry around a lot of weight, and while I have no doubt the structural integrity and materials of the bag could withstand 50lbs of crap in the bag, I doubt it would be very comfortable. This is a light bag for a person who many need to maneuver through dynamic situations.LIKES:1) Size, layout, expected Max quality and projected durability.2) There's an ACTUAL, WELL-MADE CARRYING HANDLE ON TOP!! This has consistently been my only criticism of Maxpedition gear--go ask anyone who owns a Fatboy Versipack, or almost any other Max pack. But the Falcon II has about as tough of a handle as you can ask for and it's AWESOME.3) Fits everything I need as an airline/tactical bag, nothing more, nothing less.DISLIKES:1) This is not an actual criticism as it plays a functional component of this bag, but there are SO MANY straps hanging here and there. Again, I removed the cross-body straps and keep those in the middle compartment. If you don't have any specialist hardware to tie-up or tie-in all the loose straps hanging about, just get creative and fold, flip or otherwise rig them into any of the many existing and functional loops.2) This is also not a criticism but a hopeful suggestion. If, like on most other Max packs, they could rig a small side pouch or two on the exterior (yes, I know you can purchase one separately and I do own them), that would be amazing. Somewhere to store my Leatherman or tac light for quick and easy access, or perhaps a small camera or even pepper spray. Small side pouches are always useful and wouldn't take up much space or obtrude much on a pack this slim.I rarely receive new gear and am so excited about it that I spend the next three hours playing with it and writing about it on Amazon, and like I mentioned earlier, this is not my first tactical bag. That should tell you all you need to know. If the dimensions and layout work for you, don't bother having to ponder over this one. Just hit order, and you'll have your new favorite bag.Was difficult decision with dozens of similar cheaper bags on Amazon. Read and listened to a dizzying number of reviews until I finally realized this was becoming a full time occupation.... The size and durability of so many were my concern and without being able to see in person was difficult. Decided on trusted brand that would hopefully last a lifetime and not chance having cheap version that would come apart at worst time. This is about right size? Seems a bit small but I know I can't lug a larger backpack fully loaded but I could however buy MOLLE attachment bags for outside of I need to expand. Seems very durable. I like my choice and finally can quit obsessing and now worry about what I should put in it :-)Pros:-Durable, looks nice, minimalist look. The Maxpedition logo can be removed easily if you should desire. I hate logos. I'm not advertising for Maxpedition.-Compression straps are plenty long and could be cut down to size if desired. Additional strap ends can be tucked away into the MOLLE loops if you like a managed neat pack.-Square flat base is nice for setting bag down and maintaining stable position.-Material is very thick and double stitched.-Shoulder straps are adequate. They would be uncomfortable if you had 40lbs in the pack.-The rigid material is a plus for protecting items inside. I intend to carry my DSLR within the main compartment sometimes, I am confident the ride will be safe for the camera.-Considering my last pack for day use has lasted me 12 years I bet this bag would last at least that long. The zippers would likely be the biggest unknown. They appear to be durable and well built however that is difficult to judge.Cons:-Not as large as I hoped. That's my fault though. This is a relatively small pack in my opinion. Considerably smaller than your typical backpack for day to day school. Fortunately I am no longer in college and 4-6 text books won't be on my list of items. I wouldn't recommend this for school though. I am 5'11" and 220lbs. The pack fits well enough and it doesn't look like I'm wearing Barbie's pack.-Will take time to break in the bag and have it mold to my body. Hardly a negative but worth noting.-The depth of the bag will make the center of gravity a concern when carrying heavy loads. You could minimize this by placing heavy items in the main compartment.-This bag would be fine for a weekend pack if your item list is restricted. If you intend to bring an extra pair of shoes or pack alot of toiletries, like my wife, then you wouldn't take this pack. I intend to use this as a day pack for every day use. I will also use it during day hikes. If I am hiking over night then I will bring a different pack.I am happy with the purchase. I do believe it is over priced but I can afford the expense, not to mention I don't spend money on material items very often. I will be disappointed if I dont get a decade of use out of this pack. If budget is an issue I would suggest buying a different bag. I doubt you will be happy with your purchase if you are pushing your spending limit. Despite it being well built and durable I would argue that most packs that are half this price would be just as durable. My previous pack was a $50 North Face and it is still working (but very close to failure). I used that bag alot. Treated it like crap and it still works well.I wish this pack was an extra 2-3 inches in width. The MOLLE addon items are ridiculously expensive. I did buy one off brand water bottle carrier for $16. The slim design will allow addon items to be attached without making the pack too wide and obtrusive. The Y strap over the top of the pack is a annoying but I suspect I will get used to it. It is an excellent lash to stick a coat or blanket to.It might be a little unfair to write a review on something that you've had to return; however, it is precisely why I'm writing it. I really like Maxpedition products and I have come to expect a certain level of quality. When the Falcon II arrived, alarm bells rang because there were no visible 'hand tags' (never a good sign). The bag itself seemed fine, except there was something not quite right about the paracord zipper pulls (they just felt wrong, and not the usual I've come to see or Maxpedition gear. Then there were the snap buckles on the side compression straps - they felt cheap somehow, but they were so close I just let it go. Within literally 30 mins two of these buckles failed with the flexible part of the buckle snaping - er, NO, not on a Maxpedition pack and not so soon after opening the pack. I have returned the pack for a replacement, but I have my doubts about the authenticity of this product and suspect that it might have slipped through the Amazon supply chain. If it is a fake it's a very good one, almost so good, why bother faking to such a high standard. The efficient Amazon return structure has kicked in so I'll write a full review when I get the new pack. Failures, of course, happen even to the best of manufacturers, but for two buckles to go on the same pack at the same time - something isn't right. UPDATE: Added a star and I now have a replacement pack. No exploding buckles so far, but I can’t say I am blown away. There are a few things that are annoying: firstly. There are elastic ‘keepers’ to manage the excess waist belt webbing, but nothing on the sides, the hook and loop field is ridiculously placed and completely useless. The ergonomics of the pack pull mass and weight away from the body at near enough a right angle - back pain will follow. I do like the ‘idea’ of this pack but it has far too many compromises. I am trying it on a road trip to Glasgow in Scotland right now and plan to use it as carry-on in Russia next week. Will update again soon. I want to love this pack,but right now it is more annoying than a done deal. UPDATE II: I gave it the old college try, but no, it just doesn't work for me. It is using old technology to achieve what a pack half the price can pull off from a good outdoor company. If you are military personnel and need this pack for work, I am sure it would work ... Perhaps, but honestly, it doesn't carry weight well, and I don't know of an army that packs 'light'. This pack is really tough and will last forever, but your back is going to give out long before this pack fails. Buy with caution, hyper-specific and highly limited in the real world. For military emulators and 'EDC' warriors.Best backpack I've had: used it on several trips since I had it and it performs well on any setting - from the cityscape of a vacation to Louisville, KY, to the gunrange, to a quick photographic sortie in Lisbon, to my everyday job. The space is well distributed and easy to access and after making sure all straps are secured and correctly set, it will feel like a part of you.You throw this at a tank, the tank needs a service check.Over a year as a daily carry, and it still looks brand new!This is pretty much what I expected from Maxpedition. Makes for a compact get home bag which works for me in the UK. coupled with a bush craft/survival perspective, this bag is exactly what I needed. Super quality and versatile.Use this as an EDC. It is absolutely brilliant. Was well worth paying a little more for the quality of this Maxpedition version!