It's a great bag bought one last yr for my hiking and camping excursion and I love it. On the handle I did a paracord wrap feels much better after that. Looking at the rubicon for walking the AT it's about 500$. Wife's gonna be pissed 😂🤣😂Camelbak makes great stuff.
I like cars I just bought the CamelBak Cloud Walker 18 today for a hike in morning and now I'm thinking of buying CamelBak assault pack. I know what you mean.
I own one of these because of this review. I use it almost daily with 15 pounds in it biking, jogging, hiking, and it doesn’t have a scratch on it. Only gripe is that it has no side molle
Just got the Canelback HAWG in the mail today. It is SOOOO comfortable and affordable! My 20 pound bullet goruck plate slide right inside the bladder pouch. I am glad I watched this video. I am so happy with this pack!
Excellent review. Very thorough. Your extreme use and abuse of the pack is a testament to its toughness. Based on your review, I'll give it serious consideration when I'm in the market for one that size. Thanks for all the work you put into your reviews. I've benefitted greatly from them.
Couldn't agree more with this. My HAWG is as old as my 1st born. Now going into its 9th year. And still going strong, been used for EDC and travels. Best part, it is in Desert MARPAT color/camo scheme.
Also, checkout Tough Mudder! A series of hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle race - mud run events designed by British Special Forces to challenge the toughest... toughmudder.com
Did a 6 month tour or Europe last year. Took this pack in coyote. Used daily. Thrown on planes, buses, trolleys, mud, sea, sand and everything. Flawless. Not a mark in it. Not a single stitch pulled or frayed. Yes it's a little pricey. I think it has a limited lifetime warranty - whatever that means. Super happy.
CamelBak truly does have your back. Been using their stuff for years. Riding my bicycle I dropped a CamelBak chill bottle. Car hit it , lid popped off another car hit that. Bottle survived, cap not so much.call CamelBak, they took my address , thanked me for my business and sent a new cap FREE with a nice letter explaining that CamelBak has your back. Amazing customer service as well as product quality. I will be a customer for life.
Cr0cket20 thanks brother! yeah as you know, when you review gear you can only sample them for a short period of time and it's hard to get long-term capability use. I really want check out some other camelback gear in the future.
I have the generation prior to the hawg in this video and the only weak point were the zippers which after about 8 years of daily use as my go bag in my LEO vehicle started to separate while zipped. Then I found an easy fix which is why the YKK zippers used are awesome. You see the zipper pulls are metal and tend to spread and lose effectiveness in zipping the zippers shut. To fix this my tailor told me to use needle nose leatherman pliers to squeeze the zippers PULLS BACK TO THEIR ORIGINAL SHAPE so when you zip the zipper the teeth close tight just like new.
Best backpack review I've ever seen. I'm sold. I was looking for something specifically for doing some rucking training and possibly some GoRuck-style weighted exercises. Loved seeing the bag in action and not just someone talking about the bag on top of a table. Looks like it might also be able to accommodate a laptop (maybe with a separate sleeve for protection) and could be used as my only carry-on bag for 2-3 day work trips.
Great review Gideon, big fan of your channel. I too have been using the heck out of my HAWG and it has withstood everything I've thrown at it so far. Prior to the HAWG, I was using the (don't judge me) Oakley Kitchen Sink. Sure it looked great but loaded out, it was awkward, uncomfortable and heavy on the shoulders. But after buying the HAWG about three years ago, it's been my go-to pack for almost everything. No matter how much I load into it, the design allows for the pack to sit comfortably on the shoulders for hours. Best backpack ever.
I just upgraded to the HAWG from the MULE because I am currently rucking with a 25 pound full load. The MULE was a great pack, but is too small for my normal load out, so I ended up attaching too much stuff to the outside of the pack. Now that I have the HAWG, everything fits inside, which I really like. Enjoyed the review, which confirms my opinion of Camelbak gear generally. Thanks!
one, if not the best review i 've seen in a long time. thank you for your thoroughness. I'd suggest a zipper closed area where the mags are supposed to be so your gear does not fall out of the pocket when moving the bag upside down.
you are right with the side molle straps or as i would prefer, sidepockets! and what i like about my old version, i do have a big velcro area inside my admin pouch on the front equipped with an organizer to keep my flashlight and knife in place and a net pouch in the front.
Great review gideonstactical as always. Thank you for showing how the pack rides with weight, especially where the stress points are. Was a big influence in my purchase, thanks.
One thing I'd of liked to have seen done from the factory, on the compression straps...would have been to alternate the male/female buckles from side to side. That way, one strap would have a female and the other strap would have a male...this would allow the strap to come around the front of the bag for securing down ultra snug with more leverage as well as give the option of securing down extra layers/garments.
These bags are going for crazy prices now! They are almost double the price! I live in Canada and the cheapest one I could find is $180(tax excluded) it’s the black version. The coyote and multicam are $330(tax excluded).
Great video. I own 3 generations of this pack, my favorite being the one prior to the one with laser cut MOLLE with the full length PALS webbing. I EDC 5.11’s COVRT18 but if I am going camping or have to get out of Dodge, the MilTac HAWG is the bag I’m grabbing. I changed the IWI clips so I can easily attach a Camelbak Ambush or MULE to the front for even more versatility.
Awesome review. I appreciate that unlike other reviews, you actually wear the packs you review to give some context to the dimensions and how it rides over the shoulders and back with weight applied in the field. Thanks @gideonstactical
To bad about the missing side pouches or MOLLE attachment on the sides. That would have been the perfect 12 hour pack if it had those. I need something to lash poles/gear on the sides or to carry a liter bottle when I'm not using the bladder. I'm using the Rim Runner. It isn't built as tough but is is lightweight.
OldPackMule Get a Transporter Tail, Triple Aught Design makes em. Im sure youd make good use with it. Helps carry awkward items or to put some Molle where yah dont have any
I still use my camelbak ambush I bought when I was at fort Knox for basic and A.I.T. You're right they are bulletproof. I may get me one of these as well.
another great episode, I own both version h.a.w.g packs and do Goruck as well . I have 5 goruck packs and their damn expensive! but the camelbak are great!
I’ve ordered one of these paks and I agree with your thoughts on having molle on the sides I was thinking about getting it tailored to add molle straps to it but idk if it’s a good idea or not.
Im considering sewing it myself. Just a caution: tailoring finished bags are time consuming. Grab another pack with MOLLE and replicate what you see. Hand sewing is simpler, but not always easy. You can do it! Aryqn White, while power! 😂
I have the HAWG from when CB redesigned the pack and went to 500d. 2010 model? Has side PALS, 2 front pockets. Also had a 2013 model whenCB again redesigned the bag to a no pocket front and no PALS on the sides along with the removable hardware. First version to me is still the best. Each design keeps removing features. Excellent review.
Read (heard?) somewhere that this was the SEAL's favorite off-duty pack. I think it's obvious because of it's simple and efficient design. My own GHB/rucking pack is something extremely similar in design and dimensions; the discontinued "USMC ILBE Assault pack" (aka Arc'teryx "Charlie" pack which was its forerunner). The only significant differences being - 1. The ILBE pack did have the side PALS webbing which the HAWG does not have 2. ILBE had a tuckable/stowable waist belt. 3. No external bladder pocket unlike the HAWG 4. Pocket/admin arrangement better on the HAWG 5. Made with 1000D Cordura
JuandelaCruz001 All those articles you read are hear are 90 percent bull. Higher tier military aren't that dialed into what gear is good. Supply does the research. the dudes use it. Use what you like and what fits you.
I have the ILBE assault pack and I love the size of it but I agree, it lacks the bladder and only has a small front pocket with no organization. All my stuff always falls to the bottom of the front pocket. I just ordered the HAWG, it is close in size to the ILBE but with more pockets.
I know this is an older vid but how do you have that fixed blade attached to your shoulder strap? I also see people with knives and pouches attached to their shoulder straps but with the vertical molle I never have understood how they do it.
The narrowness of the belly strap looks like it would cause some biting or chaffing around the waist - any issues with that? Also, the laser-cut webbing looks like it would wear it rip over time with no reinforcement of the edges. Have you seen any of that since you reviewed it? I'd like to pick one up, so just curious.
Perhaps it's just me being too picky, but 2015-spec pack feels like a downgrade from the previous model. I love everything about the 2013 version that I still use, and I think the newest version has necessary changes. I don't mind the laser cut molle; but Camelback got rid of the replaceable buckles, customizable compression straps, and removed a pocket from the front pouch. The only reason I can think of for those changes is cost savings, which feels cheap and unnecessary to me. I need to replace my current one and am desperately trying to find a 2013 new-old-stock (or lightly used) HAWG.
Have you had any issues with the "sunglass pocket" zipper snagging when it passes the key hanger? I had to return one pack because of this, and it turned out the replacement had the same flaw. I loved the bag otherwise
Great video as always. I have had a few Camelbak bags through the years and they have never failed me. How would you compare this to the Vanquest Trident-20?
nice review, had my 1st camelbak Hawg Mil spec for 5 year EDC maybe longer who knows. Never had a problem with the bag actually but the zipper is going out on the goggle pouch they will replace it with something. Now I got a new BFM not impressed but have not took it out to the field yet. I am afraid with about 40lbs it's going to pinching me. I just think that they are making them cheaper. I might bring it back
Great review. Think a 30 lb plate would fit in the hydration pocket? Your review has sold me on the durability. I'm doing more GRT in the future and will probably use this pack. Thanks.
wouldn't the 2 lower holes you stated as hydration tube holes actually be for tucking the d-rings into for the waist/belly strap, if you didn't want to use that strap?
Have this pack in foliage green and love it as well. But can You review new Camelbak Sparta Milspec ? I wonder how it compares to Arcteryx Khard 30. I think it can be even better than Khard... and much cheaper ;-)
gideonstactical I never get a reply and never this quickly. Thank you for what you do. If you get the chance I'd love to watch a review of eberlestock bags
That's how a review should be done! Can't decide between Direct Action Dragon Egg and This Hawg,, they are similar but still different, which one do you suggest?Does the hawg cause to sweat a lot due to the nylon back? The Dragon Egg has mesh instead.
Can i just say i just bought this very pack . I know i am very late on this video and you might have moved on , that's fine . I had the same thought as you . The decision i went with the Camalbak is the Cb is more minimalist , the DA is very busy lots of pockets , the cb back panel is more heavy duty , although the DA might be more comfort ? The main thing that swing it for me to get the Camalbak is compression straps compress the whole bag rather than just the main . For me the HAWG just seemed to be more more user friendly in a simple every day unfussy way . Although the Direct Action i am sure is a more stylish good bag that would do a good job . I am very happy with my HAWG , but i have only had it 2 weeks ( i have 2 videos , poor skills compared to GT ) . I think sweat might be worse than a good hiking bag like an osprey , i only use my bag for day to day use i have dedicated hiking bags for big long walks , so not sure about the sweating thing , for me it's no prob . hope some of my thoughts are of some use .
Great vid, covered it well. Have just been gifted one and very happy with it. Any other suggestions of uses for the ‘D’ loops on the shoulder harness? Cheers
I love hearing about all these now fancy $100+ packs and how their the toughest best built packs while my Alice packs that went through 2 deployments in ds 10 years as a camping pack before it was given to me and then 3 years of use by me. Over 30 years of life (some in storage) and it’s still working great with another 20 years of use by me at the bare minimum
Still disappointing - for the price I wish it was Made in America. Although I do respect their dedication to ending slave labor and conducting business in a socially responsible manner. I also wish more companies had "real lifetime warranties" - Like ESEE/ RAT or Craftsman and even then they could be better and I think more loyalty and more love for products that will last a long time and still are covered by warranty and can be passed on to younger generations.
That is a major fail not have Molly system on sides. Nice pack but I prefer the Maxpedition packs. Durable, full Molly system and many accessories. Nice review!!
Considering how many 20 litre packs there are in the market they should have tryed harder to make this one closer to perfect. I cant say that this one would be in the running for me if I were shopping.
TurtleWolf Pack really only two things I would like to see changed is more organizational pockets in the main compartment and Molle on the sides, then perfect.
Who decides what perfect is ? it might be a little bit to small/big or to light / heavy weight, to much / not enough zip, bigger or smaller main compartment ,not enough / to much organization , etc etc . ie there is never a perfect or even close for most of us bagaholics .
gideonstactical ah my bad.. Lol. I knew goruck made plates, but never seen them painted blue and with that logo so I assumed it was another brand making those. Thanks
