Maxpedition Tiburon Review

Just recently I published a report on my field test and evaluation of the Maxpedition Lithvore pack which has a 17 liter capacity. The Tiburon Backpack DOUBLES that to 34L and has a number of added features as well. While the Lithvore spent eight months in testing, mostly in and out of my vehicle (and through some field time as well), the Tiburon was tested primarily as a weekend pack for hiking and camping. That meant that it had to hold and carry, worn comfortably, everything I needed from any given Friday morning/afternoon through Sunday evening. It performed well and I continue to keep it stocked with all my camping supplies that don’t have expiration dates… so I can easily stock it and go should I get that rare chance to disappear for another weekend. Let’s take a better look at it.

The Basics

The specifications published by Maxpedition for the Tiburon are:

· Ergonomic backpack with quick release yoke-style straps

· Adjustable sternum strap

· Stowable padded waist belt with gear loops

· Forward cinching waist belt adjustment

· Side compression and dual hydration ports

· Top zippered slip pocket with a frontal 3.5” x 6” loop field for patch adhesion

· Front admin pocket for added organization

· Fully opening & lockable middle compartment

· Padded tech pocket sized to fit a 13” laptop and most tablets

· Lockable main compartment with sleeve for hydration reservoir

· Hidden bottom pocket to store a rain cover (sold separately)

· Laser cut ATLAS™ Attachment Lattice System

· Props in product photos are not included

· Hydration bladder not included

The dimensions and capacity published are:

· Volume: 2075 cu. in. | 34 L

· Overall size: 17 (L) x 12 (W) x 20 (H) in | 43.2 x 30.5 x 50.8 cm

· Frontal top slip pocket: 8 (L) x 5 (H) in | 20.3 x 12.7 cm

· Frontal lower pocket: 8.5 (L) x 1.5 (W) x 12 (H) in | 21.6 x 3.8 x 30.5 cm

· Side pockets: 4.5 (L) x 2.5 (W) x 11 (H) in | 11.4 x 6.4 x 27.9 cm

· Middle compartment: 12 (L) x 1 (W) x 18 (H) in | 30.5 x 2.5 x 45.7 cm

· Main compartment: 11 (L) x 3.5 (W) x 18 (H) in | 27.8 x 8.9 x 45.7 cm

· Waist belt maximum circumference: 60 in | 152.4 cm

· Sternum strap maximum length: 10 in | 25.4 cm

· Weight: 3.7 lbs.

I am still having to learn to think in metric measurements but I see “2075 cubic inches” and I consider that fair sized. The pack that I lived out of when I responded to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina went through had a capacity of 2000 cubic inches. It proved sufficient – although there were times I wished I could carry more (but was happy not to have the extra weight by the same token). If you feel you need more capacity, the two side pockets and outer pocket all have Maxpedition’s ATLAS Attachment Lattice System on their outer faces so you can add as much as three pouches as needed.

Once again, as I said in the Lithvore review, YOU should know your needs before you start evaluating packs to make a selection. When I received the Tiburon for review I identified it as a pack I would use for a more comfortable three-day camping backpack. Now I know plenty of experienced campers who wouldn’t consider it big enough, BUT those campers tend to camp for much longer periods of time OR they demand a higher level of comfort while they’re out in the field. Having “cut my teeth” in the great outdoors camping in local woods at the grand old age of twelve and then having my outdoor skills refined by Uncle Sam’s Army (which was survival camping; not recreational comfort camping), I view the Tiburon as more than sufficient to carry my camping needs. That said, I attached my solo tent and my sleeping bag to the bottom of the pack via the straps available there.

Inside the pack I was able to carry my camping supplies which included water purification, dehydrated food supplies, snack foods, necessary change of clothing, personal hygiene items, extra batteries, etc.plus the hydration system I had installed (not included with the pack) full of water.

I tend to keep things like fire-starter materials and my poncho in the outer pockets for quick access as necessary. My mess kit for food preparation is minimal. Just as with my Lithvore, I attached a Maxpedition Individual Medical Pouch (IMP) to the outer face of the outermost pocket, so my first-aid supplies didn’t take up any internal storage space.

The adjustable padded shoulder straps, combined with the waist belt and adjustable chest strap, made the pack comfortable to wear and carry throughout my testing. The easy adjustability of the straps and waist belt made it convenient to change when I was wearing different layers of clothing.

The main compartment has a double zipper that opens pretty wide but isn’t full clamshell opening. The two compression straps located just below the upper most corners of the pack make it simple to compress the load before shouldering the pack. The side pockets ARE big enough to carry a one-liter water bottle in each, but I don’t use them for that since I installed a hydration system. The pack does have ports at the top from inside the hydration section allowing you to run the drinking tube out and over either shoulder dependent on your preference.

The pack is available in a variety of colors including black, gray or tan. My test pack is tan as is the IMP I attached to it. With an empty weight of just under four pounds, my fully loaded pack, including water, weighs about 25 pounds. With my standard for maximum weight set by Uncle Sam way back in the early eighties at 35 pounds, I consider a 25 pound pack reasonably light.

I have been completely satisfied with the Tiburon as tested. The MSRP on the Maxpedition site is $259.99 but an online search found some priced as low as $184 plus shipping. That doesn’t include the IMP OR the hydration system, but at $184 you can add on the IMP and a good hydration system and still easily be under $250. So, if you’re in the market for a good three-day “assault” or survival (or lighter weight camping) pack, check out the Tiburon.