65L or 80L pack?

[The MAX]

IMHO you made the right choice, you can make a big bag smaller but you can't make a small bag bigger as others have said above. You might find that the extra space provides opportunity to use the pack in less 'bushy' situations as well - my LA Cerro Torre was pressed into service for grocery hauling when my car was being fixed and I had to take the bus to the shops - made an annoying task slightly less so!

Also, I find 'milspec' is, in the main, a clever marketing buzzword primarily now used by certain brands to make it sound like a pack has some grandiose ultra-durable/life-saving/female-bedding capability not on offer with other packs. Whilst there are cheap, crappy packs available on the market, my twenty year old Karrimor civvy pack puts paid to the notion that something has to be designed to survive being crapped on by a tank to be useful. Here's hoping you enjoy your new purchase, be sure to update us on how you get on with it!

hahahahaha

 

[The MAX]

It's here, and so far I'm very impressed with the workmanship. Two side pockets, two sections in main compartment with side access, front pocket, bungee on the front, axe straps (meant for ice axes), sleeping bag section accessible on bottom with access into main compartment, compression straps, etc etc etc.

Going to test it out bit this weekend on my fathers cabin property. He's got a little bit of land that is not really touched, not much, but good chance for me to try out some cold wet camping in the hammock. They'll be up in the cabin moose hunting so I can always retreat indoors.

Also got my MEC Kokanee gaiters, rain cover for the pack, and a new fleece.

I'll be taking my camera so I'll probably take some pics and maybe some video. Going to try to focus on some bush techniques this weekend. By the looks of the weather, most likely fire husbandry in rain. May take a crack at making a bow drill if it dries up.