I own several Maxpedition bags, and this brand has been my go-to for tactical style products. The Maxpedition brand is at a price point that is at a premium as compared to other competing products. And while there are similar products that provide the same peace of mind in terms of durability, I pay the premium for the comfort and aesthetics of the Maxpedition products. I would have never thought of checking out Maxpedition for my travel-bag needs. However, the IRONCLOUD caught my attention, specifically the main compartment of the bag that has no dividers. Depending on the nature of my travels, I usually rely on a sturdy conventional backpack, or 22" wheeled totes, to quickly get in and out of airports. After reading other positive user reviews of the IRONCLOUD, I decided to purchase one. I purchased the IRONCLOUD in August 2020, in optimistic anticipation that normal air travel would resume in the succeeding months. It wasn't until December 2021 that I was able to put this bag to use. The first noticeable feature (both visually and function) was the backpack straps. I am used to seeing straight backpack straps, so it looked odd at first, in how the backpack straps were designed for this bag (see photo). However, after wearing the straps, I then understood the ergonomics of this design. The curvature of the straps provides a more natural contour to your body, which helps load distribution, ultimately resulting in a comfortable backpack experience. There are sternum straps, but I didn't have the need to use them, even when I loaded the backup up to 25 pounds. The bag also includes a compulsory laptop/tablet compartment, which is located on the front of the bag, making it easily accessible and not necessary to open the main compartment. The 4 compression straps around the bag help to reduce the footprint of the bag, which is especially helpful when trying to fit the bag into an overhead compartment. The bag also comes with a shoulder strap, which is stowed away in a side pocket. When using the shoulder straps, there is a pocket right underneath the base of the backpack straps in which you are able to stow away the backpack straps to streamline the bag and prevent it from getting snagged onto objects. While the bag can be shouldered, I prefer using it as a backpack as it provides the best load distribution and comfort. The bag does have Maxpedition's version of molle webbing, although I do not find this as useful given the purpose of this bag. Attaching additional pouches will increase its footprint, potentially making it harder to fit inside overhead compartments. Finally, the wide-open main compartment has the biggest appeal, and I find this bag to have better capacity than 22" wheeled totes, as the pull-handle of wheeled totes create an uneven surface inside the main compartment. Because the IRONCLOUD doesn't have a pull-handle, the main compartment is completely flat, making it easier to arrange and organize the contents without pull-handles being an obstruction running down the center of the compartment. The main compartment also includes a compression bib to hold down the contents. Since its first use, this bag will be replacing my 22" wheeled tote whenever I travel, as it is comfortable to wear even with a heavy load, and much easier for me to maneuver. While I speak highly of this bag, its utility will not apply to everyone. This is a backpack and/or shoulder bag, which means that you will have to carry the load. I prioritize greater mobility and security having the bag on my person as compared to rolling around a wheeled tote, at the expense of carrying the load. Unless you are willing to carry the load, this bag is not for everyone.
