The Lochsa is a good example of Maxpedition's known innovation bringing another unique item on the market. The concept is a bit like taking a big-ass Octa and combining with ideas of the Merlin. The result is a large butt-pack that can turn into a good sized backpack.
Starting with the exterior while collapsed, the pack is made to be worn around the waist. Although it can be worn up front, it is a bit big, so will bump into your legs while moving. Thus, users will likely wear it as a butt-pack most of the time. The most exterior pocket is a slim 1 zipper pocket with loop velcro on the front. Sadly a large Maxpedition logo is right in the middle of the velcro that could have been placed under it. This pocket is on a larger zipper pocket that has elastic on the inside with 3 loop divisions and a plastic lanyard buddy. The frontal exterior sides have PALS loops of 3 channels x 2 rows each side which allow for some decent pouch add-on options. The actual belt area is "pimped" out like the Octa with webbing loops to allow alternate attachment options like grimlocks. Up top is a shock cord and cord-lock rig to allow lashing down of items. Also up here is a velcro loop covered sleeve good for holding long items like fixed blades or flashlights. I'm not quite sure why there is also loop velcro under the sleeve since adding a strap here would be odd. On the back is a long and slim zippered pocket. Since usually against the body, this makes this pocket somewhat more secretive.
The upper frontal zipper is the main show which is access to the guts of the pack. From here one can uncompress the rest of the pack into its backpack form. Once pulled out, the shoulder straps are clipped onto the D-rings that are on the side exterior. The upper flap doesn't really have anywhere where to go, so is secured with metal snaps to what is now the back of the backpack. When secured, the flap presses up against your back so I recommend taking of the cordlock to avoid discomfort. A sternum strap is included with the shoulder straps and a carry handle on the top of the expanded pack. The extended portion has a square zippered pocket that includes PALS loops on the exterior. For a bonus there is loop velcro between the webbing and a shockcord cord-lock rig. Inside this pocket is a mesh divider. A little further up is another external sleeve area with loop velcro with an additional shockcord and cordlock setup for a total of 3. Main access to the backpack is through the upper double zippers. They don't go down very far on the side of the pack, however there is a lower/middle double zipper opening to get to the main area as well. The inside of the main area has large velcro pieces to internally let the user section off the lower part from the expanded upper part. The lower internal part also has a divider sleeve pocket close to the back and a mesh divider close the the front. The big velcro pieces can be stored in these dividers when not in use.
As for extra functionality notes, the Lochsa is not going to be for everyone. It is going to cater to a very specific market of those looking to have a hard-use backpack that folds up into a butt-pack so they do not have to constantly have a full backpack on. Either you are going to look at it and instantly know some cool things you want to do with it, or otherwise stare at it half confused and wonder who the hell is going to make good use of it. It should be noted Maxpedition originally created the pouch for a client and it will be a limited production item. The ease of use is an improvement over the Merlin which can be a little difficult to re-pack. It would take some substantial changes, however my main improvement suggestion would be to make the top part able to be totally taken off the main lower part. This way the user could have the option to leave behind the top part and just have a pretty cool buttpack. As is, when in buttpack mode the Lochsa is full of itself so one can't fit much in it. Currently available in Black, OD Green, Khaki, and ACU.
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