Based on the old Typhoon Gearslinger, which was based on a single strap design, it appears the design has been resurrected in backpack (2 strap) form. Since this size class is fairly taken care of by the Sitka and Noatak I can understand the concept to make it more like a traditional backpack to offer more small backpack options to Maxpedition's line. I suppose the Pygmy Falcon-II is the only other design that comes close currently.
Although there may be a lot of webbing on the Typhoon Backpack, I'd say the design lends itself more towards the EDC market rather than tactical. For starters there is the classic Y-strap for compression Max likes to use a lot. Not my thing, however I can see where a compression strap can come in handy for keeping a small pack small. Since connected by tri-glides it can be taken off with no fuss and easily put back on later if desired. Up top is a beefy drag handle and a loop snag to secure the main zippers. On the front top pocket is 1 row x 5 channels of PALS-ish webbing. It is a variant due to having 2" webbing under the 1" webbing where the 2" isn't sewn down in the same divisions either. This is seen again on the lower front pocket that at least has 2 rows, still sad as 3 could easily fit on there and offer more mounting options. The point of the 2" webbing is to interface with Maxpedition's sheath line of modular pouches. On the left side of the pack are 2 zones of 2 rows x 2 channels PALS with more 2" webbing incorporated as well. There is a big blank area where another PALS row could have gone. For an extra, a shockcord + cordlock rig is included here for lashing options. The right side is also like the original Typhoon having a sheath pouch up top and a small single zipper GP pouch under it. The sheath pouch flap is adjustable to can accommodate all kinds of multitools, pistol mags, and medium sized flashlights. 2 Lashing straps are on the bottom to hold items externally, a good option as it can be easy to fill such a small pack. No grommet for the main compartment, another sign towards the EDC intended design.
Over on the back, a new air-mesh material is used since the first Typhoon, and more of it. This new material feels more durable offhand and less prone to be wrecked by hook velcro. The shoulder straps also use a generous amount of this material offering good padding and cooling assistance. As a small guy I'm happy to be able to adjust this pack to fit on me tightly. As expected a solid sternum strap is included. There are 2 webbing zones on the shoulder straps to offer just a little bit of sternum strap placement flexibility. Some other webbing straps are also tossed on the strap exteriors, I'll guess for quick mount points, I'd say for tube routing, but that leads me into the next point. Unlike the gearslinger version, The Typhoon backpack has no hydration compartment and no tube port up top under the grab handle. I think more users will be sad to see that compartment gone than those who will be pleased as it filled a nice hydration / CCW dual role. The main compartment interior is simple so doesn't make any effort to make up for the loss. The interior back being totally slick where even a simple sleeve pocket would have been useful not to mention loop velcro. The interior front at least has a zippered sleeve pocket and mesh sleeve pocket for a little organization. For a small detail it is not sewn down to the interior wall on the bottom side of these sleeve to help it to behave better when stuffed. Jumping back to the lower frontal pocket, the inside has the expected organizational features. 1 big sleeve pocket with 2 smaller ones on top on the back interior and 1 big mesh sleeve pocket on the front interior. Simple, but effectively useful. I didn't mention the upper frontal pocket interior earlier as it is slick with no additions.
Like others who knew about the original Typhoon, the biggest complaint will likely be the missing hydration compartment. The price for the size of the Typhoon Backpack I think is fair to say a bit high considering you can get much larger Maxpedition packs for only a tinsy bit more. To like this pack the user will just need to take an as-is approach. I don't look at it and think crappy, but I do think of many small changes that would easily make it better. The pack on its own isn't bad by default, just low on features so minimalists may appreciate. Perhaps best described as the Typhoon is pretty cool when you get it as a gift, but likely not something many will want to pay for on their own. For long term wearing and heavy movement, 2 strap designs are better than 1 strap ones at the cost of slightly more on/off time and loss of ease of access while still wearing.
http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/Typhoon-Backpack-12p1577.htm
