The US military uses cordura because it's cheap and you can source it in America. It's rare for "the best" of any given product to be in general use by the military. I still prefer cordura as stated above, just pointing out that the military isn't the best measuring stick for gear choices.
I'd add ridiculously available as well. I think there's better choices available for a person who hauls a lot of meat and doesn't want to "maintain" their pack.
Cindy and I had a few snow and sleet days during archery this year, and I was worried that her stuff inside would be soaked. It wasn't.
A friend was using a mystery ranch pack and his stuff was soaked to the point of a few hours in he borrowed some of my clothes because the stuff in his pack was too wet.
https://www.rokslide.com/exo-mountain-gear-k4-exs-pack-system/
She also had no issues with blood from meat shelf and internal meat carrying, and I'm pretty sure she wet paper towels for clean up. My knowledge of cordura leads me to believe there's a point where the exterior will need treated with some sort of dwr. It would be a great question for Mark when we talk to him in SLC.
@pods8 should be able to speak to his experience compared to my view; "cordura" is a diluted name just like Kleenex or Bandaid. It can be bought many different ways, with different interior laminates and exterior treatments. When I was buying and selling it, you absolutely had to get samples before buying because "500/1000d cordura" could end up being a lot of things. Buying from the weaving house direct fixed that issue, but elevated the cost drastically. For those doubting that statement, think about how the 500d that SG uses on most of their packs has a different stiffness (hand) than what Exo uses.
For context,
@Ucsdryder asked if he should be a Fulcrum bag to replace his Nomad. I assumed the Fulcrum was used. Knowing that he hauls meat as much as he hikes, and I've never known him to do a multi day pack in, I said "cordura sucks". Between his wife, kid, himself, and friends, I have known him to move meat and then have an immediate turn around to get another carcass. He's also mentioned that he feels his pack could/should be lighter. (Assuming a used pack again) I gave my opinion that he'd probably have the same outlook after a season, and he is now going to WHCE to play with packs since Kifaru, Exo, SO, SG, AGC, Initial Ascent, etc will be there.
I'll try and grab some numbers today for waterproofness, tear strength, and abrasion testing, etc.
