Educate me on packs

[Sask hunter]

I have been doing some research about packs for hauling meat. It seems like there is a general consensus that external frame ones are best for packing. What else should a person be looking for? I hope to never have to use it but should be prepared just in case lol

 

[SaskHunter]

Don't you always give me crap about using a pack to haul meat and not a tratter or ATV?

 

[TOGIE]

are we asking about packs FOR hauling meat? or backpacks that carry meat well?

 

[SaskHunter]

I use a Mystery Ranch Metcalf 75L that a guy decided to sell after popping a couple discs on his first elk hunt. I use it pretty much on all of my hunts, from day hunts to a few days backpacking into the bush. The meat shelf is pretty nice to have and can be used to pack additional gear.

 

[ElkHunter80]

I use a Mystery Ranch Selway 60 (I think this model is discontinued?) with the meat shelf - plenty of room for all my gear, and pretty handy to just expand the pack and throw on a quarter, especially if you're several miles from camp and want to take advantage of the first trip out.

 

[Bigjay73]

If it doesn't say Kifaru, it's just not that good

 

[Stone_Ice_1]

I have 3 that I use, each for their own purpose. I have an Eberlestock Just One pack. I use that for day hunts that I can pack out a quarter with when I get something down. I have a Mystery Ranch Bob Marshall for my backpacking hunts. It is a huge pack and will carry way more than you can actually pack out if you want a fun way to hurt yourself. I then have a dedicated pack frame with a shelf that is specifically for packing out meat. This one is left at my truck and used after I have already made the first pack out with one of the others. It is a much better pack for hauling out meat and if you are only looking for a meat hauling pack then I would go with something like this.

 

[npaden]

Kinda like boots. Several really good brands out there but some are going to fit you personally better than others. Most of the top end packs are pretty adjustable but still some just fit better.

Kifaru, Mystery Ranch, Stone Glacier, Exo, etc. I'm sure I'm missing some.

I went from a Walmart pack to an Eberlestock and that was a big improvement, then I went to a Stone Glacier and that was even more of an improvement. Have been happy with my Stone Glacier for over 10 years. It hauls stuff out well.

 

[nrpate05]

External frames are nice for packing meat. There are a ton of lash points, lots of support, etc., but they kinda suck to walk around in the woods with. A good internal frame with a load shelf is the best of both worlds. They are so good now there is no need for an external frame pack.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

are we asking about packs FOR hauling meat? or backpacks that carry meat well?

This.

If you want a pack for hauling meat but not really backpacking or day hunting then I believe Barney's in AK is the go-to.

For lower 48 the top 4 brands seem to be: Stone Glacier, Exo, Mystery Ranch and Kifaru with the Exo I believe now offering the lightest FWIW. I've owned a K3 (titanium frame) and now a K4 (carbon fiber frame) and while heavier than a normal day pack the ~1-2lb extra weight is more than worth the convenience of having a pack that can haul a substantial load out when you first get the animal down. Before this I used a Kelty Redwing daypack and had a Kelty Cache Hauler that I would leave at the truck. Kinda pointless IMO to only carry out a backstrap and loins 3+miles to get the meat pack and then bring that back in for heavier loads. I tried hunting with the cache hauler and even had the pack that went on the frame. TBH it sucks compared to any of those three. Too heavy, bulky and noisy IMO. While the price of the packs seems ridiculous, they are made in the US by great companies that build gear for western hunting.

 

[MTGomer]

Idk but it’s time to get one.

I bet MR, SG and Kifaru are not the same companies in a few years than they are today with everything going on with them.

 

[Sask hunter]

are we asking about packs FOR hauling meat? or backpacks that carry meat well?

For hauling. Honestly when I hunt I have some calls and a knife and a bottle of water in my pocket and that’s about it

 

[Sask hunter]

Don't you always give me crap about using a pack to haul meat and not a tratter or ATV?

View attachment 371237

I’ll push equipment stuff to well past the limits to not pack lol. Have chainsaw won’t pack lol

 

[Big Sky Guy]

Idk but it’s time to get one.

I bet MR, SG and Kifaru are not the same companies in a few years than they are today with everything going on with them.

I'd take a bet Exo will still be though

Mystery Ranch and SG already sold, did Kifaru sell too? I presume that's what you're referencing?

 

[The_Jim]

Exo makes a nice pack and they haven’t sold out to an outdoor conglomerate yet.

 

[cgasner1]

I have hauled some heavy loads on my kuiu pack. Had a main frame for about 10 years prior. I’d look for something that you want to hunt out of first and can haul meat. Packing is such a little part of the overall pack experience compared to the daily use of hunting with it

 

[MTGomer]

I'd take a bet Exo will still be though

Mystery Ranch and SG already sold, did Kifaru sell too? I presume that's what you're referencing?

I don’t know about Kifaru.
I’ve just heard customer service has fallen off big time since the move. No first hand experience.

 

[Alpine01]

I don’t know about Kifaru.
I’ve just heard customer service has fallen off big time since the move. No first hand experience.

I just had an experience with Kifaru CS two weeks ago. Everything went smooth.

 

[Potsie]

I don’t know about Kifaru.
I’ve just heard customer service has fallen off big time since the move. No first hand experience.

Patrick Smith (the OG) sold it to an employee and some backers who moved it to WY, then then that guy has now left. So now owned by “a group.”

So ya, Kifaru has changed and from what I’ve seen of the new frame and packs, I’ll be keeping my Patrick Smith era frame and bags.

If/when this frame wears out I’ll go Exo.

 

[schmalts]

Lot's of good one's but just know you're gonna pay for it