Educate me on packs

[INMT]

I skipped through everyone’s advice. Find a reputable brand with a load shelf and good customer service.

Stone Glacier packs fit my torso well and carry loads incredibly well.

Go somewhere you can try them on. Find one that is comfortable and go from there.

If that is not an option, find a company with a good return policy and start there.

 

[rogerthat]

If you’re just needing to pack meat, go get a cheap external. I bet I have packed 40 elk with cheap pos externals. If you’re wanting a “real” pack with dual purpose of hunting and packing meat, options have never been better. There are some absolute beast pack options out there right now. Be prepared to pay $700. Here is a good load on a $10 pack pawn shop pack.

 

[mtmuley]

@bellydeep got me into a MR. mtmuley

 

[INMT]

If you’re just needing to pack meat, go get a cheap external. I bet I have packed 40 elk with cheap pos externals. If you’re wanting a “real” pack with dual purpose of hunting and packing meat, options have never been better. There are some absolute beast pack options out there right now. Be prepared to pay $700. Here is a good load on a $10 pack pawn shop pack.

Pretty rack.

 

[ccc23454]

If you’re just needing to pack meat, go get a cheap external. I bet I have packed 40 elk with cheap pos externals. If you’re wanting a “real” pack with dual purpose of hunting and packing meat, options have never been better. There are some absolute beast pack options out there right now. Be prepared to pay $700. Here is a good load on a $10 pack pawn shop pack.

This is spot on!

I have a cheap cabelas alaskan? I paid $80 for 10 years ago and thing is ideal for just load packing. I have carried ladder stands, bait barrels and tons of critters out and it carries them the best of anything i have used. My hunting packs i tried several including eberlestock and mystery ranch (both less than ideal) but found kuiu packs and couldnt be happier. Light weight, sturdy, easy to change bags, carrys heavy loads extremely well, they make it in extra long and also have waist belt that accommodates holsters well so fits me and my needs like a glove. Good luck

 

[sneakypete]

I’ve used a Kuiu pro 3200, and two years ago I decided to try another pack. I tried stone glacier, and Akek. Akek is By far the most comfortable pack. It has a built in loadhauler attached to the outside of the frame, comes with a detachable day pack, hands free rifle attachment. It is worth checking out. Great company in the USA .

 

[Bambistew]

I have a Kifaru, Barneys and a MR. They all hold about the same around 140L. Easily get 10-12days worth of stuff in one and have room to haul a sheep out, I've also packed may many moose quarters in all of them, no problem. The older I get the less I like packing that heavy though. If its strictly a short hike and hauling heavy loads, like moose quarters and racks you can not beat the Barneys. The rigid frame carries the weight so much better.

For general packing and hauling meat for me its a Kifaru.

My MR (2008 model) hasn't been used in a long time, other than hauling bags of sand around the neighborhood getting shoulders in shape. The frame is two flimsy and just doesn't pack weight as well as the others. The newer ones may be better, but I don't need another pack, and if I was to get one it wouldn't be a MR...

I have a few friends with SG and they use them for backpack hunting, but bring their Barneys if there is any real packing involved.

I don't think there is a magic pack out there, but I've had all three of mine for 15+/- years and they're still kicking. A few new sets of shoulder straps and waist belts later.

 

[ChaosOneZero]

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.

+1 for this. I started out with a Kuiu, then went to Kifaru, and I also have a Stone Glacier. For me, the Kifaru is the most comfortable. The SG rides good, too, but I think it would benefit from a slightly thicker lumbar pad (which is able to be remedied by adding more foam, just haven’t done it yet).

Ultimately, it would probably be in your best interest to try on a couple, under load, to see which frames fit your body type the best. I think it also depends on age. I was able to put up with a lot more discomfort when I was younger, because let’s face it - anything is an improvement over an Alice pack.

When I first started looking at, and eventually bough, a Kifaru (circa 2016), I actually called and video chatted Aron Snyder and he talked me through the frames, and how to set up the frame/pack for my body type once I purchased. He’s since left and I don’t know how customer service is nowadays.

 

[Bowhunt_406]

I have the Sitka Mountain Hauler 4000 and it carries loads comfortably. I’ve been pretty happy with it for the last couple years.

 

[jadkins223]

Ive got a mystery ranch Metcalf 75. It’s very comfy but isn’t quiet. By all means. She is squeaky bad

 

[RG300]

I recently got a screaming deal on an Eberlestock " Team Elk" on their 4th of July sale, it was $239.00 & i could not pass it up.
I have heard several poo poo Eberlestock on this site, but when I opened the pack when it arrived, I could not be more pleased.
It is built very sturdy with integral frame with a ton of adjustments to fit just about anyone. plenty of MOLLE to attach other small bags if you want & quite comfortable with its lumbar & hip pads. I have not loaded it down yet but I cant wait to get it out into the field. I ordered it in "Skye" & it is worth every penny.

 

[JohnCushman]

Don't pack an elk out 2 miles from the truck with an Army issue Alice pack

 

[Wellzbells]

Looking to get my first pack soon!

 

[abarn]

I started with the MR Beartooth 80 and switched to the Exo K4 after a couple seasons. I find the K4 much more comfortable with heavier weights.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Had Exo K1 and K2 packs, Kifaru gen 2 (or 3?) duplex. Still have a seek outside revolution frame and a couple bags, and a Stone Glacier x-curve frame with a couple bags.

Exo k1 and k2 were most comfortable to carry with light loads and second best with heavy loads. Stone glacier has been the best for heavy loads for me and that's why it's still my main pack. Kifaru was the worst for heavy loads, couldn't get the belt to stay up on my hips. If I were buying from scratch right now, EXO k4 would be the first i'd be considering.

 

[95tigerbill]

I realize this is an old thread but need to put a plug in for an old Dana Design pack. I am 6’5” and most current packs aren’t designed for a long torso. The older Dana Design packs in a correct size are super tough packs that are very comfortable.

 

[Dakota man]

I am looking at an Alaskan moose hunt. What pack you guys recommend? I know it comes down to preference. I’ve heard a lot of good about Barney’s for packing moose. Just not sure which models best.

 

[44hunter45]

+1 for Eberlestock.

I liked my F1X Mainframe. I LOVE my new Modframe. All new frame design is a lot more like a MR, but all my toys from the eMOD systems ported right over.
Customer service is first rate. I set it up how i need it for a specific trip in terms of bags. Frame is always there under all that for meat hauling.

I realize this is an old thread but need to put a plug in for an old Dana Design pack. I am 6’5” and most current packs aren’t designed for a long torso. The older Dana Design packs in a correct size are super tough packs that are very comfortable.

I'm 6'2" with a long torso. I still have more slots to go longer on the Modframe if I wanted too. Agree that it's all in the fit.

 

[thebestusernamesaretaken]

I use an Exo K3 and it's been kind of great; but I'm not sure that I love it. I sometimes struggle with the fit of the pack riding down and it ticks me off. I am sure that it's just me, the pack has performed well, it's held up over time but with a few rub marks, it holds lots of weight (more than I can carry) and I really like how streamlined it is. I am just missing that feeling you get when you have a great piece of gear that works so well for you, that you wouldn't exchange it for a new one even if it were free.

I'd try the upgraded model if they were not so expensive. I'd try other newer packs if they were not so expensive for that matter. I guess that I haven't really found anything else that I would say that I would have to have it yet.

 

[bisblue2]

Eberlestock has a new fancy frame.
I've had outdoorsmans, seek outside (awesome pack), exo k3 and k4, and some kifaru. Gotta find what fits you.
Now I'm rocking a k4 frame with a kifaru bag( i like more pockets)