New pack recommendations

[WVmike]

Currently have a Mystery Ranch Metcalf that I purchased in 2019. Has been a wonderful pack and have only had one waist belt buckle fail on me while hunting in Colorado 2 years ago that I fixed with electrical tape. They sent me a kit with extra pieces following the hunt when I emailed them. I am looking into getting another pack that would be used for hiking, rucking with weight to train for elk hunts out west and my hunts would be anywhere in the 3-5 maybe 7 day range just for reference. The metcalf that I have serves me well but my oldest will be at a good age for elk hunting in the next 2 years and I want to either get him a new bag or give him mine since we can wear basically the same sized clothing. I like Mystery Ranch but wouldn't be opposed to something like a Stone Glacier Col 4800 or something from Eberlestock (don't know how I feel about the aluminum frame that they use in their main pack). Anyone have experience with the new MR metcalf/beartooth, Col 4800 or something equivalent?

 

[MT Super Puncher]

Get an Exo K4. Having used a Mystery Ranch Sawtooth for several years, I made the switch to Exo and the difference when hauling weight is night and day. Importantly, Exo customer service is second to none.

 

[TX Trophy Hunter]

I have the mainframe pack and like it. Probably not as nice as the other ones you mentioned but it handles heavy loads very well. Only thing I don’t love about it is if you zipper one of their bags to it, the zippers want to unzip. I use a mini carabiner to keep them in place.

 

[WVmike]

I have the mainframe pack and like it. Probably not as nice as the other ones you mentioned but it handles heavy loads very well. Only thing I don’t love about it is if you zipper one of their bags to it, the zippers want to unzip. I use a mini carabiner to keep them in place.

Is this the EMOD pack? Or the new model they released?

 

[The_Jim]

Another vote for the K4. Superior pack and the founder is still the owner.

 

[TX Trophy Hunter]

Is this the EMOD pack? Or the new model they released?

It’s the original version, I bought it in 2019. One thing I can say is it is tough. I have packed 5 deer, 4 elk, and an aoudad and it’s still running strong.

 

[WVmike]

Get an Exo K4. Having used a Mystery Ranch Sawtooth for several years, I made the switch to Exo and the difference when hauling weight is night and day. Importantly, Exo customer service is second to none.

I don't think I've ever heard anything bad about anything from exo, haven't researched them much.

 

[brymoore]

I’d look at Stone Glacier or Exo.

 

[JoMo]

My vote for Exo as well. Can’t say enough good things about their pack. I got one for my wife and have turned two friends into theirs. I have progressed from my Gregory that I used about 12+ years ago until it was clear that would not cut it for backcountry hunting, to a Kuiu, then to an Exo K4. Seeing my buddies struggle with some others over the years reaffirmed the choice. The only other one I’ve heard my friends say really good things about is stone glacier. No personal experience there though.

 

[kbhillhunter]

Exo is the new standard, definitely recommend the K4

 

[BDH]

I know EXO has been brought up a lot. Their custom service is truly amazing. I managed to cut the zipper on my lid while whitetail hunting this past year, and then managed to order the wrong lid.( it’s a pack from 2017 they no longer make) The service rep fixed the ordered gave me a large discount on the lid and was just a good person.

 

[WVmike]

For those that have used the k4, how is it with the straps when attaching a load and what makes them better than others that have been used? I'm between an exo and stone glacier col 4800. Originally was looking into a new Mystery Ranch Metcalf but after I was looking into the new load lifters on the new one, I don't think I'm a fan or of the mysterium line.

 

[Bulldog0156]

For those that have used the k4, how is it with the straps when attaching a load and what makes them better than others that have been used? I'm between an exo and stone glacier col 4800. Originally was looking into a new Mystery Ranch Metcalf but after I was looking into the new load lifters on the new one, I don't think I'm a fan or of the mysterium line.

Ibought a new sawtooth 45 to replace a pintlar last fall. I like the new mysterium frame better than the guide lite. I felt like my sawtooth carried weight more comfortably. That said, I'm still exo-curious.

 

[The_Jim]

For those that have used the k4, how is it with the straps when attaching a load and what makes them better than others that have been used? I'm between an exo and stone glacier col 4800. Originally was looking into a new Mystery Ranch Metcalf but after I was looking into the new load lifters on the new one, I don't think I'm a fan or of the mysterium line.

The k4 is simpler/quicker to get into the load shelf and it has straps on the frame so you can keep the load centered on the pack. On the MR the quarters like to sink to the bottom.

No experience with stone glacier though.

 

[MTGomer]

I’d either get a SG before their quality goes to shit, if they haven’t already, or a K4.

K4 looks cool. Haven’t used one.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

I have a K4. Suites my needs. Have never used one of the other top brands though. Had a K3 before and sold it to upgrade. I believe they are coming out with a K4X this year, not sure what will be different, I think just lighter weight, so if you have time to wait could wait and get one of those, maybe they will have closeouts on K4’s or folks upgrading may save you a couple hundred bucks.

 

[mtmuley]

The k4 is simpler/quicker to get into the load shelf and it has straps on the frame so you can keep the load centered on the pack. On the MR the quarters like to sink to the bottom.

No experience with stone glacier though.

The K4 is quicker. Personally I haven't experienced any loads sinking to the bottom with my MR. Mine will last me the rest of my hunting or I would look at an EXO. My SIL loves his and I've seen it in action a bunch. mtmuley

 

[TheTone]

I’ve got a k3 that I really like. I’ve intentionally not looked at a k4 because I don’t want to spend money I shouldn’t. I was previously using a smallish internal frame MR and a nice frame