Why my pack sucks: Kifaru, Stone Glacier, Exo, Seek, Mystery Ranch, Kuiu, etc.

[ImBillT]

25 year old Gregory. No load shelf, pack bag is narrow, doesn't cinch down well for day pack use.

Oh, forgot to mention the other con is that it is a heavy pack.

I may have the same pack. Probably just a similar Gregory. It’s actually a very good pack, but it’s a single bag(which is fine if you prefer that), it’s heavy compared to newer packs, and it’s an internal frame, so there’s no way to haul meat if you can’t fit it inside the pack.

I currently use a Kifaru Fulcrum. As far as materials and craftsmanship are concerned, I can’t say for sure that it’s superior to any other high end pack brands, BUT the Fulcrum has the features I was looking for AND it is MADE IN USA. I buy US when I can afford it.

 

[nontyp]

Eberlestock Team Elk. Not enough adjustability. Loads don’t stay close to your back

Agreed...I unfortunately have the same pack. I’ve packed 4 bulls and 4 deer on it and heavy loads are miserable on this pack. Thinking about upgrading to an exo or sg.

 

[AlaskaHunter]

I may have the same pack. Probably just a similar Gregory. It’s actually a very good pack, but it’s a single bag(which is fine if you prefer that), it’s heavy compared to newer packs, and it’s an internal frame, so there’s no way to haul meat if you can’t fit it inside the pack.

I currently use a Kifaru Fulcrum. As far as materials and craftsmanship are concerned, I can’t say for sure that it’s superior to any other high end pack brands, BUT the Fulcrum has the features I was looking for AND it is MADE IN USA. I buy US when I can afford it.

I also have a Gregory from the 1980s which I still use for smaller big game.

For big hauls, I have a big Dana Design Arcflex pack from the 1990s.
(Dana Designs became Mystery Ranch)

Pros: Both made in the USA and can carry heavy loads.
Con: Both are heavy when empty.

 

[wjackson]

I wish this thread existed a couple thousand dollars ago.

Kuiu Pro from 2014 with multiple bag sizes (1850, 3200, 5200). (I've mostly retired this pack).
Used for 4 seasons Alaska, Colorado Elk, California backpack pigs & deer, chukar hunting, plus training with my son on my back.
Cons:
- Does not handle weight well, at all. modestly uncomfortable starting at 50lbs. Once I get a load of meat in it, my lower back and hips really start to feel it. Also used it to strap an old child carrier to, but
- (in retrospect, didn't notice it until I bought my Kifaru) Limited storage flexibility on the hip belt. My kifaru I can easily rig up for several completely different scenarios - from Archery elk in griz country (glock, archery release pocket, Knife, rangefinder, general storage, etc.) to chukar hunting (full box of shells, Garmin Alpha & Pro 550+, Nalgene, knife, plus glove pocket). Kuiu is pretty limited in flexibility and capacity in comparison.

Kifaru (current primary pack) - Hunting Frame, Composite Stays. 22mag and Fulcrum. Also use the frame, fulcrum, with an old child carrier strapped to it (main bag flattened, wings wrapping the child carrier).
3 seasons - Wyoming and Colorado Elk (2 solo pack outs). Nevada, Washington, Oregon Chukar hunting (about 25 days/year). Plus lot of training with my son on my back.
Cons:
- Weight. Holy smokes it just seems unnecessarily heavy. I feel like a professional designer could remove half the weight from the pack without affecting durability or performance. Also, the downside of having the system built around adding pockets to customize is that it ends up being heavier than if they were built in.
- The Clampetts effect. These bags are the opposite of streamlined. You end up with sh*t hanging off all over the place.
- The whole setup has a certain DIY feel. The Kuiu feels very professionally designed. The Kifaru seems like what I'd end up with if you cut me loose with unlimited material and a sewing machine. This adds some weight and it also makes some things really clunky (like adjusting the shoulder padding).
- Lazy design. The Kuiu bags are really well laid out. You can tell someone put a ton of thought into specifically how people will use the bag and organization. The Kifaru is more like 'lets just throw some PALS webbing on it and call it good'. It means its more easy to customize to your liking. But I think it would be better if it was just well thought out to begin with.
- (not a con) Some people complain about the price on the Kifaru... once you get the full setup with pockets and whatnot its easy to be well over a grand. *But* it is made in the USA for top quality USA-origin materials. There's a price to pay for that. I won't complain about the price.

 

[Scott85]

Bump for a good thread.

 

[Cheater]

- The Clampetts effect. These bags are the opposite of streamlined. You end up with sh*t hanging off all over the place.

This made me LOL, I've always had that thought when I see Kifaru packs -- but haven't been able to articulate so well .

 

[MTLabrador]

This really is a great thread, lots of good information. I’ve used a few.

Osprey Aether 70 sucked because I was carrying a lot more weight than it was designed for.

Mystery Ranch Metcalf sucked because it was a little heavy, and a little small for longer backpack trips. It handled a few stupid heavy loads (packed out a younger 6 point in two trips, never again). It was a great pack, I just had the itch for something new.

Stone Glacier Sky 5900/Xcurve frame sucks because it was expensive. Bought this January, so I haven’t used it on any elk yet. I like pretty minimal organization pockets, so that’s not a con for me. The lumbar support with the Xcurve is great for my back under heavy loads. Well thought out design. Very stiff frame. I am a big fan so far.

 

[azelkhntr]

Bull-pac with the Sawtooth bag. Indestructible pack frame that can carry the load.

 

[KB_]

the thread above about the kifaru bag was great! a lot of truths there.

I've used a bunch of packs over the years, due to military service.

As far as hunting, I grew up in the whitetail woods and just used a black basic backpack from the time i was 8 until 26. Dad and I decided to go on a muledeer hunt in wyoming so I wanted to upgrade to something half way decent. Then came the badlands superday. Far better then what I was previously rocking but due to a back injury 3 years prior that pack was absolutely worthless to hike in the mountains with.

When I moved out here to montana I "Upgraded" to a Sportsmans warehouse Killik pack, Again it was kinda crappy but was better then the badlands by a long shot. Even with the broken load lifters packing out my bull last year.

None of which came close to the military issue packs that I have used, wish I knew who made them and if they are made anymore. They were all big, strong, and could handle a heck of a load.

I just got in the mail a Kifaru Stryker with the duplex lite frame. I'm really enjoying this rig right now as it is one of those do it all kind of rigs. I really like the big meat shelf that you can use to stuff another bag into for the multi day trips. In my case i'm using a nice waterproof duffel bag which adds an additional 3000ci of space. Combined with the Sherman pocket that I already had which is about 600 ci you have about 5400 cubic inches of space to work with. That is certainly not maxed out as that meat shelf is very large when fully extended. Unlike some of Kifaru's other offerings this one you can make pretty streamline. I may add the guide lid in the future if I see a need but so far I think its doing what i'm needing for now

I am still testing this out to see what all I will need but so far the frame is probably the best I've ever experienced. I have 2 blow out disks between my t8 and t10 vertebra. This pack puts the weight right where it is suppose to be when i'm walking around and using it like I should be. I've been sticking a 30lb load in it and doing elliptical workouts and my back has not been sore. The padding is thick where it is suppose to be and there is almost no pressure on my shoulders. Going to be doing some more testing with 50lb loads and higher to see if I feel the same way as I realize a 30lb load is not that much. Ill provide an update later on with the heavier load and my thoughts as I continue to use this rig. I'm intending on using this for the next 10 years so it will be interesting to see how i feel after the first year using it.

 

[KB_]

Here's the setup right. Now

 

[SaskHunter]

I've used el cheapo Walmart bags when I first started hunting. It was fine from my truck to the tree stand to bring snacks and extra layers. I was a lazy hunter back then and it was fine. I move out west and started hiking a lot more. Going on day long hunts or week long trips. I now needed better bags. I went from a Cabela's brand back pack. It was comfortable but lacked a meat shelf and was mostly a day pack. I bought an Alps Outdoors Z pack with frame and bag (can't remember the size) and it was WAAAYYYYY too big for what I needed so I started using the pack frame alone to haul quarters out of the bush or for bear bating. I eventually moved on to a 5-11 72hr pack. I bought it for work and it's an awesome pack for an Army dude. As far as hunting goes, it's ok, it has a pouch that you can unclip and use as a meat shelf but it's on the outside of the pack, away from your body. It work fine last year to pack two antelopes on 2-3km trips but I was done by the time I got to my truck.

I now use a Mystery Ranch Metcalf that I bought after hunting season last fall. I love the simplicity, not a gazillion useless pockets and very durable. I've loaded the meat shelf with 50lbs worth of weights and have been using it on hikes to train all winter/spring and I love it!

 

[TheTone]

Bull-pac with the Sawtooth bag. Indestructible pack frame that can carry the load.

Want another one? I agree it’s tough as can be but I refer to mine as a torture device; short, no load lift, for me it always wants to pull the load backwards away from me.

 

[Bigjay73]

I think we're getting away from the purpose of this thread.

 

[jeffraines]

Current pack is a Stone Glacier. The lack of organization is annoying at times, but I suppose its the price you pay for lighter packs.

Tried Kuiu. Didn't like how flimsy it felt(it was an Ultra).

Eberlestock. Way too heavy, uncomfortable.

Seek Outside. Couldn't get it to carry weight well, doesn't come with a lumbar pad. Apparently their old frames had a bigger more padded waist belt which probably would've made it work better. 30 pounds was about the comfortable limit for me with this pack. For comparison, the SG still feels comfortable at 80.

 

[ccc23454]

Current pack and went back to newest version, kuiu! Tried eberlestock(2 seasons)great pack loved design but shoulder straps just didnt handle weight right(needs padding) was heavy and then tried couple mystery ranch packs for a season. The MR was a huge disappointment, could never find design i liked and was sized right. Had some zipper issues MR fixed on spot at the HQ. There customer service amazing i even brought the guy a 6pack next time by. Other annoyances was they are super heavy and not way to properly secure your pistol on that waist belt design. Talked to them about it and they could make me some adapter(they already make for military and law enforecement type custom job)but would take some time wasnt cheap and sounded like may be heavy and effect fit so i just sold pack. Went bought a new kuiu 3200, i had one for 4? seasons before the MR and compared everything to it so went back to it and glad i did every time i put it on. That kuiu 3200 has carried bunches of elk and deer, hiked hundreds if not thousands of miles and is so light and tough. I also have a cabelas alaska metal pack frame that i wouldnt get rid of for anything, paid less than $100 for 8ish years ago. That frame carries 2 & 3 trip meat, horns and bear bait supplies and has a great belt for a pistol.

Added:My 3200 is a icon pro but also have a ultra 6000 bag for backcountry trips. Use 3200 99% of time, perfect size for me!

 

[Deleted member 40728]

I started out with a simple pack that I got from field and stream. It was horrible, an apple and bottle of water in that thing were enough to cause back pains.
Next was an eberlestock x2 and it worked as a day back but sucked with the minimal lumbar and shoulder padding and no shelf.
I now use a MR metcalf and like it even though it’s a bit on the heavy side so other than that no complaints.
I also have a browning freighter pack that I will haul in for scrap money when the price of junk increases again. I’ve hauled 3 elk out with it and think I finally learned my lesson. It is designed horribly and there is no load lifters, no shoulder padding, and poor setup for keeping meat on the shelf. I will most likely give it away to someone who is just starting out so they can also experience the pain lol.

 

[Lasiocarpa]

I currently have: Dana Designs Astralplane, Mystery Ranch Metcalf, Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor.

The Astralplane fits me better than any other pack I've tried. Have had 120+ in it several times and have no complaints. Downside is that it weighs 8lbs unloaded which is a bitter pill to swallow

The Metcalf is really perfect from a volume perspective for the hunting that I do. It does not carry weight as well as the Astral plane though, at least for me. I also wish it was a pound or two lighter. If I liquidate one it would probably be this.

The Flex Capacitor is my nonhunting, UL backpacking pack. Terrific value and I think it carries better than an HMG for a very slight weight penalty. Doesn't look as sexy though . Does great up to 45 lbs though I usually have way less than that in it.

I have also owned an Arcteryx Bora which was really a great pack up to 90ish lbs.
Looking at a Seek Outside next to replace the Metcalf and drop a bit of weight.

 

[KB_]

Update***** I tested this with my 75lb son strapped to the pack. That was un- real. Granted he was moving around like a crazy person but the pack held him rock solid and the weight was not a problem. I should of took a picture cause it was funny to see. Obviously couldnt do a long hike that way as his legs were going numb haha.

 

[Phaseolus]

Didn’t start big game hunting until I was 28 but I spent a lot of time backpacking from ten years on. I’ve carried older kelty’s, Lowe Alpine’s original expedition pack, a Gregory, and a Lowe Specialist Cloudwalker which is the most comfortable pack I’ve ever worn but it weighs 7 pounds empty. I bought a Seek Outside Peregrine before last summer and used it on 4 multi day backpacking trips and two hunting trips where I carried about half of two elk out 3+ miles eachway.

Seek Outside Peregrine

Pros:
It is super light
It was very comfortable carrying two very heavy loads of elk and two smaller loads.
The load shelf and breakaway system worked very well.
I like the two buckle hip belt, it seems to help dial in comfort levels, I didn’t think I was going to like it but I did.
Xpac fabric is waterproof and I had now issues with it being noisier than any other pack.
I take the Peregrine bag off for day hunts using a blaze orange talon instead. Just right in size for day hunts, has blaze orange, and is narrow.

Cons:
Very strappy which I‘m still learning how to best utilize.
I think I’d rather have traditional buckles than the gate keeper system. Give me another season with the gatekeepers and I will have a firmer opinion.

I’m going to buy a Lanner bag for it since I did a 7 day backpack hunt and the Peregrine is almost too small for 7 days, I had to pack carefully. I will keep the Peregrine bag too.

 

[AggieHunter]

This may have already been covered but does anyone know how to stop a pack from squeaking? The hip belt on my Metcalf has been squeky since I got it.