Help me pick a pack

[cking13]

I know there’s a bunch of threads already but I’m wondering if anything new may have come out. I’m mostly a day packer/hunter and I’m looking for a good meat pack that can carry the weight of a full mule deer comfortably and not hurt my back/shoulders.

I have the Eberlestock F1 and packed out a whole mule deer this year and it absolutely killed my back and shoulders. I know with this much weight on a single trip that there may not be any good options but I’m open to suggestions.

 

[idcwby]

Sounds like you may not have it setup correctly. I about gave up on mine until o was shown how to have it setup to you.

The best way to chose a pack is to try them and see which one fits you the best. There are a lot of good options out there now. I’d start with the ones that can handle the amount of weight you want to carry.

 

[JimP]

The last pack that I bought I loaded it up with some heavy items and then put it on and walked around the store. One of the salesmen thought that I had lost my mind until I told him what I was doing it for.

 

[cking13]

Sounds like you may not have it setup correctly. I about gave up on mine until o was shown how to have it setup to you.

The best way to chose a pack is to try them and see which one fits you the best. There are a lot of good options out there now. I’d start with the ones that can handle the amount of weight you want to carry.

I wish I could try out packs. I live in VA and the only packs available are badlands at the local Cabela’s. Not much out this way as far as western big game hunting.

 

[idcwby]

I wish I could try out packs. I live in VA and the only packs available are badlands at the local Cabela’s. Not much out this way as far as western big game hunting.

Sportsman’s shows are a good way to check out different packs. I’m unfamiliar with which ones would be close to you, but you can usually see what vendors are you going to be there.

 

[bux4brainz]

I've used a lot of packs over the years but I'm sure loving the EXO pack. It has a meat shelf & can pack a lot of weight fairly comfortably IMO. They designed this pack very well.

 

[cking13]

Sportsman’s shows are a good way to check out different packs. I’m unfamiliar with which ones would be close to you, but you can usually see what vendors are you going to be there.

Good idea ill see when some are in the area. Thanks!

 

[cking13]

I've used a lot of packs over the years but I'm sure loving the EXO pack. It has a meat shelf & can pack a lot of weight fairly comfortably IMO. They designed this pack very well.

Ill check that one out. Thanks!

 

[Slugz]

I've been running a Kifaru for a long time with no complaints. I recently had my hands on a Stone Glacier and I gotta say, it was really really nice and light.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

I know there’s a bunch of threads already but I’m wondering if anything new may have come out. I’m mostly a day packer/hunter and I’m looking for a good meat pack that can carry the weight of a full mule deer comfortably and not hurt my back/shoulders.

I have the Eberlestock F1 and packed out a whole mule deer this year and it absolutely killed my back and shoulders. I know with this much weight on a single trip that there may not be any good options but I’m open to suggestions.

Same here with the same pack. I’ve packed out a whole boned out Desert Ram and I couldn’t get the waist belt tight enough to get the weight off my shoulders and it about killed me on the 2 mile pack out. I had to keep stopping to sit down and get the weight off my shoulders. I was miserable!
When I got back to my truck I saw that I could move the shoulder straps up on the back of the frame. I made that adjustment and figure I was good. this was my first time using the F1 with weight so lesson learned.
The next year I packed half a boned out deer and same thing. All the weight was on my shoulders no matter how tight I tried to tighten the waist belt. That’s the last time for me with that pack!

Ive had great luck with Stone Glacier. I’ve had 2 packs and they ride well, carry heavy weight very well and no pain on my shoulders.
I bought a Kifaru pack used a year from my hunting partner and have used it on a deer and sheep hunt this year. So far so good. It’s very comfortable and I like the add on bags that attach to the pack.

 

[sneakypete]

I bought last year I bought a Akek 3200 pack. If you don’t checkout these packs you’re missing out. I ran a Kuiu 3200 for years and wanted to try something else. These packs are amazing. I packed this year 1/2 my mule deer and a 1/4 of a cow elk.

 

[cking13]

Thanks everyone! I’ll be sure to check out all the recommendations.

 

[sneakypete]

Thanks everyone! I’ll be sure to check out all the recommendations.

AKEK pack comes with hip pouches, built in load hauler, quick detachable rifle holder. It’s by far the most comfortable pack if worn. Best of luck choosing a pack.

 

[ScottR]

Same here with the same pack. I’ve packed out a whole boned out Desert Ram and I couldn’t get the waist belt tight enough to get the weight off my shoulders and it about killed me on the 2 mile pack out. I had to keep stopping to sit down and get the weight off my shoulders. I was miserable!
When I got back to my truck I saw that I could move the shoulder straps up on the back of the frame. I made that adjustment and figure I was good. this was my first time using the F1 with weight so lesson learned.
The next year I packed half a boned out deer and same thing. All the weight was on my shoulders no matter how tight I tried to tighten the waist belt. That’s the last time for me with that pack!

Ive had great luck with Stone Glacier. I’ve had 2 packs and they ride well, carry heavy weight very well and no pain on my shoulders.
I bought a Kifaru pack used a year from my hunting partner and have used it on a deer and sheep hunt this year. So far so good. It’s very comfortable and I like the add on bags that attach to the pack.

Little trick on the MainFrame for guys with bigger shoulders, call them and get the bigger belt and shoulder harness. Was a game changer on it's comfort for me.