Cabelas Alaskan Guide pack

[RSHusker]

Been looking at this pack for this summer with a couple fishing trips in mind and then this fall for packing animals out. Have any of you guys had experience with pack and could you share some opinions? I really can't justify a $350 or higher pack so I know I'm limited with choices. Just want to get the best pack I can for my budget.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Been using this pack for almost 10 years. It's very adjustable to fit your body type and it is very sturdy. I've packed out numerous deer, elk and camping gear with it. The best for the money IMO I would use anything else.

 

[RSHusker]

Been using this pack for almost 10 years. It's very adjustable to fit your body type and it is very sturdy. I've packed out numerous deer, elk and camping gear with it. The best for the money IMO I would use anything else.

Thanks for the reply. Do you have the the version I, II, or outfitter model? I've been looking at the II.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Thanks for the reply. Do you have the the version I, II, or outfitter model? I've been looking at the II.

Actually I'm not sure. I will see if I can find out. I believe it's the outfitter.

 

[Grantbvfd]

In this price range I think it is the best bang for the buck. Durable and comfortable enough.

 

[RSHusker]

Grantbvfd,
Thats! Kind of what I am starting to believe. The II version is about 1/2 the weight of the Outfitter version. You guys have been great with the replies on here. I would be curious about any negatives people have found other then the squeaky frame I read about on the Cabala's reviews.

Thanks again.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Grantbvfd,
Thats! Kind of what I am starting to believe. The II version is about 1/2 the weight of the Outfitter version. You guys have been great with the replies on here. I would be curious about any negatives people have found other then the squeaky frame I read about on the Cabala's reviews.

Thanks again.

Mine at the base did squeak some after I had used it for a few years but that is all of the negative I could say about this pack. Alittle lube took care of it. What I do for day trips is I remove the pack from the frame and put my day pack on it. Doing this works great for me. The pack is bulky so I like to just take it off and put the day pack on. Also I tend to put more then what I need in it causing the pack to be heavier then need be.

 

[In God We Trust]

A guy from Rokslide did a write up on this pack and swears by it. I was looking at getting one but a buddy got me a deal on a new Badlands Ox for the same price so I went with the Ox. Not trying to give help to Rokslide but if you go to their site Jared Bloomberg's write up on this pack is good.

 

[ProjectCO87]

I actually purchased this pack about a year ago. I got it home and really liked the quality of it but I personally someone that likes a big pack with a couple little pockets for convenience factors along with something detachable. I ended up returning it and purchased a badlands 4500 for my big trips which has a detachable bag that I use for my hydration bladder and little things needed. I know you mentioned the price point but I bought my pack on camofire.com for $249.99 instead of the typical $450 tag. I look at the length of time you will have the pack and the warranty that you get with the product and the possible uses and would say a little bit more for something like that might be worth it. Never know when you will want more options

 

[squirrelduster]

I bought one to put sand in for training and it is pretty comfortable.
I put about 40 pounds in it and haven't had any problems.

 

[tdcour]

I have had mine for a few years now. I don't have any complaints either. I packed an entire mule deer out three miles with it and never had any issues with it. I did had to add more straps to help secure the load, but the blaze cover that comes with it works pretty well. I would recommend adding more straps though. It seemed to help a lot. I couldn't afford one of the super expensive packs either, so I did some research and bought this one... can't complain. I don't think you will be unhappy for a pack like this for the price.

 

[tttoadman]

I have used the Alaskan framepack with a day pack for years and have had great success. the noise is overstated as IKIC noted. a little spit or some vasaline goes along way. mine was the old style with the flat shelf. it has the superlite bag with just a giant main compartment and 2 large compartmants on the side.

My brother stole my Nieces new style cabelas guide frame and it works super. it has the adjustable straps. I would buy the frame only. the bags that cabelas offers on this frame weigh a ton and I don't think a bunch of oranization pockets is worth a 3.5 to 4lb bag. My brother packed in for deer last year with the frame and few extra stuff sacks for his gear. If they offered the alaskan II(I think) bag with this frame, that would be a fantastic package IMO.

I can tell you the biggest mistake is loading this pack wrong. this has the bar on the bottom that folds up and compresses the load. This is really nice. the trick is to load it flat and suck it all down and "up" the pack instead of letting it all settle down in a pile at the bottom.

 

[RSHusker]

I have used the Alaskan framepack with a day pack for years and have had great success. the noise is overstated as IKIC noted. a little spit or some vasaline goes along way. mine was the old style with the flat shelf. it has the superlite bag with just a giant main compartment and 2 large compartmants on the side.

My brother stole my Nieces new style cabelas guide frame and it works super. it has the adjustable straps. I would buy the frame only. the bags that cabelas offers on this frame weigh a ton and I don't think a bunch of oranization pockets is worth a 3.5 to 4lb bag. My brother packed in for deer last year with the frame and few extra stuff sacks for his gear. If they offered the alaskan II(I think) bag with this frame, that would be a fantastic package IMO.

I can tell you the biggest mistake is loading this pack wrong. this has the bar on the bottom that folds up and compresses the load. This is really nice. the trick is to load it flat and suck it all down and "up" the pack instead of letting it all settle down in a pile at the bottom.

Great advice! Thank you. I have a birthday coming up in a couple weeks. Hoping for some Cabelas bucks to help me out with the expense of this pack. If I get enough I may go with the Alaskan II. I am mostly going off the weight listed on their web page. I've gotten more real world advise off this thread then any other place I've posted or looked at. Thanks again!!

 

[Ikeepitcold]

I have used the Alaskan framepack with a day pack for years and have had great success. the noise is overstated as IKIC noted. a little spit or some vasaline goes along way. mine was the old style with the flat shelf. it has the superlite bag with just a giant main compartment and 2 large compartmants on the side.

My brother stole my Nieces new style cabelas guide frame and it works super. it has the adjustable straps. I would buy the frame only. the bags that cabelas offers on this frame weigh a ton and I don't think a bunch of oranization pockets is worth a 3.5 to 4lb bag. My brother packed in for deer last year with the frame and few extra stuff sacks for his gear. If they offered the alaskan II(I think) bag with this frame, that would be a fantastic package IMO.

I can tell you the biggest mistake is loading this pack wrong. this has the bar on the bottom that folds up and compresses the load. This is really nice. the trick is to load it flat and suck it all down and "up" the pack instead of letting it all settle down in a pile at the bottom.

Can't agree more. It's very easy to over pack and the compress shelf def helps with keeping load centered.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

I'll be on two bull elk hunts this year and more then likely two mule deer hunts and all of them will be pack hunts. This pack is going to get another years workout but I know it will work perfect like always.