Day pack for a long torso?

[Umpqua Hunter]

The older I get the more picky I get that my gear works properly and is comfortable. It seems it has taken me most of my life to realize I have a longer torso than most guys. I am 6'3" but only have a 32" inseam, so I have a torso more like someone who is 6'6". I have noticed that the day packs I have been using put way to much strain on my upper body and shoulders rather than the weight being supported by my hips. This was especially pronounced on my last hunt where I finally tried out a new pack on a 15 mile hike that turned out to be way to short for my torso. I paid for it for a few days since my shoulders were bearing most of the weight.

Do you guys have a recommendation for a top quality day pack that is designed for someone with a long torso?

 

[woodtick]

I'd try talking to the guys at Stone Glacier, I've heard they can pretty much build the frame to your specs.
Good Luck

http://stoneglacier.com/Contact-Warranty.html

 

[NVBird'n'Big]

I am 6'2" with a 31" inseam so I've got the long torso like you. I just picked up the Kuiu Ultra with the tall frame which seems to be perfect for my body type. All of the Ultras and Icon Pros have the tall frame option for 17.5 to 22 inch torsos, mine is 19.5". May be worth checking out. Measure your torso length and let us know, that may be helpful in finding the right pack.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Good stuff guys. I just found this link how to measure your torso length.

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacks-torso-hip-size.html

It looks like I have a 22.5" long torso….no wonder my pack doesn't fit right!

 

[WapitiBob]

I'm 6'3 and this is my hunt setup..
26" Bikini frame, GenII hanging meat bag, and side zip long pocket.
Bladder and puffy in the genII
Kill, safety, extras, and food kits in the long pocket.

It may not be what your looking for but I've come to the conclusion less is better the older I get. This setup is 13# and has everything I need to stay all day and pack out an Elk. This years hind qtr went in the GenII and I lashed the head to that, then packed it out 4 miles.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

WB that's a neat set-up. Sorry if I ask some dumb questions but here it goes:

1) The bikini frame and Gen II bag are from Kifaru…correct?

2) Is the "side zip long pocket" a part of the bikini frame or is that an add on?

3) About half the time I pack a spotter and tripod. Would that work well with this set-up?

 

[WapitiBob]

yes
add-on
you could lash them to both sides of the genII but after you kill they'll be a pain, and not protected.
I was running the Nomad but found I never filled the wings so I left it at home and kept everything else. I did an over niter and put my pad in the genII and used the long pocket to lash my bag to the frame, no tent. Any more gear like tent, jetboil, water pump, etc and it starts to overwhelm the system and packing meat would be tough. At that point the nomad or full bag would probably be better.

this is my old nomad setup. A spotter and tripod would drop in each of the full length pockets and still lash down pretty well.

 

[Againstthewind]

Thanks for the info. guys. I got my base layer thing this year, next up is a pack upgrade, so this was right up my alley as another with the long torso. Not quite as long as yours UH, lol.

 

[Huntinguy0120]

I am 6'2" with a 31" inseam so I've got the long torso like you. I just picked up the Kuiu Ultra with the tall frame which seems to be perfect for my body type. All of the Ultras and Icon Pros have the tall frame option for 17.5 to 22 inch torsos, mine is 19.5". May be worth checking out. Measure your torso length and let us know, that may be helpful in finding the right pack.

I second this! Kuiu has the 'tall' frame figured out!

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

I like the looks of the Kuiu carbon frame as it appears to flex well with your body, but I do have some questions on how it would handle the heavier loads as well. My concern is that I have read several posts online of the carbon fiber frame snapping.

WapitiBob..have you used the Kifaru Duplex frame? I know it weighs a bit more than the bikini frame, but from what I have been reading it seems to handle 80+ pound loads better. Of course that's not an issue with the day pack, but when hauling out an elk quarter with my day gear it would be. What are your thoughts?

 

[WapitiBob]

Haven't used a duplex. I had the above setup and a hind qtr and 5x head for 4 miles. That was more than enough weight for me.
I think the new icon pro carbon frame is a good one. I've only read of one breaking and that guy broke it seeing how far he could flex it.

 

[NVBird'n'Big]

I like the looks of the Kuiu carbon frame as it appears to flex well with your body, but I do have some questions on how it would handle the heavier loads as well. My concern is that I have read several posts online of the carbon fiber frame snapping.

Are you sure you heard that about the new frame that was released this past spring? I think what you heard may have been about the older Icon frame. I researched the crap out of the new Kuiu's before I bought mine and never heard that.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Are you sure you heard that about the new frame that was released this past spring? I think what you heard may have been about the older Icon frame. I researched the crap out of the new Kuiu's before I bought mine and never heard that.

I believe it was probably the older generation frames. It's really good to hear that has not been an issue with the new frames.

Thanks for all the help guys. I have been spending the day researching options.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Are you sure you heard that about the new frame that was released this past spring? I think what you heard may have been about the older Icon frame. I researched the crap out of the new Kuiu's before I bought mine and never heard that.

NVBird'n'Big I believe you said you have the Kuiu Ultra. The biggest difference I see with that and the Icon Pro is the weight of the fabric. I'm pretty hard on stuff. Do you have any concerns with the fabric durability? It looks like the Ultra is 19 oz lighter than the Icon Pro.

 

[NVBird'n'Big]

I am a little bit concerned but not too much. The fabric is definitely lightweight but I think it is tougher than it seems. I chose the weight of the Ultra over the durability of the Icon Pro, we will see if that pays off. If anything I have the frame and can just buy a Pro bag to throw on it. I haven't hunted it yet so time will tell. I have my dads deer hunt in a week and then my elk hunt late November. I will let you know how it holds up. Good luck in your search.

 

[woodtick]

UH-I've heard a fair amount about the new EXO Mountain Gear packs, and they have an adjustable torso from 16"-22" per their website. I didn't think to mention Kuiu earlier, but my wife has the Ultra 3000 and I'd have to say for a super light pack the fabric feels super stout. Here is a link to a cliff drop test with the new pack!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Z3Swf7vjZg

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

So after spending most of my Saturday researching packs, I think it's between the Kuiu Icon Pro 1850 and the Kifaru Bikini Frame with a Nomad bag.

I like the Kifaru since I would have a lot of directions I could take it, all the way up to using it as a full backpack. Price is a bit stiff though.

I like the Kuiu since it looks like a super set-up for organizing the gear I take on day hunts and that I could get my first load of meat out on it. I could always add a larger bag to it as well.

Thanks everyone for your help!

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

I ordered the Kuiu Icon Pro 1850 last night and Todd from Kuiu followed up on it and got it shipped today. I'm looking forward to finally seeing it in person and how the fit and function will be. It looks like a super pack, with the ability to pack out a heavy first load.

Four Oregon elk tags (two for me, one for my wife and daughter) and two blacktail tags yet this fall.

 

[woodtick]

Nice, I think you'll be happy with it. My buddy loves his!!

 

[NVBird'n'Big]

Cool! I can't wait to hear your review of it. The customer service I have received from Kuiu had been top notch (although no personal concierge service from Todd, WTH! Haha). I will be taking my Ultra out for the first time this week, I can't wait to put it to the test. Good luck on your hunts UH!