Looking for best pack available

[grant_stricklin]

I'm 5'11" 275lb looking for an all around pack. I hunt with bow & crossbow mostly but rifle hunt in future I'm sure.
Planning on doing elk and mule deer hunts in near future. Wanting pack to start training with it and get familiar.
Looked at kuiu and tenzing packs.
The exo looks good to. Want one I can pack in ten days worth stuff easily and pack meat or heavy loads with. Want a really good quality pack weight, comfort, performance, and durability wise.
Good meat bags also?
Splurge suggestions vs best for money.
$400-$800 thanks.


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[marshmstr]

Kifaru!


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[CoHiCntry]

Kifaru!


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∆∆∆∆... What he said!

 

[eye in sky]

I would look at Stone Glacier, Exo Mountain, or Kifaru. They are in a league of their own. I've looked at the Kuiu and wasn't impressed with the frame. My buddy had a tenzing, and broke it on the first weekend trip. I use a Stone Glacier and do not have any complaints.

 

[gonhunting247]

I'm probably behind times, but I just use an Alaska frame pack (just the frame, minus the U shape bar on top) with a light weight day pack strapped over the top post ( where the U bar goes in). I also use the top post to hook my gun sling for the pack in or out. You can buy a little pocket to hold the stock too, if you want. I just use a velcro strap. I haven't had a chance to use some of the above listed packs, I bet they are great, but it's hard to beat the old frame for carrying really heavy loads and the price is pretty cheap. Sounds like you may have the budget for the really top end stuff, but if not this is a great way to go. This system also allows for options of taking just one or the other on day hunts from spike camp. As far as meat bags go, we have been using the light weight Caribou Gear bags with good success. Can't beat how light they are.

 

[LaHunter]

If you want 'Best for Money", then the Kuiu Icon Pro is a very good option. I have had the Icon Pro 5200 for 2 years and really like it. I have trained with 70-75# in it for the last 2 years and it does very well. Packed out 1/2 of a mule deer (bone in) and the head for a mile and it did very well. I really like the bag design and the set up fits me well.
Kifaru and Stone Glacier both have very strong followings and many swear by these packs, but both are going to be significantly more $$.
Personal fit and how you plan to use the pack will determine what is best for you. 10 days is a pretty long time to pack for unless you are very experienced.

Good Luck

 

[sneakypete]

KUIU 3200 icon pro! I just got mine the other day! They fitted me with 25 lbs in it that I never felt the weight!

 

[Sundowners@5?]

I'm probably behind times, but I just use an Alaska frame pack (just the frame, minus the U shape bar on top) with a light weight day pack strapped over the top post ( where the U bar goes in). I also use the top post to hook my gun sling for the pack in or out. You can buy a little pocket to hold the stock too, if you want. I just use a velcro strap. I haven't had a chance to use some of the above listed packs, I bet they are great, but it's hard to beat the old frame for carrying really heavy loads and the price is pretty cheap. Sounds like you may have the budget for the really top end stuff, but if not this is a great way to go. This system also allows for options of taking just one or the other on day hunts from spike camp. As far as meat bags go, we have been using the light weight Caribou Gear bags with good success. Can't beat how light they are.

Guess I'm behind the times also? Same set-up as I've used for the last 30 years! Wish I a dollar for every pound that rode on that frame. Put 80 lbs once on that frame and woke up the next morning feeling like I got worked over with a fence post! Late 60's now, but can still handle 50 lbs. Heavy loads for the young dude's or horse's.

 

[grant_stricklin]

Thanks guys! Looking at all them wished I had local store to try them on! Idk of any stores in TN that carry this kinda stuff?

Ten days is long time and I figure we'll have horses or pack goats. My buddies dad camps in Colorado for well over a month every year. He packs back in to a camp but does a spike camp a lot of nights from there. He leaves plenty of supplies back at truck riding out to get them every so often.
Some guys on here may know him Bob taylor is his name.


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[grant_stricklin]

I would look at Stone Glacier, Exo Mountain, or Kifaru. They are in a league of their own. I've looked at the Kuiu and wasn't impressed with the frame. My buddy had a tenzing, and broke it on the first weekend trip. I use a Stone Glacier and do not have any complaints.

Guess that's why its good to ask in these forums. Watched a video of Cameron hanes packing a huge rock up a mountain with a tenzing. I figured the price reflected him more than anything why I wanted to ask you guys.
Thanks!

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[Work2hunt]

I have a Stone Glacier and really like it. If you are by St. Louis ever you are more than welcome to look me up and try it out. I know how difficult it can be to decide when you spend that kind of money and can not try it. But, I know Kifaru and Stone Glacier will both let your return if you do not like it.

 

[grant_stricklin]

I have a Stone Glacier and really like it. If you are by St. Louis ever you are more than welcome to look me up and try it out. I know how difficult it can be to decide when you spend that kind of money and can not try it. But, I know Kifaru and Stone Glacier will both let your return if you do not like it.

Thanks work2hunt!
I really like the look of stone glacier! The kiffaru seems nice to be able to switch packs! Very good looking equipment! I like quality stuff nothing worse than cheap equipment when your on road hunting few months out the year hard!

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[Micah S]

I've used kifaru, EXO, and kuiu. Both the exo and kifaru are better packs then the kuiu. The pack I'm using right now is a kuiu icon pro 3200 I've done train to hunt with it and packed out 125lb of elk 3 miles in one trip with it. I will be buying a seekoutside revolution pack or a kifaru pack this year.

 

[grant_stricklin]

I'm leaning towards the kifaru pack but undecided.

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