Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Backpack help please

My apologies, I completely forgot to mention Seek Outsides packs as I was just thinking internals. I definitely intend to try one soon. The frame system looks very well thought out and capable.

I could go into great detail, but here's the cliff notes version:

Unlike Kifaru, MR packs, by design, have limited adjustability in the frame system. Kifaru gives three sizes of packs with removeable, shapable, full length aluminum stays, like the old Dana Design Packs had (there's a reason for the pack list I gave in my first response). Dana Gleason removed multiple sizes and adjustability to simplify his packs and pack sales. I'd like to support my hometown packs, but I don't like the frame system. MR stuff is beautifully made, great colors, etc. But the frame is the heart and soul of a pack, not all the bells and whistles hanging on the frame.

Same with Stone Glacier, more of a modified Trapper Nelson. I haven't used the new X curve SG frame, but I found the old style uncomfortable (and yes, with weight). If I'm going to carry what essentially amounts to an external frame pack with uber-rigiid frame (like MR or SG), I'll go with the Seek Outside, that at least has a fairly articulated frame, yet is quite light, and can be made to fit my 22" spine.

J, I used the Argon on a 3 day trip the year they first came out. Osprey took the Crescent line, and shortened the stays, totally compromising its load carrying ability. They did this to cut weight, but it also ruined the point of that pack, which is carrying heavier loads. Also, the bioform belt is NOT comfortable with loads north of 45lbs. I returned it to REI. I believe they replaced it with their new incarnation, the "Xenith". I had the original 1990's Xenith, and it was uber comfortable, as were all of the Osprey's of that era (for me). The new stuff, not so much.

I still have my old Crescent, and would find it an ideal hunting pack, were it not for the hipbelt. 100 lb loads just suck with the belt. Because of its two-layer build, the hard, rolled edge of the outer layer cuts into my hips.

This was specifically answered by Tanner, but there are other more general answers to your question embedded in other posts. To wit:
Some packs have limited adjustability or size ranges and might not fit you well.
Some packs do not have internal frame shape adjustment to fit your back contour.
Some packs have shoulder straps and hipbelts that might not work well with some bodies.
Some packs are poorly-thought-out limp noodles.
Some packs' only redeeming virtue is being offered in camo.
Some packs' bag designs get so busy that weight is excessive.
Some packs require a dedicated, focused minute or more to reassemble and don after opening said pack to access gear or food, with cram-and-go not being easy.
Some packs were built around load capability, with fluff added afterward (dana, MR, kifaru known, and I'd presume SG and Seek as well)
Some packs vice-versa (eberlestock, kuiu)

For me:
Keep it simple, stupid.
No excessive pockets or load shelves.
Bottom side external bottle pocket required for strapping rifle to pack. No exceptions.
Organize your crap with UL stuff sacks.
It's nice to have a small sealed pocket in which to put wallet contents and vehicle keys, so they stay with your pack until you mean to get them out.

I haven't used the Gucci hunting packs named here: Kifaru, Kuiu, SG, Seek, etc. I own a kifaru bikini frame but haven't found a bag I like yet. I've hunted and carried meat in various danas: longbed, terraframe, terraplane, alpine. All work fine. The dana arcflex waistbelts are great, the dana external belts suck. Hill people gear's heavy belt doesn't adapt well to Danas as Danas need a hard point for the wand straps. The arcteryx ible belts work fine on danas if they fit you. Lately there have been some great danas in great colors on ebay. You'll give up 2 pounds +/- using a dana vs the Gucci hunting packs. I can afford to buy whatever, and I find myself often using a 7-lb 90s vintage dana alpine bought on craigslist for $50, or a 7.5-lb dana terraframe bought when they were on firesale for $99, both with large size arcflex waistbelt. Medium works when bodyweight slips below 215, but I've not been there since 2010...

I went the opposite route with the Kuiu set ups. Ultra Frame and Icon Pro Bags.

I was also able to jump on the packs when they had a massive clearance sale.

Coming out of the military anything was better than an ALICE or MOLLE. I tried an Eberlestock X2 and it wasn't big enough for what I wanted and was too heavy, squeaky, etc.

at 6'1 i went with a tall frame, the adjustability is great, very easy to use as is the meat shelf set up. The bags are easy to interchange. I used a 3200 IP for day hunts and solo short trips.

I had well over 100lbs coming out with a buddy's mule deer. That much weight will never be comfortable but I felt as good as I think I could feel.

You can find a Kuiu set up for well under your price point used or on sale.

I have not tried MR, Kifaru or EXO

When I was preparing for a sheep hunt a few years ago I tried out several packs - 2 used (Old Dana Design and Arcteryx Bora 80) and 2 new ones (Stone Glacier and Seek Outside) -- All packs that typically are praised here and elsewhere.

I tried them all with with as heavy weight as I expected to carry and my favorites were the Dana Design and Seek Outside. I had heard great things about Stone Glacier and wanted it to work well but for my back the others were much better. I ended up taking the Seek outside and it worked great for me.

I guess my point is (as other have said) try out as many as you can and see what your back likes best.

Google up an old copy of Dana's sizing guide:
http://www.sonomaoutfitters.com/common/fit_danapacks.html

And thumb through ebay for a half dozen or more candidate packs

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dana-Design-K2-terraframe-backpack-NOW-SHIPPING-/112328701056?hash=item1a274ff480:g:OgsAAOSwTM5YwKlR
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dana-Design-ArcFlex-Alpine-M-/282401968620?hash=item41c07811ec:g:kwAAAOSwsW9Yzs6b
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dana-Design-Expedition-Backpack-ArcFlex-Terraplane-Spruce-Size-Small-/391732948409?hash=item5b351a6db9:g:qy4AAOSwWxNYzuJG
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dana-design-arcflex-terraplane-backpack-medium-/282398617779?hash=item41c044f0b3:g:MKIAAOSwYXVYyyC0
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DANA-DESIGN-Arcflex-Alpine-backpack-With-Hip-Straps-S-belt-XS-pack-/112340840403?hash=item1a28092fd3:g:q1sAAOSwYXVYzvgH
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dana-Design-ArcFlex-TerraPlane-Backpack-Pumpkin-Small-New-Old-Stock-WT-/292061521388?hash=item44003925ec:g:x5cAAOSw44BYhCP~

Some of the best choices out there...m90's internal frames by Dana, Osprey, Mountainsmith and Gregory were pretty much the pinnacle of pack design. I've pretty much quit offering suggestions on packs as most people want to know "which Kuiu, Eberlestock, Kifaru, Mystery Ranch" etc., pack to buy, not realizing that they're often poor imitations of older designs a guy can still get on ebay.

If you're not wedded to camo (I'm not), there are a lot of good (I would argue often better) choices out there...

I'll agree the old 90's osprey were pretty to very good. That was my big game pack before. The Dana's I tried were a bit hit and miss. I did not like the external at all.

Camo, I think outside a couple popular patterns the trend in packs is away from camo because there are so many patterns out there. If you have a little clothing from a few different vendors, your pack is never going to match. I prefer a nice neutral color myself.

Excellent advice.
My biggest curiosity right now is how a load shelf works. My old TNF was terrible at supporting any sort of weight over 60 lbs and a load shelf seems like an excellent idea.
This has turned into an amazing thread with several very knowledgeable backpack hunters throwing their opinions into the mix.
My biggest take away from all this:
This subject is completely relative to body type and preference and at the end of the day I will make the best choice after wearing several.

Kind of like boots.

Load Shelf - For most of the packs being talked about it is the ability to put a load between the frame and the pack bag. This has some benefits and drawbacks. The benefits are , that it keeps a bloody game bag away from your camp gear, keeps the heavy weight close to your body, often allows basically using as a hauler, and allows the use of potentially a smaller pack bag since you have no plan to use your pack bag to carry game meat. The drawbacks are it adds weight and complexity, which add price. Not everyone favors a load shelf, but many love the concept.

I've talked to some that favor a load shelf because they don't want blood getting in the pack bag at all and when in grizz country just prefer to hang their pack a ways from camp. I am not in grizz country and I've hauled out far more critters in non load shelf packs just fine. The main reason for me in usually using a non load shelf pack is I would rather use the few ounces more elsewhere on the pack so I usually choose a day talon (small day pack). Then I have a small day pack to use if needed as well and that saves more energy. Since our pack bags are mostly based on waterproof XPAC laminate blood comes out real easy and it isn't an issue for me. In a non waterproof laminate pack bag, getting blood out will be more of a challenge unless you protect the pack bag from the game meat (dry bag or trash bag).

I hope this sort of clears it up.

I've been thru Osprey, Mystery Ranch and now I have a Seek Outside,


Seek Outside is my clear favorite for fit/function , comfort when loaded, simplicity and weight,

My only regret is not getting one sooner,

I run a 4800 Unaweep, lid and day talon

For those considering a Dana Design pack.....

Dana was bought out in 1995 by K2/Marmont, and production was moved to Mexico in '96-98. The hip belts and shoulder belts instantly became crap--they didn't fit or conform well and quickly became hard with age--and the bags steadily declined in quality. They simply did not fit the same as the originals. Look for the "Made In Montana" logo on any Dana pack.

Casey

I've owned five big danas - the real old one has cordura shoulder straps that are ergonomically fine but not super cush. No biggie. This one had the softest hipbelt reinforcing panel of the bunch, which isn't a good thing. Also, the open cell foam against your back rotted, and I pulled it out through a slit and replaced it with closed. Doesn't ventilate much, but no biggie. I'd wet out with sweat on a warm day either way.

The Mexican packs are great - light pile lined shoulder straps, and nice stiff hipbelt backing.

The firesale externals in '00 or so had the cheapest shoulder straps of the bunch. I spent 3.5 days straight under a dall sheep in that pack with no chafe or heat.

IOW, my experience does not line up with yours whatsoever. I move a Mexican large hipbelt between my danas now and it works great. The Mexican mediums do too, when I'm not fatty fatty 2x4.

I had zero problem with the Mexican Made Dana's, other than the belt and shoulder strap webbing tended to slip more (loosen) than those made here in Bozeman. I'd still take a Mexican Made K2 Dana over the locally made current Mystery Ranch.

My general problem with Dana's was I fell in between the size Medium and Lar, so was happier with the 1990's Osprey Silhouette and Xenith... those were absolutely two of the most comfortable packs I've ever owned. That and a 1987 Gregory Cassin.

I'm with Brad....I love the he Dana packs. Still have 2 of them. Is there any love out there for the EXO packs??.....been seriously looking at the 5000. Sold all my MR packs. Also own an HPG pack, EXO 3500. Want to try a SG, Kifaru, and SO pack. Lots of great choices.

Oh patooie.....

Regardless, all I can say is you're gonna have to pry my Bozeman made Astraplane from my cold, dead shoulders..........


Casey

I've owned Eberlestock, Kifaru, Mystery Ranch and others. My current vote is for Stone Glacier.

I know three guys that have broke frames on Kuiu packs.

I have both the Mex and the regular. No problems either one.

Lefty