Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting 3-5 Day Pack Review Preview

I'm really shocked that you succeeded at not doing something. Again...



Travis

We plan to get plenty of pictures with packs getting bloody......if we can shoot straight.

I have to ship off the Paradox this week so i don't know if there will be any animal pics from me with it.

Shoot straight friendo.

Good info here. Dibs on the Metcalf if you trip it.



Travis

Travis, if we decide to offload the Metcalf after season I will let you know.

Will add a couple pictures of the Paradox and Kifaru today and maybe the Metcalf as well. I will take a few of the shoulder lift on the SG the week of the 15th.

The Kifaru and Paradox offer a LOT of shoulder lift. The Kifaru has a 26 inch frame, and the Paradox a 28. I am 6'5" and there is plenty of lift on both for me. The SG is comparable with the long frame that is on it as well.


Here is the Metcalf on namack, he is 6'1" and you can see the lift on him from the frame extension. We also moved the triglide forward on the harness after the pictures.


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Thanks broseph.



Travis

You can't move the takeoff point of the load lift strap forward far enough to do you any good on a NICE frame.

If they did that, and used a more rigid stay on the Metcalf (or the 6500, or now discontinued NICE5000) like Kifaru, they'd have a really damn good pack.

More frustrating is that nobody over there listens to the masses. Clearly their market is guys that know enough to know that Badlands and Elerlesuck aren't that great, but haven't been exposed to other "hunting" pack manufacturers.

Call me cheap, but I don't see any features on any of them that are so different from the ILBE packs the Marines were issued and are now selling for $130-ish delivered on ebay....

I see David's point...

I think they're great packs myself. But then again, I love my Badlands 2200 as well.


Travis

I've always been curious about those. I had an ALICE. My favorite pack is the Kifaru Siwash which doesn't seem really popular, but I love the thing.

But packs are no different than anything else, hard to knock it if you ain't tried it and that's why I like good reviews.


Travis

For S&G's I just bought one on e-bay (New) for $140 delivered and just got a shipping confirmation.

I'm kinda anxious to give it a whirl.

Thanks David!

I've had an ALICE or three, even rode the whirlwind with one a time or two, they suck balls.

The Siwash however, looks like it would be a great pack, at least the new one with 24in stays.

My favorite is the Siwash as well! Sucks they discontinued it and I wish they would make it again like the G2 but put the top straps back like the G1!

The MR Nice Frame was the worst hunting pack I ever owned for hunting due to weight and always on my shoulders! Built like a tank though or HIGH quality.

Discontinued?

http://store.kifaru.net/late-season-3400ci5571-liters-p3.aspx

I'd rather have a Hill People Gear Ute though.

I love mine.

I think mine is the G1. I love that thing.


Travis

2200s rock if you aren't a whiner.

I have not had the pleasure of using the ILBE yet, but if it is like most military gear someone with a connection develops the system then the rest of us knuckle draggers suffer for it. I hated the MOLLE rucksack. The ILBE definitely looks like a good design, however loading your animal on it looks a bit messy. From what I can tell there is no load shelf or separate compartment for your animal other than loading it into your bag next to your gear.

I have not used the ILBE yet either, and it may be a good pack. Most Acr'teryx stuff seems to be quality, but I can't comment on how it would perform in the backpack hunting world.

The packs we have chosen for this review are the top end packs, or gunning for that top spot. Yes, they are more expensive, and not everyone is going to drop that kind of cash for a hunting pack.

But, there are a LOT of guys out there who are looking to drop this kind of cash. This review is to sort out what does what best, and help the buyer figure out which pack will best suit the needs of their hunt.

It makes it even more difficult to sort through which pack will function best when there are new companies putting out solid, but untested products. Hopefully this will help answer questions to the people who are thinking about buying one of these new products that doesn't have a reputation.

If there is enough interest, I will take on an ILBE review in the near future.