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What do you experienced guys use for packs to get back a few miles and stay for a week? Use the same pack to haul out game I’m assuming?

Kifaru is always a safe bet and I did mostly like my exo mountain 3500, but I've now settled on the Stone Glacier Xcurve frame and 5900 bag. For me packs are a lot like boots, you have to try some out to see what fits your body type and hunting needs...lots of good choices now days!

+1 for Kifaru very well made and lots of options!

I used a badlands Summit this year and really liked it!

Stellar horse ya got there Hunts. Color me jealous.



As for packs, I have used my Eberlestock X2 the last three years, and it is OK at best. I've killed and packed 5 elk, 3 deer and a few antelope out with it those three years but I am ready for an upgrade.

I suspect my next pack will be a Kuiu, Kirafu or a Mystery Ranch. Gotta play with some of each before deciding.

I have used several backpacks over the years. About five years ago I started using an Osprey Aether 85. I like it because it's the most comfortable backpack that I could find. But it's not a hunting pack.

So I bought a KUIU Ultra 6000 and used it on my AZ Coues deer hunt this year. I give it a high rating. It's a hunting pack that's comfortable to carry and it weighs less than 4#.



Kuiu Ultra 6000

One thing that I really like is that I can use it as a backpack on the way into camp, then shrink it down and use it for a daypack while hunting. So I don't need a second daypack.

KC

My search for a great pack ended with a Mystery Ranch 6500 with the NICE frame, been super happy with it. I don't know how the new ones are but would be surprised if they weren't quality pack still.

My friend had troubles with the Kifaru coming apart but they did fix his pack for him though.

Kifaru duplex frame and pick your bag. I like simple and use a duplex timberline 1 bag most of the time. Compresses down to nothing and has lots of room when you need it.

I have both a Kifaru bikini and duplex frame, but have never owned one of their bags. I use a cargo panel over an old carhartt duffel bag.....

I've been known to stuff a game bag full of everything, and strap it to my old Cabela's external frame pack.

It looks goofy, but works no doubt.

Kifaru duplex frame for me also. Carries weight very well.
Many bag options to choose from, but a bit pricey.
Buy once, cry once.

I've been really impressed with my Kuiu Icon Pro 5200

This year it was a ~25yo Dana Design Alpine, bought used on craigslist for $50. You could do A Lot WORSE, even with packs already mentioned in this thread...

Bought my Dana Astraplane in 1993 and am still using it......

+1

You guys that used the summit how did you pack game out ?

LOL!!

Kifaru by miles and miles.

Stone Glacier would be second on my list.

Whatever you buy make sure you load it up heavy (60+ lbs) as that is where you can really start to tell what's "comfortable."

Another vote for the KUIU Icon Pro. I have a couple different bags, the 1850
Is great for day hunts. I bought a used 3200, but it is a little on the small side for multiple nights.

I tried on the both Kuiu Icon Pro and the Ultra 6000. I like all the pockets in the 5200. I compared it to the Ultra 6000 and finally bought the 6000 because it weighs less. They both carry well with a 7 gallon jug full of water.

KC

I have used most of the highend packs available since the mid-60s, here in BC and AB and my longtime favourite was Dana Design-Mystery Ranch, but, since 2015, I have two Seek Outside packs, a Divide MC for hunting and an Exposure 5000. I also have a Bozo-Dana Terraframe, slightly modded for packing any quarters I may harvest and that will do it for my remaining time in the mountains.

I cannot recommend SO too highly and their quality, design and superb CS are outstanding.

I have done nearly all of my hunting in the east for deer but prefer to hunt big expanses of public land when possible. For day trips I use an Eberlestock X2 pack. For an overnight or 2 in decent weather I use an Eberlestock Mainframe with a Transformer pack. For more than that or in bad weather where I have to carry more gear I use a KUIU Icon Pro 5200.

I like all of the packs. The Eberlestock packs are heavy compared to the KUIU but are very durable. All of the packs are a bit too small for week long trips unless the weather is going to be nice. I have a simple 80 liter backpack from Cabelas that I use on longer trips. On longer trips where I set up a base camp, I use the Cabelas backpack to take most of my gear then I hike back and bring Cabela's frame pack or a day pack with haul the rest of my gear. This is only practical if I am only going a couple miles in but it makes living more comforatable.

7 gallons.........ugh!

Lefty

Well, your requirements are basic, as stated. You can get something that will do the job well, including hauling meat, for less $ than a top-of-the-line pack. But the pack will weigh about twice as much, and will sacrifice convenience features. So if there’s a $ or weight limit, better say so ...

Been using mystery ranch for about 15 years now.

I have used the penguin, crew cab, 6500, and Metcalf...for your needs, I think either the 6500 (or equivalent) or the Metcalf.

Lefty:

I figure that a 7 gallon Jeep can full of water weighs almost as much as a hind quarter.

I had been looking at buying one of the Kuiu packs for several months but I wasn't satisfied with their mail order try-it-and-return-it policy. I didn't want to buy a backpack that I couldn't try on and load up. Shipping is free but you have to pay for return shipping. So if you don't like it, you have to pay just to try it on. Eventually Kuiu's traveling dog and pony show came to Colorado Springs for a few days and I went down to the trailer to check things out.

KC

Favorite is still a 93 or 94 (whatever year they were introduced) pre release terraplane overkill that I got in prodeal when I was a teenager. Most used is MR NiCE with crewcab or meat bag against the frame under the longbow. Next year I’ll be running the MR GUIDELIGHT frame not sure which bag yet.


If it needs to last forever AND carry well you need either mystery ranch or old PRE MR Dana design

Hunts,

would you mind sharing a picture of that game cart unloaded? I'm building one myself, and am curious how you might have yours configured. is that an oversized tire?

I'm using the rear end of an old 10 speed frame, replacing the seat tube with the handlebar tube and assembly. brakes work good so far. no blood on it yet. =/

Billy Goat

BG, I don't have pics unloaded. My plywood and panniers are permanently attached. Mine is a Honey Badger Wheel. Here's a link

https://www.honeybadgerwheel.com/collections/options

I like the packwheel frame better. linky

http://www.packwheel.com/

TAG

thanks for the links. very nice rigs there.

I use a Arcteryx Bora 80.

Handles big loads in comfort and keeps things dry. It ain’t a lightweight pack though.

There are lots of good packs that carry well and are built to last. Kifaru LOnghunter Generation 2 would be my pick.

You’re right, my bad

Dang, you must be new here.....

hunsman22, When did you give up horses for a one wheeled mule?

Absolute statements are really easy to sharpshoot. Plus I’ve got a wife and kid if I feel Like arguing. plus I am not worried how anyone else kits up, it’s not an issue for me- Schitt Riggins is my hunting buddy. Plus refuting me in no way detracts from the credibility of MR gear. Pretty much a nonissue all the way around. If I was smart I would’ve simply stuck with stating my preference- or not

Yep, everyone has favorite gear but the more I see, the more I understand that there's more then one way to skin a cat. Especially for things like packs and boots, some of it comes down to how they fit and everyone's different.

I have underwear older than most folks on this thread and have been backpack hunting in Alaska every year since the mid-'70's. That said, I've always been interested in trying things out for myself and forming opinions based on first-hand experience.

The first real pack I owned was a Kelty external frame pack and it carried its share of bear, moose, sheep, goat, caribou, and sitka blacktail. Since then I've been using internal frame packs beginning with Gregory, then a Dana Design TerraPlane Guide model (1000d - heavy but built like a brick sh*t house). Perhaps a couple decades ago I started using Kifaru packs (EMR, MMR, and various smaller packs, and then a Longhunter Guide). I've also recently owned and used a Mystery Ranch 6500 and a MR Marshall and a MR Metcalf. Also still own a Kuiu Icon with both small and large bags.

A couple/three observations: The best carrying packs in my opinion and based on my experience are MR and Kifaru. The new MR made-overseas packs are cheesy compared with the US-made packs, but lighter. Don't like the skinny little buckles and belts on the new MR packs (other readers may love them but I don't). The one pack that has survived all of that (anyone want to buy a Kuiu Icon?) is my 10-year-old Kifaru Longhunter Guide (no longer made I think). It has lots of scars and blood stains but it continues to be my choice based on a reasonable amount of first-hand experience.

Dude, you need new underwear!!

Smoke, no I don't. Underwear is just like wine - improves with age.

Lost the ponies in the divorce in '10. The one wheel mule came this fall.

Funny, I got rid of my Kifaru LH Guide because the Paradox Evolution fit me and carried so much better. There's that preference thing again. Gotta go with what fits you the best, and does what you want it to do.