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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,626
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,626 |
I know we have a few pack threads going on, but hey, what's one more? I did my first backpack hunt and loved it buy my pack frustrated me. I kind of felt it would but I was spending money elsewhere and had what I had so I used it. So I'm looking into getting a new pack and am looking for a top of the line pack that'll only have me crying when I pay for it and no other time. Right now I've narrowed it down to Stone Glacier, EXO mountain gear and Kifaru. Any thoughts on these 3 from experience or any other suggestions? Thanks in advance!
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,759
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,759 |
Don’t rule out the Western Colorado made Seek Outside packs. I love mine.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 95
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 95 |
I have a Kifaru mountain warrior and I really dig it. Sorry but I cant speak to the other brands.
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,016
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,016 |
Can’t really go wrong with any of those 3 pack choices! So many options and bags/accessory pouches available for all 3 also. Kifaru will probably be the next pack I try out.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,352
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,352 |
I know we have a few pack threads going on, but hey, what's one more? I did my first backpack hunt and loved it buy my pack frustrated me. I kind of felt it would but I was spending money elsewhere and had what I had so I used it. So I'm looking into getting a new pack and am looking for a top of the line pack that'll only have me crying when I pay for it and no other time. Right now I've narrowed it down to Stone Glacier, EXO mountain gear and Kifaru. Any thoughts on these 3 from experience or any other suggestions? Thanks in advance! You need to road trip down to Kifaru. Living in CO, I'd go Kifaru all the way. Daughter just got the Muskeg 5000 and it is really nice. I love my mountain warrior I've had for several years. Son is running some huge version they sell, AMR maybe. The guys there are all hunters and are putting out some great gear. Regardless, stick with a made in the USA company.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,377
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,377 |
Those are all 3 great brands, best bet is to try out what you can. I've had all three and currently am very happy with the stone glacier.
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,445
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,445 |
Mountain Hardwear is having 50% off sale on their packs AND sleeping bags!
You want waterproof pack? Aight den...
Don't ask me about my military service or heroic acts...most of it is untrue.
Pronoun: Yes, SIR !
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 979
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 979 |
I think that my wife cried more than once when she found out what I paid for my Stone Glacier pack. Fits me well and doesn't hurt when I load it up. Great packs for the ounce counting hunter.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 998
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 998 |
I have a Generation I Late Season since I don't know when. One word, bulletproof. I have used it hard since I got it afield and otherwise (plane trips back east) Still no holes, no zipper problems ,not a broken buckle, etc. The thing is faded from the sun but otherwise as useful today as when I got it 10 years ago? If you can visit the show room you may get lucky and have Patrick answer your questions like he did for me. First class operation.
Experience is what you get, when you don't get what you want!
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Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 20
New Member
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New Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 20 |
You’ve named 3 of the best in the business. I would add Seek Outside and Mystery Ranch to those options if you want expand your options.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,654
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,654 |
I've tried the EXO and Kifaru and bought the Kifaru. It just fit me better. I really liked the layout of the EXO though. PIcked up a DT1 bag and guide lid so I'm set from day mode to multiday mode.
If you can find someone with the packs you're interested in and try them great but, to me, it was worth the shipping cost to try the EXO be able to send it back. Both companies have great customer service and Steve really tried to make the EXO work but understood when I decided to send it back.
"There is no excellance in Archery without great labor". Maurice Thompson 1879
Nothing clears a troubled mind better than shooting a bow. Fred Bear
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,352
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,352 |
The Kifaru would be a truly buy once, cry once. It'll last you a lifetime. Very easy (and fun) to set them up for a wide spectrum of hunts.
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,323
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,323 |
Color me unimpressed with the Stone Glacier. A pard used one on a goat hunt this year and it was epic discomfort for him. The straps on his pack wouldn't stay cinched and there was a lot of swaying going on. The shoulder straps and especially waistbelt seemed less than luxurious as well. We both had 100+ pound packs coming out and each had very different experiences carrying that weight. It was the first time I'd ever seen one of their packs in person and I was surprised at how unimpressive it was based on the great reviews I've seen them get.
I can say it's difficult to go wrong with Mystery Ranch or Kifaru. I've carried out literally tons of meat on the MR and multiple friends have done the same with the Kifaru packs. They flat out work and both companies have excellent customer service. Tip: Obtain and carry an extra waistbelt buckle. They only break when you have a bunch to carry from way back in, and the weather is bad.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,352
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,352 |
Probably a good tip there PA. Think I will do that actually. Never had one break, but easy insurance.
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748 |
I have a Kifaru Reckoning and a MR Mule. The Kifaru is built like a tank. Great pack, possibly more than I need. It is certainly capable of carrying more than I am. The Mule has a much smaller bag, but a very easy to use load shelf. A waterproof 55-60l bag fits right in there. The Mule is a little nicer in day hunting mode. A little more compact and possibly a little lighter. I hauled out a small deboned Mule Deer buck and head and it felt really good. I’d lean Kifaru if you like to haul really heavy loads. My hip flexors and knees are screaming before the weight feels uncomfortable on my back or shoulders. Honestly I think both are fantastic packs.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,759
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,759 |
The Yetti, If you want to give a SO a try you can fill up my SO Peregrine and give it a test hike. You’ll have to come to Palisade to do that.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,841
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,841 |
I've owned a Kifaru Reckoning and really liked it. After I "donated" it, I replaced with a Mystery Ranch Guide Lite frame and Metcalf and Pintler bags. I find it as comfortable as the Kifaru.
Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it.
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,395
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,395 |
Color me unimpressed with the Stone Glacier. A pard used one on a goat hunt this year and it was epic discomfort for him. The straps on his pack wouldn't stay cinched and there was a lot of swaying going on. The shoulder straps and especially waistbelt seemed less than luxurious as well. We both had 100+ pound packs coming out and each had very different experiences carrying that weight. It was the first time I'd ever seen one of their packs in person and I was surprised at how unimpressive it was based on the great reviews I've seen them get.
I can say it's difficult to go wrong with Mystery Ranch or Kifaru. I've carried out literally tons of meat on the MR and multiple friends have done the same with the Kifaru packs. They flat out work and both companies have excellent customer service. Tip: Obtain and carry an extra waistbelt buckle. They only break when you have a bunch to carry from way back in, and the weather is bad. I don’t know which SG he used but something was very wrong. I probably have seen more SG packs used with truly heavy loads than anyone save maybe SG themselves. Over 50 packs used with 100-130lbs by 50 different people and the only time I have seen anything like that was one person that just wouldn't grasp that a pack has to be fitted to you. As well as more than a few Mystery Ranch and Kifaru packs.....
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,323
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,323 |
Good report. That pic is like $500,000 worth of bags. How'd they all end up in a pile like that?
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,180
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,180 |
I cant believe that horror story about stone glacier packs, in fact Im just going to call bullshit on it unless it was one of their very early prototypes. Ive had 100+ lbs in my SG pack and it was excellent. I also have a kifaru thats very nice but it is big, heavy and overbuilt.
Kifaru makes great stuff and the advantages are that its durable and you can basically set up the pack any way you want (pockets, bottle holders etc) but all that comes at the price of weight.
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