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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,249
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,249 |
Looking for recommendations for a tough durable pack that can function as a hunting pack, travel bag, and bug out bag. I’ve chewed up several of the better known standard grade hunting packs so I’m thinking a military grade pack that can do it all might be better. Been looking hard at Mystery Ranch and Kifaru. Thoughts n opinions welcomed. Thanks
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,377
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,377 |
Have you tried Stone Glacier yet? I sure like mine
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,694
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,694 |
Have you tried Stone Glacier yet? I sure like mine X2
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,249
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,249 |
looked at Stone Glacier. i'm sure they are well built but i didn't see anything on their site i really liked. What model pack are you guys running??
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,694
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,694 |
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,263
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,263 |
Personally, I don't find the Stone Glacier packs comfortable, but I don't like fits-all frames. The SG packs feel like a stiff "trapper nelson"or "Alice" frame to my back. MR packs are "ok", but again, have gone to a fits all frame system. I definitely like MR over the SG packs. Of those you mention, I'd go Kifaru, hand's down. I far and away prefer the ability to fine-tune stays to get the fit I want.
However, I'd go with a Seek Outside pack over any of them. I dislike a few of the changes they've made, but they're damn comfortable and well thought out, as well as being light.
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,121
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,121 |
Whenever someone lists tough and durable as top criteria for a backpack, I immediately think MR. Of all the packs I’ve owned and used, they are well made and over built.
That said, for a variety of reasons, I no longer own any MR packs. Like Brad, I’m in the Seek Outside fan club. I’ve been using a SO Evolution since they were introduced and have no desire for anything else. I’m not crazy about some of the recent ‘improvements’ either, but if for some reason I needed a new pack tomorrow, I’d be pulling up their website.
I've seen more well-shot game lost with TSXs than any other premium bullet.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,377
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,377 |
I am also using the sky 5900, so far I've packed out both elk and mule deer and it's done very well.
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 7,004
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 7,004 |
I went through this a couple of years ago and had the same options. Went with a Seek Outside and couldn’t be happier. I got the 4800 Uniweep. I can’t recommend it enough.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,482
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,482 |
Whenever someone lists tough and durable as top criteria for a backpack, I immediately think MR. Of all the packs I’ve owned and used, they are well made and over built.
That said, for a variety of reasons, I no longer own any MR packs. Like Brad, I’m in the Seek Outside fan club. I’ve been using a SO Evolution since they were introduced and have no desire for anything else. I’m not crazy about some of the recent ‘improvements’ either, but if for some reason I needed a new pack tomorrow, I’d be pulling up their website. I'm with this guy. If my Paradox Evolution croaked tomorrow, I'd simply order whatever they currently offer that most closely resembles my Evo.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,702
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,702 |
What's the consensus of the Exo packs?
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,694
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,694 |
Personally, I don't find the Stone Glacier packs comfortable, but I don't like fits-all frames. The SG packs feel like a stiff "trapper nelson"or "Alice" frame to my back. MR packs are "ok", but again, have gone to a fits all frame system. I definitely like MR over the SG packs. Of those you mention, I'd go Kifaru, hand's down. I far and away prefer the ability to fine-tune stays to get the fit I want.
However, I'd go with a Seek Outside pack over any of them. I dislike a few of the changes they've made, but they're damn comfortable and well thought out, as well as being light. Which Stone Glacier frames have you packed with?
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,263
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,263 |
Personally, I don't find the Stone Glacier packs comfortable, but I don't like fits-all frames. The SG packs feel like a stiff "trapper nelson"or "Alice" frame to my back. MR packs are "ok", but again, have gone to a fits all frame system. I definitely like MR over the SG packs. Of those you mention, I'd go Kifaru, hand's down. I far and away prefer the ability to fine-tune stays to get the fit I want.
However, I'd go with a Seek Outside pack over any of them. I dislike a few of the changes they've made, but they're damn comfortable and well thought out, as well as being light. Which Stone Glacier frames have you packed with? I’ve loaded up with weight and tramped around in a shop with the bulk of the available frames... I’ve driven past their shop (which is just around the corner from Mystery Ranch) nearly every day for the past three years... For me, no thank you.
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,395
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,395 |
Brad,
I know your back/preferences are a bit different than most, have you tried the XCurve with the new stays?
We did a very in-depth user evaluation of available packs a couple years ago, everyone that had a viable offering was represented (something like 36-38 packs), and by far the highest rated pack was a Stone Glacier. Over a year long, 44 guys with each one being educated on pack wear and setup, then using each pack during work, mountain training etc.
Second highest rated was a Kifaru.
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,022
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,022 |
It's true, packs are like boots, they've got to fit your body or the best pack in the world will be uncomfortable. I stick with my Kifaru because the hip belt and big lumbar pad just work right for me with a heavy load. I have a Seek Outside, I like it and it's a great pack but the lumbar pad is different so whenever I carry a heavy load my hip muscles crater.
A wise man is frequently humbled.
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,694
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,694 |
I’ve packed the Stone Glacier X Curve frame a long ways. There is not a pack I’ve used (osprey, Arc’teryx, North Face, eberlestock, Mystery Ranch) that compares. The Stone Glacier is by far the most comfortable pack I’ve used. One caveat. When I first got it and put it on with weight in it in my living room I just about sent it back. Glad I didn’t.
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 415
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 415 |
... Second highest rated was a Kifaru. Which Kifaru frame / pack was favorite? I am a Kifaru fan, but haven't tried the newest stuff thanks, Tim
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,237
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,237 |
How much weight are you planning on carrying? How much volume is needed?
Hauling meat?
I like my Kifaru Mtn Warrior and Duplex frame. Does everything I can imagine I'll need out of a pack.
Hill People Gear makes some really nice stuff as well. I have a couple of their smaller bags, but haven't tried their bigger offerings.
I have no experience with SG or MR, but they're probably on par with the above for durability.
Where are you located in VA?
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,406
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,406 |
I can only speak to what I use, and the Kifaru is a solid pack.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8,453
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8,453 |
Looking for recommendations for a tough durable pack that can function as a hunting pack, travel bag, and bug out bag. I’ve chewed up several of the better known standard grade hunting packs so I’m thinking a military grade pack that can do it all might be better. Been looking hard at Mystery Ranch and Kifaru. Thoughts n opinions welcomed. Thanks I'm going to be negative. You sound like you have high standards / expectations. I don't think you're going to find a pack that meets your expectations for all three uses. I believe you'd be ahead to specialize by finding the pack that works the best for you for each purpose. Even for a single purpose, a hunting pack for instance, finding one that both works GREAT as a day pack while hunting and works GREAT for hauling meat, rather than being a compromise for one or both uses, is pretty challenging. If someone offers a suggestion, it may work well for them but not for other people for those uses. What does "travel bag" mean to you vs what does it mean to me? Bug out .. from what, to where, in what conditions? So I'd figure out what, specifically, each of those uses means to you. What you assume / intend to mean and what I think you mean might be completely, laughably different. Then just find the best for your use. I think you'll be happier specializing that making so many compromises that what you wind up with isn't very functional for anything. Tom
Anyone who thinks there's two sides to everything hasn't met a M�bius strip.
Here be dragons ...
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