Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Elk pack

Thanks guys. Yes day hunting from truck, usually 2 to 5 miles from truck typically.

I use a ~$120 Kelty Redwing 44 and like it just fine for day-hunts.

I've never tried one of the more expensive packs, and my wallet doesnt want me to.

if I kill an elk, or am doing a multi-day pack in, I use an older Kelty external pack frame cause it can haul alot more.

One other comment I haven't seen anyone make - buy a used pack on Rokslide or fleabay. You save some cash, not worry about using it and losing money, and you can sell it for what you have in it if it doesn't work for you. I've bought several like that till I figured out what worked best for me, except the Exo, bought it new.

Have tried Kifaru, Exo, SG and Mystery Ranch.

Like others have said, I could not get the MR to stay on my hips, but my kid is using a MR Pintler and he really likes it.

I think the Kifaru is the best built pack, but I could never get it comfortable and didn’t really like the load shelf. Kifaru was great trying to help, but it just didn’t work for me. IMO, the 22 Mag is the best day pack design of them all.

The SG fits real well and is comfortable and has the best load shelf of them all IMO. Didn’t really like any of the bags till the Approach 2800 came out.

The Exo is extremely comfortable and the load shelf is not to bad. The 1800 fills up pretty fast. If the 3200 had the horseshoe zipper of the 4800 it would be about perfect IMO.

It would be hard to pick between the Exo and SG, but if I had to chose, it would probably be the SG. I’m 5’ 8” 160# with a 17” torso for reference.

You guys cost me money.


Never tried an SG but you’re about the 10th person I respect that says they been good.

I really like the SG, been using it about 6 (?) years now. I ordered both the Krux and Xcurve to try and the Xcurve felt a lot better.

Any pics of the load shelve opened up?

I’ve heard they were tough packs.

I like a Warn 2000....

That’s crap. I can’t ever make them roll near the truck

Vista change anything with SG...yet?

It’s by far the easiest I’ve used. Unbuckle 4 buckles, losen or remove the 2 top straps, load and cinch down the shelf. Hope these help.

After this, I'll be taking another look at SG...

Thanks for the pics of the SG SLM!

We are the same dimensions and weight. I may need to try out a SG - although I'm pretty happy with the EXO. But - can a guy have too many packs?! That's like too many guns. Or fishing rods. Or too much money. Blasphemy!

One more comment on EXO - just yesterday I received a replacement sternum strap. I'm not big by any means but I the sternum strap is maxed out (length) on me. I noticed it last year and just dealt with it. I called them last week and they made a longer sternum strap for a couple dollars shipping. Good guys to deal with.

I am not as picky as some I guess but I have settled on Kifaru.

At 6’1” and 170 lbs their 26” frame and small belt fits me fine though their non universal bag/frame systems such as the Shape Charge and 14’r are a bit short for me. I make do with them though when I am not hauling heavy loads such as when day fishing or on horses.

Pack fit is every bit as subjective as stock fit. Try as many as you can, I guess.

I use the Mystery Ranch Terr frame 3 Zip 50

Ive had it for a few years now and I love this thing. Nice and light with a sturdy frame. There are a few things I would change, but it really is a great pack!
https://www.curated.com/products/28..._Db1_iwn-iA28QivQcl__3AiExhoCtiYQAvD_BwE

I’m still happily running my old Kifaru High Camp bag paired with a Bikini frame. I have the meat shelf hooked up but haven’t used it in a long time - I just bag up the meat & load the pack bag itself. Sometimes I get bad blood stains but I don’t really care anymore - I just bath tub soak the pack for a while.

I probably should upgrade into one of their new frames but that dang Bikini frame with its old school laminated wood supports fits me perfect & weighs nothing. Last heavy pack was in 2020 in the Bitterroots - 120lbs trucking mostly downhill wasn’t an issue. I’d put comfort firmly as a #1 goal because, for me, carrying that kind of weight ratchets up the suck factor so it might as well be comfy. Once a person ‘sweats in’ the frame & straps, things get even better.

I’ve also got my old UL3500, Molle Express & Late Season for lighter loads but that old High Camp keeps doing its thankless job.

The pack has to make ya smile…at least on the first load back to camp (why my buddy didn’t remove the lower leg on that quarter I’ll never know lol)

Great info and help all! Thanks

I am a Seek Outside fan

For daypack I use a Teton Sports Scout 3400 (internal frame) and if successful bring one quarter back to camp or truck. Swap it out for a Alps Outdoor Z Commander Freighter and bag to finish packing out. For multiple overnight hunt use the Commander. Fortunate enough to try other packs that other hunters have and settled on these two.

Sure did. Thanks SLM. Pretty similar to the MR.