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Awesome pic POC

Thanks Scotty! I like the pack & gear threads - always looking for a few nuggets that others share.

Same here. Lotsa learning can happen if you watch and listen.

What?!?! You mean trying to learn something is a goal? I thought the goal was to throw rocks and start pissing matches....

Ha! I’ll let others stir that one BW! I’m just hear to see what you all have and use.

Haha - more of a team guy here & too old to be interested in pot stirring

If I was packing light and looking for a hauler I’d consider a pack frame like the Badlands Ox with a small bag on/attached. I’ve used the Ox and Kuiu Carbon frame. The Ox fits my taller torso better so feel more comfortable. I’ve used the Kuiu more but carrying meat bags between the pack and frame sucked compared to the Ox. I didn’t take the time to get it right and had to stop halfway to drop some of the load and re adjust.

I’ve not packed with a Kifaru or SG but they are at the top of my list for my next pack. Mystery Ranch is solid as well and I like their Treehouse waiting for that to come out as I think it’s the best Whitetail pack I’ve ever seen.

Selling my Eberlestock Team Elk over on the Classifieds

I purchased a MR Sawtooth.

I'm a fan of "Bull Pack" myself

Used to love mystery ranch but they’ve turned into a punk “brah” outfit with [bleep] service. I bought a couple bags and NICE frame 15 years ago. Need a few new buckles… their answer, you need to upgrade to the new generation of frames, bags, etc.
There’s nothing wrong with the old frames or bags and they expect me to drop a couple grand instead of get me $50 worth of plastic buckles? Screw them.
Kifaru got my $$$$. Good quality and US made at least.

As a side note, as I’ve gotten older, horses make more sense than trendy backpacks.

It's an excellent pack, as long as it fits you well.
Should be just the thing for your intended use.

Looking forward to using it this elk season!

I like my Eberlestock for a day pack.

I have been using an old Lowe Alpine backpacking pack I bought in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia over 20 years ago. Has been around the world and packed a lot of game. It is just big enough to squeeze a hindquarter of an elk in there or an entire quartered deer. It probably isn't the most comfortable and doesn't have a load shelf which makes packing the rest of your crap a pain after you jam it full of meat. At least it was familiar and abused enough it was actually pretty quiet. Was looking through old hunting photos and it is rare to find a picture without that pack on me or nearby being used as a rest, seat or pillow. Last season it packed two bears, an antelope, at least two deer I can remember and an elk. I have started to notice enough wear that I decided it was time to retire it for light duty. The thought of being miles from the truck with an elk quarter and a broken backpack strap is a little unnerving.












Truth is, I am guessing any of the new high end packs will provide better support and be more comfortable so I wasn't really picky. Some might fit better but if you don't know any better it probably won't matter

When someone posted a link to a Mystery Ranch sale from an outfit out of Kentucky I jumped on it and got a Beartooth 80 for about $325. A little bigger then I really like for most of my hunting but with some adventure hunts coming up the next few years figured a little extra was the way to go. I suppose I could just change bags also if I want something bigger or smaller.

Great pics MedRiver!

The race is pretty much a tie now. Changed out the lumbar pad to the denser one Exo sells and it made a big difference. Was getting some belt slip and now it sticks as good as the SG.

I may try an Exo sometime. Kifaru fits me better than both Mystery Ranch and Stone Glacier, and doubly so with it being well broke in and formed to my exact hip profile. I do have to wonder though how well those others would fit if they had the miles on me that my Kifaru duplex does?

Like I said, I wish the Kifaru had worked for me as I think they have the best pack hands down, I don’t think a guy can wear one out.

I had about 60 in the Exo today and it was a huge difference with the harder lumbar pad. I do like the “flex” of the Exo.

Packing T posts is kind of a bitch.

For those that want more lumbar support on an MR pack, OV Innovations has an add on lumbar pad. I've used one for years on my MR 6500 and it works well for me.