So I'm in the planing stage for next fall. (aren't we all?)

I'm pretty sure that a HC elk/deer muzzy hunt is in the works again. I've pretty much upgraded all my gear or will have by next fall. The one thing that I'm still lacking is a new pack. My old one worked, but I'm not sure it would have been much fun to pack more than I did on the last trip. I'd love to have no spending limit, but.... just go an email from a friend in Africa and he's possibly going to start offering big 5 hunts, so I have to save pennies where I can.

Anyway, with christmas coming up I can probalby talk someone (meaning me) into buying me a new pack, so in your opinion what's the best pack I can get for say $300ish? I'd like to get internal, but if there is a frame pack that is better I'm all ears. I'm kind of a rookie when it comes to backpacking gear. I'm not affraid to buy used if I can find a good deal. The pack has to be big enough for week long trips, and packing elk quarters. I'm 210lbs and 6'2" so fit may also be a concern? I know some of you sawed guys rave about this and that, but for us normal sized men, some of that gear just won't cut it. LOL

Hard to reccomend a specific pack as they fit everyone differently but in that price range and for a larger pack for hunting gear, etc, I'd personally get an Arctryx Bora 80. You'll probably need the "Tall" or large model. I'm 5'10, 165 lbs and that's actually the size I take as I've a long torso (read wavy-gravy spine).

Another to look at would be an Osprey Crescent 85.

Both these packs are comfortable on me but I lean to the Bora 80 overall...

Eberlestok Just One 105 is my vote.

Might try Kifaru.net and see what is on the sale board. Can't beat their packs IMHO.

Save up and get a Kifaru or Mystery Ranch.

'Nother vote for the Eberlestock Just One pack, I love mine.

You can buy a Mystery Ranch NICE frame and Load Hauler for about $260.00 and use stuff sacks to carry your gear. You can add a MR bag(s) later and this is the BEST heavyduty hunting pack that I have ever used, it is worth saving for this whole system, nothing else compares, IMHO.

If your planning on a week long high country hunt your pack will be heavy. Then if you "kill" it's gonna weight alot more! I would opt for an external frame only. You will basicly be packing out as much as you can haul. Trust me 5 miles or more into the bush trying to pack gear and boned out meat you will excede 100pds. And thats just a deer!! A intrenal framed pack will not carry that kinda weight as easily or comfrortable as an external framed pack. CD

I think Kutenay is spot on with his suggestion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CD

I'm continuing to be amazed by how comfortable my Osprey Crescent 70 is turning out to be.

I like the flexibility of the hybrid packs like the mystery ranch, longhunter and flatbed, whatever you choose if you aren't able to load it up and try it on I would be sure to purchase from a retailer that would allow a return in the event it doesn't feel right for you.

I second checking out the Garage Sale section on Kifaru's site and that's not just because I have a Kifaru pack for sale there. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Boys, in the end a Brand X vs. Brand Y debate doesn't matter one bit if the pack doesn't fit a guy's body!

I'd also add I don't think most have enough experience with IF's to know what a good fit really is... I say that based on the way I see most people carrying them on local trails (so please, no one take any offense as that's not directed at anyone here).

IF's are FINICKY with a capital F if not loaded and driven properly. Nothing beats them when they are but I'm of the opinion if you don't understand how (or aren't interested in learning) the various componants are meant to work together and how to "drive" one you're probably better off with an external.

Myster Ranch is just down the road from me. I know the guys at the shop. A good friend is Dana's former business partner. I'd love to own a Mystery Ranch... they don't fit me right so it's a moot point.

A pack's gotta fit your body and if it doesn't it won't matter how well it's constructed, where it's constructed, what color it is or how much it costs.

Jack Wolfskin still make packs???? I have a couple that are 12 years old heavy use and doing well

Yea! and that includes the old school looking BullPacs! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Fits me and another pard like a glove yet another pard hated his!

I'm going to try an internal myself just to see what all the hoopla is about. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Old school MtnHtr (well not quite)

The comments about fit being personal are the most important in this thread. I am not a fan of the fit of ArcTyrex packs, yet my backpacker GF loves hers. I was fully satisfied with my Kifarus (still am) but have had my eyes opened recently by Osprey (bought an Atmos 50) and GG (flatbed).

As always, trying new stuff can open ones eyes. I think the easy modularity of the Flatbed (may) cause it to supplant my Longhunter as my hunting pack. The Atmos is a great fastpacking set up for warm weather and feels like I could trail run with it on.

I plan on trying the Flatbed on a more traditional bacpack trip next year and am considering a lager Osprey or GG Internal as my next 6-10 day pack.

On it goes........... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the comments guys. I think I'm leaning (pushing Santa) toward the MR Nice frame for Christmas, and will supliment the Crew Cab and bag latter in the year.

Its been a while since I had a frame pack and think I'll give this one a go.

I think that you will find that this rig is so good that you will be totally satisfied with it, as I am. Dana Gleason is a genius in terms of pack design and the construction is worldclass, plus, the customer service is second to none.

I do not recommend gear without having both used it and unless it performs flawlessly here in B.C.; Mystery Ranch and Integral Designs have performed better, for me, than anything else I have ever used. Fit IS crucial, but, quality comes next as pack failure on a trip can ruin an outing that you have waited/saved for over years.

I would suggest buying TWO "Fliptop Pockets" and attaching these to the waistband of the NICE frame, then, when you get your Crewcab and 6500 bag, buy a pair of "Longpockets" to go on the 6500 bag. This setup absolutely kicks butt for wilderness BC hunting and is, IMO, the best heavyduty pack available today, plus, it strips down for hunting in settled regions where the conditions do not require as much in terms of emerg. gear, etc.

Let us know how you find it, if you get one as feedback from actual use is really helpful to us all, IMO, regardless of experience level or hunting areas.

Kute, don't suppose you can supply us any pic's of this type of set up can you? I'm also interested! CD

I'm sorry, I have no means of posting pix and won't until late spring, at least. However, there are some pix on the MR site, IRRC.

Next year, my "CEO" is going to get a proper scanner-printer and a dig camera for this computer and then I will be able to supply pix. My buddy, Logan454, has tried to post pix, but, has some type of computer glitch, I will ask him tonight and see if he can post pix now.

I simply couldn't carry the gross capacity of a G6500 with 2 longpockets, and 2 waist band pockets. GOOD LORD!!

The G5500 has always struck me as the smartest pack in their lineup if it'll fit you. I'm not convinced about the MR frame design but am open to it... would like to take one out for a test drive!

I agree and wish I had gone for the 55 rather than the 6 series. It's just too dang massive!

When I began this whole thing, I was putting the kitchen sink in my packload and then lumbering about with monstrous pack weights. As time has gone by, I'm able to move about nearly at-will with 4-5 thousand cubes, and 35-50lbs food/length dependant.

I would need to divert gear money to steroid use in order to top out a G6000 these days. Doesn't matter; crescent 70 is going to do a lot of work this and next year.

Told ya (grin)...

I couldn't worry about the "cubes" at that point in my life! I was still trying to wrap my brain around "Crocs" and "jetboils" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

...too much for young grasshopper!

LOL... I'd say you learn mighty quick grasshopper!

Say, how do you compare the haul comfort of the Crescent vs the MR... how easy is it to bend the stay(s) in the MR?

I never even looked for the stays in the Mystery ranch. The only thing that I found key to the fit of mine was the torso length adjustment. You get a piece of plastic that runs down behind and separates a huge piece of hook&loop velcro. Once I got that adjusted right I've not needed to do anything else. Now that you asked, I'll play with the stays this evening.

The Crescent outrides the G6000. It might be an unfair comparison since the pack sizes are so different. I will say that I've bought and sold a LOT of packs and the Crescent is here to stay. I've not had any pack yet, "close-in" around me the way this one does. I roll with about 35lbs in it and can't find a hotspot anywhere. Nor have I had to make anything but minor adjustments to the load lifters. NONE of the compression comes loose. I DID bend the stays a bit on the crescent. I think the biggeset piece of advice that goes with that pack is verify your torso and your waist measurements before ordering.

The suggestion I made concerning pockets was from using these and they are both small (the Fliptops) ands highly compressible(the Longpockets); what this allows you to do is to carry your wallet, keys, notebook and so forth in one FTpocket and your GPS, flashlight, PLB or other emerg. item(s) in the other. They are then close at hand, accessible w/o removing your pack and this can be VERY useful in rugged mountain country. Before this, I never used a waistband pocket of any type, now, I wouldn't be without them.

The Longpockets CAN be easily removed OR tightly compressed if they are too bulky, BUT, they carry my raingear and spare, warm clothing easily accessible without disturbing the balance of the pack and this is also very useful. The rear Longpockets are then free to carry my spotter, tripod, bino and a H20 bottle with my emerg. pack, first-aid kit, knives, ammo and lunch in the top lid pockets.

With my sleeping pad strapped upright to the "daisy chain" and my s-bag and ID bivy inside the lower s-bag compartment, I can have the ENTIRE pack body empty which is where the Moose meat now in my freezer was carried by my buddy who used this setup last Oct. on a hunt with another guy in northern BC.

He then ordered a setup exactly like mine from MR and his friend who was carrying a Bora 80, had to use my Bullpac to hump his share of Bullwinkle as the little Arc'ter'ryx wouldn't "tote dat bale". The guy is only 50 and a very serious bodybuilder muscleman, but, the right pack makes a huge difference. For an old geezer like me, this works like no other pack I have used, so, I consider the extra $100.00 for the pockets to be money well spent.

I had a Terraplane Overkill, about the same size as a G-5000 and while it was great for backpacking, it was a bit small for winter camping and especially hunting. I prefer a larger pack cinched down to a smaller one tightly stuffed as the little packs will "barrel" and not carry the weight as close to my spine as I like, YMMV.

I haven't had the experience with as wide a selection of packs as many of the people on this forum. I had the choice of a Badlands 4500 for $300+ vs a Crooked Horn High Country Extreme II for $249.99

I choose the CHEXII since the Main compartment was large and easily accessible. I really like the side pockets for my tripod, as well as the spotting scope pocket. I spoke with Lennis' wife while trying on the pack, and she mentioned that she had tested it climbing Mt Whitney.

THe Badlands was a nice pack and fit well but at the time I was more budget conscious and the price out weighed the features.

from the crooked horn website:
High Country Extreme II
The Mountaineering Pack for Hunters

Now you can carry your game and gear

This large capacity pack is designed to comfortably carry multi-day loads. new design allows you to carry your bow or rifle on your back with its "Bow/Rifle Pouch" and finger lock buckle system instead of in your hands or on your shoulder. The internal frame design helps to distribute weight to the center of your body where you have the most strength.

New Innovative Features

Built-in Bow/Rifle Pouch offers hands free convenience when you're on the move and allows quick and easy access to your weapon when needed. The pouch folds up and tucks underneath pack when not in use. The finger-lock buckle system is used to secure the upper portion of your bow/rifle or other items.
Large capacity pack designed to comfortably carry multi-day load. The internal frame plus padded shoulder straps and hip belts help distribute weight to the center of your body for maximum comfort while hunting.
Heavy-Duty carry handle makes transporting your pack easier than ever and works great for hanging your pack in a treestand or at camp.
Built in zippered sleeve for a spotting scope will allow easy access for even the largest spotting scopes. Opposite side has cinch straps to hold tripod, including the Bogan..
Pack as much of your animal out the first trip, especially in warmer climates to avoid spoiling
New tactical look with Earth-tone trim, buckles, zippers, etc...

Standard Features
Side zippers allow easy access to items in the bottom of your pack
Top pocket features 4 external buckle cinch straps which allows you to lash a head, cape & horns securely
Sleeping bag compartment
Hydration compatible
Side water bottle pockets and top spotting scope pocket
5000 Cubic Inches with several lashing straps to extend the size of your pack! / 7.5 lbs empty

Add to Cart:

Model: HC 164, 165
Shipping Weight: 9lbs

2rocky,
Welcome to the campfire!!

I have the G-5000 and I'm glad I chose it over the bigger MR packs. I already had the "big mutha hauler" covered with my older Osprey Xenith anyway.

I'm a pretty good mule (or jackass) so the weight wasn't a motivator. I constantly review what I used/needed and I find that I usually don't fill the G-5000 (5400 cu/i).

I'm lucky enough to live in the Rockies so I can enjoy the compression qualities of down bags. I don't carry "camp clothes" or much in the way of luxuries except for a book. If I do two trips without using an item it stays at home next time.

Right now I'd guess a 4500 cu/i pack would work for me for a week if I keep trimming my gear list down. The GG Flatbed has a kind of variable capacity so I'll probably keep using it for a while.

If you want to go further in you'll want to pair the load down anyway. Experience will tell you what you'll need.

hey kute were did you find that price, from what I can see it would cost about $315 for the MR and load hauler.

Old Logger

Still have no complaints on Eberlestock. Carried my WT spike out in one trip a month back. Fit well and allowed me all my gear also.

Worked great in CO this fall on an elk hunt too.

I've been talked into dropping 450 into a Kifaru pack, just to see if I can see any difference. Have not packed with it yet, so far I don't see anything on it thats "better". There are things done differently though.

Sewing on the kifaru is better. Had one of 7 Eberlestock packs have a bit of stiching come loose on a hunt. But have had some stiching on Kifaru products too. Comes with the territory I suspect.

Jeff