Backcountry backpack advice (upgrading from Gunslinger II)

[Woodshanger]

Hi, I'm new here, but not particularly new to the outdoors. I've been getting by with an Eberlestock Gunslinger II (the one before they added the external frame). It's a sturdy pack, but it's not exactly comfortable for heavy loads. I'm finding that much above 35 lbs can really hurt my back after a day of hiking 15 miles in the mountains. It doesn't seem to have a very rigid frame and I feel like a lot of the load goes into my shoulders and back no matter how I adjust it. Plus it seems to sit right on my butt and slowly reduces circulation to my legs (again, no matter how I adjust it). Also I'm finding that I just want more space - right now I've got half my gear strapped to the outside in DIY MOLLE stuff sacks.

Everyone here seems to have different opinions on the best packs (I've read through a lot of threads). So I'm wondering if there's anyone here who has used the Gunslinger and found it lacking, and could offer advice on what to upgrade to. Maybe the Gunslinger just isn't the right kind of pack for what I want and anything would be an upgrade - I've just seen lots of people speak favorably of them, but I can't tell if they actually use them as anything other than a rangebag.

Anyway, I'd like a pack that can carry 50+ lb loads relatively comfortably and is capable of maybe 100 lb loads for packing out elk. I'm figuring some kind of external frame. I'd also like a pack with comfortable hip straps and maybe replaceable shoulder straps (I'd be getting one for my wife too, and she has less room on the chest for shoulder straps...). I don't mind if it weighs a bit - preferably under 8 lbs I guess, though I'd love a light pack if possible. I'm not too concerned about the cost, so long as it's fairly durable (no $500 cuben fiber pack, please). I'm expecting somewhere between $250 and $500, but I'm not really sure what's out there.

Really, I'm just looking for the most comfortable pack which takes the load off my shoulders, which I can hike and hunt in for days/weeks straight in the mountains without getting some serious back/shoulder pain.

Any advice is really appreciated.

 

[TBoschma]

Woodshanger, I was in the same boat as you I used the Gunslinger for one hunting season and one deployment. Like you said; it might be just a good range bag. I had problems from the start on hot spots on my back and couldn’t adjust it the way I wanted/needed it to fit.

I’ve been using the Exo mountain gear 3500 since 2014 and love it. First off I bought it so that I could have a pack my wife and I could both use and only have to make a few adjustments, she’s 5'1" and I’m 5'11" so we needed an easy to adjust yoke. Much like the Barneys packs of Alaska I wanted something simple I’m not a big fan of pockets and wasted space. I also needed something that could handle 100 pound plus loads not only for hunting, but also for the 100 pound meat haul in Train to Hunt!

With that being said; it looks like you’re after much of the same things I am. My first choice is the Exo Mountain Gear but if you’re stuck on getting an external framed pack look into the Barneys packs! Good luck and let us know what you decide!

 

[kodiakfly]

If you're wanting an external frame, Barney's is where it's at. I've got one and it's great for monster loads. The hip belt can be a bit lacking, for me at least, but it'll still haul any load you can put in it.

If you're not stuck on an external frame, then pretty much any good bad would be an upgrade. Kifaru, Stone Glacier, Exo. And you can find those in used, good condition in the classifieds here for the price range you mention.

 

[duchntr]

No experience with that particular Eberle pack, but my experience is that those packs are severely lacking in comfort once you put weight in them. Not sure where you live but if you live in anchorage I have a few packs you could try out, and if not I'm sure guys your local to would help you out as well. Look into brands like kifaru, seek outside and stone glacier and don't discount used stuff as all these manufacturers have outstanding CS and they back they're products 100%.

 

[twall13]

Is there a reason you are set on external frame? I used to think external frame was the only way to go for heavy loads but since I got my EXO 3500 I've had a change of heart on that. I've only hauled about 80lbs. with it so far but it carried that weight for several miles much better than my old external frame.

Unless you have other reasons for wanting external frame I'd consider some of the other packs mentioned here that are internal frame. Stone Glacier is minimalist, EXO is a good balance of lightweight and features, Kifaru has about anything you could want. All of these packs are tough. Expensive, yes, but they will last a long time and be comfortable under heavy loads.

 

[Woodshanger]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I'm not particularly stuck on an external frame; I was just under the impression that they were the way to go for heavier loads. I think the way my Gunslinger handles a load (or, moreso, doesn't handle a load) made me worry that all internal frames were like that.

I also heat up pretty easily, so I like the idea of more airflow from an external frame, though I know Osprey makes internal frame packs which get good airflow, so maybe the EXOs and others do too? I also like the idea of walking upright rather than hunched over, but if it's comfortable I don't really care either way.

I'll see what I can find used as well. Sounds like the EXO is the way to go, but I'll look into Stone Glacier and Kifaru as well. Thanks again for helping me out, everyone and feel free to chime in if you've got any more thoughts or advice.

Edit: Ok, I'm definitely leaning towards the EXO brand. But now I'm not sure if I should just go all out and get a 5500. I do have pulks for winter, so I'm fine there. But for long trips without snow, I'd rather not keep strapping on several stuffsacks to the outside of my pack. Are most of you guys fine with the smaller 3500 or do you ever wish you'd gone with the 5500?

 

[Bubblehide]

Any internal frame pack will not handle heavy loads well. SG, Kifaru, Exo, and a few others make external frame hunting packs. I don't think you would go wrong with any of these high end hunting packs. However, some people like one over another due to a better fit for them, which can be an individual thing. Don't be afraid to research them a bit and ask more questions. I happen to have a SG 6200. This past season I had over 100 pounds in it counting deboned meat, my spotter, lunch water jacket and a few other things. I know it was at least 100 pounds because I weighed it, but the scale topped out at 100 pounds. The weight was a bear at the altitude I was at, but that pack itself could not have possibly been more comfortable. I carried that load 4-5 miles back to camp, and then another 5 miles the next day to the truck. Again, chose a reputable high end external frame hunting pack, and you'll be set.

 

[twall13]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I'm not particularly stuck on an external frame; I was just under the impression that they were the way to go for heavier loads. I think the way my Gunslinger handles a load (or, moreso, doesn't handle a load) made me worry that all internal frames were like that.

I also heat up pretty easily, so I like the idea of more airflow from an external frame, though I know Osprey makes internal frame packs which get good airflow, so maybe the EXOs and others do too? I also like the idea of walking upright rather than hunched over, but if it's comfortable I don't really care either way.

I'll see what I can find used as well. Sounds like the EXO is the way to go, but I'll look into Stone Glacier and Kifaru as well. Thanks again for helping me out, everyone and feel free to chime in if you've got any more thoughts or advice.

Edit: Ok, I'm definitely leaning towards the EXO brand. But now I'm not sure if I should just go all out and get a 5500. I do have pulks for winter, so I'm fine there. But for long trips without snow, I'd rather not keep strapping on several stuffsacks to the outside of my pack. Are most of you guys fine with the smaller 3500 or do you ever wish you'd gone with the 5500?

The EXO 3500 actually has quite a bit more capacity than 3500 ci. That figure doesn't count the long side pockets or the the stretchy pocket. I went with the 3500 trying to force myself to pack smarter. I can get a 5 day load in it but I'd be strapping a dry bag to the load frame if I tried to get any more out of it. For me that works as I rarely take trips longer than that. If you plan on a 7 day trip or have bulky gear I'd get the 5500. Otherwise the 3500 will likely work.

 

[robtattoo]

I had a similar, but different issue a couple of years back.
I actually didn't own a 'mountain' pack at all. I hummed & hawwed between an Exo or an external frame. I decided to go with a Cabelas Alaskan Guide external frame, but after a week elk hunting in Colorado I found it lacking.
When I came home I started looking seriously at the Exo & decided "why not. Buy once, cry once" and started asking the 3500 or 5500 question. A good friend gave me some great advice here & I went with it & haven't looked back.

If you have a large pack, you don't have to fill it. You can compress it down so that it's small & tight.
If you have a small pack, you can't put more stuff in once it's full & you can't expand it.

I bought the 5500 & it's now my daypack, vacation pack, camping pack & week-in-the-mountains pack.
It cinches down tiny when I don't need the space, but I can get 10+ days worth of gear in there if I need to.
The frame was fine up to 70#, I've had 120 in the Exo & it carried much easier!

 

[TBoschma]

The EXO 3500 actually has quite a bit more capacity than 3500 ci. That figure doesn't count the long side pockets or the the stretchy pocket. I went with the 3500 trying to force myself to pack smarter. I can get a 5 day load in it but I'd be strapping a dry bag to the load frame if I tried to get any more out of it. For me that works as I rarely take trips longer than that. If you plan on a 7 day trip or have bulky gear I'd get the 5500. Otherwise the 3500 will likely work.

Twall13 nailed it Exo does have more than 3500 ci of space with the side pockets. and I might be echoing what others have said already but I used the Barneys pack while I lived in Alaska and it worked great but you just won’t need that in the lower 48. I hauled out a moose with my first Exo 3500 in 2014 and it worked great with loads that were 100+ pounds. With the titanium frame you will have more strength than you need and a little flexibility, that will also help keep your back cool with the extra air flow.

 

[Matt W.]

Some good info here as well...
http://www.rokslide.com/easyblog/entry/backpack-month-on-rokslide

 

[Woodshanger]

Ok, I think I've decided on getting the 5500 then. I'd like to make longer trips into the backcountry, so I might as well pay a little more and have marginally more weight, but be able to carry everything I need for long trips. I'm not sure if I should wait until later this year if they release a 2016 update of the pack, though I guess I don't really need on for another month or two, depending on the snow conditions.

Thanks all for your contributions. I'll try to remember to write up how it goes for me.

 

[twall13]

In a recent "Hunt Backcountry" podcast they said they weren't updating anything on the pack this year. They will be adding some accessories and a new, smaller pack to the lineup in 2016 but the existing 5500 and 3500 packs will remain the same as they were in 2015.

 

[HJ Handy]

Exo would be a great choice. I have the 5500 and it's got more than 5500 cu of room to work with, was enough for my sheep hunt last August. Might want to take a look at what Mystery Ranch has done with their new 2016 lineup, theres a bit of change with their hunting line that hasnt hit on the website yet, another option for sub $600.00 pack. Lots of quality options out there.