Backpack Shootout - 9 Backpacks Go HEAD to HEAD ***Updated 8/5/2020***

[Zach Herold]

I will be testing some of the leading packs against each other. I have several tests lines up to simulate hunting and backpacking scenarios.

I Will Be Testing:

• KIFARU
• KUIU
• Stone Glacier
• Exo
• Eberlee Stock
• Initial Ascent
• Mystery Ranch
• Sitka
• Seek Outside

I hope to do a two part test on the packs. Part One: Tests, features, specs, cost etc. Part Two: 5+ day trip taking each pack on a trip and reviewing its performance after the trip. If the people I am with or myself don't harvest on the trip, I will use that pack until I am able to have an actual pack out with it.
I hope to do a two part test on the packs. Part One: Tests, features, specs, cost etc. Part Two: 5+ day trip taking each pack on a trip and reviewing its performance after the trip. If the people I am with or myself don't harvest on the trip, I will use that pack until I am able to have an actual pack out with it.

***Update 8/5/2020*** The Backpack Showdown - Part 1

Please let me know in the comments:

• Questions you have on each specific pack.
• Tests you would like to see performed.
• Anything else that comes to mind.

Thank you!

2/10/21 Edit: Posting both video reviews in this lead post so you don't have to dig for them

PART I

PART II

 

[sndmn11]

Seek outside?

 

[LJ Buck]

Add Seek Outside and drop a few from the list to save yourself some lumbar pain.

Give feedback others don't give that a lot of Newbie backpack people can use, like the ease of getting it fitted or accessing the load shelf....

 

[Felix40]

3rd vote for seek outside

 

[md126]

Seek Outside would be a nice addition.

Looking forward to a good honest review. Some “reviews” are just specs, features, etc that anyone can get off the website.

Field use and honest pros and cons are what I’d be interested in.
Thanks

 

[robby denning]

Seek outside?

If my math is right he’s got seven of the leading packs in there and five day trips planned for each one, so 35+days for just that part of the review. I think if we keep adding packs on this the review, he won’t be done till November and then it doesn’t help anybody in the market for a pack before archery season opens. If Seek Outside sees this and wants to send a pack right away we won’t refuse it, but we gotta get rolling on this.

Here’s the SO reviews we’ve published recently

Seek Outside Peregrine Review

Seek Outside Peregrine Review by Matt Cashell, Rokslide Prostaff Backpack hunters generally look for excellence in a few categories when choosing a hunting backpack: Weight Load Hauling Capability Comfort Versatile Features Durability I’ve found that if a hunter wants everything on the list...

www.rokslide.com

Seek Outside Lanner 5400 Backpack Review

The Seek Outside Lanner 5400 is a backcountry pack with the ability to move the bag away from the frame to haul large or awkward loads with ease.

www.rokslide.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AK Troutbum]

If my math is right he’s got seven of the leading packs in there and five day trips planned for each one, so 35+days for just that part of the review. I think if we keep adding packs on this the review, he won’t be done till November and then it doesn’t help anybody in the market for a pack before archery season opens. If Seek Outside sees this and wants to send a pack right away we won’t refuse it, but we gotta get rolling on this.

Here’s the SO reviews we’ve published recently

Seek Outside Peregrine Review

Seek Outside Peregrine Review by Matt Cashell, Rokslide Prostaff Backpack hunters generally look for excellence in a few categories when choosing a hunting backpack: Weight Load Hauling Capability Comfort Versatile Features Durability I’ve found that if a hunter wants everything on the list...

www.rokslide.com

Seek Outside Lanner 5400 Backpack Review

The Seek Outside Lanner 5400 is a backcountry pack with the ability to move the bag away from the frame to haul large or awkward loads with ease.

www.rokslide.com

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I totally get what you’re saying Robby, but to not have SO and include packs like ES? It just doesn’t make sense to me. Kevin, if you’re reading this, please get a pack shipped out ASAP.


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[robby denning]

I totally get what you’re saying Robby, but to not have SO and include packs like ES? It just doesn’t make sense to me. Kevin, if you’re reading this, please get a pack shipped out ASAP.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

we have been covering SO!!

ES hasn’t been covered but there are lots of members at that price point, so it’s in there. Same with Mystery Ranch and KUIU, haven’t covered those as much.

No matter how many we cover they’ll always be people that want more in there.

I just tested three of the leading sleeping bags in their class, yet half the comments I get are “why didn’t you test this one? Or why did you test this one?”

At some point, too many products in a review becomes unmanageable for the writer, and even the reader.

We felt like this lineup is covering a wide variety and is still manageable for Zach.


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[sndmn11]

If my math is right he’s got seven of the leading packs in there and five day trips planned for each one, so 35+days for just that part of the review. I think if we keep adding packs on this the review, he won’t be done till November and then it doesn’t help anybody in the market for a pack before archery season opens. If Seek Outside sees this and wants to send a pack right away we won’t refuse it, but we gotta get rolling on this.

Here’s the SO reviews we’ve published recently

Seek Outside Peregrine Review

Seek Outside Peregrine Review by Matt Cashell, Rokslide Prostaff Backpack hunters generally look for excellence in a few categories when choosing a hunting backpack: Weight Load Hauling Capability Comfort Versatile Features Durability I’ve found that if a hunter wants everything on the list...

www.rokslide.com

Seek Outside Lanner 5400 Backpack Review

The Seek Outside Lanner 5400 is a backcountry pack with the ability to move the bag away from the frame to haul large or awkward loads with ease.

www.rokslide.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I hear you. I also can't remember ever reading about Kuiu, Sitka, or Eberlestock leading the way in anything performance based.

The point of head to head is to minimize variables and establish consistency in evaluation. Referring back to older individual reviews doesn't check those boxes.

 

[robby denning]

I hear you. I also can't remember ever reading about Kuiu, Sitka, or Eberlestock leading the way in anything performance.

Fair enough, but there have not been recent reviews, if any, on those packs on Rokslide.


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[Poser]

First time I’ve heard of Initial Ascent so I looked them up. Straight into the $700 pack club, eh?

 

[robby denning]

First time I’ve heard of Initial Ascent so I looked them up. Straight into the $700 pack club, eh?

Yes we’ve tested their GEN 1 and 2. Good pack

Initial Ascent Backpack Review

Les Welch takes the new Intial Ascent IA4K backpack out for a season of use in the West and the Upper Mid-west.

www.rokslide.com

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[sndmn11]

Fair enough, but there have not been recent reviews, if any, on those packs on Rokslide.


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I think the perspective being expressed above, and I know my own, is that it seems established that those packs are lacking in many performance aspects. Unless there has been significant overhauls to bring them out of the basement it comes across odd/out of place/puzzling to have them included. I think there is also some strong USA made VS overseas made sentiment right now.

The Initial Ascent and Outdoorsman's seem to be an unknown quality and I think are great additions.

 

[robby denning]

I think the perspective being expressed above, and I know my own, is that it seems established that those packs are lacking in many performance aspects. Unless there has been significant overhauls to bring them out of the basement it comes across odd/out of place/puzzling to have them included. I think there is also some strong USA made VS overseas made sentiment right now.

The Initial Ascent and Outdoorsman's seem to be an unknown quality and I think are great additions.

Sometimes choosing products for reviews comes down to how much time you have to get everything organized, how much time you have to test, and what has and has not already been covered before. And there are a lot of users out there that need the less expensive packs, so we try to include those if we can. Even if it seems odd.
USA vs the foreign seems to work itself out in the end with the quality. USA definitely winning these days.

 

[strattonje2020]

Maybe talk about useful space of the pack. Some companies seem to claim a certain volume but I feel as if some pockets become useless when the main bag is stuffed.

 

[*zap*]

That's a pretty hardcore pack review, good luck with it.

 

[sndmn11]

And there are a lot of users out there that need the less expensive packs, so we try to include those if we can. Even if it seems odd.

$595

Mountain Hauler 6200 | SITKA Gear

View the Mountain Hauler 6200 in Optifade Open Country. For the committed backcountry hunter willing to work harder and go further to enhance their experience, the Mountain Hauler opens a world of opportunity for extreme and extended mountain pursuits.

www.sitkagear.com

$569

PRO 6000 Full Kit - KUIU

KUIU

www.kuiu.com

$559

Lanner 5400

Lightweight, Tough, and Comfortable.

seekoutside.com

I'll leave it lie.

 

[Outlaw99]

Tagged. Looking forward to following along on this one. Thanks to all who made it happen

 

[mtnwrunner]

Yup, tagged. Looking forward to it.

Randy

 

[Bshiftbc]

Tagged