Best and most comfortable pack to carry 60+ pounds?

[Cdpp880]

Out of me and my hunting buddies we have stone glacier, seek outside, and mystery ranch Out of those the SG, and SO are the more comfortable, although I would not be disappointed if I had to use the MR. I really like how streamlined the SG is and it carries weight very well.

 

[roosiebull]

Any of the big three (Kifaru, SG, and Exo) should be able to easily haul 60+ pounds without any trouble. Try them and see which fits you best. I've tried all three, but I use a SG.

This is about as good of advice as he can ask for. Everyone seems to have a preference, if one was the “best” everyone would use it

For me, the K4 is in a league of its own when considering the whole package. It hauls weight as well as my kifaru, and is just as stable with a heavy awkward load, and is extremely comfortable in hunting mode.

It’s the only pack I’ve used that doesn’t trap blackberry and salmonberry debris between my back and the lumbar pad (which used to give me a painful rash that would never heal) some packs were better than others, but the k4 doesn’t do it at all… not sure why, but I like that

It’s not a hot pack on your back in warm weather, breathes well, good head clearance, and being an inch taller than my kifaru was, is no more snaggy in the brush, which I think is the frame angle above my shoulders… it follows my body ducking under and going through brush.

The k4 is like a mix of all of the good pack attributes I’ve had over the years. Like the bags, everything on it is extremely intuitive, breaking the pack down to haul meat isn’t a puzzle, it’s built so even simpletons like me have no problem with it.

Lid cinches down and isn’t floppy… I could go on, I love that pack system… the next guy may feel the same way about a different pack. Trying some with weight is ideal but not practical.

Exo gives a trial run of 30 days I believe, and I think I’ve heard similar of other pack companies. I do think it’s one of the items you shouldn’t compromise on if you can swing it, or you will end up paying double through the upgrade process (like glass)

 

[Marbles]

Of the packs I have used, from worst to best

Blackhawk ALICE pack < Gregory Boltoro < Exo K3 < Seek Outside < Exo K2 < Exo K4.

I have and use both Seek Outside and the Exo K4. Both will haul over 100 pounds. The K4 is a touch more comfortable for me and I like the bag and frame design better, enough not to mind 2 extra pounds for most things. For ultra light, a integrated Seek Outside is impossible to beat for a 6200 pack at 3 lbs and 10 oz that will carry over 100 pounds and not cause suffering.

If you like the design, Stone Glacier, Seek Outside, Exo, or Kifaru will all work. Kifaru will be the heaviest from what I have seen, SO the lightest.

 

[TheHammer]

I have several packs. Mr, kifaru & a k4. The k4 is top of the heap imo. My archery shop carries every sg pack and every time I’m there I put one on and try to make it work. Not for me. I would love to try an akek and IA. Both of those are great designs and seem like companies that want to put out better products. The new kifaru frame looks to be an improvement on their end. To me the kifaru is rugged and tough but it makes me too vertical, doesn’t fit me that well. Each pack is different and each brand offers unique features that are pros, they all have cons. Find one that works for you.

 

[justinspicher]

Like most I have gone through an evolution of trying out different packs, eventually settling on MR. I went with MR because they seem to fit me best, but it wasn’t without some trial and error. On their website I should wear a medium yoke/waistbelt, but with any sort of weight past 60ish pounds or so and it would get uncomfortable. So on a whim I decided to go down and did a small yoke and waist belt and now it fits like a glove.

I started with a Kifaru duplex and didn’t care for the rigidity of the frame, so I went with a bikini frame and had several different packs on it. Nothing seemed to really fit me quite right. I even used the KU series for awhile and it was better, but not great. I always felt like I wasn’t big enough to wear the pack properly. If that makes any sense.

I ended up trading my Kifaru for an Exo and really like that pack. I had it for a number of years and it led me to Mystery Ranch. I did a trade for a pintler and haven’t looked back.

I have tried a Seek Outside, I don’t care for the frame, it reminds me too much of an ALICE frame and I am good.

The Stone Glacier packs are pretty rad, but I don’t care for the frame, they were like wearing a piece of plywood on my back.

HPG has a harness system that drives me crazy so that was a no go for me.



Over the years I have modified my packs to make them what I want them to be, adding pockets or buckles to get to my end result. Again, lots of trial and error. So far I have four MR packs and three frames, but I usually just use the one frame/bag. The others are for the folks that come out to hunt with me. MR is much easier to adjust to various people, in my opinion.

The bottom line is that you have to find what works for you and why it works for you.

 

[mtnwrunner]

Man, you have have asked a loaded question, so to speak.
Packs are like shoes.....some will fit you, some won't.
The nice thing about most of the packs mentioned is that you can try them out and send them back if they don't fit you which is a great thing for a company to do.
Good luck and you are in the right place!

FWIW......I've had about all the packs listed and currently use a SG 5900 and actually also use a Osprey aether pro 70 sometimes, especially in the non hunting applications.

Randy

 

[Wildhorse]

F1 mainframe has done extremely well for many of individuals with an almost endless pack compatibility system my personal favorite has and seems to continue to be no matter how many packs I continue to buy an F65 little big top.

 

[Warford305]

I sold my Kuiu Ultra and bought a second EXO, just saying.

i have two EXO K2 packs. I packed an elk hind quarter, both back straps and my bow and other gear in one trip. Other hind and loose meat second trip and both fronts on the third trip first year I had it. But I was younger then (66)

That’s awesome

 

[GunsAreFun]

The lesser packs tend to show their stripes at the 50-60# mark.

I’d recommend trying an Exo K4 first or used K3 if you’re on a budget. I have tried Kuiu, Mystery Ranch, SG, and Kifaru. Kifaru was my lead favorite…hated it in fact. Kuiu is a pretty good value when they’re on sale, but I start noticing differences in carrying ability between it a the EXO K4 at 60-65#. It carries equally as well as my K2.

 

[bz_711]

Like many have said - try several on for best fit.

I'm still using an old Kifaru Timberline 2 I bought used on Rokslide Classified in 2016. I'll probably upgrade someday but the T2 is still comfy fits my style of hunting...as well as does really well with a full load.

Good Luck picking one out!

 

[Bcoonce117]

Honestly the most important factor I would say is make sure you get your pack setup/ fitted correctly. My brother has a stone glacier pack with an X curve frame and he kept getting chaffed on his hips, went to Scheels and it turns out he had to adjust the shoulder straps to get the hip belt in the correct location. Not easy to diagnose for the untrained eye. All the higher end packs will adjust for about 97% of people. The other 3% are the people with specific needs to get fit correctly.

 

[doc holiday13]

Loaded question and I only have 2 frame packs I've ever used.
A no name metal frame pack from 26 years ago and Kifaru Ark.. The Ark is by far the better of the 2. I don't think you can go wrong with anything made in the last 5 years

 

[EvanG17]

SG x curve has served me well

 

[AKEK]

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