Best pack frame for heavier loads?

[Alaska92]

I don’t know how many here used to use the good ole’ Dana Designs (USA made) packs from the 90’s. Back when Dana still owned it. Long before Mystery Ranch. I used the Astraplane for a number of years. After adjusted correctly, they carried heavy weight well. I have known guys that went the Dan McHale route with very good luck. I haven’t went that way……..yet.

 

[BRWNBR]

Barney’s. Just in case the other guys packs get tired.

 

[BROWNTROUTDAN]

Have tried, MR, K3, HPG, Kifaru, and SG. Had significant hip burn with all except the SG pack. However packs are so individualized per your body. If buddies own others try them loaded and see how they work for you. All the best on your search.

 

[tuffcity]

Step one: take the time to fit the pack properly to your body!

Any of the "name brand" packs should carry a decent load. I've done 130# in my SG and 160# in a tasmanian tiger I had before the SG . There is no magic pack that will make heavy weight feel like a day pack!

 

[bergie]

I had the older MR, whatever predated the guide lite MT, maybe just guide lite? Anyway with 100+lbs it was a nightmare, tons of pressure and rubbing on my lower back. 50-80lbs it was nice. Have the K3 now and the weak link in it is me. 100+ sucks for sure but its not due to the pack rubbing in a weird spot or putting pressure in a place it shouldn't be. Gotta imagine the K4 is even better. The load in the pic was somewhere around 100lbs, 2000' vertical climb and 4.5 miles total and I was able to head back down once I got to the pickup for a second load that day. No way could I have done that with the old MR.

 

[The smartest grouse]

I really like my sky 5900, but that's because the X-curve frame is a good fit for my back. I went stone glacier because at the time it seemed like most frame packs were pretty straight up and down. I bet Kifaru's Ark frame pack would work great for me now but I hopefully won't ever need another.

 

[AK4570]

Barney’s. Just in case the other guys packs get tired.

Jake, that picture always cracks me up.

Best,
John

 

[98589]

loaded up the MR to 160-170 lbs once with a big bar hog and it was abysmal. I was genuinely a bit surprised it didn't break the frame.

Now, that's one way to pick em up, but 160-170 is NOT a bar hog..


For me, the MR GLMT (2020/1) has been good to me. Id agree as mentioned, above 80-100# it definitely reflects that it's no sg/exo/etc, however, I keep loads to 60-70 cause the juice isnt worth the squeeze beyond that for me.

 

[TaperPin]

These fellas figured out - the guy with the pack just takes the head, while your buddy handles everything else. Lol