Best Whitetail plus...pack. Kifaru, SG, Exo

[Mudflap621]

So im mainly an eastern whitetail hunter. I mostly hunt out of a saddle as well. For whitetail treestand i should be good with around 2000ci for mostly everything . Ive gone through a bunch of lower end packs and never really been satisfied, so im looking into the big three and best options for me. I want something modular so when i do get to head west i can easily convert.

Im currently thinking something like the Shape Charge or SG Avail to use as a treestand pack and it looks like both of these could attach to a frame down the road to give me more capacity when i need it. I really love the looks and reviews of the exo system but dont know if it will be alot of trouble getting the whole framepack in a tree with me. Another small factor is price lol. If i go with the exo im dropping 600 right off the wack and probably another 2-300 for a second bigger bag. The shape charge or avail i can run as is than grab a frame down the road and run some type of drybag for extra space if needed. What say you. Unfortunately ive got no way to really get my hands on any of these unless any of you fine members are in Massachusetts lol.

 

[stringunner]

I primarily hunt from a tree stand. I run the SG 5900 for my every day bag (doubles as a great bag then for 3-5 day hunts if/when needed). I can place a stand in between the bag and frame. I also have a kifaru cargo panel that attaches well to the SG xcurve frame that I use when just hauling in stands and such. I don't find any problem with having the SG bag and frame going up and down the trees, though I don't hunt from a saddle like you mention.

I have looked at the Avail many times myself for a day pack in the stand but the 5900 just works well and thus I can't warrant spending the money on an Avail. The new Kifaru Stryker pack is exactly the pack I had been looking for for a couple years before I bought the SG 18 months ago. Had that one been available then I would have likely just went the kifaru frame route and that specific pack. Its a perfect set up for stand hunting with many options for other uses. I think the Avail is limiting in that regard because of size and no external frame.

My advice would simply be, even if you are not looking at a frame at this time but with potential in the future, purchase a bag that will fit well the frame you might like in the future.

 

[WESTERN VA HUNTER]

I'm in the same boat as you. I whitetail hunt in the east, been doing daytrips in a couple miles each day. Planning on doing a few 3-5 day backpack hunts in National Forest next season. I like the idea of the Kifaru Stryker, with a camp bag and either a Sherman or a large belt pouch on bottom and organizer on top. But keep in mind I've never even seen or touched a high end backpack.
I have used sub par packs all my life with success, but it's time for me to upgrade to something better for backpack hunting. I currently use a Cabelas bow and rifle pack, but it's not going to cut it for backpack hunting.

 

[Mudflap621]

Reason I was leaning towards the shape charge or avail as they can both be used standalone or docked to a frame. The Stryker and exo packs must have a frame. Like I said I’ve never used a high end frame but I’m thinking it wouldn’t be needed for my day whitetail hunts and more cumbersome in tree but I definately want one for bigger trips down the road.

 

[*zap*]

I have been happy with the SG Sky 6200. Built in load shelf makes it E-Z to carry a stand. Plenty of room for heavy outer layers and collapses down to nothing easily.

 

[Desk Jockey]

If you are open to MR I am very happy with my pop up 28. It hauls my day hunting gear. A climber stand. It also can haul a quartered up deer and a bag of corn. They are coming with a 38 liter version this year. Packs are $300-350 all in.

 

[Mudflap621]

If you are open to MR I am very happy with my pop up 28. It hauls my day hunting gear. A climber stand. It also can haul a quartered up deer and a bag of corn. They are coming with a 38 liter version this year. Packs are $300-350 all in.

I’ve looked at these hard but my biggest complaint is the weight and lack of modularity.

 

[4090Sharps]

What's your saddle setup like? What do you access in your bag while in the tree? These details would help.

The Mystery Ranch Pop Up 38 might be a good fit for you.

 

[Mudflap621]

I have eigther four sticks to or strap on steps, extra layers when needed. Grunt and rangefinder on me. I won’t need to access pack a lot at all once on stand just bring my crap in. I know the popup gets a lot of praise and I have a buddy with one I played with it a bit. My biggest gripe is that you can’t interchange the bags. With any other three I can mix and match to what I’m doing wether it be 3-4 hr whitetail sit, multi-day backpack trip etc.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

For what you have described, keep Kuiu in mind too. There 1850 setup offers superb bag lay out for a eastern tree stand hunter. With the option to put it on a very capable frame when needed. But, it is no where big enough for western backpack hunting

For what you have described as an all around, one pack fits all needs, just bight the bullet and buy the Kifaru frame and stryker. It is everything you need for both type hunts. At less cost then the others. At toughly 5 ounces heavier then the lightest of the others. One time purchase. Take that from a guy in the same shoes as you. I hunt whitetails here more then out west. And, don't let anyone tell you a framed pack doesn't set in a tree well. Sure, they are a bit more bulky with the belt and frame but, if people are hanging them in the tree to interfere with their hunting, they have bigger problems then a framed pack.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I’ve looked at these hard but my biggest complaint is the weight and lack of modularity.

Fair enough. I use a sawtooth when things get cold. They list for $450 but can be had 20-30% off on the right sale.

 

[Smid]

The avail is a great bag. I don’t have any hunting experience but I’d be glad to post any pics if you have any questions. It’s a great do it all bag. Travel, range trips, edc and will be my hunting pack this year

 

[Pezboat]

Here’s the Stryker with a saddle platform and 4 sticks. Everything packs perfectly behind the bag, leaving the bag wide open for clothes, gear, etc.

 

[Mudflap621]

View attachment 143184View attachment 143185

Here’s the Stryker with a saddle platform and 4 sticks. Everything packs perfectly behind the bag, leaving the bag wide open for clothes, gear, etc.

Man that looks sweet

 

[wesfromky]

Haven't had a chance to really use mine yet, but I think the Stryker is pretty much the perfect saddle hunting setup that can also work for longer hunts if needed.

 

[stevewes2004]

I’m in for more responses... also in the market for a frame pack.

 

[Graves14]

I really like the Exo 1800 for your purposes. I’ve never hunted from a saddle but carried a ton of climbers and hang ons attaches to my Exo frames. The new 1800 bag is great for the tree because the big U shaped front zipper makes it so easy to access your gear when hung on a tree.

 

[Mudflap621]

Thanks Graves something does have me leaning towards the exo at this point.

 

[Mudflap621]

So the final contestants are the Exo 1800 or the Kifaru Frame and Stryker. Im kinda leaning towards the exo like i said as its a little lighter and i think i like the pockets and layout of the 1800 bag a little more. Someone should do a video of their 1800 bag as i cant find squat on it really everything is geared towards their larger packs.

 

[22Jdub]

What I don't like about the exo for whitetail is having to run the straps running across the front of the bag. I've done it with exo and mystery ranch and you have to have straps undone and hanging loose to have good access to the main compartment. Loose straps with plastic buckles hanging down leads to noise

I've got a stryker on the way with two medium belt pouches. 1800 is plenty of room for me for food, camera gear and everything else needed. If I need to carry layers in they can go in the cargo panel along with sticks, stand or blind chair.

I will also say the buckles of the kifaru are far superior to the exo and seem much stronger and the material seems like it would be more durable. .