Big guy pack

[Kaiser741]

Howdy,

I’m 6’5” 290 lbs and looking into buying my first pack for back country hunting. I hoping to stay in $400-$500 dollar range, and about 4000 to 6000 cubic inch range. My first hunt I’m gearing up for is gunna be an Utah bear hunt. Any suggestions on what pack and frame system would be comfortable and efficient for me would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Kaiser741]

Edit: Idaho not Utah

 

[WeiserBucks]

In that price range I'd be keeping an eye on the classifieds for an EXO, Kifaru or Stone Glacier. Do some research on each and save a few dollars buying used.

It's tough to get a quality USA pack new with that budget, but used ones are a great value.

 

[dgfavor]

I'm 6'5 230#. My recipe:
F1 mainframe - size Tall, could probably easily find a used one
- remove shoulder harness and replace with their padded, longer shoulder harness, put on lowest setting for a smaller person effectively putting load lifters into better position
- remove hip belt - replace with the Exo K4 hip belt of your size (I use Large, they go to XL). Tin snip cut 1" strip off the bottom middle section below the velcro, velcro it into lowest position possible so the belt sits lower on the pack effectively raising the whole pack higher on your back.
-add a 5000c dry bag and one large batwing and you're hunting outta sight of the parking lot for several days.

I actually use their new Mod frame now and works great, feels great...but feels smaller on my backl fwiw. I use the
F1 for rucking/training now

 

[ss9961]

6'5" 290 on a bear hunt? I recommend you wear him down with body blows then choke him out..

 

[Kaiser741]

6'5" 290 on a bear hunt? I recommend you wear him down with body blows then choke him out..

that’s freaking hilarious!!

 

[SkunkCabbage]

Your two options are exo k4 26.5 frame or a older kifaru duplex lite 26 which works out to be 26.5

This is coming from a 6’7” 260lb guy.

 

[LCguy]

6'6" 250, and I run a Seek Outside Goshawk. The frame is adjustable, I usually have the 2" frame extenders on there for general backpacking and swap them out for the 4" extenders when I need to pack anything substantial.

I weighed around 280 when I first got it, so the belt is definitely large enough.

 

[dm_]

I have a Seek Outside Goshawk 4800 and it somehow feels larger than 4800ci. The sell "talons" to extend the capacity as well. I love the way their frame fits -- I'm 6'4", 280. I'm not a western hunter so I've never used it for meat hauling, mostly use it for hiking/camping and winter camping and it just feels great. Their Goshawk 6300 is an option too. I have their XL belt and it's just about right for me, but you can swap it out for different sizes.

That said if if I were starting from scratch and mostly using it for hunting I would consider the Exo line since Seek bags are kind of "one giant roll top bag" strapped on top of an excellent frame. The Exo seems to have a bit more built in organization qualities (at the expense of added ounces, though it seems not by much on paper).

Unfortunately both of these systems are about double your budget new. You could start by buying the frame of any of the systems (Seek, Exo, Eberlestock, Kifaru, etc) and find a cheaper high capacity bag from another brand (frankenpack style) or a used bag to strap on it to keep the price down but still have a detachable bag/frame system.

 

[Kaiser741]

I have a Seek Outside Goshawk 4800 and it somehow feels larger than 4800ci. The sell "talons" to extend the capacity as well. I love the way their frame fits -- I'm 6'4", 280. I'm not a western hunter so I've never used it for meat hauling, mostly use it for hiking/camping and winter camping and it just feels great. Their Goshawk 6300 is an option too. I have their XL belt and it's just about right for me, but you can swap it out for different sizes.

That said if if I were starting from scratch and mostly using it for hunting I would consider the Exo line since Seek bags are kind of "one giant roll top bag" strapped on top of an excellent frame. The Exo seems to have a bit more built in organization qualities (at the expense of added ounces, though it seems not by much on paper).

Unfortunately both of these systems are about double your budget new. You could start by buying the frame of any of the systems (Seek, Exo, Eberlestock, Kifaru, etc) and find a cheaper high capacity bag from another brand (frankenpack style) or a used bag to strap on it to keep the price down but still have a detachable bag/frame system.

This is great advice thanks and will likely be the route I go with. Buy a brand new frame and pick up a used back somewhere. I’m a lease manager/ hunting guide in south Texas my pack has cruise control and 4-wheel drive haha. This western hunting experience is brand new to me, been dreaming about since I was a kid but am finally in a place where I can prolly swing one western hunt a year so buying one really good pack will likely last me years!