Budget pack question?

[rhendrix]

Found out we're having a third baby so all of my gear purchases are going by the way side for now, looking to just save enough money to be able to go hunting next year! Had a TZ5000 this year that I used and abused, carried my kit comfortably, the minor glitches that I had (two zipper failures and the sternum strap breaking) could all easily be repaired, I could easily keep it but I want something with more room. I have been looking at picking up a Gregory Whitney 95, I can pick up a used one for around 200 bucks on eBay, I should be able to carry a 80-100 pound load with it without any problems. Haven't seen any reviews on here or any of the other forums I frequent. Does anyone have any advice they can give me or suggestions for good expedition quality packs that I could pick up for a couple of hundred dollars since that's about all I'll receive for the TZ500?

 

[Aron Snyder]

Found out we're having a third baby so all of my gear purchases are going by the way side for now, looking to just save enough money to be able to go hunting next year! Had a TZ5000 this year that I used and abused, carried my kit comfortably, the minor glitches that I had (two zipper failures and the sternum strap breaking) could all easily be repaired, I could easily keep it but I want something with more room. I have been looking at picking up a Gregory Whitney 95, I can pick up a used one for around 200 bucks on eBay, I should be able to carry a 80-100 pound load with it without any problems. Haven't seen any reviews on here or any of the other forums I frequent. Does anyone have any advice they can give me or suggestions for good expedition quality packs that I could pick up for a couple of hundred dollars since that's about all I'll receive for the TZ500?

That's a great choice and you will get a much better suspension as well.

 

[rhendrix]

Also found an Arcteryx Bora 95 that I'm tempted to buy.

 

[rhendrix]

That's a great choice and you will get a much better suspension as well.

Sweet, thanks.

 

[Aron Snyder]

Also found an Arcteryx Bora 95 that I'm tempted to buy.

I like the bora better, but I used on for a long time and just ran the Gregory for a couple months.

I would say the bora is more durable as well.

 

[BigMac]

Definitely go with the Bora, there are several on Ebay right now. You might give Arcteryx a call, I picked up another Bora 80 from them last year. They also have Bora waistbelts in stock, so if you buy a pack and the belt is to big or small.

 

[luke moffat]

Looks into the Osprey line as well they fit me better than Arcteryx and Gregory, but pack fit is a very personal thing so got with what is most comfy for you.

 

[InDeep]

I have a Gregory Whitney I'll give ya a killer deal on its a awesome pack for a guy on budget .

 

[Ironman8]

Unless you go with InDeeps offer (nice of him btw), look up the Gen2 USMC Marine ILBE. I can't justify the purchase of a Kifaru right now, as much as I wish I could, so I picked up an ILBE (new condition) for under $80. I get it tomorrow, so I can't recommend it based on experience, only what I've read about it. It was built based off the Bora 80 (or 95?), so it's a good design, just a little heavy in it's stock config, but I plan to cut a bunch off to lighten it up. Just another option for you...

 

[Aron Snyder]

Unless you go with InDeeps offer (nice of him btw), look up the Gen2 USMC Marine ILBE. I can't justify the purchase of a Kifaru right now, as much as I wish I could, so I picked up an ILBE (new condition) for under $80. I get it tomorrow, so I can't recommend it based on experience, only what I've read about it. It was built based off the Bora 80 (or 95?), so it's a good design, just a little heavy in it's stock config, but I plan to cut a bunch off to lighten it up. Just another option for you...

Give me a call if you need some tips cutting weight on it.....

 

[Ironman8]

Give me a call if you need some tips cutting weight on it.....

Thanks Aron, will do!

 

[rhendrix]

Ironman, I lugged one of those bastards around for many months in Iraq, I don't have fond memories...there solid packs though. My Gen1 that I was issued broke after several months, was issued a Gen2 and took 2 deployments of abuse and never failed me.

 

[Ironman8]

Ironman, I lugged one of those bastards around for many months in Iraq, I don't have fond memories...there solid packs though. My Gen1 that I was issued broke after several months, was issued a Gen2 and took 2 deployments of abuse and never failed me.

Ha! Yeah I don't blame you for passing on the ILBE idea...but that's good to hear the Gen2 held up to grunt abuse...and 2 deployments at that!

Since you have alot of experience with them, can you comment on how well they carry with ~100lbs? And do they have enough volume for extended hunts?

 

[rhendrix]

I hauled an 80ish pound load through Iraq with little issues, there were some annoying creaks that it developed but I'm almost certain it had to do with all the fine silt over there. Overall it's a huge pack with plenty of room, especially if you pack smart, the gear we had in the Marines was anything but efficient or lightweight. I never trimmed the fat on it but there are a ton of straps that you could trim down or get rid of entirely. Good luck.

 

[tipsntails7]

Look at steapandcheap.com they got a lot of close out mountain gear, including packs

 

[Ironman8]

Just got the ILBE. Looks like a solid pack and weighed in at exactly 136oz (8.5 lbs). After reading a thread about cutting the fat off the pack on another forum, I'm hoping I can get this down to 6.5 lbs., but maybe I'm just a little ambitious.

Aron, you still in town for a phone call?

 

[Carlin59]

Ironman,

It sounds like you already picked up an ILBE, but if you change your mind I found a deal on Amazon for the Horn Hunter Full Curl System at over half off. It should be the first item in the search results. I have done quite a bit of research on this setup, and it looks like a solid value-especially at $160 for the whole system.

Cody

 

[Ironman8]

Ironman,

It sounds like you already picked up an ILBE, but if you change your mind I found a deal on Amazon for the Horn Hunter Full Curl System at over half off. It should be the first item in the search results. I have done quite a bit of research on this setup, and it looks like a solid value-especially at $160 for the whole system.

Cody

Thanks for the heads up Cody. Yeah I got the ILBE yesterday. Truth of the matter is that I usually don't buy cheap(er) gear that I know I'll replace down the road...more of a buy once, cry once kind of guy...but since I could get this so cheap and really couldn't justify spending the money on a Kifaru right now, I went with this. I'll most likely pick up a Kifaru in a couple years after I move out west and can actually use it year-round.

 

[krummholz]

Not the Whitney, but I used the Gregory Palisade 80 for a season. I believe it has the same frame and suspension as the Whitney, just a bit smaller. I was very impressed with that pack. Carried some very heavy loads of meat and camp out of the back country very comfortably. Got rid of it for a more hunting specific pack, but would not hesitate to use it again. I really liked that pack. Tried the Osprey Argon as well, but didn't like it nearly as much.

 

[agwrestler]

Ironman8, how did the ILBE work out for you this past season? I'm considering the ILBE (~$60 used) and the Horn Hunter Full Curl Combo ($208 on Amazon) as my first meat hauling pack.