day pack

[aion2come]

+1 on talking to Aron before you buy. Great guy.

On the comparison between Exo and Kifaru ... the Exo is actually more waterproof than the Kifaru, and it is totally detachable. Both are good. I run both for different purposes. You won't go wrong with either. My personal opinion though, would be to go with a minimum of a 24" frame so you have adequate load lifters when hauling out that quarter ... and get a bag that works with that frame. I think you'll regret having a 22" frame when it comes time to haul a load.

I'd read this article before buying, if you haven't already. Buying A Backpack

 

[thejones]

Thejones- thx for the heads up on your item for sale. Id need the bigger belt , I'm a medium. I wear asat currently so I am looking for all brown/blk set up. Do you have the arrow stays or wood and c/fiber?

Mine has the arrow stays

 

[mtwarden]

look at SG's new Avail 2200- ~ 35 liters, can be run on it's own for a traditional day pack OR remove the frame, hip belt and shoulder straps and put it on their Krux frame (should be in the 4-ish lb range)- that would make for a nice light setup and gives you a fully featured daypack that can be used on it's own when the occasion rises

 

[mfolch]

I love Stone Glacier packs; and their minimalist approach to weight-savings cannot be beat, if their design works for you. I also have a bad back and need a frame that is contoured (the SG and ultralight Kifaru frames are vertical and have no curvature. I sprained my lower and had a spasm just before going on my first hunt with a bikini. The frame held my back in perfect posture; it was like having a brace tailor-made for my back--strange as it sounds, it was more comfortable to hike with 40lbs than without. I now have a hunting platform frame, and even though it weighs a lot, I have yet to find a more comfortable pack.

But for what you're saying, why not consider a 14'er or a Mystery Ranch Scapegoat? Both will last forever, have reasonably long stays, are lighter than any of the frame packs (except SG), and are suitable for day hunting. I find fully framed packs cumbersome for anything that does not involve staying in the woods overnight.

 

[mfllood3800]

All good points guys - thx.
I've read Aron's article, pretty confident in my torso length size/needs and what I'm desiring in a pack. What I appreciate from all of you is the experience you with bad backs have had and your recommendations. I can tough it out and haul loads, but just hate the results of the recovery time. Some packs make this less and allow more miles the following day, some less.

I believe even bigger 2500-3000 size packs can still compress and the weight penalty isn't too bad ?

I just habvent decided if I want the full type frame or the duplex type. Not having a good curvature could be an issue as my back is curved plenty.

 

[skaldugwas]

Mystery ranch longbow with the lift kit stowed for when you need it. For me the nice frame acts like a back brace when cinched down just right- although I don't know if my back problems are the same as yours.
What I like about this set up is you have the benefit of load lifters but they aren't snagging every low hanging bush for the 99.9% of the time when I am hunting and not hauling meat. I love my kifaru stuff but IMO what you gain in comfort for load hauling with the 26" frame you lose in mobility while hunting, especially in the thick stuff.

If you always hunt out in the open then I would go the above kifaru suggestions all the way.

 

[406]

After 2 seasons I had to admit I hated my J34. I switched to the F1 frame and, for me, it is a great solution. Frame is small but rigid, great weight transfer to hips. I just attached a base camp duffle I already had this season. Plan on making a day pack for it this winter. Price is good.
I have a shoddy back after 20 years of EMS and this pack was a game changer for me.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[mfllood3800]

what is a 14'er?

My back is several different tramas at different occasions. vert defect causes muscles to pull. Busted 3 vert (lower back). This makes the packs with too much hip pressure tough on me. 3 Compressed discs above 3 broken vert. I almost prefer to carry a bit more weight up off my hips. It gets so bad my hips don't want to move. I just sit and take in fluids, check my messages and get back at it. I'm usually good for a mile at a time under 20-30lb load. Loaded up isn't much less, but its more of a mental effort.

I want to keep hiking in and out, but I need technology to help. I am at high elev so I feel tougher at the end of the season than the beginning


This year I had 2 Elk tags, and hunted for my wifes elk as well, so I got over 100 miles in the Mtns of Utah. Many times I left the pack , GPSed it, carried a basic belt set up with kill kit and water - only way to keep hiking.

I really believe the Eberlestock was part of the issue, maybe even me also wearing a belt with 2 pouches, 9 mm under the pack belt. But I needed a way to drop the pack when necessary and still have what I needed to dress the elk.

 

[oldgoat]

14r is an internal frame pack from Kifaru. So no changing the bag, it's all one unit.
http://www.rokslide.com/forums/backpacks/45148-backpack-kifaru-14er.html?highlight=Medal+hunting

 

[hunting1]

I have several packs but for what you are describing you could just get a Badlands 2200.

 

[mfllood3800]

I saw the 14'r didn't realize what you guys were referring to lol
I am tired of trying the "other guys" and not being satisfied. I thought the Eberlestock would be my ticket, but it isn't. Maybe its just my body telling me "no".
These other packs may be perfect for many, but every time I try one it just doesn't work for me.

I'm gonna get the Kifaru, and am looking at some used ones currently. Normally I would be ok, even with my eberlestock, but a few times this year I ended up more than 5 miles away from where I started. That's when I needed the better hauler.
The more hunters I saw the deeper I went, and following the elk in one time I said, "i'm not shooting one in here". I maxed out my tolerance for completing the hunt. I'd like to go in deep and still come out loaded.

So many other pack options you have all mentioned that I just don't know how well they will perform against what I already have VS what the Kifaru is know for.
Thx again, for all you who took the time to comment. It means a great deal.

 

[camping1601]

I've use both within the last year and for day hunting I prefered the EXO over the Kifaru. The EXO felt more compact and more flexible and I don't care for the really wide waist belt on the Kifaru when day hunting. I like to let my pack sag a little on waist when light so it doesn't stick up so high and catch stuff and the Kifaru belt was uncomfortable for this.

Keep in mind this is just my personal preference.

 

[mfllood3800]

Thx camping

I realize everyone has their own preference and that's what I am after. I'll dissect the info and go forward from there.
All my intel suggests there are many options, but my body tells me there is just one.
You guys have been great

 

[camping1601]

Thx camping

I realize everyone has their own preference and that's what I am after. I'll dissect the info and go forward from there.
All my intel suggests there are many options, but my body tells me there is just one.
You guys have been great

Bite the bullet and buy them both and return one.

 

[mfllood3800]

I called Kifaru, talked to Kevin, his suggestions for those of you in a similar scenario as me:
5-8
185 lbs
19.5" torso
34" waist

Day pack, but haul an elk qtr whole out 3-5 miles

Hunting Duplex frame 24"-26"
Comp stays
weight - 3.5 lbs
Medium belt

In a Pack he suggested several options - Nomad, 22 Mag or the Woodsman
I like the woodsman cause it opens to allow more yet compresses for minimal protrusion us day packers want.
It also has the meat shelf and not just the bottom compression straps (though they will work alone)
weight is 2 lbs

I think this is the set up for me.
Total weigh 5.5 lbs

That's a lb heavier than my Eberle, but the ride should offset the burden

 

[oldgoat]

One of the coolest things about these packs, the resale value is so high, you can try bags out and if they don't work you can resale them and try another and not lose much! I've seen used frame go for fifteen dollars less than new price on eBay. You can also cut a couple of arrows and exchange them with the comp stays to try out or just pay $10 bucks more and have them added to your order.

 

[mfllood3800]

I'm on my way to getting the above set as soon as my eberlstock packs and cabelas packs sell. I am now looking at the duplex hunter frame, as well as the duplex UL frame. Hoping tog et both frames and the woodsman bag for sure on one and maybe the 22 mag on the other

Is this a good place to sell my used packs?
I fear this is a more high end site?

 

[oldgoat]

I'm on my way to getting the above set as soon as my eberlstock packs and cabelas packs sell. I am now looking at the duplex hunter frame, as well as the duplex UL frame. Hoping tog et both frames and the woodsman bag for sure on one and maybe the 22 mag on the other

Is this a good place to sell my used packs?
I fear this is a more high end site?

Buying both frames is certainly an option, but the only difference is the stays and they are easy to swap out, couple minutes tops. This is a good place as any to try and sell your packs. Might think about dropping Ryan a couple of bucks if you get them sold on here to keep the sight rolling

 

[mfllood3800]

I thought I saw a vid where they said the packs were same other than stays, but on the phone he directed me away from the ul cause I was gonna haul weight?
Was he incorrect? Perhaps I just misunderstood him.....

 

[mfllood3800]

Just sold one of my older Cabela packs- I'm 25% of the way to a new Kifaru Frame yehaawwww

I have 2 Eberlestock day packs I'm gonna list in the classified area if anyone is interested