Daypack , Opinions please!

[blackdawg]

I would like a new larger daypack . I currently have tenszing 2200. Things I would like to have in new pack . Meat shelf, better harness system, fewer straps or better strap mgmt system, large enough to carry 10x42 Binoculars, trekking poles, grunt tube, room for clothes as I strip through the day , lots of food and water, fundamental basic safety/survival gear . My daypack was loaded around 30 pounds at start of each day's hunt, lots of water weight . Additional weight wouldn't be problem. The pack also needs to be stealthier, I felt that the myriad of straps and plastic buckles were constantly making unnecessary noise as I tried to close the distance on a few Bulls this fall, so stealth would be factor . If it was large enough to carry shelter and elk quarter in case of unplanned overnights would be a plus . I generally truck/atv camp in my Arctic Oven and make the hike in each a.m. Open to suggestions.

 

[elkyinzer]

Lots of info available on here if you do some searching. Last year about this time I was looking for about the same thing that you are and I settled on the Mystery Ranch Crew Cab with a dry bag and a lid. Longbow would suit your needs but I wanted capability to expand for spike camping trips. I was able to try their frame and an older Kifaru Duplex and liked the MR better. Other good options from Exo, Stone Glacier and I'm sure a few others. Regarding the straps and buckles I want quite a few to manage loads and really cinch everything as close to the frame as possible. I just tuck the excess straps in and I'm good to go

People have strong affinities to brands with packs it seems, and there are a lot of Kifaru fans on here. Best is if you can try all the frame options but that can be tough to arrange.

 

[BroodBuster]

I'm very happy with the Exo 3500 as a day pack. Great having a tarp when a buddy stuck an elk on a pile of ash in a burn zone. We were able to keep the meat clean and the first quarter out was very easy with the loaded pack. A few days later another buddy walks into camp with the first load of a spike in his back. Very nice to be able to lose the pack and just carry the frame and beavertail. Made that load out very easy. It's probably a wee bit overkill for a strictly day pack but it compresses nicely and I like volume in my packs.

I agree about the straps. My bow tinking off a strap will stop me dead in my tracks. One of these days I'm going to make little bungee bands so that I can roll up and secure the strap ends. My old Eberlstock had those and I really liked them. Something I've wanted to do for both my Kifaru and Exo.

 

[Bubblehide]

There are several manufactures making some really good high end pack. I have a Stone Glacier 6200ci. It handles the heavy loads so comfortably, yet compresses down to pretty much nothing, I hardly notice it riding on my back. I just can't imagine using a daypack instead of the SG.

 

[novaman64]

Kuiu Icon Pro 3200.

 

[blackdawg]

Keep the info coming, gonna buy once/cry once , hope not to need to trade around to get the size I need, how do you rate the quietness of these models?

 

[novaman64]

Keep the info coming, gonna buy once/cry once , hope not to need to trade around to get the size I need, how do you rate the quietness of these models?

Nice thing about the Kuiu, is that you can buy bag only for different sizes, so you can go down to a 1800cui or bigger if needed for far less cost than purchase of a additional bag.

 

[2ski]

Nice thing about the Kuiu, is that you can buy bag only for different sizes, so you can go down to a 1800cui or bigger if needed for far less cost than purchase of a additional bag.

You can do this with Kifaru and Stone Glacier as well. I really like my Kifaru, but I would look hard at getting a SG if I was doing it now. Admittedly Largely because I live in Bozeman.

 

[3Arrows]

I like the Blacks Creek Alternative 3000ci for a spike pack. For a strictly day pack you can get the Answer its a 2000ci. I heard that EXO is coming out with a new pack this year in the 2000 range as well. Good luck

 

[ol490]

I have a Kifaru Late Season (3400 ci) that I love. Pluses - it compresses down as needed, the suspension and belt are great, it will carry weight very well (I have had around 70-80 pounds in it carrying half a sheep plus gear), it's iite, and it's tough. Minus - it's expensive and I don't believe you can put a different bag on this frame (someone correct me if I'm wrong). Overall, I would buy it again. It's such a step up from the cheap, mushy day packs I used to have and allows me to carry more weight without fatigue. Good luck in your search.

 

[bogeyboy555]

I have owned Kifaru's, Mystery Ranch packs, and shitty cabelas/bass pro type ones.

The best packs I have ever used are the packs made by Stone Glacier in montana. I use their Solo pack for my 4-5 day archery hunts. and i use the Serac for all my scouting/ day packs. they both are amazng and work on the same frame.

 

[LandYacht]

It's been mentioned about using a bigger pack as a day pack, which is exactly what I do.

My KU5200 is lighter than any day pack, and it will carry 100+ pounds of meat when the time comes. Keeps stone cash freed up for other hunting essentials *wife rolls her eyes*

 

[Zbot]

Horn Hunter Full Curl system

 

[husky390]

My SG Sky7400 is my do all pack and works well for me as a daypack. It does have a lot of straps but you're going to find that with just about any pack on the market. We like straps that hold straps to other straps over the straps you just strapped.

 

[blackdawg]

I hope to hear if any of these packs are also quiet, seems like on more than one occasion I have found myself removing pack while working a bull, or slipping through some thick stuff to close the distance. Trade offs for everything I suspect. What frames allow for interchanging multiple bags and only utilizing One primary frame.

 

[husky390]

Most of the packs out there are made with Cordura which is not the quietest fabric out there. The upside, it's very strong.

Kifaru and Stone Glacier frames are designed to use different bags. I think Kuiu's packs can as well.