Expensive Packs

[Decker9]

The best pieces of advice I ever got on buying gear, “will you miss that money next year?


I’m not to familiar with many packs. When I originally ordered my first Kifaru setup back in 2012, “will I miss this money next year”? I asked myself. Needless to say, I didn’t. The same question has helped my decision on lots of other gear as well.

 

[Huntingfarandwide]

I appreciate all of your comments and advise....that's what makes this site so great!

I live in the East and spend my time hunting and exploring the tristate area around Pennsylvania. Most of my hunting is done with a Blacks Creek Guide Gear Grip Frame and Answer pack. I understand the need for an overload shelf for I use the BC for everything from packing my stands, mineral blocks in to meat out of a dark hollow. This year in Colorado we are supposed to hunt spike from base and I am looking to buy something for 3 - 5 day adventure that has a load shelf. But I will be using the same pack to backpack back home on my adventures which I hope includes some Appalachian Trail time. I just sold my MR Glacier which I really liked but it did not have a frame (just stays) thus did not have overload capabilities.

I have looked at Kuiu, MR, Initial Accent (why no love here?) Exo, SG....I'm tired.

With weights being close.....once you get past comfort and a load shelf....what more is there to offer for the higher price?

 

[Marble]

I appreciate all of your comments and advise....that's what makes this site so great!

I live in the East and spend my time hunting and exploring the tristate area around Pennsylvania. Most of my hunting is done with a Blacks Creek Guide Gear Grip Frame and Answer pack. I understand the need for an overload shelf for I use the BC for everything from packing my stands, mineral blocks in to meat out of a dark hollow. This year in Colorado we are supposed to hunt spike from base and I am looking to buy something for 3 - 5 day adventure that has a load shelf. But I will be using the same pack to backpack back home on my adventures which I hope includes some Appalachian Trail time. I just sold my MR Glacier which I really liked but it did not have a frame (just stays) thus did not have overload capabilities.

I have looked at Kuiu, MR, Initial Accent (why no love here?) Exo, SG....I'm tired.

With weights being close.....once you get past comfort and a load shelf....what more is there to offer for the higher price?

I dont even consider the weight of the pack in the purchase. At 100 pounds, 2-3 pounds is not what I'm thinking about. Nor will I notice it.

I am lucky. The first high end pack and frame was the 26" Kifaru frame fit me just perfect. So now I can get any other frame type packs from them and only need to be concerned about how it's configured.

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[Stubborn_bowhunter]

You’ll be fine as long as you don’t try hauling weight with an Exo or Kifaru. What you don’t know won’t hurt you. But once you do, you’ll be done.

This is so true. Same with using lower end optics then looking through swaros.

 

[brettdunn7]

Had a MR Beartooth 80 and now an EXO 4800. EXO fit better and more comfortable to me. Plus liked layout better. And it hauls weight without any issue whatsoever. It’s only one of the best packs for a reason.

The MR hauled great also. Just didn’t fit as nicely as the EXO for me. Otherwise great pack. It’s essentially the one you are looking at anyways.


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[Dirtscoots]

This is so true. Same with using lower end optics then looking through swaros.

Exactly I’ve spotted a lot of elk with cheap leupolds , as I’ve packed a lot of elk with a cheap pack frame. Buddies have ruined me by letting me borrow their gear. Now I can’t even look through cheap glass with out being irritated. And I will bloody my kifaru even if it’s a short pack. If you live out of your pack one that fits you is very important. If it sits in the truck until an animal is down then no need to spend extra.

 

[Holmes]

But I will be using the same pack to backpack back home on my adventures which I hope includes some Appalachian Trail time.

With weights being close.....once you get past comfort and a load shelf....what more is there to offer for the higher price?

For hauling big loads, the difference in weight between all these backs is negligible, ignore it. The actual differences are slight in how the frame is set up (height, width, stiffness, contours, adjustability) and the little details on organization and access on the pack.
If you use one of these meat-haulers for basic trail backpacking though, you might notice the extra several pounds versus a dedicated lightweight thru-hiker's pack. And, you'll probably notice how big and stiff it rides with a small load in it. Matters how light you pack for "just-hiking" and what your goals are. When I thru-hiked the LT and AT many years ago my "just hiking" pack weighed as much as these meat haulers do today. But, I was also 20 yrs old, really dumb, and hauling 55lbs of stuff just to camp in lean-to's along the way . I'd never do that today, I'd break. Today I would carry a 2lb backpack with max 30lbs of stuff in it for a week+ of thru-hiking.

My advice, buy the MR pack and put the money into either a) new/better optics b) a few dates with your significant other c) save it incase you want to upgrade packs after a few western hunts....you can *always* sell that MR pack on the classifieds here, easy.

 

[Stubborn_bowhunter]

c) save it incase you want to upgrade packs after a few western hunts....you can *always* sell that MR pack on the classifieds here, easy.

This is also a big thing in pack decision making more guys should realize.
If they're not going on hunts that require a solid pack to carry heavy loads often then it's not a necessity. They can get by with a daypack and a separate frame.

I notice most of these "I ain't buying an expensive pack." threads are not western hunters, or backpack hunters. And if they are they are are only doing it once every few years.

 

[Huntingfarandwide]

Had a MR Beartooth 80 and now an EXO 4800. EXO fit better and more comfortable to me. Plus liked layout better. And it hauls weight without any issue whatsoever. It’s only one of the best packs for a reason.

The MR hauled great also. Just didn’t fit as nicely as the EXO for me. Otherwise great pack. It’s essentially the one you are looking at anyways.


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Did you find the EXO to thin and long for your use? That is one thing that I am leery about with the EXO.

 

[cburgin72]

I think when you get into the higher dollar packs, you are also buying for overall durability, company customer service, and warranty. I know Kifaru's is top notch, I am not sure about any of the other brands to be honest but I think it is definitely something to consider.

I used and was happy with a Cabelas external frame pack. At a Train to Hunt competition, someone let me try on their kifaru... I now own a kifaru pack. I found the bag here in the classifieds and went ahead and bought the frame from Kifaru. To be honest, I think I could sell the whole set up and get pretty dang close to what I paid for it. They hold their value well.

 

[brettdunn7]

Did you find the EXO to thin and long for your use? That is one thing that I am leery about with the EXO.

No it’s actually one of the reasons I got it. The Beartooth felt too wide. Also the EXO compresses down better for a day pack. I just pack the lid inside for day use as I use the lid for my kill kit (well minus the game bags).


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[MilhouseG19]

I would also look at Seek Outside. They actually bring something unique to the table IMO. Near waterproof and lighter than most. The Gosshawk with a Merlin is sub 5lbs and can handle just about anything.

 

[McCrapper]

Man I hear you. I keep looking at packs and I really like the Eberlestock F1 mainframe with dry bags and 2 bat wings. Lots of versatility and i can piece one together for under $400. Only issue I run into with this gear is I can’t find a place local to try it all on. Saving the extra $200 helps buy my other gear.

 

[Rokwiia]

I would also look at Seek Outside. They actually bring something unique to the table IMO. Near waterproof and lighter than most. The Gosshawk with a Merlin is sub 5lbs and can handle just about anything.

Seek Outside makes amazing packs. Much lighter than their competition and they carry like a dream. I have the SO Revolution Fotress 6,300 and you don't need the Merlin with it. Absolutely voluminous and weighs in at a mere 4lbs 2oz.

Just ordered the SO Gila and very much looking forward to getting it.

 

[Ram94]

It's crazy to think that MR is referred to as it's some sub-par product. I remember when they were considered among the best. I imagine it's because they import a lot of packs now, but I've only tried MR and Kifaru and I'd still prefer MR, less expensive or not.

Agree with this. I’ve come to the same conclusion that it’s because majority on this site will support American companies. MR is still one of the best but it takes a back seat on Rokslide lately because of their outsourcing.

 

[MattB]

You can't determine fit from a spreadsheet.

 

[Farmingdale's Finest]

You can't determine fit from a spreadsheet.

Very true! I am larger than average being 6'2 and when I bought my pack over 280lbs. After speaking with MR I bought a Glacier with XXL belt and harness for myself and an XL for my son who is 6'5 and 240. While the XXL fit and I would have been happy with it my sons pack felt better so Last year I added the MR Terraframe to the mix and it fits both of us great and better for my son due to his 23" torso. So next year I will wear his Glacier and he will wear the Terrframe.

 

[fatlander]

If you were already buying a MR pack, there is absolutely zero reason to pay more money for a hunting pack IMO. The terraframe line, especially when on sale, is what a pack that’s not made in America should cost. Their hunting line is overpriced for what you’re getting (a camouflage version of the terraframe).

If you want to spend your money on a pack that is made in America, from American components, there are better options than MR. MR makes a great pack, but their American made packs (military line) are much higher priced than other companies.

The rhino’s customer service is next to none. You can call/text/dm the CEO and he’ll answer within a few hours.


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[Fowl master]

I think you are getting a little excessive trying to figure out which is best. Order a few and keep the one you like and sell the others. Everyone’s body type is different as well as the purpose it’s used for. For me I prefer the kifaru over all other packs I have tested. Why you may ask. Because it fits all my needs and carries a load well and has never let me down in the 12 years I’ve used one. At the end of the day it’s really a personal preference but I hope you find the right pack for you as it makes hunting that much more enjoyable!

 

[MilhouseG19]

I have the Gila as well. I love it for general backpacking. I also just like having the merlin for summits for final approach type stuff.