Frame Pack Recommendations; KUIU, Kifaru, EXO, Stone Glacier, etc

[Philotheos777]

I'm looking to purchase a frame pack for big game hunting, mostly trips up to 5 days but a back that could also work for shorter trips. I've been considering KUIU's Pro LT 6000/5500, Kifaru, or Exo k3 or 4, and I've heard good things about SG. Your feedback from experience would be greatly appreciated.

 

[DWBohnert]

I'm looking to purchase a frame pack for big game hunting, mostly trips up to 5 days but a back that could also work for shorter trips. I've been considering KUIU's Pro LT 6000/5500, Kifaru, or Exo k3 or 4, and I've heard good things about SG. Your feedback from experience would be greatly appreciated.

I have the Exo K3 4800 with the lid. I really like it as it fits me well, is pretty light, was well thought out, and is very adaptable for carrying spotting scope, sticks, tripods, etc. I have only packed a Coues deer (2 miles) and a mule deer (2.5 miles) with it but it performed awesome with no issue and fit like a glove. It is very flexible and functions really well as a day pack as it is easy to reduce the “extra space” with all the compression straps. My negatives would be cost and its inability to stand upright when you set it down due to the angled base. I have not personally used the other packs you mention but a good friend has a Kuiu and likes it a lot. I looked at it when I was choosing a pack and it is very light and seemed a little less durable than what I wanted.

 

[Marble]

Any of the brands mentioned above will work. My experience is with Kuiu, stone glacier and Kifaru. The most comfortable pack was the stone glacier with about 25 pounds in it. Kuiu was comfortable into the mid-50s and the kifaru is the best over 50lbs by a large margin. I haven't had a chance to use the new Arc from Kifaru, but I have one and will be testing it out in the next few months. The Arc with the pack atta hed is about 1.5 pounds lighter than my other Kifaru day pack.

My recommendation is to evaluate what you will do with the pack and then choose the size pack you need. 5500-6000 is big. But I don't mind a large pack when backpack hunting. If you are going to be packing meat, you'll want pack system that will work for how you want to crlarry it out.

Finding someplace to try on and test fit a pack would be optimal.

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[Philotheos777]

Thank you for the feedback!
Any recommendations on specific Kifaru packs that will work for day to 3-5 days and packing out meat?

 

[FuddRucker]

Check out seek outside too. I've been happy with mine so far.

 

[FuddRucker]

Check out seek outside too. I've been happy with mine so far.

If I were in the market right now, I'd find a scheels and try on what they have + order other brands to try on and compare. Keep what feels the best and get a big bag (bigger than what you think you'll typically need) that can be cinched down and used for day hunting. Any reputable backpack with break away meat hauling should be able to handle 3-5 days plus meat. Which one is best for you will be fairly subjective.

 

[Marble]

Thank you for the feedback!
Any recommendations on specific Kifaru packs that will work for day to 3-5 days and packing out meat?

Go to their website and take a look. They have bags organized for day packing and overnights. Several to choose from.

I have three different overnight packs, the crater, 44 mag and the bedlam. 44 mag is really nice, heavier than the other two but set up very nice. This my wife's pack.

The bedlam is much lighter and plenty big for 4-5 days. It's also set up as a big brother to my daypack, the hoodlum.

The crater is huge, 6500 ci. But it worked well solo when I have killed elk and needed room for meat. This pack is discontinued..

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[Drenalin]

From the options listed, Exo and Kuiu have worked best for me. Kifaru and SG just didn’t fit me well, especially with the huge lumbar pads. And that’s kind of the trick - you have to find what fits you, not what fits strangers on the internet. Any of those are quality packs.

 

[RoboArchery]

I have the Mystery Ranch Pintler and it is nice. Might need larger if you are backpacking but if just hunting from camp it is a great option.

 

[Camel titties]

+1 for the K4!! Kuiu smaller bags did not have enough pockets and compartments on them for me.

 

[hereinaz]

If you look at many pack threads, those that try a variation nearly always choose EXO. When you carry a heavy load with EXO, its design really shines.

They are designed better. Years ago, I used Kuiu for a season. Then bought Kifaru and EXO to try. Sold everything but the EXO.

And, yes, lots of other packs are very good too. You will probably be happy overall with almost any of the pack you named.

 

[wh0cansay]

Hill People Gear Decker / Decker Tall. Best suspension on the market and a hell of a lot cheaper than Kifaru.

 

[bozeman]

I've tried them all, each one you listed. For best fit comfort all around, the Kifaru Arc has been the one I kept. I actually liked the K3 better than the K4, but Exo is right at the top. SG, Kuiu just did not work well for my body shape/shoulder blades. Best of luck in your search and use 15, 35, 55, 75lbs when trying these diff packs out...will help you make the best decision.

 

[outlook8]

Just purchased the Mystery Ranch Beartooth 80 (on sale @ BlackOvis), will report back.

 

[MOLC09]

I had a mystery ranch and now kifaru, MR is hard to beat for the price if you want new.

 

[Wrongside]

Of the packs I’ve owned/own/used- Arc Boras, MR x4, ILBE, older Kifarus, SO Evo, SG X-Curve, & EXO K4- I’d go SG or EXO every single time.

So my advice would be to get both, get them adjusted perfectly, and test them out with weight. Return or sell the one that comes 2nd. Or keep it for a backup.

 

[sndmn11]

Thank you for the feedback!
Any recommendations on specific Kifaru packs that will work for day to 3-5 days and packing out meat?

The pack itself is irrelevant at this point. Each brand has something adequate for what you describe.

You need to find the frame that works best for you first. What one person likes another may not, so it, and footwear, are genuine trial and error type products.

Order a frame from two mfgs, swap the loser, find a different mfg, swap the loser, until you have found the one. Any mfg mentioned here could be the one.

 

[OtterFodder]

Man, I had questions similar to this. Going on my first mountain range hunt, hoping to be up 7 to 10 days.

The Memorial Day KUIU sales are tempting but I've been told good things about Stone Glacier and now EXO.

 

[BoatsNGoats]

Worn Kuiu, SG, Mystery, EXO
Kuiu - Coming around but for the price their packs just didn’t compete with the top end they were priced at
SG- Very comfortable yet bare bones
Mystery- Best value, F-150 of packs
EXO- my pack now, the thought out nature of design and it’s ability to carry heavy weight was significant difference in my experience

 

[OtterFodder]

Thanks for sharing this information. After reading over this thread, I realized I had not looked into EXO at all. Spent an hour or so looking over their very informative videos. Going to check them out at a local retailer on my time off. I was very tempted by the Memorial sales at KUIU putting the packs in the 550.00 range. Looks like the EXO K4 is worth it by just about every single post on the issue.