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

[mtnbound]

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 used all of those plus many others. If you can you need to try the frames on with 40-50# and see what fits you the best. Most people of the companies offer a return policy. SG and Kifaru tends to be just big dump designed pack with little to no organization. I do not like the SG hip belt. Kuiu has good organization but their load sling can only be used with the pack removed. EXO K3 tended to slip down my hips if I loaded it above 40#. The EXO K4 does not slip at all and has good organization and a great load sling. The EXO K4 in the 3600 or 5000 would be my choice.


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[Tired03]

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 really like the Kuiu packs, I have not tried any Kifaru or Exo. I have not seen anyone mention Mystery Ranch on this post so I will. While I love Kuiu I feel like they are overpriced for what you get. I think the Mystery Ranch Metcalf packs are a better bang for your buck and quite comfortable. They are also 25% off for their memorial day sale.

 

[Tired03]

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.

Check out the Mystery Ranch sales. I was die hard Kuiu, then I bought a MR pintler then a Metcalf and now I hooked. I feel like they better quality for a smaller investment.

 

[Highwarlok]

I just got an older Seek Outside Revolution frame with a 4800 CI breakaway bag and so far I love the way it fits me. That being said anything mentioned in this thread would be a good option. Try as many as you can with close to the worst conditions / weight you will be carrying. What carries 30# l at the park like a dream may not work for you with an elk quarter in the back country.

 

[wh0cansay]

Slippage is mitigated by correctly fitted aluminum stays, no matter the pack.

 

[Neko]

Any links to fitted aluminum stays? Never heard of that.

 

[camelcluch]

Exo is the easy button for most. Hard to go wrong with the pack and the company is fantastic. I own two and won’t give them up.
However, give the Initial Ascent a look. Pretty amazing what that frame does.

 

[johnw3474]

Don't overlook the non hunting backpacking packs from Mystery Ranch. The Terraframe is the same material, same guide light frame, and had the load shelf like the hunting bags, just not the hunting colors and a little better price. I have terraframe 65 that has been a great bag. Very comfortable carrying weight. I also like the option to put the smaller bags on there for a day hunt/ hike where you may not need to carry much, but still have the option to pack out a kill.

Edit: I just looked on their website for the first time in a while. Looks like they have updated the line quite a bit since I last looked and the guidelight frame has been replaced. They still have the terraframe on the guidelight for what it's worth though.

 

[wh0cansay]

Any links to fitted aluminum stays? Never heard of that.

You do the fitting yourself by bending them so they match the profile of your spine. It's just a flat piece of metal, about an inch wide usually. 7075-grade aluminum is best for heavy loads.

 

[tdjohnson15413]

I love my Kifaru Ark frame. I had the duplex lite before and I can say the Ark is noticeably more comfortable. I do think the duplex handles heavy loads better though.

 

[muley14]

I love my Kifaru Ark frame. I had the duplex lite before and I can say the Ark is noticeably more comfortable. I do think the duplex handles heavy loads better though.

Are you saying the old frame is more comfortable loaded for you? What weight? I have the old frame and agree it does well. Looking at getting a exo next in a smaller bag read lots of good things about them. I enjoy their podcast and want to throw support that way. Waiting for the annual sale as I'm not in a rush

 

[madcalfe]

I've owned Kifaru, SG, and kuiu. Kifaru definitely packs heavier weight the best. I have the duplex light and the tactical frame. SG is more noticeably lighter and more comfortable than the Kifaru at 50lbs and under. I didn't like the kuiu and sold it instantly.
I wouldn't even put mystery ranch in the same category as Kifaru, SG, EXO.
whatever company you decide to go with pick a bag with over 6000ci
I use the Kifaru hoodlum and the SG talus for 14-day sheep hunts down to day hunts at home. both bags compress down to nothing so might as well get one that can handle longer hunts if needed.

 

[tdjohnson15413]

Are you saying the old frame is more comfortable loaded for you? What weight? I have the old frame and agree it does well. Looking at getting a exo next in a smaller bag read lots of good things about them. I enjoy their podcast and want to throw support that way. Waiting for the annual sale as I'm not in a rush

Yes, I think the Duplex Lite frame handles heavier loads better....60+lbs. Anything under that I think the ARK is more comfortable.

 

[Athor119]

+1 for Mystery Ranch, I have the metcalf and is great for 3 day at a time hunts

 

[Cannonball]

If I were in the market I’d look at initial ascent

 

[intunegp]

I have used all of those plus many others. If you can you need to try the frames on with 40-50# and see what fits you the best. Most people of the companies offer a return policy. SG and Kifaru tends to be just big dump designed pack with little to no organization. I do not like the SG hip belt. Kuiu has good organization but their load sling can only be used with the pack removed. EXO K3 tended to slip down my hips if I loaded it above 40#. The EXO K4 does not slip at all and has good organization and a great load sling. The EXO K4 in the 3600 or 5000 would be my choice.


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Curious what you mean by that? The pack is still attached if you're using the load shelf correctly.

 

[zacattack]

Are you saying the old frame is gmore comfortable loaded for you? What weight? I have the old frame and agree it does well. Looking at getting a exo next in a smaller bag read lots of good things about them. I enjoy their podcast and want to throw support that way. Waiting for the annual sale as I'm not in a rush

I swapped from kifaru to EXO this year. The K4 frame has fit me much better than the duplex lite did. Also, exo seems to be a little more stable company at the moment. Honestly though get the one that fits you the best, you won’t go wrong with either.

 

[mgstucson]

Well, I am a bit of a franken-pack guy. I think the KIFARU belt is best under heavy load. I like the KUIU pack line best, but their frame and suspension system, while good with light loads, leaves much to be desired for moderate to heavy loads. Currently my favorite for heavy backpacking/meat hauling is a KIFARU Lite frame and belt, with the size you like of KUIU pack (I own them in 1800, 3600, 5500, 6000, and 7800). They all compress to the frame so well, you can just pick the largest one you may need, then just compress it with smaller loads. Although my favorite pack arrangement for a day pack is a 3600 KUIU pack, with a KIFARU Camp Bag, and/or milsurp roll top dry bag between the frame and the pack. I am currently working on a Kifaru belt, with a K4 frame, and a KUIU pack. I think this is what I will settle on moving forward.

 

[mtnbound]

Curious what you mean by that? The pack is still attached if you're using the load shelf correctly.

Curious what you mean by that? The pack is still attached if you're using the load shelf correctly.

I am referring to their actual load sling that they sell. Yes, if you just use the bottom 2 pack to frame straps you can load meat that way but I prefer to use an actual shelf to better support the meat and to use this system you have to remove the pack and leave it off for hauling, which I don’t like.

 

[intunegp]

I am referring to their actual load sling that they sell. Yes, if you just use the bottom 2 pack to frame straps you can load meat that way but I prefer to use an actual shelf to better support the meat and to use this system you have to remove the pack and leave it off for hauling, which I don’t like.

I don't see how that supports the meat any differently than having your whole pack on the front...an extra strap or two? It looks like what you gain in straps you give up in actual material on the supporting side of the meat. I always thought those were somewhat of a gratuitous setup unless you just have an extra frame laying around. This young muley was far from a heavy load but it was packed very securely and I've never had any issues toting elk quarters in the same setup. It's even better/more like the sling once you get the first load out and dump some no longer necessary gear.