woods89
WKR
I'm going to try to keep this as brief as possible, lol.
I've used a Kifaru frame for about 7 years now. Currently have a DT1 and Highcamp 4800 bags. I also have a Mystery Ranch Scapegoat 25 for day use when I'm not packing meat. My Kifaru has been solid, and feels great under a big load.
The downside, however, is weight. I've been watching some of @sndmn11 , @mtwarden posts among others about their success with Seek Outside packs. I have almost always carried meat in the bag. With some general weight calculations, I could drop as much as 3-4 lbs by going to an integrated Seek system. Normally I'm not a complete weight weenie, but that is a significant jump. I also could see 1 pack working quite well for almost all my use at that weight. Summer backpacking with a 7-8 lb pack is not ideal.
So I would like to hear comments from those who have used both. I do know that I will need to find a way to spend some time under a Seek Outside frame to really know, as it seems like most people that try them like them, but certainly not all.
Some details on my use.
-I'm 5' 8'', 165 lbs. I have standard stays in my Kifaru (26'') and really like the big lumbar pad.
-Every other year I do a mid November elk hunt in CO. We stay at a cabin and day hunt. Generally get up really early, and gain a bunch of elevation to a glassing spot. If we see something it may mean dropping elevation again mid morning, driving around to a different access point, and hiking in again. Generally carrying water, 1 days food, kill kit, insulation layers, stove, optics and tripod, weapon, etc. We would generally pack bone in quarters out.
-Here at home I do some backpack hunting as well for deer and turkeys. For deer sometimes I'm packing a tree saddle and stick along with camp gear. Generally not doing more than 1, maybe 2 nights. I also do day hunts with a fair bit of hiking for both species, and wind up packing meat on those as well. Deer sometimes get completely boned out and sometimes I pack whole quarters.
-I also do some off season backpacking, again, nothing with long duration.
-I like a fairly minimalistic bag and don't mind using some internal organization.
-Being waterproof would be nice, but not necessary.
-I love Kifaru's Gunbearer system, but it looks like it would swap over pretty easily.
-I'm not as a rule going to pack more than 90-100 lbs. Maybe on the rare occasion, but I don't need to get hurt, especially in a solo situation.
-Another alternative I have considered is having a custom bag made from one of the new fabrics for my current frame, but my current frame is over 3 lbs without a bag, I believe.
I'd be glad for any input you all may have. Thanks!
I've used a Kifaru frame for about 7 years now. Currently have a DT1 and Highcamp 4800 bags. I also have a Mystery Ranch Scapegoat 25 for day use when I'm not packing meat. My Kifaru has been solid, and feels great under a big load.
The downside, however, is weight. I've been watching some of @sndmn11 , @mtwarden posts among others about their success with Seek Outside packs. I have almost always carried meat in the bag. With some general weight calculations, I could drop as much as 3-4 lbs by going to an integrated Seek system. Normally I'm not a complete weight weenie, but that is a significant jump. I also could see 1 pack working quite well for almost all my use at that weight. Summer backpacking with a 7-8 lb pack is not ideal.
So I would like to hear comments from those who have used both. I do know that I will need to find a way to spend some time under a Seek Outside frame to really know, as it seems like most people that try them like them, but certainly not all.
Some details on my use.
-I'm 5' 8'', 165 lbs. I have standard stays in my Kifaru (26'') and really like the big lumbar pad.
-Every other year I do a mid November elk hunt in CO. We stay at a cabin and day hunt. Generally get up really early, and gain a bunch of elevation to a glassing spot. If we see something it may mean dropping elevation again mid morning, driving around to a different access point, and hiking in again. Generally carrying water, 1 days food, kill kit, insulation layers, stove, optics and tripod, weapon, etc. We would generally pack bone in quarters out.
-Here at home I do some backpack hunting as well for deer and turkeys. For deer sometimes I'm packing a tree saddle and stick along with camp gear. Generally not doing more than 1, maybe 2 nights. I also do day hunts with a fair bit of hiking for both species, and wind up packing meat on those as well. Deer sometimes get completely boned out and sometimes I pack whole quarters.
-I also do some off season backpacking, again, nothing with long duration.
-I like a fairly minimalistic bag and don't mind using some internal organization.
-Being waterproof would be nice, but not necessary.
-I love Kifaru's Gunbearer system, but it looks like it would swap over pretty easily.
-I'm not as a rule going to pack more than 90-100 lbs. Maybe on the rare occasion, but I don't need to get hurt, especially in a solo situation.
-Another alternative I have considered is having a custom bag made from one of the new fabrics for my current frame, but my current frame is over 3 lbs without a bag, I believe.
I'd be glad for any input you all may have. Thanks!
