Help on New Pack Suggestions, Stone Glacier, Exo, Mystery Ranch or Kifaru?

[Idahohillboy]

I currently have the Kuiu 5200 Icon Pro and it has been decent. However when I get to higher weight or heavy loads it is very tough to manage. As well I bought a 95 swaro spotter and it wont fit in the pack side pocket. I need something for day trips and multi day trips that can fit the spotter and has the easy access side pockets for the spotter and another side pocket for my outdoorsman tripod. As well I live in it during hunting season like 25 to 50 days between September and January 31st and pack one to two critters a year elk or deer. My Kuiu also had a brutal creek it developed. Any suggestions would be great. I have looked at the pack systems but cannot discern where the spotter goes via web.

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[DWhitt]

In for some info also. I've narrowed mine to two...SG sky talus 6900 or the kifaru reckoning


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[Jordan Budd]

In for some info also. I've narrowed mine to two...SG sky talus 6900 or the kifaru reckoning


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Video and thread link to some things on my Reckoning.

Camera/Digiscoping Gear and Reckoning pack - YouTube

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/backpacks/58559-reckoning-loaded-5-days.html

Let me know if you have any questions on it.

 

[snowcamoman]

I'm not sure how long your OD Tripod is, but you might want to measure it and see if it'd fit into the new SG Sky 5900 center pocket. I have plenty of room in that pocket for my 85mm Swaro and Sirui tripod. Having them both in a single pocket makes setting it up in the field so nice.

 

[hammer0419]

Don't discount Seek Outside packs.

 

[Idahohillboy]

So has anyone fit the 95 swaro in the pack?? Some may argue it is to big for a backpack hunt and I save my legs a lot more work with quality glass.

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[snowcamoman]

I have an 80mm Swaro, but could take the Sky5900 to the local Sportsman's and see how it fits in there if you'd like?

 

[Idahohillboy]

All good snow let me shoot you the measurements of tripod and scope after work and maybe you could take a look.

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[Jimss]

You might consider Kifaru! If you spend that much time packing it's good to go with the best! Anyone I know that's put a kifaru frame on knows how comfortable it is....even with hefty loads. The nice thing about Kifaru is you can switch out bags and add on accessory pouches depending upon you particular use. I've used an abused my EMRII the past few years on extended sheep, mtn goat, and elk hunts. It can likely handle as much bulk (lifsized capes, meat, etc) as you can put in it...and still stand upright! It has several super large pouches on the outside where I store my Leica spotting scope and large bogen tripod. I also secure my rifle inside one of those pouches. It has lots of straps and zipper that accesses the entire front. I can cinch down the bag tight to the frame if I don't have a big load. I also have a Timberline II bag that I really like. It is a little smaller and lighter with quite a few pouches on the outside for quick and easy access to gear. Kifaru has a great website with youtube videos explaining each of their bags and some of the assessories.

If I wouldn't have gotten Kifaru I likely would have bought Stone Glacier. It didn't come in camo and didn't have as many options with pockets and different bags as Kifaru so Kifaru was an easy choice for me. You'll hardly find any complaints about Kifaru other than the price. You can likely pick up a nearly new frame and bags on the classified section of this website.

 

[snowcamoman]

It's all about fit and what hip belt and frame works best on you no matter what. One guy's "best" could be another guys painful nightmare. If you can try them all on with big loads and do some hiking, that will tell you exponentially more than any input you can ever get on a forum. For me, it's the SG Xcurve and effective SG bags.

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[Squirrels]

I had ordered a kuiu icon pro 5200. My first pack and returned it. Something didn't fit right about it. My EXO came in today and it fits me much better. Everyone is built different.


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