Help w/ Late Season vs Spike Camp

[mrbillbrown]

I'm looking for a day pack to use hunting whitetail here in the Midwest. I've currently got a bikini w/EMR2 and a Highcamp 4800 on the way. Feel pretty well covered for any overnight light backpacking and a 10-14 day backcountry hunt.

Been talking w/Aron about the Late Season and felt pretty good about that decision but having second thoughts because the LS is 3400ci. That's pretty close to the HC4800.
The 2400ci Spike Camp might fill the smaller daypack void and if needed add a couple of new side pockets for addtl ci's.

Anybody have any regrets on buying the bigger LS and wishing it were smaller? Or regret they'd picked the Spike Camp and should've bought the bigger Late Season?

Trying really hard to avoid calling Aron back and wearing him out some more about packs.

Thanks in advance, Bill

 

[Lawnboi]

I bought a pack for the exact thing. Whitetail, ul backpacking, fishing and traveling.

I ended up with the spike camp legacy. Awesome pack, and still to this day is the most comfortable pack iv ever worn with a 20-30lb load. 22in stays gave me lift and made the pack nice and slim, very very easy to move around with.

I sold it like an idiot, but IMO if I were to do it again(and I will when I'm done with school and have money again) I'd get a late season (off their current lineup, STILL waiting for them to update the day pack line). The spike was too easy to overload... Size wise. It handled 50+ lbs like a champ.

I also have a highcamp 4800. It's awesome but I still want a late season for fishing, backpacking, traveling and any other time I don't want to be hauling around a frame.

Another option that I'd like to try would be the nomad on the bikini frame.

You really can't go wrong with the spike, but i think about anyone would appreciate the added space of the late season.

My only gripe of the spike was also a positive. The pack really tapers, making the opening small and sometime a pain, but again the pack absolutely stuck to your back.

 

[rhunter424]

Sure would be nice if both packs had a L&L matrix on the front instead of that useless slot pocket on the front. And a top lid pocket like the xing, X-ray, zippy's, etc.

Get a xing!

 

[Elkfitness]

What are you looking to carry? Thinking back to when I hunted whitetails growing up in Kansas, I'd use a duplex pack, longhunter lid, a combination of pouches, and a grab it.

 

[Aron Snyder]

Send that to Patrick....it's his design.

Sure would be nice if both packs had a L&L matrix on the front instead of that useless slot pocket on the front. And a top lid pocket like the xing, X-ray, zippy's, etc.

Get a xing!

 

[rhunter424]

Send that to Patrick....it's his design.

Done.

 

[mrbillbrown]

Thanks for chiming in fellas. Appreciate it.

Mike, I'm really just looking to fill the void between a fanny pack and my bikini set ups. Just regular day hunting items, (and travel bag) and maybe an extra layer or so when it's gonna be cold or rainy. I'm balls deep in Sitka & Kuiu stuff so I'm pretty well covered in layers. Lol. But, as a 20yr fire/medic I'm definitely over prepared for most any situation.

rhunter, the slot pocket on the front looks incredibly useful for quickly needed items. No need to buy any d&l pocket because it's already in place. Saves me money and it's something I would add anyway. I had & sold the Xing. Great pack layout just not quite perfect for me. YMMV

Big thanks again to Aron for catching this thread and calling me and working me thru my GIF issues. I was just trying to avoid bothering him but he's a good dude and took the time to take care of me. Thanks again brother

 

[mrbillbrown]

Lawn, thanks for chiming in. Read a lot of your posts about the SC. Definitely helps hearing from a guy with SC pack experience.

 

[rhunter424]

The only thing I found the slot pocket good on my express for was a map. It's too thin. Same reason why guys prefer the highcamp add-a-belt-pouch vs the sewn in ones of the timberline. That slot pocket is a 10+ year artifact of those packs. Plenty of people have been trying to jerry-rig an organizer on an express for a long time (examples). They need some upgrades as mentioned like the rest of the Kifaru line-up in my opinion.

So Bill, what are you going to end up getting?

I still say xing 22" stays, lid pockets (internal and external), mount belt pouches/organizers on the front as you would your highcamp you're getting, 2700 ci (kinda in the middle of the 2400 and 3400). Full access.

 

[Lawnboi]

Need a new kifaru pack! Highcamp 3000 on an omni suspension. My dream ul day/weekender. Maybe one day, kifaru has lately been rolling out quite a few things that were on my wish list. 3lbs hopefully, with an opening big enough to haul meat and the option for 22 or 24in stays. No middle or lower zipper to keep weight down.

 

[justinspicher]

I don't like how small the upper circumference is on the SC. Solid pain in the ass when trying to retrieve goods.

 

[mrbillbrown]

I'm going with the Late Season. Thanks for all the replies guys. Appreciate everyone's input

 

[justin davis]

The Late Season is a sweet pack. I will always have a Late Season in my pack arsenal.

 

[dotman]

I had the same idea earlier this year, didn't want to chance a $50 ea way fee on frontier taking my bikini frame plus wanted a smaller overall pack my wife could use. I lucked out and got an f'up late season that is around 3000ci. The back slot pocket might also be f'ed up because I can stuff plenty of crap in it, lol. Overall I'm very happy, I lucked out a sewer messed up because it is the perfect size for my fishing and hiking plus a great carry-on size and will be my wife's pack when we both go hiking. The suspension is great and I can easily put 60lbs in it with 22" stays.

IMO I think you are making a good choice getting the LS over the SC. I also have the unpadded belt and really like it. Now I just need to get a size small belt so my wife can use it.

Fyi....the tenkara rod will fit easily inside the pack.

 

[rhunter424]

Can you use the late season without the belt (like the spike camp)? I know with the pointman you can use it without the belt (tac version of the late season).

 

[NVCHUKAR]

Yes you can remove the belt.

 

[hammer0419]

Don't waste your money on a spike camp. It is extremely small. The top opening is very very narrow. I have owned 3 to my own amazement. Maybe I had a love hate with them? In the end , you can spend $300 so much better. The Late Season is a plain kick ass pack that you could do so much more with.