How often are you getting a new pack?

[Mightyhunter]

I have been running a SG for about 5 years now and packed out several animals. Its starting to show some wear nothing too bad yet. Wondering how often everyone replaces their packs?

 

[justinspicher]

I’ve had the same pintler/frame for almost ten years now. It’s hauled several animals and it’s holding up pretty well.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I replace shoulder straps, lumbar pads, etc as needed, and have my wife patch worn areas just about every year.

You don’t need a whole new frame and bag but guys like to change it up which I get.

 

[Tradchef]

If I don't have to I don't. I like to keep that stuff as long as possible especially if it's dialed and fits well. As long as your frame is solid and it's just superficial on the fabric or you need a new bag or belt I'd keep it if you have been happy thus far. If you just want to try something new there's nothing wrong with that either.

 

[Macintosh]

Pretty sure I purchased my current backpacking pack in 1996.

 

[Poser]

I used a OG Exo "K1", though they didn't call the first gen packs "K" series, for 9 years. Replaced the shoulder straps and belt along the way, but the pack was pretty much toast. Probably 500 days in the field.

 

[Deadspace]

Whenever EXO makes a new frame

 

[rclouse79]

I used my Kifaru pack for ten plus years and it was still going strong, but I fell into the exok4 hype thread on this site before it was released. I decided to support a local company and make the switch. I am glad I did. I have loved that pack over the past few seasons and plan to use it another ten plus.

 

[Dos Perros]

If you're happy with your current pack stick with it. I've had my SG for 7+ years, my buddy probably 10 years. They are well made and should last a long time. I would replace hip belts and shoulder straps before I'd buy a new one, although their foam seems to last a long time.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Pretty sure I purchased my current backpacking pack in 1996.View attachment 944372

 

[Marbles]

When it stops working or I find something I think will be better. My current pack is a K4 with 3 years on it and I'm not looking for anything else and intend to use it for several more years. A UL version of the K4 would tempt me pretty hard.

 

[nphunter]

I've pretty much used my Kifaru Duplex Lite since 2017ish, swapped bags a few times. I've hauled out a dozen bulls and a similar amount of bucks plus tons of salt, cams and backpacking gear. Bought a SG last year didn't really care for the belt, tried a new ARK, getting ready to put it in the classifieds and just bought a new to me like new duplex for a backup. Now I have a duplex lite with a Exo bag and a Duplex with an Absaroka.

 

[wyosam]

A lot of people seem to cycle through gear quickly looking for the latest and greatest. My last pack was a frame that I don’t even remember what it was. Used it from about 1998 or so to 2017. Packed a ton of elk and dear on it (actually probably several tons over that time), and used it for non hunting backpacking trips as well. Replaced it with a mystery ranch frame in 2018 which I’ve used ever since. Have used a variety of bags on it, think I currently have a mule, sawtooth and a bigger one (metcalf maybe? Can’t remember what it’s called). I doubt I’ll wear that one out, and I’ve carried loads on it I’ll likely never carry again on it. Are there better frames? I’m sure there are. I think people spend a lot of money trying to make packing really heavy meat loads easier, but the fact is it’s hard work. They were way easier to carry on my old pack frame. Not because it was better- that thing was hot garbage. My back and knees were a bunch younger though, and THAT actually makes a difference.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Smokey Bear]

Pretty sure I purchased my current backpacking pack in 1996.View attachment 944372

Mine was in 1996 as well!

 

[Smokey Bear]

But I found these down the street at a garage sale a few months ago, for the unbelievable price of $50 and $30! I will be using them from here on out.

 

[Greenbelt]

I personally think the pack game these days is funny. Honestly all the packs coming out from the big 4-5 companies are amazing and solid and will probably get you by for 10 years easy. All these influencers jumping new packs every year acting like this is the one, this is the one that is so so different from all the others. Its comical.

 

[huntcookwrite]

Mine was in 1996 as well!
View attachment 944785
View attachment 944786

How’d you get the pack for free!?

 

[Dos Perros]

Here's the thing with gear: people let their obsession with gear get in the way with what they are (allegedly) after. You want to kill an elk! So quit fiddling with that new pack and get up there and kill one. Find stuff that works, become intimate with it, and use it until it you can't any longer. You want to use all that extra mental space and money to put an elk in the freezer.

 

[zrodwyo]

Still rocking my gen 1 kuiu frame. It’s 14 years old and has 20 plus elk pack outs. Pile of other stuff too.

For me, the pack out is gonna suck bad no matter what. I feel like if I bought the latest in greatest pack, I would be used to it in 15 minutes and back to suffering.

 

[Bcoonce117]

I have had the same pack since 2019. Kifaru duplex lite. Replaced lumbar, waist belt because I got thinner, and now I need shoulder straps because they are worn. As far as the bag, it will probably never go bad. I use a fulcrum and can’t seem to get away from it. It’s a great design for me. Can fit a whole deer and camp in it easily. I have a couple other bags that don’t see much field use. I use my frame quite often. I even have the cargo net that I use for carrying my duck decoys on long walks