Initial Ascent IA8K - info needed

[Benjblt]

I've had no issues. You can also run a bladder in the pannier between the bag and frame. works great.

Well maybe I'll give it a try.
I thought about the panier actually. It's got that big pocket.

 

[deadend88]

in high country, I leave my bag at camp, only run the lid and pannier. It's my favorite feature of the packs.

 

[Benjblt]

in high country, I leave my bag at camp, only run the lid and pannier. It's my favorite feature of the packs.

Good point. I remember the AI guys talking about that now. That would be pretty slick.

 

[BBell4]

I really need to just order the 5k. I want to hear how it compares @nm_nomad

 

[nm_nomad]

I’m heading out next week for archery deer in NM, so should get some early impressions here very soon.

 

[BBell4]

Please do update. I have a deer hunt as well as my wife and I'll probably help on a elk hunt or 2 in September.

 

[Braaap]

I bought the 5k a few weeks ago and so far I’ve worn it on two training hikes with 40lbs. It carries 40lbs more comfortably than my SG and MR packs. It’s a pretty noticeable difference for me. I need to try 80-100 lbs to really see how it does but so far I’m impressed. The whole design of the pack seems good.

 

[cumminsbassguy]

Ia4k w/ panier and lid. 3rd season running it, packed out 87# 6.8 miles coming back from a sheep turned shed hunt. Strapped 2 bou sheds inside the panier and a moose paddle and 3rd bou shed on the outside. I use the spotting scope pouch for my rifle. I can get 10+ days out of this bag if I need to.. utilizing the load shelf for food and whatnot.. I don't know what I would do with a bigger bag

 

[BBell4]

I just went with the 5k as well. @Braaap

 

[deadend88]

8k loaded up and ready for high country mule deer!

Good luck to all this season!

 

[Nicaburns]

I just got a 5k a week ago and am impressed… have only rucked in it so far with 55# but it carries really well!

 

[BBell4]

I went with the coyote but that green looks good! @deadend88

 

[BBell4]

I have to brag about IA customer service. I put a 40lb bag of pellets in there and and sent a picture in to Joe to get help with fitment. He was quick to respond and gave me a couple options to try. (I ended up lowering the shoulder straps on frame about 1/2")

I need to try with a bit more weight and hike but so far my impressions are good of how the weight is dispersed and how the weight feels attached to my back after wearing it around the yard and house for a couple hours. I also love how simple the strap system is to go from day mode to remounting the bag.

How do you guys run tripod and spotters in day mode?
I have 10s on chest, 15s, tripod and a spotter.

 

[bdubb78]

Curious for anyone that has run Stone Glacier and the IA packs, as this is my current consideration. I felt like the Stone Glacier x-curve frame made 50 lbs feel like 30 compared to my Mystery Ranch, but I can't get my hands on an IA anywhere in MN to give it a try. I am most curious for anyone that has tried both if the IA is "that much" more comfortable than an SG considering I can get a 20% GovX discount on the SG, but it appears at most I could get 10% on an IA. That's real money, plus the SG has the pannier included and I would need to buy it separately with the IA.

 

[BBell4]

Curious for anyone that has run Stone Glacier and the IA packs, as this is my current consideration. I felt like the Stone Glacier x-curve frame made 50 lbs feel like 30 compared to my Mystery Ranch, but I can't get my hands on an IA anywhere in MN to give it a try. I am most curious for anyone that has tried both if the IA is "that much" more comfortable than an SG considering I can get a 20% GovX discount on the SG, but it appears at most I could get 10% on an IA. That's real money, plus the SG has the pannier included and I would need to buy it separately with the IA.

Order an IA you have 30 days to mess with it I believe.

 

[Braaap]

Curious for anyone that has run Stone Glacier and the IA packs, as this is my current consideration. I felt like the Stone Glacier x-curve frame made 50 lbs feel like 30 compared to my Mystery Ranch, but I can't get my hands on an IA anywhere in MN to give it a try. I am most curious for anyone that has tried both if the IA is "that much" more comfortable than an SG considering I can get a 20% GovX discount on the SG, but it appears at most I could get 10% on an IA. That's real money, plus the SG has the pannier included and I would need to buy it separately with the IA.

I’ve had MR, SG, and an IA pack. The SG and IA are a big improvement over the MR. The MR load shelf goes down to the bottom of the hip belt and both the SG and IA packs the shelf (or pannier) doesn’t go lower than the top of the hip belt keeping the weight higher. I haven’t packed out an animal yet with the IA but so far on training hikes it’s my favorite.

 

[bdubb78]

I’ve had MR, SG, and an IA pack. The SG and IA are a big improvement over the MR. The MR load shelf goes down to the bottom of the hip belt and both the SG and IA packs the shelf (or pannier) doesn’t go lower than the top of the hip belt keeping the weight higher. I haven’t packed out an animal yet with the IA but so far on training hikes it’s my favorite.

I for sure agree with the location of the shelf and even the size of the belt being an improvement over the MR. I do have a deep lower back curve so that x-curve feels great and the pack does move with me a lot better as well. I like the IA bag design better and am very curious how it feels under load.

 

[Braaap]

I for sure agree with the location of the shelf and even the size of the belt being an improvement over the MR. I do have a deep lower back curve so that x-curve feels great and the pack does move with me a lot better as well. I like the IA bag design better and am very curious how it feels under load.

The X curve is my preference as well as it matches my back better. The IA has a giant lumbar pad and giant hip pads (almost too big but you get used to it). So far the fit has been excellent for me. Wife shot an antelope yesterday but we had a short drag and I didn’t have any need to load up the pack. It will have to wait until October deer and elk.

 

[deadend88]

Run the Pannier. I promise you it’s better than even advertised! Hope everyone is having a hell of a season.

 

[kjw]

Curious for anyone that has run Stone Glacier and the IA packs, as this is my current consideration. I felt like the Stone Glacier x-curve frame made 50 lbs feel like 30 compared to my Mystery Ranch, but I can't get my hands on an IA anywhere in MN to give it a try. I am most curious for anyone that has tried both if the IA is "that much" more comfortable than an SG considering I can get a 20% GovX discount on the SG, but it appears at most I could get 10% on an IA. That's real money, plus the SG has the pannier included and I would need to buy it separately with the IA.

I ran the stone glacier 6900 on a c curve last year on everything from Alaska mtn goat to deer and elk across the west and even for turkey in Tennessee this last spring. I liked it but didn’t love it. It was nice to shave some weight from previous packs. ( I used kifaru for 12-14 yrs with a couple others mixed in). Durability with the bag was good. For me the lumbar was just a little too small. I also felt like I was constantly trying to cinch down the straps or adjust the pack. On the goat hunt in Alaska we had so much rain on our pack down the mtn everything was soaked except for the inside of the bag with the use of a rainfly. Half way down with the first load the Velcro that retains the stays actually started to fail and wouldn’t keep the stays in place so they stuck me in the top of the rump most of the way down and back up.
I got my IA8K this summer and carried 45 lbs around the track and bleachers while my daughters had their track practice. I worn it scouting and hunting sheep in Colorado for probably 5 weeks and an elk hunt in Wyoming. I have yet to cuss anything about the packer frame. I do have a little scuff or wear on the mesh like fabric of a shoulder strap. Not sure what caused it. Weather I have it full or cinched down with just day hunt stuff, it rides great. I have very rarely had to re-cinch or adjust while hiking. It does have a bigger lumbar pad which I prefer. I think you can actually remove some of it if needed. It took about 2 trips to get the height adjustment of the lumbar where I liked it. The taper of the bottom of the bag does its job and keeps the load up where you want it. The bag is probably the easiest to start using over any of the other I’ve tried. I wasn’t overwhelmed with straps and buckles. The horseshoe zipper works great for loading and unloading or grabbing items without a full dump. I use a 48oz Nalgene with the swig rig in the elastic pocket and my 85 swaro in the spotter pocket and they fit perfectly. The lod can seem to be a bit big at times and I had to be careful or it would be a catch all and just be loaded with everything. The 2 cutouts the slide over the frame are great to keep it from sliding down when in day mode. I can usually think of something I would change or improve on a bag but I’m not sure what it would be on this bag.