Initial ascent worth switching to?

[Elkman17]

All I’ve been hearing about the last year in regards to packs is how great these Initial Ascent frames are for packing meat. Anyone who has actually used them with 70#+ how good are they? I currently use a Kifaru duplex frame and like it. If you’ve used Kifaru or Exo how to they compare to the initial ascent? Thanks!

 

[DylanC]

Ive had one for 2 years now and regularly load mine with the 70 pounds for rucks , it’s my first external frame pack so I can’t say if it’s “worth” it or better than others but I went into the backpack thing with a buy once cry once attitude. The pack is very comfortable with weight IMO and basically fine for everything I’ve done ( admittedly limited)

 

[Elkman17]

Ive had one for 2 years now and regularly load mine with the 70 pounds for rucks , it’s my first external frame pack so I can’t say if it’s “worth” it or better than others but I went into the backpack thing with a buy once cry once attitude. The pack is very comfortable with weight IMO and basically fine for everything I’ve done ( admittedly limited)

Thank you for the info! Do you use their load straps I think they call it the load carrier or something like that? Or do you have the weight in between the bag and the frame on the bag’s load shelf?

 

[DylanC]

Thank you for the info! Do you use their load straps I think they call it the load carrier or something like that? Or do you have the weight in between the bag and the frame on the bag’s load shelf?

yes, the load straps are simply at the top of the shoulder straps and add an additional connection point for stability. For rucking I use the pannier which acts as a load shelf. I’ll post some pics tomorrow so you can see clearly what I’m talking about.

 

[Matt5266]

I had an AI and switched to a SG. I much prefer that pack. That said I believe alot of it is personal preference. I dont think you can go wrong with an exo, SG, or IA.

 

[Muleyczy]

I’ve never used one so can’t offer an opinion. I don’t know about the side hook thing, hanging quarters on each side

 

[Hoghead]

I have had the AI kifaru duplex kifaru Ark and the K4. They are all great frames. The Ark is my favorite the AI is a good pack but I prefer the wider belts of the Kifaru and K4. I currently use the K4 for hog hunting and the ARK for backpack hunting. I keep thinking about trying to trade the K4 for a Ark.

 

[Elkman17]

yes, the load straps are simply at the top of the shoulder straps and add an additional connection point for stability. For rucking I use the pannier which acts as a load shelf. I’ll post some pics tomorrow so you can see clearly what I’m talking about.

Okay, thanks. The pannier is what I was talking about just couldn’t remember what they called it.

 

[Elkman17]

I have had the AI kifaru duplex kifaru Ark and the K4. They are all great frames. The Ark is my favorite the AI is a good pack but I prefer the wider belts of the Kifaru and K4. I currently use the K4 for hog hunting and the ARK for backpack hunting. I keep thinking about trying to trade the K4 for a Ark.

The belt on the Kifaru is why I like it over the exo that I tried. I appreciate the info, the reviews and videos I’ve watched make it seem like 100# on the IA is like 50# on one of the other big brands frames. If there isn’t that much of a difference I’ll just stick to my Kifaru.

 

[Hoghead]

For me the ark or tactal frame carried weight the best. The fit of the ark is better on me than the tactal. I have carried a few hogs on the k4 but the tactal was the easiest to load a larg hog on. I need to mess with the k4 more before I decide to scrap ot.

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[Elkman17]

I’ve never used one so can’t offer an opinion. I don’t know about the side hook thing, hanging quarters on each side

I know, I’ve seen videos of guys doing it. That’s part of what piqued my interest, I’ve never had 3 elk quarters on the Kifaru.

 

[Elkman17]

For me the ark or tactal frame carried weight the best. The fit of the ark is better on me than the tactal. I have carried a few hogs on the k4 but the tactal was the easiest to load a larg hog on. I need to mess with the k4 more before I decide to scrap ot.

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Man those are some gnarly cutters that thing has. Don’t have hogs where I live so I haven’t ever been around them, what did that one weigh? Is that the Stryker xl bag your using, if so that’s the same one I use as well.

 

[Heath Hansen]

I have been an SG fan for a while but tried an IA last year that was given to me to try out. A couple things I noticed. Great frame system but the finish quality felt sloppy to me. The bags themselves are good except for the fact that they are basically 0% water resistant. I was shocked how much they soaked up water. This wasn’t in a rainstorm or anything that should have been an issue.

 

[Elkman17]

I have been an SG fan for a while but tried an IA last year that was given to me to try out. A couple things I noticed. Great frame system but the finish quality felt sloppy to me. The bags themselves are good except for the fact that they are basically 0% water resistant. I was shocked how much they soaked up water. This wasn’t in a rainstorm or anything that should have been an issue.

That’s good to know, I’m in the rain a lot

 

[Tahr]

I haven't had any water ingress problems with mine. It's taken an absolute kicking and has really stood the test. I use mine almost every week hunting year round (we can where I live).The features I like the best are that it is rock solid under a big load, which really helps an old guy hold his balance, and the way it can be stripped down to just the paneer and lid for day hunts. While I haven't compared it with an Exo or SG there is nothing I don't like about it. I bought it because of their load carrying reputation. That seems to be well founded. Probably 60 - 70lb on this load for a mile or so which wasn't a problem, and keeping in mind Im 77.

 

[Tradchef]

I used the IA 5k on the Integrous frame in 2024. I packed out 7 animals with it and hunt solo most of the time. It hauled heavy weight really well. The first belt size I ordered was a medium as I followed the recommended chart and it was way too big so I went to a small. That was perfect.i packed out deer, bear, elk, and antelope that season. Mine and my ladies on the elk and lope. I had harness separation on my bull pack out. I had the parts and pieces and a hind quarter and the adhesive on the harness broke free and the 3 point attachment saved that trip. Customer service for me was fine. They sent me a new adhesive patch to replace the faulty one and I was good after that and packed her cow elk out a week later. If they made a harness attachment like kifaru or exo it would solve this issue. I know it doesn’t happen much but there have been other guys on here that have had the same issue. Just something to be aware of. I sold mine after and went back to SG. I just couldn’t get over that happening 3 miles from my truck. Even though it was fixed it’s just not something I wanted to mess with again. If you do get one I would suggest the pannier. It helps keep the load staying put and does a great job

 

[Tahr]

I used the IA 5k on the Integrous frame in 2024. I packed out 7 animals with it and hunt solo most of the time. It hauled heavy weight really well. The first belt size I ordered was a medium as I followed the recommended chart and it was way too big so I went to a small. That was perfect.i packed out deer, bear, elk, and antelope that season. Mine and my ladies on the elk and lope. I had harness separation on my bull pack out. I had the parts and pieces and a hind quarter and the adhesive on the harness broke free and the 3 point attachment saved that trip. Customer service for me was fine. They sent me a new adhesive patch to replace the faulty one and I was good after that and packed her cow elk out a week later. If they made a harness attachment like kifaru or exo it would solve this issue. I know it doesn’t happen much but there have been other guys on here that have had the same issue. Just something to be aware of. I sold mine after and went back to SG. I just couldn’t get over that happening 3 miles from my truck. Even though it was fixed it’s just not something I wanted to mess with again. If you do get one I would suggest the pannier. It helps keep the load staying put and does a great job

Thanks for this heads up. Just went and checked mine and its all good.