Input on Pack for Wife

[BackcountryMT]

I'm looking at getting my wife a new pack. She is currently using a Badlands Kali which is basically worthless. She never packs much for weight (clothes, water, snack) and really won't ever pack much more than that except for maybe a back strap or two. Essentially, she doesn't need a bombproof pack that will handle any loads over 40-50#. I'm wanting to do something in the 3,000ci range so I can fill her up in bulky coats and other items to free my pack up for the pack out.

Essentially I need the pack to cover a few areas.
Good weight distribution
Light weight
2,500-3,500ci
Natural or drab colors

I am thinking about picking up an actual backpacking pack. What is everyone's thoughts? Thanks

 

[jm1607]

With those requirements in mind, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the big name companies (kifaru, sg, exo, etc.). You'll also probably be fine with any REI style backpack with only 40-50#s, although I would guess they wouldn't be quite as comfortable.. Way cheaper though..

I think a Kifaru UL frame with their new Tahr bag would be a sick choice.. Light and completely customizable.. I haven't tried the Tahr bag but the UL frame is very comfy..

 

[jquarnberg]

Maybe these mystery ranch close out deals would temp you.

http://www.mysteryranch.com/Closeout?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=jumbotron&utm_campaign=closeout

 

[BackcountryMT]

Maybe these mystery ranch close out deals would temp you.

http://www.mysteryranch.com/Closeout?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=jumbotron&utm_campaign=closeout

I thought about that but not sure I want to shell out that much. Yeah it's a bomber pack at a great price but it's just overkill for her.

 

[MontanaMarine]

You might take a look at the Seek Outside packs, the Unaweep or Divide.

 

[BackcountryMT]

This is the one I've been considering.
http://m.rei.com/product/828434/osprey-kestrel-48-pack

 

[Becca]

I suspect a backpacking or mountaineering pack would work fine...might look for a deal on an arcteryx bora or something made by osprey.

The Kuiu Ultra 6000 is also a good option, and I heard a rumor they are on sale. Luke and I traded one back and forth for summer backpack trips last summer, and it carried very well up to the 60 or so pounds I tried in it.

As I said in another thread on this topic, I would err on the size of more volume than you think she will need. If you plan to load her up with bulky stuff she may cube a 3000 ci pack out pretty quickly when you empty your pack into hers to start packing meat. y. You can always cinch down the excess volume for minimal added weight, but you can't make the pack bigger.

 

[jquarnberg]

There are couple on the MR clearance in this price range. No experience with either. I was just looking cause I have a buddy looking for a pack under $200. I was telling him to try the Legend at $185 (if he likes the panel on the front that is like a grab it) or the rush at $190 (if he likes the center zip feature).

This is the one I've been considering.
http://m.rei.com/product/828434/osprey-kestrel-48-pack

 

[CA Karen]

Gregory's Sage 55 pack may work for her... I have one that I use for weekend trips.

 

[LJ Buck]

My wife has had issues with the suspension on exo, Kuiu and she liked the stone glacier but the belt didn't go small enough. The only one she seems to love is how the Kifaru fits. Also they will make a custom belt for the smaller size it that's what she needs.

 

[Matt W.]

My wife has had issues with the suspension on exo, Kuiu and she liked the stone glacier but the belt didn't go small enough. The only one she seems to love is how the Kifaru fits. Also they will make a custom belt for the smaller size it that's what she needs.

Stone Glacier will also do custom belts. Just need to give them a call. Exo, Stone Glacier, and Kifaru have pretty good control over their manufacturing and in most cases can do what it takes to get a good fit. Just have to wade through the tough decision to figure out what one works best for you..

 

[280twoeighty]

get the 22mag in the classifieds now before its gone

 

[BackcountryMT]

The problem I'm running into is how I'm going to convince her that I need a new pack and she needs my old one

 

[BackcountryMT]

I suspect a backpacking or mountaineering pack would work fine...might look for a deal on an arcteryx bora or something made by osprey.

The Kuiu Ultra 6000 is also a good option, and I heard a rumor they are on sale. Luke and I traded one back and forth for summer backpack trips last summer, and it carried very well up to the 60 or so pounds I tried in it.

As I said in another thread on this topic, I would err on the size of more volume than you think she will need. If you plan to load her up with bulky stuff she may cube a 3000 ci pack out pretty quickly when you empty your pack into hers to start packing meat. y. You can always cinch down the excess volume for minimal added weight, but you can't make the pack bigger.

Thanks for the input. When I hunt with her we only do day hunts so I'm not too concerned about maxing out the 3,000". It will be a few coats at best.

Have you noticed any difference in for and feel from a men's to a women's pack?

 

[Zbot]

So what is wrong with the Kali then, for what you want it to do?

The reason I ask, is my wife hunts with one and hasn't had any issues doing exactly what you want it to do.

 

[BackcountryMT]

So what is wrong with the Kali then, for what you want it to do?

The reason I ask, is my wife hunts with one and hasn't had any issues doing exactly what you want it to do.

A few things are missing on the pack. I'll preface it with saying that the Kali is a good pack, just doesn't do what I want it to do.

The lack of load lifters puts extra strain on her shoulders. I know she's not packing a lot (15-20# at most) but she really only ever wears a pack when she hunts. She often complains that it feels like the pack is pulling her "backwards". Even more so when I strap the rifle and some of my gear to it for the pack out.

The pack just isn't very big. A lot of the areas we hunt often require a fairly physical hike to get to our glassing points. Because of this we need to pack extra clothes in/on the pack. This pack gets filled very quickly.

 

[oldgoat]

I hear an echo! My wife went from the Kali to the Kifaru 22" UL with a cargo panel and pockets. Not sure that pack would be what you want but that frame with a different pack if it's not too far out of your budget would be a good choice. Plus it's so adjustable, in seconds you could adjust it for your own use! Buying that pack was a total game changer for my wife, went from having to help her get her pack on every time she took it off to being able to put it on by herself with much more weight and gear in it. We are in our fifties and she in particular doesn't flex in her shoulders like she used too! She packed all her gear in and our food while I packed the tent and stove etc.. She could of handled more weight I think, I don't think it would of been much of a stretch for her to handle a bone in front elk quarter. Other packs may have worked but she's a hunter and hunts hard and I wanted her to have a real hunting pack!

 

[mrbillbrown]

The Kifaru internal frame DT1 and DT2 are in the Rhino Den right now. Although not as versatile as a UL frame and bag of choice they are tried and trued pack systems that can be had at a great price.

 

[flyinsquirel]

I suggest a Bikini frame with whatever bag fits the need. When I got mine shortly after they came out it took all of one day hike for the lady to claim it as hers. No joke, I had to get another one because she wouldn't give it back.

You're in luck because people are practically giving them away in the classifieds right now.

 

[Becca]

Have you noticed any difference in for and feel from a men's to a women's pack?

Not really. I should preface that by disclosing that the only women's specific packs I have experience with were an Arcteryx Briza (which I used for several seasons) and a Gregory Jade 50. Most of the rest of my packing experience has been with packs that were not gender specific at all, or were (more likely) designed for men.

In fact, to my knowledge, nothing about any of the "hunting" brand packs (Kifaru, kuiu, SG, etc) is gender specific. As long as the design has a waist belt that will go small enough to get the weight off her shoulders, she should be good to go. If she is really short, she might end up with a taller frame than what is required, but it won't bother her any, at least IME. I am 5'3, 130ish and can wear small waist belts from Kifaru, Kuiu, SG and MR. and I often run packs with 26" stays simply because Luke and I like the ability to swap our packs or frames back and forth depending on the trip. While 26" is way more stay height than I need at nearly any pack weight, it's never bothered me to have a little extra height there.

I typically adjust my sternum strap differently than a guy would because I have chest considerations a guy doesn't have, but all of the hunting packs I have used allowed for this type of adjustments, and I found a way to use them comfortably.