Is a $600 backpack worth it??

[rickjames80]

I tried a KUIU a few years ago and didn't care for it. I ended up with a MR pintler and like it. The guy I hunt with picked a stone glacier over KUIU. I will say I am more value oriented, my friend wanted top of the line. Both packs do what we need them to do

 

[cnelk]

You couldn’t spend $600 fast enough if you’ve ever packed elk quarters with an old Camp Trails frame.

Chiropractor was needed

 

[grappling_hook]

Many more hunts planned and… big game in a ton of states in the years to come. (28 yrs old)

Based on the above alone, for you yes it will be worth it.

 

[zeroforhire]

Yes. Really prioritize what puts wear on your body. Boots, socks, backpack. Buy used if you want to save money.

 

[TKP030]

Easiest way to realize the $600 is worth it is to buy a cheap one, use it once, throw it in a closet to never use again, then spending an additional $600 on a good one. Also exo is having a sale on blemished packs

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[TreeWalking]

I have a brother that goes cheap on gear if is not the gun, scope, binos and spotter. Tripod, boots, pack, sleeping bag, socks, knife, etc are such you would have to pay me a lot to use them on a pack-in hunt. I shot a critter on the Continental Divide and he used my pack for the second trip out and he saw the wisdom in my decade-old Mystery Ranch. That pack was fitted to me yet was the most comfortable 100 pounds he had lugged along a mountain ridge and down slope. I am sure if I was buying a pack today I would likely end up with a different brand but zero regrets as I bought that pack for an Alaskan hunt where had to fly-in by Super Cub then cover miles on foot. You are in your 20s so can likely take a lot of punishment to keep money in your wallet. I prefer to add comfort where can and lighter, better is a good goal for me.

 

[Jbehredt]

Not sure what part of MI you’re in but I see a stone glacier dealer listed out there. “Beyond the ears“. Might be worth a call. And an expensive pack is worth it if you ever load it heavy. If you just take your bow for walks I’d say a Fanny pack will suffice. Even be preferred.

 

[kata2012]

Not sure what part of MI you’re in but I see a stone glacier dealer listed out there. “Beyond the ears“. Might be worth a call. And an expensive pack is worth it if you ever load it heavy. If you just take your bow for walks I’d say a Fanny pack will suffice. Even be preferred.

I'll second beyond the ears if you are near Oxford. It's a great place to do business with.

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[EvanG17]

I'll second beyond the ears if you are near Oxford. It's a great place to do business with.

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I googled them before and it said it was an unsecure site so i figured they had shut down, Checked out their facebook and see they are still open. Going to check them out this weekend

 

[Rocsteel]

If you're going to buy a $600 backpack, i'd definitely recommend Exo.

 

[Wapiti151]

yes it's worth it. I have a SG 5900 and 7900 and am in love with both of them. Have heard nothing but good things about exo and kifaru too...the SG pack just fit me the best and was most comfortable with a lot of weight. Packs are NOT one size fit all...they are like boots, try as many on as possible and do as much research as possible. Pick the one that is best for you. Everyone else is just going to offer their opinions, which are valuable, but what fits you, your body type and your style best is what matters.

 

[Crcusmonky]

Beyond the ears is a cool little shop. Closed in Monday’s. They really focus on archery it seemed. But they carry quality products.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I am a huge fan of KUIU’s new stuff. Their suspension is awesome and their packs are lightweight. I have the 3600 and 7000 UL.

 

[rickjames80]

You couldn’t spend $600 fast enough if you’ve ever packed elk quarters with an old Camp Trails frame.

Chiropractor was needed


View attachment 403037

That looks like torture!

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

Big fan of my SG. I've used it from 7 day backcountry hunts to daypack turkey hunts to high lake fishing backpacking trips. My Osprey was garbage compared to it. Exo, Kifaru, Stone Glacier and Seek Outside seem to be the front runners. Do some research on the forum and it'll become obvious what people like about one to the other.

Some people like a lot of pockets. Personally, I like the SG because it doesn't have many. I organize my gear inside it how I want, not dictated by pockets in the pack.

 

[SoloWilderness]

Packs are something that should honestly be one of your biggest investments outside of optics/ bow/ etc. I have a Dana Designs from the 90s that was $500+ 25 years ago... And I can carry 100 Lbs in it and barely feel it. I also have a Kuiu 6000, the old Ultra, and you can pack 100 lbs in it too, maybe not quite as comfortably, but damn close. I chose it because its the lightest, nowhere near as durable as my 1000 denier USA made Dana, but it's half the weight. So it depends what your priority is. I've also used and sold multiple "top of the line" backpacks over the years, and price tag isn't everything. Try a bunch on, preferably with 50-60+lbs in them to see how they feel. Jump up and down in them with that much weight on, squat, crouch, all the fun stuff you do hunting. I live in my pack with my camp on my back for 7-10 days and generally stalk with it on, so to me it's important how it balances, etc. I've packed a 1/2 dozen Elk with it for miles out of canyons, and it balances quite well for as light as it is.

 

[SoloWilderness]

You couldn’t spend $600 fast enough if you’ve ever packed elk quarters with an old Camp Trails frame.

Chiropractor was needed


View attachment 403037

That looks eerily familiar. The thin foam on the shoulder pads used to wear canyons into my shoulders.

 

[Phaseolus]

That looks eerily familiar. The thin foam on the shoulder pads used to wear canyons into my shoulders.

I had a lump on the top of my iliac crest from one of those after two loads of elk in the late 80’s. It took a few months to go away.

 

[Rob5589]

You're young with plans of years of hunting ahead of you. So 100% will a top tier pack be worth it. If I didn't have one already, I'd be jumping on an Exo blem while still available.

 

[WI in the west]

I also say its worth it. That was the first “out west” item i bought. I bought an exo and it has treated me well. I still have it but i now also have a kifaru due to the versatility it offers. The exoIs my backup/ borrow to somebody pack now.i also carried a lighter load of meat in my dads back pack that was $300 bew and i hated every second of it. So that also proved to me the money was very well spent
If moneys is a problem used os always a great option on here. I see that same exo K2 pack i have go for $300-$400 on here frequently because the new K3 is out. Kifaru also is very popular in the classifieds at a good discount.