Last minute bag choice

[welpro222]

Hey guys, I am leaving for a 5 day high mountain hunt and am having second thoughts with my Nomad setup. Over the past year after my last hunt I have been collecting most of the Kifaru packs.

At the moment I have my Nomad setup with a camp bag, I really do like it and was hoping to use the camp bag as a storage bag when leaving camp behind and the nomad seems to make a great day with the guide lid.

I have the Nomad/campbag, DT1, Argali, AMR, and the Tac Warrior bags to choose from. Which bag would you choose and why?

Hunting specs (5 days-5 nights)
Weather will be fair and cold at night with possible rains half way thru the days in. We plan on hiking the meat out and putting it on ice if needed. If we happen to get a deer close to the end, we may have to hike out both meat and gear in our packs. Probably will be about 3-4 miles away from truck. Current bag weight is 50lbs minus rifle and side arm.

All the packs above will hold my gear just fine, just more concerned on which pack will pack meat out the best with and without gear.

 

[Bulldawg]

I have the DT1 but have been wanting to get an Argali for some time to give it a shot. I would think the AMR would be a little big for doing a 5 day hunt. If it were me i would choose the DT1 or the Argali based on which one i prefer the set up of when i get my gear packed. either should be able to hold your gear plus a deboned deer when you have to pack it all out.

 

[mtfallon]

I just pulled an audible a week before my hunt, the more I played around with switching the cargo panel/camp bag between day pack mode the more I realized its going to be a pain in the ass with 10 straps! I called OneShot gear and ordered a AMR today.

 

[welpro222]

Thats another reason for the second thoughts, the nomad is a load of straps.

 

[Kotaman]

The straps were the reason I got rid of my Nomad. I run the Mountain Warrior and Argali now.

 

[welpro222]

+2 for the Argali, I may be repacking tonight before leaving tomorrow.

 

[mfolch]

"Over the past year after my last hunt I have been collecting most of the Kifaru packs....I have the Nomad/campbag, DT1, Argali, AMR, and the Tac Warrior bags to choose from. Which bag would you choose and why?"

Sounds like a good "problem" to have...

Even with the straps cinched tight, I find the DT1 to be a little too floppy as a daypack unless the back and side pockets are completely full. If it's partially empty, the bottom third of the bag never fully compresses flat. I like a clean pack, and it takes me 7-9 days of gear and food for the DT1 to feel streamlined. So I would go with an Argali...if only I had so many kifaru packs to choose from.

 

[welpro222]

I know it looks bad. My plan was to test each one and off load the ones that don't work for me. My real problem is I like them all and having a hard time choosing the first one to use.

 

[Colby Jack]

What color is Nomad? May be interested if you unload it.

 

[mrbillbrown]

AMR all the way. I've had all the bags you've listed (except the argali) and the AMR is excellent for big lid and small day pack hunting. The Argali might get a look but I really like the AMR cinched down with just the back pockets exposed for gear. Good luck and interested to hear your final decision.


molon labe

 

[welpro222]

The AMR is a great choice, but trying to keep it light. I could run the Argali w/ 4 pockets and still be lighter then the AMR.

 

[mrbillbrown]

I've found I prefer fixed pockets to "add on" pockets. Works great when bag and pockets are stuffed full but when either is empty or "soft" then the pockets become loose or sloppy. Could be I'm a goof and doing it wrong but that's been my experience.


molon labe

 

[welpro222]

I've found I prefer fixed pockets to "add on" pockets. Works great when bag and pockets are stuffed full but when either is empty or "soft" then the pockets become loose or sloppy. Could be I'm a goof and doing it wrong but that's been my experience.

This is true, but you can remove them fairly quickly when not in use. I will probably go with the Argali with some pockets and guide lid, then just remove pockets for day mode and use a lightweight OR drysack to hang my goodies up while away from camp. The drysack with ensure my stuff will stay dry if it rains while I'm away.

 

[welpro222]

I'm heading out with my Nomad setup. I tried the Argali with some pockets last night and didn't feel like it was a better setup. Being able to load Nomad wings with day stuff and drop camp bag is nice. I'll just live with the straps, and also I feel more straps is better if I need to strap an odd load down.

 

[welpro222]

Well no luck on my hunt. The Nomad system worked out great, along with the Kifaru hunting frame. The only problem I see with the Nomad setup is when the camp bag is stuffed full along with the wings, it would be a very wide pack. I feel the Nomad made a great daypack by itself, plus being able to add the guide lid for more storage if needed.

 

[dunner543]

Sorry to hear you didn't get anything. Interesting thread though, I have an argali and have been thinking I might "need" a dt1 cause I like the idea of the side pockets. I really like the compression of the argali though and the ability to run the spotter pocket and a med-large pocket under it on the front for day use (or 3 med pouches). Based on what mfolch said about the dt1 I think ill just wait for the "reckoning" (gritty bowmen 161) to come out to try out the side pockets.

 

[welpro222]

Yeah, I have a Dt1 also and love the side pockets. You can run some more detachable compression straps on the DT1 if you need.

I sent my Argali off to David at NTColorado.com or 720-746-8136. He added a center zip and side tabs for pockets to my Argali. He does great work at a fair price. He may even be able to add side pockets to it if you wanted.