Looking for a new pack

[Blinginpse]

I'm an eastern hunter first so that will help you guys help me. I pack and carry out the whitetails I kill. The pack I've been running is a badlands sacrifice that is 3800cu".

With my gear,a deer cape and horns with all meat it just doesn't allow enough room and i think the meat shelf and better frame may help make my packs out better.

For starters I am 5'9 145-150#. I do prefer a camo option such as asat rather than a solid color for fall treestand hunting but I feel green would work. Brown scares me being mobile incase someone thinks I'm a animal. I would like to stay at 3800 or maybe a little bigger in size. Unless the meat shelf would help me Drop in size? I had all the meat in my pack and had to carry the hide and horns out as itself. My pack had all it would hold and my buddy had all my gear in and on his pack. I'm green when looking at these more meat packing/gear carrying type packs so I will listen to you more experienced pack hunters.

I would be looking to keep the pack rather than just sell And buy another so I'd like to buy a good 1 from the get go rather than something that will crap out on me in 2 years.

Here is a pic from last year to give you an idea of my issues. I have both hams both shoulders backstraps and loins in the pack.

 

[Blinginpse]

I see that exo is having a sale. Would the 3500 with with cargo panel and hip Attachments be a solid enough pack? Or could
I buy used exo and get by maybe a little cheaper? I know they aren't cheap and I don't mind someone's light used but in good shape

 

[thinhorn_AK]

That Exo limited edition in first lite camo would be pretty badass.

That being said though, Kifaru or stone Glacier is where its at IMO, but I dont think stone glacier does a Camo pattern, Kifaru has a few camo patterns, one kryptek and one sort of basic woodland camo.

Im with you on the brown pack, I live in a subsistance village so theres lots of hunting going on near the village, Im not trying to get shot.

 

[Blinginpse]

That Exo limited edition in first lite camo would be pretty badass.

That being said though, Kifaru or stone Glacier is where its at IMO, but I dont think stone glacier does a Camo pattern, Kifaru has a few camo patterns, one kryptek and one sort of basic woodland camo.

Im with you on the brown pack, I live in a subsistance village so theres lots of hunting going on near the village, Im not trying to get shot.

I'm not familiar with stone glacier or and haven't eyed kifaru much. Is either better than the other?

 

[austinphps]

You'll get a lot of opinions on that question.....simply put; both are superior quality bags and you can't go wrong with either. what you go with will depend on layout/customization between those two

 

[Blinginpse]

You'll get a lot of opinions on that question.....simply put; both are superior quality bags and you can't go wrong with either. what you go with will depend on layout/customization between those two

See that's why I'm needing yalls help. I know they can be customized but I know 0 about that. I can tell you what I want and have y'all help me get there. By looking right now the kifaru woodsman looks like a idea of a pack to

Also a huge thing for me is customer service. Who's good and who's bad.

 

[Blinginpse]

Stone glacier r3 3300 would be closest thing for preference by what they have.

I do like having the scabbard on my packs for my bow cam to set in while buckled on to my pack

 

[austinphps]

Kifaru's customer service is hands down one of the best companies to work with. (personally haven't ordered anything from SG). You could call them up; explain what you are wanting/your size/how you want to use the pack, etc and they will probably give you an exact layout - Kifaru that is.

Me personally, I went with the Reckoning over the woodsman. You can cinch it down easily for day mode, and at the end of the day; you can always make a pack smaller, not larger. If you ever planned on doing a western backpack style hunt, you might appreciate the extra capacity of the reckoning.

You can add almost any assortment of pockets to the Kifaru's. I have a couple small belt pouches on the bottom sides, a medium on the very back (all along the bottom). and then I have the guide lid as well. Gun holster and water bottle holster on the belt molle itself. Extremely comfortable pack with weight in it.

 

[Blinginpse]

Kifaru's customer service is hands down one of the best companies to work with. (personally haven't ordered anything from SG). You could call them up; explain what you are wanting/your size/how you want to use the pack, etc and they will probably give you an exact layout - Kifaru that is.

Me personally, I went with the Reckoning over the woodsman. You can cinch it down easily for day mode, and at the end of the day; you can always make a pack smaller, not larger. If you ever planned on doing a western backpack style hunt, you might appreciate the extra capacity of the reckoning.

You can add almost any assortment of pockets to the Kifaru's. I have a couple small belt pouches on the bottom sides, a medium on the very back (all along the bottom). and then I have the guide lid as well. Gun holster and water bottle holster on the belt molle itself. Extremely comfortable pack with weight in it.

That's what I was just settin here thinking that I may better get bigger and winch down rather than not getting enough and needing it. I could take it back to Canada with me in 2019!

Adding all those extra pouches interests me to. And I do like having the lid as well to buckle across everything.

Would you think watching for used would be ok? Or should person buy new for warranty purposes?

 

[austinphps]

I use that medium belt pouch sitting on the back just like they show on Kifarus website - holds the stock and run the barrel up the center. It will also hold the cam of your bow to strap in along the back.

 

[Blinginpse]

I use that medium belt pouch sitting on the back just like they show on Kifarus website - holds the stock and run the barrel up the center. It will also hold the cam of your bow to strap in along the back.

I am on kifaru sight looking at what you have spoken about right now as we post.

 

[austinphps]

I've seen quite a few reckonings on the classifieds here recently (why is beyond me, cause it's a brand new design from Kifaru. People must not have liked it after the fact). My guess is if you don't need it immediately you can definitely pick up the pack cheaper. Frame might take a little longer to find. Given your size i'd say a 24" frame with a small belt (but call kifaru to confirm that for sure).

The quality of Kifaru isn't even an issue. That's why you will see them re-sell for a good price. Unless someone ripped that thing with a knife you won't have major damage done to a pack.

 

[austinphps]

If you're really looking to customize I would say an argali might be the way to go. But before you know if you will have so much money wrapped into pockets that the reckoning might have been cheaper. Can't beat the center zip either. Easy access to anywhere in the main bag.

One thing I will say is that it does not have any internal organization. It comes with 1 inner pocket at the top. This bothers some people, most people don't care as they have all their gear separated into smaller pull-outs (myself included)

 

[Blinginpse]

I've seen quite a few reckonings on the classifieds here recently (why is beyond me, cause it's a brand new design from Kifaru. People must not have liked it after the fact). My guess is if you don't need it immediately you can definitely pick up the pack cheaper. Frame might take a little longer to find. Given your size i'd say a 24" frame with a small belt (but call kifaru to confirm that for sure).

The quality of Kifaru isn't even an issue. That's why you will see them re-sell for a good price. Unless someone ripped that thing with a knife you won't have major damage done to a pack.

I just need it by October. I will pack in to tree stand then hang it in tree with me on back side of tree I'm in.

Looking through the accessories. I like the idea of the grab it to just protect and maybe support the bottom side of the bow along with its other purposes

 

[Blinginpse]

If you're really looking to customize I would say an argali might be the way to go. But before you know if you will have so much money wrapped into pockets that the reckoning might have been cheaper. Can't beat the center zip either. Easy access to anywhere in the main bag.

One thing I will say is that it does not have any internal organization. It comes with 1 inner pocket at the top. This bothers some people, most people don't care as they have all their gear separated into smaller pull-outs (myself included)

When you say smaller pull outs is that pouches you have added?

I don't really need internal organization in the main pouch that's where my cloths and food container go I can uses other places like lid compartment or hip belt pouches for that. Usually only have flashlights batteries knives and phone.

Biggest asset to me is being able to lay the main pack forward put my meat and cape down within the the pack cinch it all back up and Roll on out to the truck.

I'm Surely not as Demanding on a pack as the more western style Hunter but I am not dragging a deer when I can pack it and know how to use a knife.

I do also need to get some meat bags.

 

[austinphps]

Kifaru will take anywhere from 3-6 weeks probably as fair warning.

Agreed, might be my next purchase as well. You're heading down a dark hole my friend haha. But it really is a top notch pack. Exo, SG, Kifaru I would say are the most highly rated around here. Some use Kuiu and like them, some use Seek Outside and like them. All matter of opinion. I went with Kifaru because I wanted something that was going to last me years. I have been down the road where I buy the cheaper version of something and then in no time I am kicking myself for not spending the money on quality. (not saying kuiu or SO isn't quality), just speaking generally

 

[austinphps]

Ultralight Pullouts – Kifaru Intl. Online Store

reckoning also has the meat shelf if you don't want to put the game inside the main bag. I haven't used this....probably won't; but its an option.

Tag bags or Caribou Gear Game bags

 

[Blinginpse]

Kifaru will take anywhere from 3-6 weeks probably as fair warning.

Agreed, might be my next purchase as well. You're heading down a dark hole my friend haha. But it really is a top notch pack. Exo, SG, Kifaru I would say are the most highly rated around here. Some use Kuiu and like them, some use Seek Outside and like them. All matter of opinion. I went with Kifaru because I wanted something that was going to last me years. I have been down the road where I buy the cheaper version of something and then in no time I am kicking myself for not spending the money on quality. (not saying kuiu or SO isn't quality), just speaking generally

I don't mind paying good money for quality and good customer service. My badlands has been good to me for last 5-6 years but at this point I'm ready for a better pack that can do more for me.

I greatly appreciate all the help. I'll call
Kifaru and talk with them and will look at the EXO options too. I'll keep an eye out here in classfieds too.

 

[austinphps]

The pullouts just organize the gear. Fire kit, water kit, food, possibles pouch, etc

 

[Blinginpse]

Ultralight Pullouts – Kifaru Intl. Online Store

reckoning also has the meat shelf if you don't want to put the game inside the main bag. I haven't used this....probably won't; but its an option.

Tag bags or Caribou Gear Game bags

Ok seen the pull outs my bad got them mixed up With th exo internal Velcro pocket.

The tag and caribou bags are washable and reusable right? Will just be packing whitetail for the time being