MeatSeaker
FNG
So I've been researching for my first serious backcountry pack for the past few months. A lot of the time I've been just spinning in circles, going back and forth over all the options and what would be the best for me. The choices are staggering. I'd gotten it pretty narrowed down between a few packs that I though would best fit my needs for day hunts up to a few days in the back country. Though I'm learning that some of these bigger packs can really be great all around packs when compressed down. So if you are like me and you are driving your self bonkers trying to decide on a pack here is what I decided to do. I just made a completely arbitrary comparison chart. I rated each pack just on pure conjecture reading reviews, listening to other people, watching every youtube video on these particular packs, and then giving a very subjective rating from 1-10, based on features I feel like are important deciding factors for me. These have no basis in experience with these packs whatsoever. I have no ability to go try these out anywhere at this point. These are completely personally biased by me in my inexperience.
I do know one pack company that has a cult like following on the Rok is Kifaru, and when I look them over the pack options just don't appeal to me at this time. This could change. I also will take a serious look at Seek Outside Peregrine, but not sure about the breakaway ability. I need to see more videos or see this in person.
Here are the packs though, that I put through Round #1 of this mental exercise to help me narrow things down. The Stone Glacier Solo 3600, the Exo K3 3200, and the Mystery Ranch Sawtooth. I would have to also purchase a lid for the sawtooth to be comparing apples to apples size wise. Here is what I came up with and some of my random mental wanderings/thoughts on the features of these packs. Perhaps this will help someone in my same boat who is trying hard to make these same decisions. If not, er, well there isn't much else to do.
SG Solo: Price $691.00 with hydration sleeve, hydro holster and accessory pocket
Pros: best built in load shelf as you can get loads really high and tight against the back, best lumbar pad and waist belt/suspension for heavy loads, I like that the top of the bag has straps that reattach back to frame when carrying a load of meat vs the other packs.
Cons: Colors choices not very appealing, No hydration storage included. No side pouches, Only bags with decent pocket configuration are the big 5900+ or have to buy a bunch of accessory pockets. Have to release a few more straps to access the load shelf but not really a big time concern.
***Probably need to look at the SG Sky 5900 for better pocket configuration, and run lidless for shorter hunts/dayhunts
Exo K3 3200: Price $641.98 for pack and accessory pocket
Pros: Most reviews give this pack the best rated Comfort with typical loads and has great pocket configuration/features, Nice aesthetics, color choices, Roll top, Stretchy pocket for easy access items, nothing blocking lid pockets or stretch pockets. Has two straps built into the load shelf to secure meat, has fairly easy access into load shelf with the Velcro tri-fold. Has nice side pocket design, integrated dry bag/hydration included.
Cons: May have to purchase a separate load sling to get meat situated up higher as compared to SG load shelf which is included, Reviews say issue with zipper pulls can come off. Roll top not as clean looking without lid as SG
***Probably should just get the 4800 for 5 more oz to get more space at minimal cost. Can also pack down small and run it lidless for day hunts
MR Sawtooth: Price $560 with additional lid & accessory/belt pocket
Pros: Bonus for affordability, Bombproof zippers and autolocking buckles, Good Aesthetic design and color choices. Easiest buckle access to load shelf of all 3 packs.
Cons: Why do the top frame attachments straps run across the top pocket…seems like a design flaw, Lack of lumbar pad vs other 2 packs
Head to Head Comparison between SG Sky 5900 and Exo K3 4800
Con of running the Sky 5900 in bivy mode vs the Exo is that you have to undo more straps to get into the top of the bag, however can still access through the horseshoe. The roll top design, while probably not as clean as SG bivy top, is likely easier to manage when running the Exo 4800 lidless.
The Exo just checks more boxes for me in included features and available features. I feel like I will be able to get the crib load panel accessory for the Exo if I find I want to get loads on the meat shelf up higher. I feel like the comfort during a typical pack load in which you spend the vast majority of your time is paramount. All reviews point to the new K3 being a really comfortable ride on your back. A close 2nd is the ability to haul a heavy load of game relatively comfortable for those pack outs. For me though since my Western mountain hunts and pack outs will probably only be 1-3 per year if I’m lucky the benefit of that SG suspension and load shelf just don’t supercede the other features. Obviously the only way to know for sure would be to try both packs. This mental process has helped me narrow it down to the Exo or SG packs and I’ll be trying one or both out this year.
I do know one pack company that has a cult like following on the Rok is Kifaru, and when I look them over the pack options just don't appeal to me at this time. This could change. I also will take a serious look at Seek Outside Peregrine, but not sure about the breakaway ability. I need to see more videos or see this in person.
Here are the packs though, that I put through Round #1 of this mental exercise to help me narrow things down. The Stone Glacier Solo 3600, the Exo K3 3200, and the Mystery Ranch Sawtooth. I would have to also purchase a lid for the sawtooth to be comparing apples to apples size wise. Here is what I came up with and some of my random mental wanderings/thoughts on the features of these packs. Perhaps this will help someone in my same boat who is trying hard to make these same decisions. If not, er, well there isn't much else to do.
| Pack | SG SOLO | EXO K3 3200 | MR Sawtooth +Lid |
| Weight | 10 (4#9oz) | 9 (5#1oz) | 7 (6#1oz) |
| Load Shelf Design | 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Load Shelf Access | 8 | 10 | 10 |
| Comfort Light | 9 | 10 | 8 |
| Comfort Heavy | 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Durability | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Pocket Configuration | 6 | 10 | 9 |
| Aesthetics | 6 | 10 | 9 |
| Price | 6($691) | 6($641.98) | 10($560) |
| Make Location | 10(Montana) | 10(Idaho) | 5 (Philippines/Vietnam?) |
| Volume | 3600 | 3290/3690 | 2746+700lid/3446 |
| Total Score | 85 | 93 | 83 |
SG Solo: Price $691.00 with hydration sleeve, hydro holster and accessory pocket
Pros: best built in load shelf as you can get loads really high and tight against the back, best lumbar pad and waist belt/suspension for heavy loads, I like that the top of the bag has straps that reattach back to frame when carrying a load of meat vs the other packs.
Cons: Colors choices not very appealing, No hydration storage included. No side pouches, Only bags with decent pocket configuration are the big 5900+ or have to buy a bunch of accessory pockets. Have to release a few more straps to access the load shelf but not really a big time concern.
***Probably need to look at the SG Sky 5900 for better pocket configuration, and run lidless for shorter hunts/dayhunts
Exo K3 3200: Price $641.98 for pack and accessory pocket
Pros: Most reviews give this pack the best rated Comfort with typical loads and has great pocket configuration/features, Nice aesthetics, color choices, Roll top, Stretchy pocket for easy access items, nothing blocking lid pockets or stretch pockets. Has two straps built into the load shelf to secure meat, has fairly easy access into load shelf with the Velcro tri-fold. Has nice side pocket design, integrated dry bag/hydration included.
Cons: May have to purchase a separate load sling to get meat situated up higher as compared to SG load shelf which is included, Reviews say issue with zipper pulls can come off. Roll top not as clean looking without lid as SG
***Probably should just get the 4800 for 5 more oz to get more space at minimal cost. Can also pack down small and run it lidless for day hunts
MR Sawtooth: Price $560 with additional lid & accessory/belt pocket
Pros: Bonus for affordability, Bombproof zippers and autolocking buckles, Good Aesthetic design and color choices. Easiest buckle access to load shelf of all 3 packs.
Cons: Why do the top frame attachments straps run across the top pocket…seems like a design flaw, Lack of lumbar pad vs other 2 packs
| Pack | SG Sky 5900 | EXO K3 4800 |
| Weight | 10 (5#7oz) | 10 (5#6oz) |
| Load Shelf Design | 10 | 9 |
| Load Shelf Access | 9 | 10 |
| Comfort Light | 9 | 10 |
| Comfort Heavy | 10 | 9 |
| Durability | 10 | 10 |
| Pocket Configuration | 9 | 10 |
| Aesthetics | 7 | 10 |
| Price | 7($659) | 6($671.98) |
| Make Location | 10(Montana) | 10(Idaho) |
| Volume | 4300/5900 | 4805/5205 |
| Total Score | 91 | 94 |
Head to Head Comparison between SG Sky 5900 and Exo K3 4800
Con of running the Sky 5900 in bivy mode vs the Exo is that you have to undo more straps to get into the top of the bag, however can still access through the horseshoe. The roll top design, while probably not as clean as SG bivy top, is likely easier to manage when running the Exo 4800 lidless.
The Exo just checks more boxes for me in included features and available features. I feel like I will be able to get the crib load panel accessory for the Exo if I find I want to get loads on the meat shelf up higher. I feel like the comfort during a typical pack load in which you spend the vast majority of your time is paramount. All reviews point to the new K3 being a really comfortable ride on your back. A close 2nd is the ability to haul a heavy load of game relatively comfortable for those pack outs. For me though since my Western mountain hunts and pack outs will probably only be 1-3 per year if I’m lucky the benefit of that SG suspension and load shelf just don’t supercede the other features. Obviously the only way to know for sure would be to try both packs. This mental process has helped me narrow it down to the Exo or SG packs and I’ll be trying one or both out this year.
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