Moving on from a Mystery Ranch Metcalf to what?

[prm]

I have a MR Mule, which I think is similar to the pop up. Went to a Kifaru and also had a K4. If you like the pop up the Stryker XL is a much more capable version of that style pack.

 

[Poser]

I used a 1st gen Exo (I suppose its a K1 though they never called it that) for 9 years. I really liked the titanium frame design on that generation, though, long term the fabric was a little too light for durability. I swapped out help belts and straps several times until they were no longer available. The pack also went to by local repair shop numerous times. The newer models are much burlier. I'd be interested to try one, but the fact that all generation of SG are intercompatible lured me away.

I switched to a SG setup a couple of years ago and do really like it, however, it took me awhile to figure out that I actually needed a large hip belt despite being within the medium size range. I measured my hips numerous times to make sure I wasn't crazy and kept coming up inside of the medium belt by 2 inches, but the belt sure didn't fully wrap my hip bones. I switched to a large belt which I have pretty much maxed out to the tightest adjustment and it rides significantly better due to more surface contact and fully wrapping the hips. On the size charts, it doesn't really make sense, but in application its way better.

 

[Watrdawg]

Sorry, EXO

My K4-5000 does.

 

[AndrewP04]

I have a MR Mule, which I think is similar to the pop up. Went to a Kifaru and also had a K4. If you like the pop up the Stryker XL is a much more capable version of that style pack.

I currently have a MR pop-up 28 that I have used to carry 4-5 deboned whitetails. Has been head and shoulders above my previous badlands superday. However after doing some reading on here it seems like the pop up wasn’t meant for multiple hauling trips. Hoping to elk hunt the west this fall and thinking of upgrading to a kifaru with Stryker xl. I like the smaller daypack size due to 99% of my hunting needs but hoping this would also cover the occasional (hopefully every 2-3 years) elk hunt.

 

[elsb0048]

Anyone switch from Metcalf to exo k4 3600?

I have a Metcalf now (~2020) and thinking of going to exo.

I'm cautious about going too big and bringing too much shit. I'm fairly happy with volume of my Metcalf for my hunts and *think* its closer to the 3600 but wondering if anyone has first person experience.

 

[Taudisio]

Anyone switch from Metcalf to exo k4 3600?

I have a Metcalf now (~2020) and thinking of going to exo.

I'm cautious about going too big and bringing too much shit. I'm fairly happy with volume of my Metcalf for my hunts and *think* its closer to the 3600 but wondering if anyone has first person experience.

I have a Pintler on the guild lite frame. The k4 is in a different class of pack imo. The MR is “doable” where the exo is “comfortable”. Pick the bag size in Cubic inches closest to your Metcalf and you should be fine.

 

[elsb0048]

I have a Pintler on the guild lite frame. The k4 is in a different class of pack imo. The MR is “doable” where the exo is “comfortable”. Pick the bag size in Cubic inches closest to your Metcalf and you should be fine.

I guess my hesitancy is that measuring pack volume is not well standardized across brands and my 5 year old pack I am a little unsure of the original specs while there's 3 or 4 different size Metcalf in the lineup now. Hoping for a first person report of the relative volume as a point of reference and several folks in this thread mentioned a Metcalf to k4 swap.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

I guess my hesitancy is that measuring pack volume is not well standardized across brands and my 5 year old pack I am a little unsure of the original specs while there's 3 or 4 different size Metcalf in the lineup now. Hoping for a first person report of the relative volume as a point of reference and several folks in this thread mentioned a Metcalf to k4 swap.

It’s pretty hard to confirm what will ultimately work for you but those older bags were somewhere in the 4300 ci range, so literally about the same as a k4 3600 w/lid.

I had the OG Metcalf, used a ton of SG, and use a K4 3600 now. Food space is my limit for that K4 bag, meaning more than 4 days starts to get tough depending on gear load (spotter or no, sleep bag vs quilt, single wall UL trek pole shelter vs dome tent, puffy pants weather or no, full rain suit or just top, heavy or early season mid weight puffy) - lots of variables depending on time of year. Point being if you can work with your current Metcalf you’ll be fine with the K4, but “how big do I need” really has a lot of factors that are especially specific to your kit and hunt.

Looking at doing more later season rifle backpack hunts with a hot tent/stove and I know the 3600 will be a tad small for that approach. That system is 4270 ci which is extremely close to the Metcalf pre 50/75/100L size breakout.

 

[elsb0048]

It’s pretty hard to confirm what will ultimately work for you but those older bags were somewhere in the 4300 ci range, so literally about the same as a k4 3600 w/lid.

I had the OG Metcalf, used a ton of SG, and use a K4 3600 now. Food space is my limit for that K4 bag, meaning more than 4 days starts to get tough depending on gear load (spotter or no, sleep bag vs quilt, single wall UL trek pole shelter vs dome tent, puffy pants weather or no, full rain suit or just top, heavy or early season mid weight puffy) - lots of variables depending on time of year. Point being if you can work with your current Metcalf you’ll be fine with the K4, but “how big do I need” really has a lot of factors that are especially specific to your kit and hunt.

Looking at doing more later season rifle backpack hunts with a hot tent/stove and I know the 3600 will be a tad small for that approach. That system is 4270 ci which is extremely close to the Metcalf pre 50/75/100L size breakout.

Thanks! It sounds like you're saying your OG Metcalf and K4 3600 seemed to track with published specs and have nearly the same volume. My biggest worry was that the Metcalf published volume may or may not include the lid while the EXO is more meticulous about breaking out their specs.

Your description of K4 3600 sounds like it'll work for me. Most of my backcountry hunts are September/October alpine mule deer for 4-5 days and my kit sounds like it lines up pretty good with what you're describing. My philosophy is mostly to buy something that works best for 95% of what I do with compromises for the other 5% rather than sizing up 'just in case'. If I end up with a hard-core fringe hunt someday I'd rather buy another bag for that.

 

[mountainman406]

I went from a Metcalf to a SG Sky

Anyone switch from Metcalf to exo k4 3600?

I have a Metcalf now (~2020) and thinking of going to exo.

I'm cautious about going too big and bringing too much shit. I'm fairly happy with volume of my Metcalf for my hunts and *think* its closer to the 3600 but wondering if anyone has first person experience.

I went from a Metcalf to a SG Sky 5900 and have been very happy. The pack itself seems comparable in size to the Metcalf, it handles weight a lot better, and most importantly NO SQUEAKING. I would take a look at those as well if you can, mine collapses down to a day pack or expands to fit half a mule deer in it.