MR Beartooth vs EXO 4800

[todd mcdaniel]

First post guys so be gentle. I am hoping to get some opinions on the Beartooth vs EXO 4800. I have been thinking about a new 7 day pack for Elk. Thanks for any help.

 

[406sparky]

I was thinking about purchasing the 4800 last year. I actually had it in my shopping cart several times, but never pulled the trigger. I found the Beartooth 80 on sale for $370, at a local shop in Kalispell and purchased. The pack was amazing. I will typically take about 5 days worth of gear with me on my hunt then restock later in the hunt. It easily handled 5 days worth of gear and food. When i was out from camp, carrying just some layers and a days worth of food it handled that like a champ. Super compressable, and you can really pack away the excess fabric. We got two elk on our hunt and the pack carries a load like a champ. stayed about as comfortable as i could hope to be and everything was nice and secure. That being said, my only other pack has been a Mystery Ranch Marshall. The Beartooth is much better.

 

[todd mcdaniel]

Thank You

 

[NJ_BHA]

I'm stuck between both packs as well. I actually almost pulled the trigger on the Beartooth until I found the 4800. What bugs me about the MR and what I'm hung up on is that it doesn't have load dedicated straps on the frame. It relies on cinching the entire contents of your bag to secure a load. Also, the frame cant be used to haul without the bag? Is that right? Again, because there are no straps. The 4800, and also the stone glaciers I'm looking at have separate load straps.

 

[fbhandler]

I'm stuck between both packs as well. I actually almost pulled the trigger on the Beartooth until I found the 4800. What bugs me about the MR and what I'm hung up on is that it doesn't have load dedicated straps on the frame. It relies on cinching the entire contents of your bag to secure a load. Also, the frame cant be used to haul without the bag? Is that right? Again, because there are no straps. The 4800, and also the stone glaciers I'm looking at have separate load straps.

They have a load sling you can buy and use by itself. Also the bottom straps that connect to the bag are permanently attached to the frame, those can be run up and connected to the top of the frame (opposite the load lifter buckles). You could also make up some straps with the correct buckles to run across the frame to the buckles that are connected to the frame, if you wanted to use the frame without the bag.

As a side note, I’ve hauled out a few animals on my guide light (with the bag) and although I liked the idea of a separate load sling/straps, I found it just wasn’t necessary. The bag with load shelf is all the material that is needed, already plenty of straps and I can still get into the bag

 

[fbhandler]

Just checked MR web site. Their updated accessory straps would connect up to the existing frame buckles (without bag) or maybe they could be added with the bag on as well

 

[NJ_BHA]

They have a load sling you can buy and use by itself. Also the bottom straps that connect to the bag are permanently attached to the frame, those can be run up and connected to the top of the frame (opposite the load lifter buckles). You could also make up some straps with the correct buckles to run across the frame to the buckles that are connected to the frame, if you wanted to use the frame without the bag.

As a side note, I’ve hauled out a few animals on my guide light (with the bag) and although I liked the idea of a separate load sling/straps, I found it just wasn’t necessary. The bag with load shelf is all the material that is needed, already plenty of straps and I can still get into the bag

I'm not so concerned about running it without the bag, but I dont want to have to cinch my pack tight to secure the load.

 

[fbhandler]

Gottcha !

 

[MidGAHunter]

I'm not so concerned about running it without the bag, but I dont want to have to cinch my pack tight to secure the load.

I dont have a Beartooth but do have a Sawtooth 45 and used it to help pack out 2 bulls (including my 6x6) this past October. I had a similar concern until I actually used the load shelf. That concern became a non-issue.

 

[Jackaroo99]

I cannot speak to the EXO, but I do have the Beartooth 80 and it was great for me. Comfortable, and handles heavy loads no problem. I did not have any issues with the meat shelf.