Mystery Ranch or Exo?

[RazzleDazzle]

I can't speak to Exo but I currently switched to Kifaru from Mystery Ranch. I had been a MR guy since 2008 when I bought a Crew Cab. I have always loved that pack and would agree it is built bombproof. The recent MR packs I have bought not as much or I have just had bad luck. I have used the Pop up 28 and the Sawtooth and have managed to break both (twice on the Popup). They have taken care of me each time but having to tie straps because buckles break while packing quarters was a pain. I also like that Kifaru is made in America with material from America. I just changed so haven't used the Kifaru to pack quarters so we will see. I will say I loved the design of the popup 28 just kept having small issures. Still have my Crew Cab though.
Cheers

Correct me if I'm wrong but I was under the impression that the popup is not even in the same league as something like the Metcalf or the exo line? It breaks because it's essentially a day pack that can and does haul out meat but it's not designed for the rigors of the packs that utilize the Guide light MT frame? I could be wrong but I just want the OP to receive the most accurate info. Kind of like comparing a Toyota P/U to a 1 ton dually if you will. I'm also interested in how you broke the sawtooth pack? What frame and how did it break if you dont mind me asking.

 

[fatlander]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I was under the impression that the popup is not even in the same league as something like the Metcalf or the exo line? It breaks because it's essentially a day pack that can and does haul out meat but it's not designed for the rigors of the packs that utilize the Guide light MT frame? I could be wrong but I just want the OP to receive the most accurate info. Kind of like comparing a Toyota P/U to a 1 ton dually if you will. I'm also interested in how you broke the sawtooth pack? What frame and how did it break if you dont mind me asking.

The sawtooth that he broke is the same frame as the other hunting packs you’re referring too.

What’s he’s calling the pop up is the little bit of frame that sticks out above the top of the pack that the load lifters attach too. I had a pop up as did my hunting partner. I always thought the top of the frame was a weak point. We’ve both since sold them. I’ve got a Kifaru and he’s got a MR Marshall. I still think the top of the frame looks like a fail point to me, especially compared to the rhino. YMMV.


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[roosiebull]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I was under the impression that the popup is not even in the same league as something like the Metcalf or the exo line? It breaks because it's essentially a day pack that can and does haul out meat but it's not designed for the rigors of the packs that utilize the Guide light MT frame? I could be wrong but I just want the OP to receive the most accurate info. Kind of like comparing a Toyota P/U to a 1 ton dually if you will. I'm also interested in how you broke the sawtooth pack? What frame and how did it break if you dont mind me asking.

i think you are spot on. the pop up is a daypack that converts into a pack capable of hauling for that first load back, it's not meant to be a primary load hauler.

i have had great luck with my pop up 18 with several whole quartered deer and elk quarters.... it has exceeded my expectations, and is a very valuable piece of gear to me, but i could see having issues if you exceed it's purpose on a regular basis, like i have.

i am going to try to be easier on it in the future, because they no longer make the 18, and it's the perfect day pack for archery elk around here, so i'm going to keep it for that only.... i have been pushing it with that little pack.

it's awesome for the niche it fills, but it's not as capable as an actual hauler. i just ordered a SO peregrine, and will probably use that for everything besides day hunting roosies.

thinking next year i'll buy a kifaru Stryker with the 22" frame too, that may be a sweet little pack for the brush.

i'm also really interested in the new K3's..... that may be a tough sell to my wife, but the plan is to get enough packs in the house she doesn't know what i do and don't have.... the ol' rope-a-dope

 

[roosiebull]

I can't speak to Exo but I currently switched to Kifaru from Mystery Ranch. I had been a MR guy since 2008 when I bought a Crew Cab. I have always loved that pack and would agree it is built bombproof. The recent MR packs I have bought not as much or I have just had bad luck. I have used the Pop up 28 and the Sawtooth and have managed to break both (twice on the Popup). They have taken care of me each time but having to tie straps because buckles break while packing quarters was a pain. I also like that Kifaru is made in America with material from America. I just changed so haven't used the Kifaru to pack quarters so we will see. I will say I loved the design of the popup 28 just kept having small issures. Still have my Crew Cab though.
Cheers

i love my pop-up, but i can assure you, if i had the experiences you did, i would move on and not look back as well. i put packs right there with weapons in things we have to have ultimate confidence in. if you have an experience that leads to not trusting your pack or weapon, it's certainly time to mix it up and move on.

you went with the safe bet..... can't go wrong with Kifaru

 

[Gen273]

I have never owned either, as I am mostly a eastern US hunter. I have however, been looking at a MR Treehouse lately.

 

[RazzleDazzle]

The sawtooth that he broke is the same frame as the other hunting packs you’re referring too.

What’s he’s calling the pop up is the little bit of frame that sticks out above the top of the pack that the load lifters attach too. I had a pop up as did my hunting partner. I always thought the top of the frame was a weak point. We’ve both since sold them. I’ve got a Kifaru and he’s got a MR Marshall. I still think the top of the frame looks like a fail point to me, especially compared to the rhino. YMMV.


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I think you are confused. The popup is a model of a pack by MR. Completely different than the frame the sawtooth or Metcalf or selway or beartooth or Marshall uses. There has been many gripes about the popup bag/frame failing just as you mentioned. I have never personally seen any of the other packs that utilize the guide lite MT frame "break" and really i dont see how they could break in normal hunting conditions. Again I would not reccomend the Popup system to the OP if hes looking for a dedicated hardcore hunting/hauling pack as it's not designed for it. Just as roosiebull explained above. Still interested in how someone "breaks" a sawtooth pack on a guide lite MT frame....

 

[Praxeus]

Just ordered the EXO K3 3200....


Thank you to all of you for your input

 

[COwineguy]

i love my pop-up, but i can assure you, if i had the experiences you did, i would move on and not look back as well. i put packs right there with weapons in things we have to have ultimate confidence in. if you have an experience that leads to not trusting your pack or weapon, it's certainly time to mix it up and move on.

you went with the safe bet..... can't go wrong with Kifaru

I think a big problem for me was I hunt mostly late season and the buckles they use to save on weight are maybe a little light duty for below freezing temps. Plastic and cold usually don’t mix well

 

[COwineguy]

I think you are confused. The popup is a model of a pack by MR. Completely different than the frame the sawtooth or Metcalf or selway or beartooth or Marshall uses. There has been many gripes about the popup bag/frame failing just as you mentioned. I have never personally seen any of the other packs that utilize the guide lite MT frame "break" and really i dont see how they could break in normal hunting conditions. Again I would not reccomend the Popup system to the OP if hes looking for a dedicated hardcore hunting/hauling pack as it's not designed for it. Just as roosiebull explained above. Still interested in how someone "breaks" a sawtooth pack on a guide lite MT frame....

It’s the buckles that kept breaking. I did a lot of training hikes without a single problem with both loaded with a sand bag. All the animals that I had issues with were late season in CO and WY. I think the cold just didn’t agree with the plastic. I did pack out a mule deer in AZ this January with out an issue but that puts me 1/4 and I mostly hunt late season because of scheduling and just decided to go with something a little beefier. Like I said I love my Crew Cab and so far my 44mag but the mag has not been tested on a pack out yet. Cheers

 

[Middleofnowhere]

I would choose the Made in USA Exo for sure. I own an older Metcalf that is getting pretty worn, I do like it a lot. The thought of buying a foreign made pack when we have Kifaru and Exo available, well I just don’t understand it...

 

[Gobbler36]

Dude go with stone glacier
I like the looks of exo and their functionality but they are heavier I feel like than most stone glacier packs. I’ve put my xcurve frame through hell for 3 years now and it’s bombproof super comfy, minimalist and lightweight.
If your stuck on those though EXO all day long
Hated my MR especially with a heavy load