New pack...don't know where to start.

[Ovahbored]

Hey guys, I've been researching a new pack and am just overwhelmed with all the information available. I'm from New Hampshire and up until this point I've only done a few 1-2 night hunts and summer camping sort of stuff. I've been using the same EMS 4700 internal frame pack for almost 20 years but it finally ripped. I have always wanted to do some Western backpack hunts and am finally at the point I should be able to in the next few years. To prepare I'm going to start doing local multi (5 days or so) hunts in the fall.

I want a durable bag that I won't have to upgrade when I'm finally ready to go out west. I don't really have a budget and don't mind spending a lot, but only if if's neccesary. Most of the upper end bags I can not try before purchasing and I'm going crazy watching and reading reviews.

The ALPS Commander X seems to check all the boxes but almost seems like too good of a deal. I don't mind a little extra weight or lack of a brand name but I worry about durability. Do you think the ALPs would disappoint? At the other end of the price scale the Kifaru's have always appealed to me but I wondar if I need that level of durability. I love the waterproofing and simplicty of the Seek Outside Fortress but not sure how I feel about lack of pockets. i'm a huge fan of KUIU clothes and the packs look great but reviews are not the best.

I would love to say I'm going to be packing out 20 elk a year but realistically it will be used for a lot of weekend hunting/trips with one, maybe two "real" week long trips a year. I do bait bear a few miles from access so it will definately be used for that. I loved that red EMS bag and it's hard for me to envision upper end bags being that much better. However, I have not tried anything upper tier. I do not like to frequently change my gear. Sorry, for the rambling post. What would you guys recommend for the one "do it all pack" for the next 20 years? Thanks.

 

[Maverick940]

Hey guys, I've been researching a new pack and am just overwhelmed with all the information available. I'm from New Hampshire and up until this point I've only done a few 1-2 night hunts and summer camping sort of stuff. I've been using the same EMS 4700 internal frame pack for almost 20 years but it finally ripped. I have always wanted to do some Western backpack hunts and am finally at the point I should be able to in the next few years. To prepare I'm going to start doing local multi (5 days or so) hunts in the fall.

I want a durable bag that I won't have to upgrade when I'm finally ready to go out west. I don't really have a budget and don't mind spending a lot, but only if if's neccesary. Most of the upper end bags I can not try before purchasing and I'm going crazy watching and reading reviews.

The ALPS Commander X seems to check all the boxes but almost seems like too good of a deal. I don't mind a little extra weight or lack of a brand name but I worry about durability. Do you think the ALPs would disappoint? At the other end of the price scale the Kifaru's have always appealed to me but I wondar if I need that level of durability. I love the waterproofing and simplicty of the Seek Outside Fortress but not sure how I feel about lack of pockets. i'm a huge fan of KUIU clothes and the packs look great but reviews are not the best.

I would love to say I'm going to be packing out 20 elk a year but realistically it will be used for a lot of weekend hunting/trips with one, maybe two "real" week long trips a year. I do bait bear a few miles from access so it will definately be used for that. I loved that red EMS bag and it's hard for me to envision upper end bags being that much better. However, I have not tried anything upper tier. I do not like to frequently change my gear. Sorry, for the rambling post. What would you guys recommend for the one "do it all pack" for the next 20 years? Thanks.

Personally, I like the ALPS Outdoorz Commander external-frame packframe. My hunting clients seem to prefer it, as well. Great pack for a great price, actually.

 

[sneaky]

If you don't change gear often then I'm not sure why the Alps is even on your radar. Alps is will known for ripping off other companies ideas and making them cheaper. If this is a buy once cry once kind of deal, then I would concentrate on a US made pack with the features you are looking for. If price is the determining factor, then I guess that's how Alps makes the cut. You had your last pack for 20 years, a well made pack amortized over 20 years is peanuts. Choose wisely.

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[Maverick940]

If you don't change gear often then I'm not sure why the Alps is even on your radar. Alps is will known for ripping off other companies ideas and making them cheaper. If this is a buy once cry once kind of deal, then I would concentrate on a US made pack with the features you are looking for. If price is the determining factor, then I guess that's how Alps makes the cut. You had your last pack for 20 years, a well made pack amortized over 20 years is peanuts. Choose wisely.

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HAHAHA!!!!

 

[Grizz]

I put off buying a nice pack for years and suffered through packing out animals with my Alice frame. Just buy a good lightweight pack and don’t look back.

Not putting down the alps stuff but I’d try and find a used sg or kifaru (I have both) and go that route. I use my Krux evo for everything, day hunting, week or longer hunts, climbing, family camping, etc. I understand they’re expensive, I put off buying one for years, but now I don’t go anywhere without a good frame.

 

[joshdidthis]

If you can afford to swing it you could buy several and test them for yourself. Even if it's just the classifieds on here you could buy one, sell it or trade for another. Ultimately you'll want to pick what pack company suits you best and you won't completely know till you try them.

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[mj23polaris]

Get used kifaru shit in on here, get a frame then get a used pack. What are frames going for low $200 range? Then I've seen things like apollos go for $120 up to mountain warriors going for again low $200 or less.



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[Ovahbored]

Yea, that ALPS Commander external looks like a really good deal but just not what I'm looking for right now.
Though I realize they are quite different I'm leaning towards the Seek Outside Fortress 4800 with the Merlin Day Pack or the Kifaru Duplex Frame with the Reckoning pack.

I love the simplicity of the Seek Outside and especially like how waterproof it is. I like the idea of the talon and though they don't offer a million options everything they offer seems well thought out. Price seems reasonable. Maybe it's my ignorance but I just don't know a lot about the X Pac fabric and in my mind it's less tested. How is the abraison resistance (thorns and briars)? How is it in the cold?

I've been following Kifaru for years and love that so many people speak highly of them. I love the variety they offer but could also picture it being a money pit for me. Not saying they are overpriced but I could picture spending a lot of cash trying to get my pack to adapt to me as opposed to just getting one pack configuration and training around it. I also wish it were just a little less expensive.

Are people thinking the X Pac fabric is as durable as 500 d cordura?

 

[Ovahbored]

Get used kifaru shit in on here, get a frame then get a used pack. What are frames going for low $200 range? Then I've seen things like apollos go for $120 up to mountain warriors going for again low $200 or less.



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Appreciate the suggestion. I'll check out the classifieds as a used complete Mountain Warrior for around 400 would def. work

 

[sneaky]

The Xpac material is noisier in cold weather, but only if you are digging around in your pack a lot, which hopefully you won't be with animals around. My next pack will probably be a Lanner from SO. Just enough pockets for what I need, and light weight. I've ran an EXO since they first came out, I don't really NEED another pack, but the SO packs are lighter and already pretty much water proof. Little more customizable on the belt setup on the SO packs and they have the removable lumbar pad. There's usually some pretty good deals on here on some quality used packs, like has been mentioned before you could buy and try one, and sell it if you didn't like it to recoup your money and get another one. Now is the time to dial gear in. Cordura is more durable in high stress areas, but Xpac has a dedicated waterproof layer and not just a dwr finish like cordura. VX42 has a 420 denier nylon face, whereas most cordura is 500d in packs. You can get xpac in 500d face material as well. Both are going to take a lot of abuse, but you won't need a pack cover with the Xpac especially if you seam seal the bag.

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[mj23polaris]

I have a Alps commander sitting somewhere in my garage i used it before I got my current kifaru setup. It's worth the money

Think I paid like 240$ for my frame and 220$ for my bag. It can be done.

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[Maverick940]

Yea, that ALPS Commander external looks like a really good deal but just not what I'm looking for right now.
Though I realize they are quite different I'm leaning towards the Seek Outside Fortress 4800 with the Merlin Day Pack or the Kifaru Duplex Frame with the Reckoning pack.

I love the simplicity of the Seek Outside and especially like how waterproof it is. I like the idea of the talon and though they don't offer a million options everything they offer seems well thought out. Price seems reasonable. Maybe it's my ignorance but I just don't know a lot about the X Pac fabric and in my mind it's less tested. How is the abraison resistance (thorns and briars)? How is it in the cold?

I've been following Kifaru for years and love that so many people speak highly of them. I love the variety they offer but could also picture it being a money pit for me. Not saying they are overpriced but I could picture spending a lot of cash trying to get my pack to adapt to me as opposed to just getting one pack configuration and training around it. I also wish it were just a little less expensive.

Are people thinking the X Pac fabric is as durable as 500 d cordura?

Roger-roger. My hunters really like that ALPS Outdoorz Commander and I use one when guiding in Arizona, but I also understand that some people would rather follow popular trends. No biggie. I'm sure that you'll land on exactly what you're looking for. Best of luck. Mav.

 

[Ovahbored]

Roger-roger. My hunters really like that ALPS Outdoorz Commander and I use one when guiding in Arizona, but I also understand that some people would rather follow popular trends. No biggie. I'm sure that you'll land on exactly what you're looking for. Best of luck. Mav.

You don't see a big difference between the Alps Commander and some of the "top tier" backpacks? No durability issues? I'm finding it for around $100 shipped without looking hard.

 

[Jordan Budd]

I would recommend browsing on here and buying one of the “big 4”. Kifaru fits me best, I wouldn’t worry that much about thinking you’ll have to spend a bunch of money to make it fit you. A used frame, bag and maybe a lid and/or a couple pockets shouldn’t run you that much if you wait around for the right deal. The Kifaru seconds list on the Facebook page Kifaru Insiders is also a good option.

The best thing about the “big 4” is they have functional load lifting suspension systems that are customizable to fit your body. I’m not saying that the Alps Outdoorz pack isn’t a good pack, but by the photos I’ve seen it’s pretty clear there are no load lifters. I would strongly suggest waiting around on the classifieds here until you find a pack that will fit you. Mystery ranch, exo, stone glacier and Kifaru frequently pop up and are all reputable packs.


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[mj23polaris]

Yeah echoing what Jordan a little mystery ranch, get camofire or look around online you can get new ones for a really good price.

And check eBay alot

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[JWP58]

I would recommend browsing on here and buying one of the “big 4”. Kifaru fits me best, I wouldn’t worry that much about thinking you’ll have to spend a bunch of money to make it fit you. A used frame, bag and maybe a lid and/or a couple pockets shouldn’t run you that much if you wait around for the right deal. The Kifaru seconds list on the Facebook page Kifaru Insiders is also a good option.

The best thing about the “big 4” is they have functional load lifting suspension systems that are customizable to fit your body. I’m not saying that the Alps Outdoorz pack isn’t a good pack, but by the photos I’ve seen it’s pretty clear there are no load lifters. I would strongly suggest waiting around on the classifieds here until you find a pack that will fit you. Mystery ranch, exo, stone glacier and Kifaru frequently pop up and are all reputable packs.


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The alps commander x has very functional load lifters. The regular external frame commander doesn't have load lifters. The commander x frame sheet/stays are actually pretty tall, I'm guessing 24". I have about a 19-19.5" torso and surprisingly find the load lifters to be very functional. I would say the area the commander x is lacking is the hip belt, when compared to the higher tier packs.

 

[ReddingArcher]

I’ve got the reckoning from kifaru and I don’t see me ever switching from kifaru at this point. I’d spent a bunch of money on lower end packs and in the end spent more than a kifaru. I ran a kuiu for a few years and just couldn’t stand the squeak anymore that’s when I went to the kifaru. When I bought the pack I was deciding between the exo and kifaru and ultimately being 6’5” the 26” kifaru frame seemed like the best fit for me. I’d take Jordan’s advice and look for one of the big names here in the classifieds, you can’t go wrong with any of them.

 

[Jordan Budd]

The alps commander x has very functional load lifters. The regular external frame commander doesn't have load lifters. The commander x frame sheet/stays are actually pretty tall, I'm guessing 24". I have about a 19-19.5" torso and surprisingly find the load lifters to be very functional. I would say the area the commander x is lacking is the hip belt, when compared to the higher tier packs.

Gotcha. I missed the x-frame part and looked at the external.


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[backcountry_hunter]

The commander x is a rebranded, made cheaper, sold cheaper, ripped off design of the blacks creek. For the asking price there's better out there imo. 350 gets you a crazy nice used pack, a full horn hunter full curl set up or a mystery ranch from camofire or on sale somewhere else. Just my $.02

 

[sneaky]

The commander x is a rebranded, made cheaper, sold cheaper, ripped off design of the blacks creek. For the asking price there's better out there imo. 350 gets you a crazy nice used pack, a full horn hunter full curl set up or a mystery ranch from camofire or on sale somewhere else. Just my $.02

Yeah, as soon as I saw that zippered bag on frame design I thought of the BC packs

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