Pack advice for Newbie - MR Crew Cab vs Icon Pro 3200

[iahunter]

Alright guys I know you answer these types of questions all the time and I hope I am not too redundant here.

I was set and almost ready to pull the trigger on a new Icon Pro 3200 bag and then found a Mystery Ranch Crew Cab for nearly the same price.

I will be doing a single western hunt per year as I am from the midwest but have a good friend in Wyo that is willing to host/guide us each year. A friend from here in IA and I will be rotating each year on who hunts and who tags along to help pack meat, spot, and just assist in general. Our Wyo acquaintance will have camp set (wall tent, cots, heat source) before we arrive, we will just need to help pack out when done. He is estimating camp at 3-4 miles from the truck.

I understand I can go big with the Kifaru or SG but I have limited myself to Icon 3200 or MR Crew at this point with the new boot purchase, other gear, and all new Whitetail Sitka outfit this year. I may upgrade in future.

Can I get what I am looking for out of these bags? What I am not familiar with is how much I can expand the CrewCab in the load area for additional gear outside of the bag. Trip will be probably 5-7 days.

Thanks guys!

 

[iahunter]

Another question, how expensive or how hard is it to trade out the belts on packs? Like the Exo Mountain that was used in the classifieds would be a great pack but I can not fit a small. Thanks!

 

[rileybassman]

Another question, how expensive or how hard is it to trade out the belts on packs? Like the Exo Mountain that was used in the classifieds would be a great pack but I can not fit a small. Thanks!

You can email Steve for a for sure quote, but I want to say it was like 40 or 50 bucks for a different belt

 

[iahunter]

Thanks! Being in IA I can't really get my hands on to handle or try on any of these packs.

 

[MuleyFever]

Dont have any experience with the MR pack but the lack of good load lifters would steer me away from that pack. The Icon Pro is a solid pack. I just got a 3200 for my wife and am very impressed with it. The bag layout is great too.

 

[LostArra]

I would be sure to save some $ for a nice Christmas present for your Wyoming friend.

 

[iahunter]

I would be sure to save some $ for a nice Christmas present for your Wyoming friend.

I couldn't agree more, he is a great guy. We have been floating him cash to pay for scouting trips and so on.

Couldn't be more thankful to have a guy like him, he does his homework and is a great outdoors man.

 

[larryschwartz]

Both look like good packs, but the CC has more expansion capability and I think it would be better at handling oddly shaped loads, like an elk quarter. It does weigh more than the Icon Pro, but the additional weight shouldn't be too much of a burden, even in day pack mode. Also, since you mentioned upgrading in the future, if you decide to sell the one you are going to get now, you may get more of your original outlay back on the CC.

 

[G5Archer]

Kind of in the same boat... Looking at the 3200 vs MR Longbow..

 

[doncarpenter]

I've had both packs. The Icon Pro 3200 is a decent pack but is pretty basic and not as versatile as the crew cab in my opinion. The suspension on the icon also has its limitations. If you're tall or have a longer torso the adjustability of the shoulder harness is limited by t-lock thing they use. And the point where the load lifter strap is connected to the shoulder strap is a fixed point unlike most high end packs which use some sort of three bar slider. I personally didn't care for the hipbelt that much either, there is a plastic sheet running the whole length of the belt, and I found that loads above 75 lbs, the belt would make hotspots on my iliac crest. Thats all just personal observations, some guys prefer a stiff belt im not one of them. The NICE frame WITH the load lifter kit was a much better load hauler for me.

The whole, this pack is better than that pack is such a personal thing. Like I said, these are just my observations. Both packs are a good option if it works for you. If i had to pick one over the other i would go with mystery ranch in a hearbeat. I've had great interactions with their CS and the packs are tough as nails.

 

[iahunter]

I appreciate the insight guys. Really wish I could get my hands on one because I totally understand what you guys are saying in regards to personal fit. Sounds like I am headed down the right path though in quality of packs.

 

[hammer0419]

Exo or Stone Glacier.

 

[orelkaddict]

I've ran an MR Crewcab for years and it will carry some really odd loads with ease. The dry weight is a little heavy but it rides so well that I really have never found it to be an issue myself. The extended load lifters can be added on and they due make a HUGE difference. Good luck on getting to hunt out west!!!

 

[tipsntails7]

For the same price I would go crew cab because not only is it a better built pack but it could serve multiple purposes for you. Whether it's carrying a tree stand, a feeder, or food plot stuff or bear baits if you do any of that.

If you plan on only using this pack one week a year, save yourself a ton of money go on ebay an get a Kelty, bora 80 or the like and run that.

You wouldn't know it by a lot of the threads on this sight but you can get it done without 500 bucks strapped to your back. Especially for a base camp type hunt.

 

[Ozzymodel70]

MR is a top notch pack builder get the CC/longbow with the lift kit and you prob. won't want to upgrade

 

[iahunter]

I appreciate the info guys, the search goes on.

Thanks all!

 

[stevenm2]

I had the MR CC then Metcalf and they were excellent. I bought a Kifaru Nomad and have sold the MR. I like the nomad so much more than the MR. From the way it loads to the way it works. For me the Kifaru is a better thought out system.

 

[Darren Best]

Don't even think of getting any of the MR NICE frame offerings without a lifter kit. Crew cab is 2 ounces shy of 8 pounds and costs $490.00 and that doesn't include the cost of the lifter kit which I think runs $60.00 and no idea how much weight it adds.

My Stone Glacier Solo with a quilt, ground pad and Supertarp weighs less than a Crew Cab empty, think about that.

Get a Stone Glacier Minimalist and add a dry bag. The Minimalist is $369.00, add in the dry bag of your choice and you have a 3 pound pack for less than $400.00. Plus you don't need a rain cover and a year or two down the road you can add the bag of your choosing.

 

[Outwest]

You will be happier with the MR. Like others have said, it will be more versatile in the fact that it can be used to haul stands and whatever else you need it to when you aren't hunting out west. The MR suspension is more cushioned and seems to sink in rather than work against you.

I wouldn't worry too much about weight on a hunt like that. I'd take a comfortable pack at 60lbs rather than an uncomfortable one at 52lbs. One mans opinion. With that being said, if you can find a used SG somewhere, I would highly recommend it. I have really enjoyed my solo and it will do everything you could ask of it. Good luck!