Pack advice

[Schnagelbagel]

I used a eberlestock blue widow this year and liked the pack for the most part. That said I thought it didn't handle my spike camp gear as well as I wanted! I'm very new to bags of this caliber. Thinking of upgrading and here is what I'm looking for. A pack that can handle weight and remain comfortable but has the ability to either compress down for day hunting or has a lid that is a backpack. Not a Fannypack fan plus I pack more than most hold for a day. Looking at exo and stone glacier. Let me know what you like.

 

[Elkfitness]

There's a bunch of threads here covering the same. I think most have been in your boat. I came over from a blue widow. I picked the kifaru line. I'm sure if I had picked stone glacier or paradox or exo or mystery ranch, I'd be good too. I live in Denver and like the fact that kifaru is based here. Plus, any questions or customer service questions are answered ASAP. I would try on as many different packs as possible and make your choice.

 

[NEhunter]

Kifaru dt2

 

[Ryan R]

I run a SG Sky 7400 and the thing is good. Not a lot of pockets, but coming in under 5 lbs who cares. Will compress down to nothing for daypack mode. Great customer service from Kurt.
Try on as many packs as you can.

 

[Schnagelbagel]

That's kinda the problem is trying them on! Not many of these are sold in stores

 

[Schnagelbagel]

Which frame are you using on ur dt2

 

[kodiakfly]

EMRII is a monster that can pack down to barely anything and the layout of the pockets let you organize it better than most monster packs.

 

[RockChucker30]

I'll throw Paradox into the fray. Waterproof materials, adjustable frame height allows you to pack in with a tall frame and hunt compressed. Big load comfort, and handmade in the US

 

[Scot E]

I have the Stone glacier Solo and it is everything you are asking for except for the back pack top. I'm not sure any of SG's have that option. They have some removable lids that you can use around your waist but maybe they could be retro'd to do it on your back? Not sure you need that though as it compresses down so small and is so light as is.

As for the other requirements, I have been thrilled with my SG solo! I have already packed out 3 elk and lots of gear and it is exactly what I wanted in a pack. Narrow and compressible for agile day pack use but large enough to carry bivy gear for 3-5 day hunts. I need an extremely comfortable pack that would carry weight for 8-10 miles and I need something built to carry real heavy weight for that first load of meat off the hill before I get my larger pack frame. It does all of that perfectly! The load shelf has carried out a 3.5 year old elk hind quarter and a front quarter on my sons elk from last year that was bigger than the 3.5 year old hind quarter! It barely fit in but managed the weight fine with no load movement or issues with the structural integrity of the pack.

I went back and forth on the solo or terminus, the sky series wasn't out yet, and finally settled on the solo mostly because I liked the concept of at least a couple main pockets as I have never done the one large bag concept before. Still not sure if i made the right decision. I have had no issues with not having enough room but the terminus is a lot bigger, packs down just as small and is about as light, in case you are going to do some real long stays.

Kifaru was my other option but SG ticked a couple more boxes for me and I have been extremely happy!

Hope this helps and Good luck!

Scot

 

[mrbillbrown]

The kifaru bikini emrII I'm running is an outstanding combo. It is lightweight, moves well with you, is organized, packs small but can expand to carry a crazy load. The bemr2 should be the last pack a guy buys. Definitely one to consider

 

[bowtech3dhunter]

Last year I too used an Eberlestock and thought exactly the same thing you've mentioned. This season I went with a Kifaru Nomad on a bikini frame and camp bag. It worked great for my spike camp, compressed down great for my day pack, and then handled the weight of several meat loads like a dream. I can't say enough good things about that pack and Kifaru. And there is one for sale here on Rokslide, and it's a STEAL!!!

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/show...-and-Accessories-700&highlight=multicam+nomad

 

[7mag.]

I've used an Ebeestock Dragonfly, I had the Nimrod system for a while, and several backpacking packs before switching to quality hunting packs. I used Mystery Ranch for a while, then changed to Kifaru. I now use a Bikini frame with a Nomad, Camp bag, and Longhunter lid. I can load it however I want. It compresses down very small.

 

[7mag.]

I should add, with the Nomad, you can easily get it more narrow than your shoulders, and still access your day hunt gear. If you get an animal down, it quickly opens up to haul meat.

I've found that if you can buy the pack in a retail store, it probably isn't that great. In my opinion, Stone Glacier, Kifaru, and Mystery Ranch are at the top of the heap. Exo and Paradox look like good packs as well, but being new, we will have to wait until after this season for the real world reviews.

 

[fillthefreezer]

That's kinda the problem is trying them on! Not many of these are sold in stores

hook up with other roksliders close to you that have the packs youre interested in. load them up. HEAVY. go for a hike.
i dont know many guys in this community that wouldnt loan you a pack for a weekend.

 

[E Wa Hunter]

7mag what did you not like about the nimrod system, I was seriosly looking at them for a truck/ 4wheeler pack or when a guy need to go fast and light? Plus when hunting the brush ont he Washington coast I like a small lumbar pack, they don't seem to get hung up on brush like backpacks do.

 

[larryschwartz]

That's kinda the problem is trying them on! Not many of these are sold in stores

Schnagelbagel,

Where do you live? Folks on this forum live all over the U.S. and normally don't mind letting a fellow Rokslider try on their packs. And many have gear from multiple makers.

 

[7mag.]

7mag what did you not like about the nimrod system, I was seriosly looking at them for a truck/ 4wheeler pack or when a guy need to go fast and light? Plus when hunting the brush ont he Washington coast I like a small lumbar pack, they don't seem to get hung up on brush like backpacks do.

Nimrod would be great for what you want it for. I wanted one pack that I could use for multi day backpacking trips, that could compress down for day hunting, and handle heavy loads for packing out meat. Nimrod didn't have a bag big enough for multi night trips, and no load lifters to handle weight. It was my favorite day pack I've ever used, quiet, waterproof material, very comfortable with day hunt gear, extremely modular, just not suited for anything more than day hunts. I talked to the owners about building a pack for my needs, but they weren't interested in breaking into that market.

 

[Schnagelbagel]

I'm in minneapolis

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

I'm in minneapolis

I may be headed to Cameron WI in a month or so. You're welcome to try my duplex out for fit if you want to meet me.

 

[E Wa Hunter]

thanks 7mag, I was cotemplating thier guide pack for that type of hunt and then getting a stone glacier sky 7400 for the multiday pack and to use as a pack board. Just not sure I can swing the price at this point.