Pack comparison

[blake_mhoona]

So planning my first DIY elk hunt for CO next year (archery) wanting some opinions. First things first I have a strict budget. $250-350 would be my max. Right now I am looking at the tenzing 6000 or the horn hunter full curl. I don't see either mentioned in here hardly ever. What are the good bad and the ugly for both?

Right now I'm 6'1 265 but I've already lost 50lbs in preparation and would like to lose 30 more to give you a size reference. I could edit to find a deal on a used bag here but I'd like to get the bag in the next month or so so I can start hiking with it and weight to get prepared (and speed up the weight loss)

What I'm looking for is something that will hold all my stuff for a 7 day wilderness hunt (4-5,000 ci). Plus be able to haul meat (I.e meat shelf) if the chance ever presented itself. Plus I want to be able to break down the big pack so that I can have a day hunt pack to hunt with from camp.

If you think I should be looking st other bags let me know but keep in mind the budget

 

[couesbitten]

I own a Full Curl, never touched a Tenzing, and have never read anything really good about them.

Full Curl - USA made, well built, functional load lifters
Tensing - Chinese(?) made, adequately built, poor load lifters

Plenty of other options out there, but if these were my choices based on cost, it'd be an easy decision.

 

[mrbillbrown]

First pack was a Full Curl combo and looking back it was exceptional for its price. It's a little heavier than some of the top tier packs but super capable and carried heavy weight well. The full Curl system gives you options to run all three pieces for big ci's or removing the camp bag and day pack leaves you with a hauling frame and some day gear. I remember it being made pretty well with thought out placement of pockets and straps. Dollar for dollar its hard to beat it for a USA made pack.


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[blake_mhoona]

i was already leaning towards the full curly system anyway. i have just seen a lot of shows where they carry the tenzing. i assume its because of sponsorship and being a big name company they can pay that bill.

are there any other packs i should look at in the $250-$350 price range? i've looked at most of the off the shelf type items but there may be a few i missed. seemed like most were in that next price range $450+

 

[buffsmoker]

I'd suggest you keep your eye on the classifieds here. There's a Kifaru T1 (non-duplex version) listed right now for $375, but it has a small belt so that probably won't work out for you. I had the full curl system for a couple years, then scored a T2 on here for a killer price this past off season. It's about half the weight of the full curl, and is twice as comfortable (for me anyway). You have all off season, I'd just be patient if I were you. Once the fall starts wrapping up, guys will start unloading gear. I understand you want to start training with it, but you'll be thanking yourself during your hunt when you have that better pack.

If you do go with the full curl, make sure you get the latest version with the adjustable torso length. Having the pack fit you correctly is absolutely vital to the comfort of carrying it on your back. For what it is, it's a damn good and well made pack. But I think you're better off buying used and getting a superior product of a higher end pack. Just my two cents, good luck!

 

[cgippe]

If that is your budget I would say wait for Kuiu's 30% off sale or Thanksgiving (black Friday) sale and pick up the Icon Pro 5200. That would bring you in at $332 plus shipping .

I run the Icon pro 3200 daily and for overnights run the 5200 pack.

 

[blake_mhoona]

what about the new(ish) Alps Commander Extreme pack? anyone have any experience with it?

 

[buffsmoker]

what about the new(ish) Alps Commander Extreme pack? anyone have any experience with it?

9lbs. 3 oz. for a 4000 ci pack? Yikes. You can save at least 4+ lbs at that price, or maybe a little more (Exo, Kifaru, SG, etc). I don't know what the rest of your gear looks like, but you could spend a fortune shaving 4 lbs elsewhere.

 

[blackpowderhunter]

a few used exo packs on here.
lots of guys selling their 2014/2015 for the newest version.
i love my 2015 version for what its worth.

 

[couesbitten]

Exo is a great pack too, I have one of those also, and I use it on about 50% of my backpacking trips, the other 50% is my Kifaru Bikini/Highcamp.

 

[AdamW]

I'd suggest you keep your eye on the classifieds here. There's a Kifaru T1 (non-duplex version) listed right now for $375, but it has a small belt so that probably won't work out for you. I had the full curl system for a couple years, then scored a T2 on here for a killer price this past off season. It's about half the weight of the full curl, and is twice as comfortable (for me anyway). You have all off season, I'd just be patient if I were you. Once the fall starts wrapping up, guys will start unloading gear. I understand you want to start training with it, but you'll be thanking yourself during your hunt when you have that better pack.

If you do go with the full curl, make sure you get the latest version with the adjustable torso length. Having the pack fit you correctly is absolutely vital to the comfort of carrying it on your back. For what it is, it's a damn good and well made pack. But I think you're better off buying used and getting a superior product of a higher end pack. Just my two cents, good luck!

+1. Gently used Kifaru or a 2015 Mystery Ranch Metcalf or Marshall, etc. I know what it's like wanting to balance quality and budget so I totally understand. Especially when it is your first hunt. I don't think you'll be sorry creeping on the classifieds for an extra month or so and scoring a gently used pack at the high end of your price range. When we first started planning our elk hunt I thought about just going with an Alps external frame pack and suffering a little more for the cost savings if I had to. I'm glad I didn't.

 

[blake_mhoona]

do these packs (kuiu icon, kifaru t1, exo 5500, etc) convert easily into a daypack? i plan to hike 4-5 miles in with the big pack set up camp and hunt 1-3 miles within camp each day. the reason i was looking at the horn hunter was for its ability to unbuckle the big bag and roll with just the frame or frame and the dayback.

 

[AdamW]

You can really cinch most of these packs down nearly flat on your back. I wouldn't want one to only use as a day pack but for the use you're mentioning they are very functional (my personal experience being with the Kifaru Timberline 2 specifically).

 

[blake_mhoona]

reviving one of my threads for a new comparison. i'm still in the market for a higher grade used pack but in the mean time.

between the horn hauler and the slumberjack bounty 2.0 what are your thoughts?

 

[marc]

If I was in your situation I would order a good frame and put a dry bag on it and add the pack bag when you have funds. An EXo or Stone Glacier frame would meet your needs.

 

[AdamW]

There's a slumberjack for $140 on the classifieds.

 

[tyeager2964]

I like Marc suggestion about buying the pack frame with a dry bag.

This will probably get bad feedback but I will say it anyways. You can always buy a good hiking backpack on sale (think Gregory Baltoro, REI Cresttrail, Arcteryx etc) and get by for 90% of your hunt. It probably won't be camo and it definitely won't pack game out as well but for what you are describing doing it will work. If you are fortunate enough to kill something then the pack out will suck.

But you will stay within budget and maybe save more than expected that you can spend in other places.

For the record I just did CO 1st season with a Cresttrail 70. 52 lbs total weight to camp at 4.5 miles wasn't bad. 52 lbs back to the car after 3 days of hunting, running from the wind, and scouting sucked, but it did comfortably carry 20lbs worth of day gear without issue. I did know going in if something was killed then the pack out would suck but I couldn't justify the extra expense (I already had the REI pack).

 

[hflier]

Buy the Kifaru T1 listed on this site for $350.00. Last pack you will ever need.

 

[blake_mhoona]

There's a slumberjack for $140 on the classifieds.

That's the 4500. Not the bounty 2.0 which is 4900 ci

 

[wyelkhunter]

look around different website classifieds. Get kifaru set-up. You won't regret it and resale value is great.