Hey y’all, I need some guidance on pack selection/fitment. I’m 5’6”, about 18” torso length. I currently have a stone glacier x curve, and while it’s very comfortable and carries well, the frame is about even with the top of my ears, load lifter angle probably close to 45-50 degrees. I day hunt 95% of the time, and usually wind up in some thick brush where that 26” frame is just a nuisance. I feel like at my size, this frame is just overkill for me and most of my hunting.
Here’s my dilemma-both kifaru and exo make shorter frames in the 22-23.5” range. Would an ark or k4 frame 1) ride significantly lower, like bottom of my ear or less and 2) would a shorter frame like that still handle heavy loads acceptably?
Maybe I just need to suck it up and crouch more going through thick timber? I can get around ok-it’s really just a matter of such a tall pack being a constant annoyance in the trees. Would getting a frame 3” shorter really make much of a difference?
Or would I be better off keeping the x curve in my truck, and just using a true “day pack” while I hunt, and suffering the extra trip to get my frame if I manage to kill something?
Appreciate anyone’s thoughts or experiences
Here’s my dilemma-both kifaru and exo make shorter frames in the 22-23.5” range. Would an ark or k4 frame 1) ride significantly lower, like bottom of my ear or less and 2) would a shorter frame like that still handle heavy loads acceptably?
Maybe I just need to suck it up and crouch more going through thick timber? I can get around ok-it’s really just a matter of such a tall pack being a constant annoyance in the trees. Would getting a frame 3” shorter really make much of a difference?
Or would I be better off keeping the x curve in my truck, and just using a true “day pack” while I hunt, and suffering the extra trip to get my frame if I manage to kill something?
Appreciate anyone’s thoughts or experiences
