Pack dilemma

[NXTZ]

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

 

[Timplant]

I just move to FLAT stone glacier frame from a 22'' Kifaru. I miss the Kifaru (have it for sale currently) BUT the stone glacier is much comfier with light weight, day mode/three days. however over 50lb the Kifaru is the winner for me. I'm also 5'6'' and I hated the pack sticking up at first, but I'm now used to it, nuisance or not the comfort is worth it.. Took me since this may, but I won't be switching back.

Just my .02

 

[butcherboy]

I’m 5’8” and went with the exo k4 in 22”. Love this pack so far. Much better than my old Kifaru DT2.

Edit:
Forgot to say that I packed out my September elk with my new EXO pack. I only had it for maybe two weeks before I went hunting. It worked amazing compared to my older Kifaru.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

The common theme is a taller frame Carrie’s weight better. Load lift angle is indeed important. However, I believe many people misunderstand what’s needed to work and buy too tall a frame. And, I think back pack makers agree.


Frame height to the top of the ears is the perfect height to get the best lift. So, if it were me I’d Bend over more. lol.

 

[jimh406]

If you haven't, maybe try looking at Mystery Ranch Popups. They have several different frame lengths.

 

[mtnbound]

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

I can't speak about the Ark, but I would go with the EXO K4 in the short frame. Yes, the taller frame might carry the heavy loads a little better for some, but I have not noticed any difference going from a 25" to a 22" other than the 22" being easier to move through the brush.

 

[NXTZ]

Hey guys, I really appreciate the feedback. I think if I hunted more open country this wouldn’t be an issue, but since I spend an unfortunate amount of time in the thicker stuff I tend fixate on whatever is annoying me the most as I waddle through the woods.

Perhaps the smart move would be to order an exo, load both pack with 50+lbs, and see how they feel. This x curve is my only experience with the big 3 packs, so maybe I just need to try something else. Thanks again for the input!

 

[mtnbound]

Hey guys, I really appreciate the feedback. I think if I hunted more open country this wouldn’t be an issue, but since I spend an unfortunate amount of time in the thicker stuff I tend fixate on whatever is annoying me the most as I waddle through the woods.

Perhaps the smart move would be to order an exo, load both pack with 50+lbs, and see how they feel. This x curve is my only experience with the big 3 packs, so maybe I just need to try something else. Thanks again for the input!

I think that is a good idea, EXO has a good return policy.

 

[trophyhill]

The common theme is a taller frame Carrie’s weight better. Load lift angle is indeed important. However, I believe many people misunderstand what’s needed to work and buy too tall a frame. And, I think back pack makers agree.


Frame height to the top of the ears is the perfect height to get the best lift. So, if it were me I’d Bend over more. lol.

Yes but don't most buy their frames based on the pack companies recommendation? I'm assuming all ask for your torso length and other measurements guiding you to their recommended size.

 

[kickemall]

I'm not sure you're going to notice a whole lot of difference in a few inches when going through brush to make it worth the change. Seek Outside packs are adjustable from 24" to 28" because of included slip on inserts that you could bring with you on a hunt and change out as needed.

 

[colic]

I'm shorter than you and I've got a mystery ranch selway and a kifaru 22"
I actually think I like the selway better. I've had it out west 5 times now. It's hauled a lot of meat for me. I've only hauled one doe out with the kifaru and it didn't carry well for my body. Ended up with more muscle straining than with my selway. Mighta just been that day but I decided to let the nephew use it and I stuck with my mystery ranch.

I'm a die hard minimalist so the selway just ends up being perfect for me and my style - it's not gimmicky, the bag is the perfect size, and it conforms to me perfectly. I've taken "shortcuts" in beetle kill in colorado when we were greenhorns with that mystery ranch pack and I never really had an issue. Granted we do full on 3-4 night runs so I don't expect my pack to get any smaller unless one of these companies can bend space and time.

 

[TaperPin]

You are definitely not alone - it drives me nuts to have a pack stick up over the shoulders. I wouldn’t hesitate to get the shorter frame - look at many photos of guys packing meat with the taller frame and you’ll see game bags often don’t even contact the frame above shoulder level, or could be adequately secured with a strap at the top of a short frame.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

Yes but don't most buy their frames based on the pack companies recommendation? I'm assuming all ask for your torso length and other measurements guiding you to their recommended size.

I doubt that. There’s been a lot of guys on this forum alone that are 5’9-6’ tall using a 26” frame over the years. That’s tall for 99% of those users.

When I say that I’m not saying the frames won’t work. I’m saying the compromise is one sided.

 

[Phaseolus]

Seek Outside should be under consideration too. Without the frame extensions it’s pretty short. You can order one to try in your living room and return it if you don’t like it.

 

[NXTZ]

I can't speak about the Ark, but I would go with the EXO K4 in the short frame. Yes, the taller frame might carry the heavy loads a little better for some, but I have not noticed any difference going from a 25" to a 22" other than the 22" being easier to move through the brush.

Can you give me an idea of how much easier you found it to move through brush with the shorter frame? Like is it, “holy s*** what a difference!” or more “it is slightly less annoying with a shorter frame”?

I’d be willing to pay new pack money for the first reaction. If it’s ultimately a negligible difference I’d probably keep what I have and use the money saved for other things.

Mtnbound, I realize that’s a personal choice and distinction, just trying to get some perspective since you mentioned using both frame heights.

 

[NXTZ]

You are definitely not alone - it drives me nuts to have a pack stick up over the shoulders. I wouldn’t hesitate to get the shorter frame - look at many photos of guys packing meat with the taller frame and you’ll see game bags often don’t even contact the frame above shoulder level, or could be adequately secured with a strap at the top of a short frame.

Haha, glad it’s not just me, if I could just cut off the top 4” of my frame and reattach everything I’d consider that. Do you think 3-4” frame height is significant in the grand scheme of things? Or is that really just a minute difference and a 22” frame will still get hung up?

 

[Alaska92]

Haha, glad it’s not just me, if I could just cut off the top 4” of my frame and reattach everything I’d consider that. Do you think 3-4” frame height is significant in the grand scheme of things? Or is that really just a minute difference and a 22” frame will still get hung up?

This is certainly a real problem for many, that has not been solved efficiently. Nonetheless, a few of the top tier pack companies have attempted a solution. None to my satisfaction and obviously others. I’m still waiting. Height of frame is a critical piece of the puzzle regarding pack comfort according to the application involved.

 

[TaperPin]

Haha, glad it’s not just me, if I could just cut off the top 4” of my frame and reattach everything I’d consider that. Do you think 3-4” frame height is significant in the grand scheme of things? Or is that really just a minute difference and a 22” frame will still get hung up?

It’s not a functional difference - the frame won’t get more or less hung up. I might be a little ODC, but extra frame height bothers me every time I notice it out the corner of an eye, or feel it on the back of the head while looking up a steep slope. In the grand scheme of things, there are usually better areas to spend money on, but it’s like having a gun stock that feels good when it’s carried.

 

[Alaska92]

It’s not a functional difference - the frame won’t get more or less hung up. I might be a little ODC, but extra frame height bothers me every time I notice it out the corner of an eye, or feel it on the back of the head while looking up a steep slope. In the grand scheme of things, there are usually better areas to spend money on, but it’s like having a gun stock that feels good when it’s carried.

It’s certainly a functional difference. Load lift vs. no load lift is functionally different.

 

[Highlands Hunter]

I am 5’8” with an 18” torso and had the same problem with the X-curve. I tried the 23.5” K4 and the 25” K4. I went with the 25” because I barely got any lift out of the 23.5.