Pack Help

[Zgajewski]

Alright yall.

Tx archery hunter headed to New Mexico in September to hopefully knock down a bull. With that being said I am looking for a frame pack in the hopes I’m successful. This isn’t a pack in and out situation (we will come back to camp everyday) but I want to have a pack that I could do that in the future. My question is does anyone have anything for sale, barrow or recommend? I’ve seen everyone raves about the Exo k4 and Kifaru lines. Please let me know and I can give more details if need be.

 

[OkiechasingElk]

There is a backpack section of the forum that is super helpful and in depth to answer the "what do you recommend" question.

Rokslide Classifieds has all the for sale items, some pretty decent stuff in there.

 

[OkiechasingElk]

Personally I use a Kuiu Divide 3000. Its mostly an oversized Day Pack, can be used for a 1-2 night spike trip. But it's big and sturdy enough I can haul a quarter out.

One day I'll upgrade to their Pro System with both a small day pack and a larger multi-night pack. But haven't done it yet.

 

[Zgajewski]

There is a backpack section of the forum that is super helpful and in depth to answer the "what do you recommend" question.

Rokslide Classifieds has all the for sale items, some pretty decent stuff in there.

Sorry I am learning to navigate this thing. I usually use archery talk but someone said to come over here to ask about elk packs. When I’m free from the new person jail I’ll look at marketplace. Thanks

 

[Beendare]

Sorry I am learning to navigate this thing. I usually use archery talk but someone said to come over here to ask about elk packs. When I’m free from the new person jail I’ll look at marketplace. Thanks

The backpack section dissects this subject to death if you use the search feature.

I like a pack that doubles as a meat hauler where I can pack meat between the frame and the bag. I own the EXO and love it. ...but there are a few other good options.

 

[wcmarion]

I just picked up an Initial Ascent pack, and it really does make weight feel lighter. I've had trouble with shoulder strap fatigue in the past but not with the IA. I was choosing between the Exo K4 and the IA pack. Both are great options and well worth the money imo.

 

[Cereal Killer]

I’d grab the exo k4 2200 or 3600 for 1-3 day hunts and if you plan on needing it for future extended hunts you can buy the bag only 5000 or 7200 size and attach to same frame. Or save money and get the 5000 which compresses down to a small pack for its size and you have a day pack or a 7-10 day pack all in one.

 

[Acharenio]

WTS Thread 'FS Mystery Ranch Metcalf'

Thursday at 9:25 PM

i have a Mystery Ranch Metcalf, used only once, optifade subalpine, have 2 forager pockets that i paid $25.00 each and are included with the pack, is a great pack but have to many.

Size is large, was manufactured in 2018, it is like new, has been put away since 2020.

asking $ 350.00 + shipping

• Acharenio
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Rokslide Classifieds

 

[Zgajewski]

The backpack section dissects this subject to death if you use the search feature.

I like a pack that doubles as a meat hauler where I can pack meat between the frame and the bag. I own the EXO and love it. ...but there are a few other good options.

Anything that you would recommend right off hand. I can search but opinions and first had experiences are game changers.

I just picked up an Initial Ascent pack, and it really does make weight feel lighter. I've had trouble with shoulder strap fatigue in the past but not with the IA. I was choosing between the Exo K4 and the IA pack. Both are great options and well worth the money imo.

did you try them out somewhere or did you just order online?

 

[Zgajewski]

I’d grab the exo k4 2200 or 3600 for 1-3 day hunts and if you plan on needing it for future extended hunts you can buy the bag only 5000 or 7200 size and attach to same frame. Or save money and get the 5000 which compresses down to a small pack for its size and you have a day pack or a 7-10 day pack all in one.

See I like the multiple use options but damn if the dang bag isn’t already expensive enough. I need to see if there’s somewhere I can try it out in person.

 

[neil.hansford]

Check out the Mystery Ranch pop up 30 or 40 if you arent looking to spend for an Exo or something in that price range. They can usually be found for decent sales.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

 

[Clinton]

Backpacks and backpack frames are so personal it's hard to make a specific recommendation, everyone's built different. So, my recommendation is to buy multiple packs from reputable companies that have great return policies and try each of them out around the house with some weight, keep the one you like the most. I know Exo and Stone glacier both have 30 day return policies and I'm sure many others do as well. Lots of good packs out there. Exo, SG, and Kifaru were kind of the big 3 for a while, with Exo and SG doing ultralight stuff and Kifaru being a bit heavier but built to last you 3 lifetimes. Kifaru had some drama a few years back with some people leaving the company (or being forced out?), but from what I hear their stuff is still top notch. Mystery ranch used to be the best, but it seems like the future is uncertain for them with rumors that YETI is going to change the direction of the company. Initial Ascent is a relative newcomer but I hear good things.

Oh and one more thing, think of the biggest bag you might need and then go one size bigger. You can always compress a big pack down small but never make a small pack larger, and the weight difference isn't that much. If you already have your system down and know what you need you can save the ounces with a smaller bag. The standard advice among backpackers is that you buy your backpack last, after all your other gear so that you are certain you can fit everything, and I think this is sound advice for backpack hunters as well. My first pack was a 4800 cubic inches and it was too small for what I wanted to do with it.

 

[acmorris]

Check out the Mystery Ranch pop up 30 or 40 if you arent looking to spend for an Exo or something in that price range. They can usually be found for decent sales.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I too have been looking for a good day pack and have looked at the mystery ranch pop up series. However Mystery ranch is owned by yeti and they have announced that they will basically be shutting down the commercial side of mystery ranch products and transferring to yeti packs by 2026

 

[Cereal Killer]

See I like the multiple use options but damn if the dang bag isn’t already expensive enough. I need to see if there’s somewhere I can try it out in person.

Buy once cry once. It’ll last forever. 30 day return policy.

 

[bz_711]

The Classifieds are your friend.

I bought a Kifaru Timberline 2 pack with internal frame from classifed 10+ years ago on this forum for a fraction of the cost of new...and I'm still beating the heck out of that pack each fall. Most top of the line brands are meant to last - do not hesitate to buy used if it looks to be in decent shape.

Good Luck!