Pack Recommendations

1

1911chandler

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Jan 10, 2026
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First Post! Planning on doing my first western hunt this year (either Elk or Pronghorn) and looking for pack recommendations. Big enough to spend a night or two in the backcountry, but mainly just a daypack/meat hauling. Was looking at the MR Metcalf 45 or Sawtooth. Any other recommendations? Trying to find one used since I’m on a little bit of a budget trying to build a house at the same time.

Currently have a Eberlestock M1 (Mainframe without the load shelf) that my wife is going to use on the trip.
 
I've had metcalf, currently have Kuiu pro LT4000 and exo k34800, both are good. I wouldn't do metcalf again. Kuiu is lighter, Exo seems more durable and slightly more comfortable. Also, find the exo more versatile for example, strapping treestands and groundblinds/chairs, etc. when hunting the east. The new lighter Exo K4X or something like that(not out yet) will likely be my next pack. I just need the 12yo to get a little bigger so I can handme down one of the current ones.
 
I bought a Badlands MRK2 for my first pack. Why? Because it was on sale at Murdoch’s for well under $200. It’s rugged, and design is workable. Their warranty is fantastic. I find it to be very comfortable when hunting or backpacking, although just a little heavy. The comfort disappeared as soon as I tried to pack meat with it! I carried out an entire whitetail doe with it, and thankfully it was only half a mile. Also carried an elk quarter, and then the head and rack on separate trips. Also very short way. Probably could have and should have made some more adjustments for packing meat, but I have heard others also say that the experience went south with this pack with a heavy load.

Would I recommend this pack? For the price I paid, yes! That being said, I would never pay full price for it.

I am saving my pennies for an Exo K4 5000. Probably turn my Badlands into my daypack, that stays in the truck.
 
Exo K4 with 3200 bag. Though, not exactly a budget choice.

If you find a used K2, they are also great.

Seek Outside packs are good, I have two of them. I prefer Exo.

Stone Glacier has a good reputation, but I have not used their packs.

So, a used Exo, Stone Glacier, or Seek Outside would be my choice on a budget.

As a day pack, you could get a frame only and strap a drybag to it.
 
Marbles said:
Exo K4 with 3200 bag. Though, not exactly a budget choice.

If you find a used K2, they are also great.

Seek Outside packs are good, I have two of them. I prefer Exo.

Stone Glacier has a good reputation, but I have not used their packs.

So, a used Exo, Stone Glacier, or Seek Outside would be my choice on a budget.

As a day pack, you could get a frame only and strap a drybag to it.
Click to expand...
Seems Exo is definitely the most recommended, I may have to just start saving up.
 
Post up your location, there may nearby Roksliders who will let you fiddle.

The best pack is going to be irrelevant until you find the best frame for YOU. Focus on finding the frame and the rest will take care of itself.
 
I used a Eberle F1 for 8 or 9 years and recently bought a Exo K4 with the Terratorn bag.

The more I use the Terratorn, the more I like both the frame and the bag.

I'll keep the Eberle as a backup or extra but don't plan on going back to it.
 
If you are looking to save a bit, you may want to look on Facebook etc for used Mystery Ranch military packs. They'll weigh a bit more than hunting packs but they have a lot of adjustability. You also don't have to have a hunting brand pack, plenty of people do just fine with Gregory, Osprey etc.

As others have said, your best bet is to try packs on. Make sure to try them on with some weight in, not empty.
 
I can’t recommend the Exo K4 enough. I bought mine slightly used for for a reasonable price. I have the 2200 and 5000 bags. The 2200 is an incredible day pack. For your uses, the 3600 would be tough to beat.
 
I run a Stone Glacier 6900 on a X-Curve frame. My partner and have used Stone Glacier packs for the last many years and they haul well, shrink down small, ultralight, and bombproof. We put them through hell and back and have yet to break or severely damage them. We keep talking about trying an EXO when our packs wear out but at this rate that might be awhile. SG have many different size bags and designs which is one reason I like the versatility. Warranty service is good according to my partner; he sent his tent in because it got damaged by hail and they fixed it no questions asked. SG or EXO is the best options IMO, good luck.
 
My stone glacier is going strong and works well for me but I think the exo is probably better. If I was getting a. We pack today it would be an exo and I wouldn’t even look at anything else or do any research, I’d pick the size I was after and send it.
 
Exo is gonna be highly recommended around here (rightly so... they are making wonderful packs)

Stone Glacier x curve is what I use. It's nice and broken in and see no need to change it up. Carries hvy loads (more than I want to really be doing) wonderfully. Built tough. Lightweight. Functional. Load shelf isn't as intuitive as some others but it's serviceable. I'm a stuff and go kinda guy. The 5900 is all I will ever need in bag space. I've lived out of it for 10 days just fine. If it wasn't SG, I'd look at k2/3/4 and probably go to the 3200 size.

I've used MR/kifaru/badlands/sitka....won't touch these. Some love em. I don't.

Buddy has a Kuiu and I'm not impressed but haven't spent enough time with it to say much more.
 
sndmn11 said:
Post up your location, there may nearby Roksliders who will let you fiddle.

The best pack is going to be irrelevant until you find the best frame for YOU. Focus on finding the frame and the rest will take care of itself.
Click to expand...
OP- this is the best step 1 imo as well. While some might be safer choices than others... wearing a few under load and taking a walk around will inform you on what you should save for
 
I love my exo, whatever bag size makes sense though as you get toward the larger ones the Teratorn bag would be the way I would go. The 2200 is great though and the 3600 seems just about right for you.

Expect some to come up used and the K4x comes out not too long from now.
 
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