Pack Recommendations

[RADunfee]

So you do not own an AI? What pack do you run?

No but if I could justify the price that's what I would get. I run a MR Metcalf and it works fine for where I live in GA. I'm only packing black bear, whitetail, and the occasional pigs. I have friends with all the other pack options and the ones with EXO really like them. They are definitely comfortable. But under heavy weight that IA5k I tried was super impressive.

 

[Jimss]

I’ve used and abused kifaru for years. They stand up well. I use a frame and switch out bags depending on scouting or hunting/packing large loads.

You may be disappointed if you have just one pack or bag that isn’t designed for hefty loads. It’s nice to pack out a 1/4 of elk the first trip out. With just a daypack you won’t be able to do this.

You will also have a sore back and legs with a medium to large load with daypack that really isnt designed to comfortably haul 30 to 40+ lb loads. If I didn't have kifaru I’d likely use stone glacier. SG didn’t come in camo so I picked kifaru.

You might take a look at the weight of MR’s. When I was looking they were well made but extremely heavy.

 

[eaglemountainman]

I have a Sawtooth 45 for 6 years now. Its a tank. The 270° zipper is huge. Zero complaints. Metcalf is a great pack, also, with a bit more room. But it doesn't have that great zipper for access.
Try on any pack that you might intend to buy, with weight. Try on as many as you can. You can spend huge money on a pack and wind up completely miserable.

EDIT:
I have a coyote brown Pintler (bag only), brand new in the box, never even been on a frame. $100 plus shipping.

 

[Phaseolus]

Seek Outside is always a good choice. I've got a smaller bag and a larger bag for frame. It's also helpful that I live within 15 miles of the Made in Colorado store.

 

[BigCountry34]

I love my MR Sawtooth 45 for a 1-2 day pack. Can haul a lot of weight comfortably.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I went to a show that had about 7 or 8 of the industry's top packs and they let you put them on and test them with and without weight. They took notes on what average people thought throughout the weekend. IA crushed it in the weight category. (100lbs).
I think EXO tied for third. SG was 2nd. EXO ranked higher without weight though. It was definitely an interesting test. The guys made sure the packs were properly fitted also on each individual.

Thanks for the reply. I’ll try one of I get a chance. I thought they were sort of lame for awhile but now they have been around a bit longer.

My stone glacier still has life left in it so I’ll keep using it for a bit though.

 

[nphunter]

I would buy a used Kifaru duplex, stone glacier or exo, used will get you a way better pack than a cheap new pack.

I’ve ran many Kifaru packs, SG and Exo. I currently use a Kifaru Duplex and a Exo K4 and have an older Duplex lite with a Exo K3 bag on it as a spare. They are all great packs, for me SG didn’t pack weight as well but was awesome for camp and hunting out off.

I paid $175 for my last duplex in like new condition on the FB classifieds. I try to pick up bags when I find a good deal and have several and have used several. Most bags can be made to fit most frames with some cheap eBay buckles to convert them.

I’d pick up a 4K bag or some kind as a good all around size.

 

[TheHammer]

A used exo k3 4800 is probably the best bang for your buck. I enjoyed my Mr packs when I had them, the bags were very rugged and durable. I enjoyed the modularity of the Mr bags as well. I have tried all the brands. The exo k4 5000 is the best all around pack to me. The ia and ark are close. But I experience hot spots under 35lbs with kifarus. It seems the ias allow the most offset/unbalance left to right. The sg are great, they have to many little flaws and I get hot spots on my shoulders/traps. Just my .02$

 

[MT_Wyatt]

I’m not sure walking around a show floor is enough to declare an absolute victor when it comes to weight, although I do believe it allows for some good direct comparison between brands. That said, how a pack works/fits is analogous to a boot in that there will be personal preferences.

Example: while SG works fine, I’ve noticed packing out deer solo it just feels a lot better with how my Exo frame fits my body. There’s an immediate difference for me, but it’s much more noticeable after being under weight for multiple hours.

There’s also something to be said about how well a pack works out in the field for various hunt styles. Or just personal preferences. I vastly prefer narrow packs like SG and Exo over something that’s just inherently wider on the frame from the start. Regardless of bags. Just makes it easier to maneuver in tight areas.

If possible with CC and returns, at least narrowing to 2 systems and getting them in hand for a week to work through loading/unloading, using the frame, and fitment makes a ton of sense. You’ll work out some personal preference along with setup and functional differences.

One thing I see repeatedly with a couple friends of mine: if you’re taller and/or have a long torso, don’t even bother with MR.

 

[theavgjoe]

Has anyone had a chance to try AGC packs?? They make great products but have not ran into anyone who has experience with one in the field.