Pack Suggestions

[Eye]

So this is my first year that I will be trying to fill a tag myself, in western Montana. My plan is to hike several miles in, set up a camp, and day hunt from there over the course of a week or so.

I am an experienced hiker and backpacker, but I have no experience in hauling harvested game around. I need a bag to bring in my gear for camp, then also to pack out an animal if I get one. So it seems an external frame is the way to go.

I have been looking at the SO divide, and I would like to stay in that $300-400 price range. Any thoughts or recommendations?

 

[Kulshan]

I have played with the Slumberjack Bounty 2.0 and am pretty impressed with it for $300. Lots of volume, functional load lifters, load shelf, gun bearer, removable day pack.

Slumberjack has a 25% off code right now.

 

[mfllood3800]

In all honesty a frame pack doesn't offer any benefit over a dedicated hunter pack like Kifaru, Srone Glacier or EXO type bags.

A Kifaru AMR, for example, will allow you to carry your entire camp in your bag, then allow you to loosen straps and place meat quarters between the bag and the frame of the pack- same as a Frame hauler would, but with a better ride with a heavy load out..

 

[texag10]

I've been a big fan of the seek outside suspension set up, vertically very rigid, but doesn't feel like wearing a board on your back. It'll support the weight if you can.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

Unless you go with a pack designed for doing these tasks, like Kifaru, SO, EXO, stone glacier, etc.... go with a new generation army ruck sack. It is a great pack. God Bless

 

[hammer0419]

I have owned it all ten times over. I now carry a Seek Outside Revolution frame. The comfort level is far superior to anything I have owned. You would not be disappointed. They have great gear. Their website is ABSOLUTELY deplorable to showcase their products. They are not helping potential buyers and definitely not helping themselves with such a piss poor site. You can call and get some great over the phone service though.

 

[AXEL]

Agree, 110%, find SO to be THE packs for me and their service is outstanding.

I am pretty old and a bit crippled, but, might buy a third SO pack to get the Revolution frame and love the two I now have.

 

[Eye]

Yeah the SO website sucks lol. Its hard to get a feel for the packs. But the customer feedback speaks for itself.

I have a Kifaru shelter and I have also been looking at the Reckoning.

The success rate in my unit is low, its hard to justify the expense for a pack that I probably wont need, since any of my surplus packs wil haul my gear to camp just fine. But if I do get one, I bet I would be glad to have the proper pack for the job, which will be many miles of hiking under a heavy load.

 

[hammer0419]

My SO was the first pack I owned without a giant lumbar pad. I was extremely skeptical. However, something kept tell me to try one. Along with a friend who ran a Unaweep. The NO LUMBAR PAD for me was simply amazing!!! I bit the bullet on a Unaweep and a Revolution with the intention of returning one. The Unaweep is really nice and crazy light. But for me not as comfortable as stuff can bulge into your back. The revolution is not heavy at all, super versatile, and beyond comfortable!!

 

[LostArra]

I have owned it all ten times over. I now carry a Seek Outside Revolution frame. The comfort level is far superior to anything I have owned. You would not be disappointed. They have great gear. Their website is ABSOLUTELY deplorable to showcase their products. They are not helping potential buyers and definitely not helping themselves with such a piss poor site. You can call and get some great over the phone service though.

I'm relieved to see that I'm not the only one who struggles with the Seek Outside website.

 

[Eye]

The revolution is not heavy at all, super versatile, and beyond comfortable!!

Thanks for the reply. One thing that appeals to my lightweight backpacking sensibilities is the focus on lighter weight designs from SO. But it seems like the bags don't have quite the features that you get with Kifaru pack. A Unaweep would be a more versatile system for me, something that I could backpack with even in the summer, but might be a little lacking in the serious load hauling department. Whereas a Kifaru system would be more single purpose, its too big and heavy for me to use for general hiking.. The Revolution seems like it splits the middle and might be the way to go.

But that Reckoning just speaks to me lol. First world problems.

 

[paleraider]

I have a SO. It is very sturdy and well constructed. It is also very comfortable. I have also recently gotten an 2017 EXO 5500. I was a bit surprised but the EXO is actually more comfortable than the SO when carrying around 40lbs. I have not tried it with the 80lbs yet. I will say the EXO is also really easy to use, has tons of great features and is just a well thoughout bag, essentially it solved all of the issues I had with my Seekoutside.

 

[Eye]

I appreciate the advice guys. Just pulled the trigger on a Reckoning and Hunter Frame. Should be here in plenty of time to get dialed in for my late season rifle hunt. I am a big fan of Kifaru anyways, as I own a Sawtooth and stove already. Now the waiting game as they build my order !!!!!!

 

[George]

I appreciate the advice guys. Just claimed a Reckoning and Hunter Frame on the classifieds.

I claimed a reckoning and a tactical from Kifaru and now have a couple of 3 day trips in. I think that you will like yours.

G

 

[AXEL]

I have a SO. It is very sturdy and well constructed. It is also very comfortable. I have also recently gotten an 2017 EXO 5500. I was a bit surprised but the EXO is actually more comfortable than the SO when carrying around 40lbs. I have not tried it with the 80lbs yet. I will say the EXO is also really easy to use, has tons of great features and is just a well thoughout bag, essentially it solved all of the issues I had with my Seekoutside.

OK, good for you as we do not do this to suffer and then kvetch here about our misery!

So, in what specific ways is the EXO more comfortable than the SO?

What were/are the "issues" you "had with ...Seekoutside"? I am curious as your reply may assist me and others here in obtaining the maximum comfort/utility from our packs.

Thanks.

 

[hammer0419]

Congrats on your purchase. Should serve you very well.

 

[LostArra]

I'm relieved to see that I'm not the only one who struggles with the Seek Outside website.

In fairness, I need to update here. I have not been in the pack market for 2-3 years so today I looked at the SO website. It has improved. In the past I could not figure out what went with what and if I was ordering a complete pack. That seems to be improving and it looks like the pack selection has been streamlined so maybe it's a bit easier to decipher now.

 

[hammer0419]

In fairness, I need to update here. I have not been in the pack market for 2-3 years so today I looked at the SO website. It has improved. In the past I could not figure out what went with what and if I was ordering a complete pack. That seems to be improving and it looks like the pack selection has been streamlined so maybe it's a bit easier to decipher now.

"A bit easier" is at best. They need some serious web work! Hopefully they can figure it out because their products are very good.