Pack that has performed well for you in the Backcountry?

GodSpeed1

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 15, 2021
Messages
181
Hello,
I'm hoping to get some advice on packs for backcountry hunts. Now, I have a badlands pack, but I don't see it as being great for hauling large amounts of meat out of the woods. What's a pack that's performed well for you have used in the backcountry that you've done a pack out with? I've read up on Kifaru packs and heard EXOs are good as well but hoping to hear what packs y'all might like
Thank you
 
Last edited:
Joined
Apr 8, 2024
Messages
53
I just purchased a MR Metcalf.....hoping it's what I think it is once I put some miles on my back with it...if not, there's lots of really good choices out there.
 
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
2,700
Location
Tijeras NM
Oh man......Badlands is the reason I bought a Kifaru. Now that the new Ark Frame is out, I give it my recommendation
 
Joined
Feb 5, 2020
Messages
76
I am a littler bias but I have always used kifaru packs and they have never failed me. The customer service is great and its 100 percent made in america
 
Joined
Dec 27, 2012
Messages
5,165
Location
Colorado
Mystery Ranch has worked well for me over the past few years. I’ve done hunts in Alaska, Idaho, Colorado, New Mexico, Missouri, and Kentucky with them. In Alaska I used the Marshall for sheep, caribou and moose. Everywhere else has either been a pintler or a metcalf.
 

Bergy-Bowsmith

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 11, 2023
Messages
136
Location
Rochester, MN
I can't speak highly enough about stone glacier I love my pack it's unbelievably comfortable, I've used , kifaru, kuiu, mystery ranch , exo, eberlestock, and stone glacier. I'll never look back I'm sticking with my stone
 
OP
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GodSpeed1

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 15, 2021
Messages
181
@GodSpeed1 the best thing you can do is get two different frames, try them, sell the loser, and buy another until you find love.

If you share where you live you might find people in your area that would let you try theirs.

Seek Outside
Exo
Kifaru
Stone Glacier
Kuiu
Initial Ascent
Mystery Ranch
And others
I'm down in Windsor Colorado
 

sndmn11

Mouth of Morrison
Joined
Mar 28, 2017
Messages
10,036
Location
Morrison, Colorado
I'm down in Windsor Colorado
I have seek outside packs with large belts, @Ucsdryder is reviewing the Ark and has the duplex as well. @1shotgear carries Stone Glacier, and I would imagine you can turn up an Exo pack from a CO person pretty easily, but, @Mark at EXO offers a 30 day trial.

The point is, there are several pack brands that are more than capable of doing backpack stuff. I cannot stand the fit of some that others swoon over, and you never know what fits well until you try it. Dropping several hundred dollars on something because random dude on a hunting forum said it was fun can be an easy way to waste money and time thinking you bought the "best" when the reality is there are lots of "best" but maybe only a few best for you.
 
OP
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GodSpeed1

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 15, 2021
Messages
181
I have seek outside packs with large belts, @Ucsdryder is reviewing the Ark and has the duplex as well. @1shotgear carries Stone Glacier, and I would imagine you can turn up an Exo pack from a CO person pretty easily, but, @Mark at EXO offers a 30 day trial.

The point is, there are several pack brands that are more than capable of doing backpack stuff. I cannot stand the fit of some that others swoon over, and you never know what fits well until you try it. Dropping several hundred dollars on something because random dude on a hunting forum said it was fun can be an easy way to waste money and time thinking you bought the "best" when the reality is there are lots of "best" but maybe only a few best for you.
Yeah I do not doubt that at all
 
Joined
Oct 2, 2016
Messages
2,819
Location
West Virginia
Hello,
I'm hoping to get some advice on packs for backcountry hunts. Now, I have a badlands pack, but I don't see it as being great for hauling large amounts of meat out of the woods. What's a pack that's performed well for you have used in the backcountry that you've done a pack out with? I've read up on Kifaru packs and heard EXOs are good as well but hoping to hear what packs y'all might like
Thank you
I currently own Kifaru and seek outside frame and bag. They are quality packs. I prefer the Kifaru but, I wouldn’t loose sleep if all I had was the SO.

With that said, the Kifaru is a great pack. I’ve hauled 15 deer out of a wilderness area I hunt over the last 5 years. 13 of them on Kifaru frames. 2 on the SO. All have come miles out. All trips were whole deer and gear.

I don’t pack out like some of these guys but, I put them to use. I’ve used other brands as well. You’d be happy with any pack from one of the big makers. Kifaru certainly belongs at the top of your consideration.
 
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GodSpeed1

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 15, 2021
Messages
181
I currently own Kifaru and seek outside frame and bag. They are quality packs. I prefer the Kifaru but, I wouldn’t loose sleep if all I had was the SO.

With that said, the Kifaru is a great pack. I’ve hauled 15 deer out of a wilderness area I hunt over the last 5 years. 13 of them on Kifaru frames. 2 on the SO. All have come miles out. All trips were whole deer and gear.

I don’t pack out like some of these guys but, I put them to use. I’ve used other brands as well. You’d be happy with any pack from one of the big makers. Kifaru certainly belongs at the top of your consideration.
Wow 5 whole deer in one big haul that is something! I know the Kifaru headquarter is up north in Wyoming so I Am hoping to get up there some time soon with my dad to maybe find one but we'll see how it goes. What is the SO?
 
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GodSpeed1

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 15, 2021
Messages
181
I live in Ault, CO. Work out of FoCo everyday. Have Kuiu pro if that’s something you’re interested in trying on, wouldn’t mind meeting up and letting you try it on.
I might have to take you up on that man maybe we just take a quick stroll around the block
 
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