Q&A Seek Outside Goshawk 2.0 Ultra200X Revolution Frame

[sndmn11]

Long term review in progress...

I just had a Seek Outside Goshawk in the Ultre200X fabric delivered.

Goshawk 4800 2.0

high capacity ultralight water proof pack bag deigned for backcountry hunting

seekoutside.com

I think it is, is among, the lightest weight fully capability setups around. This one weighs 4.9lbs with all the (7oz of) extra back-up pieces Seek Outside sends. I also got an XL load shelf to make meat packing easier. For anyone comparing weights, this is a large belt.


For those who want to read more about UltraX fabrics, here is the source.

https://www.challenge-outdoor.com/ultraweave-collection

My experience with UltraPE400 has been stellar. I previously reviewed Seek Outside's wingspan pockets, and that system with Revolution Frame has served me well with a few dozen animal hauls.
https://rokslide.com/forums/threads...ith-goshawk-merlin-testing-and-review.270105/



@robby denning
@RyanSeek43

 

[4090Sharps]

Looking forward to the review! I'm a big fan of the Challenge Ultra 200X fabric.

 

[Ratamahatta]

What waist size are you for a large belt?

 

[sndmn11]

What waist size are you for a large belt?

37.5" measured waist today

Hipbelt Gen 2.0 Blackout

Seek Outside Full Wrap, self articulating hip belt, available in Small, Medium, Large, XL and XXL. Includes PALS grid and single center buckle w...

seekoutside.com

 

[RyanSeek43]

Thanks Kyle!

 

[Firth]

I believe I have that exact pack. I did two deer with mine last year and it worked great.

 

[sndmn11]

I believe I have that exact pack. I did two deer with mine last year and it worked great.

View attachment 1091901

What do you like about it?

 

[Firth]

What do you like about it?

It replaced an old Cabelas frame pack for me that I inherited from my father-in-law and used for something like 20 years. The pack weight was cut in half right up front and that is probably my favorite part. When I have it cinched down in daypack mode, I barely notice it's there. Due to its light weight, it's also replaced my daypacks because it's as light as the ones I previously used and carries weight far better.

Last year I used it for a 5-day backpacking trip through Yellowstone with my family, a successful deer hunt for me, another with my son, and a bunch of little hunts for coyotes or birds or whatever.

Comfort has been good whether with a light or heavy weight. Organization has been sufficient. I really like the breakaway for packing meat and keeping my other items separate. Blood washes out of the ultra fabric super easy, which was also nice. No funky smell after hauling a couple deer. It was a good buy. Might grab a 6300 if I was doing it over. I backpack with kids and a wife who like some comfort items. That said, my kids are getting older so over time I won't have to haul as much for them.

 

[isleofGough]

It is a great pack for the PNW.

 

[Joe Biss]

Wondering how this stacks up to an Exo or stone glacier frame/pack system. Anyone here have experience with both, or all 3?

 

[sndmn11]

Wondering how this stacks up to an Exo or stone glacier frame/pack system. Anyone here have experience with both, or all 3?

What does "stacks up" mean to you?

I was a Kifaru user starting in 2001, tried Stone Glacier's Curve for a season after moving away from a duplex, and have taken advantage of the K4 30 day tryout.

I think I'll have time later today to illustrate with pictures why the Seek Outside suspension is my preference for comfort. I am certain some people could get one fitted perfectly and find it lacking in comfort just as I do a Krux or Ark.

From a durability standpoint, I have no reservations and have had no problems. From a capability standpoint, I'm the weak link in the equation just as I'm certain everyone else out there is with what any of the other brands.


I had thought there was a better picture in the wingspan review thread but I cannot find it. In that pack is an entire bone in ram, no head - I don't carry other people's antlers/horns, and a Backcountry camp. I enjoy helping others and moving meat more than my own hunts. I think that pack has hauled 20+ different animals and I always grab 2+ quarters.

So, to me, FRAMES from SO/SG/Exo/Kif are like top end boots. They objectively have what it takes to deliver, but the subjective preferences in fit/feel/load distribution etc end up being the driver of success and "best".

Edited to add: To back that perspective up, my wife loves her Exo K4exs system, and I have zero reservations about it in the field or her hauling. https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/k4-exs-pack-system-ladys-perspective.313721/

 

[Joe Biss]

@sndmn11

Very well put. That’s the type of overview I was looking for. By “stacks up” I was more or less alluding to how the fit/function of the SO performs compared to the big 3 you mentioned. Much like all other gear, it’s hard to know just how good a pack is in a lineup unless you’ve used all of them extensively. Granted, packs are perhaps the most subjective piece of equipment, as everyone’s preferences, torsos and postures vary drastically.

For example, I know if my only prior experiences are with an Alice/malice or ILBE pack, just about any top shelf modern pack will feel exponentially better on the back. It’s the minute differences in quick gear accessibility, meat shelf, pocket designs/bag layouts and the lack of sagging under load that I’m interested in.

 

[sndmn11]

@sndmn11

Very well put. That’s the type of overview I was looking for. By “stacks up” I was more or less alluding to how the fit/function of the SO performs compared to the big 3 you mentioned. Much like all other gear, it’s hard to know just how good a pack is in a lineup unless you’ve used all of them extensively. Granted, packs are perhaps the most subjective piece of equipment, as everyone’s preferences, torsos and postures vary drastically.

For example, I know if my only prior experiences are with an Alice/malice or ILBE pack, just about any top shelf modern pack will feel exponentially better on the back. It’s the minute differences in quick gear accessibility, meat shelf, pocket designs/bag layouts and the lack of sagging under load that I’m interested in.

I'll get some pictures up here later today of why I think I personally like the SO revolution frame, next I a K4

 

[sndmn11]

@Joe Biss

I believe the SO suspension is nice for me because there is no padding vertically on the sides of the spine. Thus, no load transferred to this area, and, at least for me, allows my back muscles freedom to move rather than being compressed.

Next to a K4exs above, but SG and Kif are the same. The black rectangle-ish padding on the SO is sparse and only comes in contact momentary if you jump down off a log or fall forward. I believe it is there for this purpose and to keep impact from load/frame in some sort of fast dynamic something.

The SO hip belt is soft and a little narrower compared to the other mentioned brands, and that translates to me as more contouring and better distribution/less hot spots. Lumbar pad is optional, padding can be tailored, and is also narrower.

I keep my lumbar pad in the pack and only use it for large loads that would want to cantilaver me backwards due to the load thickness. I. e. Multiple quarters in the shelf and stuff in the pack.
The suspension system also makes it very easy to adjust to the torso length needed. I've found going center of belt to center of the yoke gets it very very close when matching up with the knob y part of the neck/spine junction and lumbar area.
Me, with the photo assist by the kid

My old SO frame

Easy starting point for this new frame.


One can also set up the suspension to be fully captured, partially captured, or not captured at the yoke. Essentially deciding how much freedom of movement one wants, I go partially captured. The belt is also able to be fully captured at the frame with the lumbar pad, or allowed some articulated freedom. I choose some freedom and the shortest grommet. Lastly, there are 2" and 4" extensions for the standard sized 24" frame. I choose 4" permanently, but it's pretty easy to swap in the field.

 

[Joe Biss]

@sndmn11

Thank you very much for taking the time to break that down. You made a very interesting point about the thinner hip belt being more pliable, thus form fitting more effectively. I’ve always enjoyed the thick, rubberized padding, but I can see how something with more flexibility would reduce pressure points.

There’s a lot about the SO system I can get behind. The modularity seems very handy with regard to tailoring your system to each specific hunt depending on length of stay or season. It’s almost overwhelmingly “strappy”, but that’s a small price to pay for the adjustability it offers.

 

[sndmn11]

It’s almost overwhelmingly “strappy”, but that’s a small price to pay for the adjustability it offers.

Once those adjustments are made, I think it is less overwhelming. The nice thing about gatekeepers is not needing two halves. So I typically cruise around with minimal straps attached, and then add them when moving meat.

 

[Banana_Horn]

Right on, I’ve been using that same pack for the last year and a half, hauled out two animals with it, and taken it on several packrafting trips here in AK. I’ve been very impressed with it. I also haven’t been able to max it out as far as volume goes, so it really isn’t to be trusted as a 4800 pack. I’d say closer to 6500.

Getting the pack figured out at first takes a little bit of experimentation but once it’s ready to go for you it’s well worth it. I’ve also come to love the talon system and the ability to keep wet things outside of the pack. Really great compared to stone glacier or others where wet stuff has to go in the pack, which has always been less than ideal for me.

I have liked the pack so much I also picked up an older Unaweep on here via trade. That is also a very cool pack.

Looking forward to this review, I’m sure I’ll learn something about it I don’t know.

 

[LCguy]

Love my Goshawk! Simple but very thoughtfully designed. I am rather tall so I keep the 2" stays installed for backpacking trips and install the 4" stays when I need to haul meat. The strappiness can be overwhelming at first but once you figure out your own system, it always delivers. Can't recommend this pack enough