Reckoning and woodsman feedback

[Desk Jockey]

I know there are a few threads about these packs. Anybody had enough time to field them care to post their impressions. Pics of heavily laden and slightly bloody bags in action are welcome.

 

[bbrown]

I used a early version of the Reckoning this summer and fall and provided some feedback to Kifaru towards the final design. It got put it to good use on several scouting trips along with couple fishing and backpacking adventures. Even packed all the gear for my wife and I to take our kiddo (18 month) on her first overnight trip into the back country.

The wife packed the kiddo while I packed all our gear - the Reckoning was stuffed between 3 quilts, 2 bulky thermarests, food for us all plus the rest of our gear. Really need to upgrade a few things before we head out again.

Once hunting season kicked off in mid August I used the Reckoning to guide out of instead of the Nomad. The center zip makes loading quarters in the bag quick and the 3 compression straps locked everything in place. These day hunts are when I figured out just how handy the fold over/roll top lid is especially with a medium pocket mounted on top.

Overall I think the Reckoning is the perfect blend of the size and side pockets of the DT1 combined with the center zip that makes loading and unloading gear quick and easy. Adding a medium sized belt pouch on either side of the PALS webbing on the bottom replaces 2 pockets I have grown used too as well but may not be required for others.

The proto bag I have been using is slightly different from the production as it only has a 1 way zipper, no meat shelf or goofy water bladder strap. Don't care much for the meat shelf or water bladder set up but there was times I wished I had the 2 way zipper like the production bags. Personally the only thing I would have changed is adding the water bladder sleeve on the inside similar to the DT series bags. My OCD would really like a couple zippered mesh pockets on the inside as well and that is probably something I will add in the future.

 

[Desk Jockey]

So I pulled the trigger on a woodsman. Used it on the last few trips of the season on a 22 inch frame. Not big miles but it worked very well.

It puts me in a tough situation because I had been using an MR crew cab that I had sort of fallen for. The woodsman could easily play the role of day pack that can haul meat and camp bags for me. It is stable, holds a good amount of stuff. Straps are well planned and the k clips give good flexibility. Center zip is great for accessing gear. My favorite feature is the food over lid that doubles as a snow collar. Makes it very easy to add volume to the pack if you have to stash some extra gear on top. I am going to play with it this winter and spring.

One semi critical observations are you need to add a few pouches if you want to separate your gear but that is a matter of preference.

Only gripe is the water bladder strap thingy. Maybe I am too stupid to appreciate the genius of this thing but I can't figure out how to make this thing work. Unstrapping the pack to get to a bladder is a pain in the ass. I wonder if you could rig up some buckles near the frame to make it easier to access. I put a spotting scope pocket on the inside and poked a hole in the top for the hose in the meantime. I may move the bladder to the outside with some experimentation.