School me on packs!!

[cocky84]

Seriously considering a new pack for next year, but before i do i want to educate myself. Im not going to go out and spend $600-800 on a pack just because everyone says its badass. Im sure it is but i want to know why. Ive been listening to gritty bowman but haven't heard any episodes where they break down different packs.

Ive been backpack hunting for 9 years now. First 2 years i used a bass pro redhead frame pack that weighed about 60lbs. I didn't know any better so thought it was fine.
Then i used a badlands sacrifice for 3 years and that was a big upgrade! Or so i thought.
Now i run a kuiu ultra 6000, and going from the badlands to this has been awesome. I really like it! But just like the two previous packs i thought they where just fine. Maybe this one sucks too and just don't know it.
If there is as big of a difference between the kuiu and a kifaru as there was between the badlands and the kuiu then i will definitely shell out the cash. And from whatbim reading id say there is.

I know of a few guys that spend a buttload on a product and tell ya how badass it is just trying to justify to themselves all the money they spent. Not saying thats the case at all but just want to see what ppl say.

Interested in kifaru, mystery ranch, exp. whatever.

 

[justin davis]

I personally prefer Kifaru. Expensive but will last you a lifetime and your back will thanksyou

 

[CLICKBANGBANG]

Meh. I'd get an Icon Pro bag to add to your existing suspension and frame if you want to change it up some. But if you absolutely will not spend more money on a pack, I think you've got about the best for the money spent.

 

[COlineman78]

I was in the same boat a few years ago. I had never used anything other than old frame packs and they worked just fine. I just figured it was part of the game to get 5 miles back in and plop on the ground in pain. I finally decided to bite the bullet and drop the cash on an Icon Pro. It was an okay pack, but it didn't really fit me right and I couldn't get it properly adjusted to fit my long torso and big shoulders. As such, I didn't feel like it was enough better than say an Osprey or Alps pack to justify the price. I did see the potential thought of what a pack could feel like if it did properly fit me and since Kifaru was in town I figured to give them a shot. Yes they are expensive packs and it is a tough pill to swallow to drop $500+ on a pack even used, but it has completely changed my mindset. I no longer look at every single ounce that I am packing with disdain. I honestly can hardly tell the difference between a 40lb load and a 65lb load.

The thing you need to start getting used to is looking at the bag and frame as separate items. What makes Kifaru the best is their frame. There are several threads on here with people making frankenpacks and making bags from one manufacturer fit on another's frame (usually Kifaru). I would suggest that you pick up the Kifaru hunter or ultralight frame and ask them to throw in a couple extra K-Clips to attach your Ultra 6000 bag to the frame. This way you will only be in for much less $ and decide if it's worth it to you. The Kifaru bags are very expensive, but they are bombproof and what makes them so expensive is that they are Berry compliant (US made with US components). If you buy a Kifaru bag with a zipper you will never see anything smaller than a size 8 or 10 (which is HUGE). Some people don't like the military look or the modular approach that Kifaru takes to their bags and I will admit that was my initial attitude as well, but the modularity has grown on me allowing me to design a system that works best for me and change it on a per-trip basis. If you don't like it I would stringly suggest putting an Exo or Kuiu bag on the Kifaru frame.

Have you watched/listened to Gritty Bowmen episode #1? It is titled "Why Do Kifaru Backpacks Cost So Freakin' Much?". EPISODE 1: Why Do Kifaru Backpacks Cost So Freakin' Much? With Aron Snyder of Kifaru International & Cory Miller of xXx Archery — Gritty Bowmen

 

[AK Troutbum]

First off, I am no one to school anybody on backpacks but, I have owned a few from a couple different manufacturers. I've owned 2 Kifaru packs (a DT1 and a KU 5200) and 3 Stone Glacier bags/2 frames. I currently use a Stone Glacier. I ended up getting rid of both of my Kifaru packs because, the DT1, with how I had it set up, was to heavy at over 9 lbs. and I had issues with it rubbing my lower back raw, when I had significant amounts of weight in it. The KU 5200 was definitely light enough but didn't seem to handle weights over 80 lbs. or so, for me anyway. The SG has worked very well for me the last few years. Although a lot easier said than done, I think that if you can get your hands on a few different types of packs, throw some weight in them and run around a little, that would be your best bet for deciding.


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[Hambone]

I LOVE mystery ranch. They are the most comfortable to me. I like the nice frame, the yoke is easy to adjust and they last. I used a mystery ranch hotshot pack when I was on a handcrew in the forest service. I received it used and proceeded to put 3 hard years on it. Thrown around in the back of a crew buggy, chainsaw bar on the right shoulder when hiking to and from our assignments, countless hours on my back, rolled down hills put on ash pits and so on. I'm sure you get the point. The pack always carried about 55lbs in it at the beginning of each day. When I left the crew it was still in great shape and the pack moved onto the next guy. I am by no means a guy that can go out and spend a lot on gear so I couldn't tell you anything about any of the other top names but for this I made an exception with mystery ranch. I bought a niceframe new from them and got a used bag. The bag had a couple holes so I sent it back to mystery ranch for repairs and they did a great job. I highly recommend all their products because they build things out of high quality materials and really care about putting out a quality product.

 

[cocky84]

Great info guys. Thanks. I need to try a few different ones I guess. But how does a guy from the midwest try em on. Or get fitted for one? There are no sport shows or expos worth a damn anywhere close at sll.

 

[COlineman78]

Great info guys. Thanks. I need to try a few different ones I guess. But how does a guy from the midwest try em on. Or get fitted for one? There are no sport shows or expos worth a damn anywhere close at sll.

Hopefully there are some members on here that are near you with some you can try on. Just keep in mind that they won't be adjusted for you and will get more comfortable as you get it correctly adjusted. As far as getting fitted; most manufacturers provide a fitting video. Kifaru has some videos, but you can always call up Aron and he will walk you through it. Kifaru also asks for your measurements and it will come at a good starting point if you order from them.

Also, something I forgot to mention earlier: if you are tall (over 20" torso), which I doubt you are because the Kuiu fits you, you are going to want to stick to SG, SO and Kifaru's (newest gen only) frames.

 

[Hambone]

Mystery Ranch is in Bozeman MT. I know Kuiu isn't anywhere near you but if your ever in northern CA they are located in Dixon. Not sure about others. Another thought I just thought of... I have a buddy that has a second hand arcteryx pack that isn't even for hunting. Just a normal backpacking pack. He likes it because its comfortable for him and he does pretty good packing meat out in it. He is also a pretty creative guy so he fabs up a lot of stuff for it as connection points and what not. I guess when it comes down to it just do whatever you have to do to get out there and get the job done. On a second note I just order two items with lifetime warranties... Darn tough socks and a pair of vortex diamondback 10x42's out of the box I could be happier with both of them. Scored the vortex for $171 on amazon and couldn't believe how good they were for the $. Pumped to go try them out.

 

[slick]

Kifaru is in Wheat Ridge, CO outside of Denver. Stone Glacier is also in Bozeman. Exo is in Boise I believe, and Paradox is based out of Grand Junction, CO.


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[5MilesBack]

I can understand the need for a decent setup for packing camp on your back etc, but this year when it was time to head in to bring the meat out I grabbed my $169 Bull-Pac frame and left my Stone Glacier Talus sitting in the truck. To each their own.

 

[kodiakfly]

Great info guys. Thanks. I need to try a few different ones I guess. But how does a guy from the midwest try em on. Or get fitted for one? There are no sport shows or expos worth a damn anywhere close at sll.

Same as a guy on an island in Alaska (me) did. For Kifaru at least, there's a few vids on pack fitting that actually do a great job. Then, on his insistence, I called Aaron and he talked to me for almost an hour about pack fitting and which pack I needed. Turns out, dude knows his stuff and two Kifarus later, I'm happy...never having had tried one on first or been fitted. And while pack fitting is vital, it's not mountaineering boot vital. There's room for adjustment, you can swap belts, etc. Good packs are pretty easy to fit will little headache.

 

[oldgoat]

I just stop by and Aron or Frank art Kifaru or Grant at Oneshot or the Clums at Rmsgear help me out, that was one of the considerations when I went with Kifaru! I haven't worn much other than Badlands Daypacks and a frame pack from Cabelas so I can't and won't comment on others. I won't be switching pack companies! I want one of their sleeping bags now!

 

[wasatchcomm]

after spending the money on the kifaru pack and frame i can honestly say I'm so glad i have, i feel i have the pack that will last me many years to come, i have trained with weight all year since i purchased, hunted all september and it has been a pleasure to wear.

sad september is over though....

 

[les welch]

Kifaru. Class is over.