Seek Outside Pack Out Experiences

[wind gypsy]

I've got a SO Revo Frame and a 2016 Exo K2, have had the Kifaru Gen 2 duplex.

My experience closely mimics Idaho Stalkers. With a full house load in my SO I have a hard time keeping the hip belt up on my hips. I have swung into the shop at SO and they were great about getting my fit tuned up but regardless, the weight does not stay up as well as my Exo pack does. I'm tempted to have the SO lumbar pad wrapped in grippy material that is similar to what Exo/Kifaru use on their lumbar pads to see if that helps. I also don't like the gate keepers as much as the load compression buckles on the exo. I snapped 2 gate keepers while cranking down elk meat to the frame this year.

The SO frame is very comfortable and I've found it to keep loads very stable on your back. The load doesn't barrel side to side like I had with exo/kifaru. It doesn't have quite freedom of motion feeling like exo but doesn't have the board on your back feeling like Kifaru either.

 

[dhmc03]

Thanks for all the input

I decided to give the Saker a try

 

[dhmc03]

Its here .... now just need time to experiment with it!

 

[ridgeroamer]

Ive packed out many animals in a Seek Outside Evolution and it beats any other pack I have experienced. The packs carry the load close to your body and the slight flex in the frame keeps it from feeling like you are attached to a heavy back board. There is nothing pretty about packing heavy loads of meat on your back but a Seek Outside pack will soften the blow plus if gives you an amazing pack for other adventures. Buy it!

 

[Nate85]

I have the Fortress 6300. It carries heavy cargo quite well. Like everyone else said make sure it adjust it properly.

 

[KandiBarZZZZ]

Good info here!

 

[netman]

I agree completely with idahostalker and wind gypsy in regards to the waist belt and heavy loads. Normal loads no problem but when you get 80 plus it’s like the shocks are bottoming out and all the weight is on your shoulders. I’m 6’2 275 so I figure my belly needs to be factored in. That being said I’m going to be putting the Saker back in action this fall and with a true aim I’ll get to hump out a couple big loads.

 

[*zap*]

^This is a decent review of so, exo, sg and kifaru packs.

 

[wind gypsy]

^This is a decent review of so, exo, sg and kifaru packs.

Cool, pretty sure that is RFurman from this site. I've owned Kifaru and still have Exo and Seek. I couldn't agree more with his take aways on all 3. Kind of crazy for something that is supposed to be different fits for different people.

 

[Rokwiia]

Is this how you normally pack with your Saker? I've been trying to decide between the Brooks and the new Lanner. Both would work for me. I just can't decide between packing meat in the bag of the Brooks, or using the load shelf on the Lanner? TIA

I went with the Revolution Fortress 6,300 even though I don't hunt and would never have to carry out meat. I do go backpacking alone and wanted the ability to haul wood and the shelf allows for that without having to compromist the integrity of the X-Pac bag.

I can't see any reason not to go with the Revolution (breakaway) platform. Most backpackers would argue they'd never use it. It cost me 2oz to go with the breakway platform and gives me a choice in the backcountry.

Maybe an integrated platform backpack would work 99% of the time for you but if choosing between the Saker and Brooks, I choose the Saker 100% of the time. I like choices and the breakaway platform offers that.

What if you were out with a buddy hunting and there was a problem and you needed to carry out everything in your pack? The breakaway option would allow for more space to put things.

Good luck with your choice. You can't go wrong with SO.

 

[bozeman]

Pretty good review.....I tried these 4, plus the new MR Guide Light (which I found pleasantly comfortable), but kept the Unaweep 4800 with the belt in ‘floating’ mode.......

 

[JeffRaines]

Its definitely dependent on body type and person.

I bought a Saker to try over their black friday sale. The packs are well made, but for me, I couldn't get the thing comfortable with more than about 50lbs in it. At 40lbs it was pushing it.

I agree with another member here, I think they should include a lumbar pad standard and consider either redesigning the waist belt OR going with the older style... I heard the older style was better from a number of folks.

I still like the overall design of the Saker.

 

[bozeman]

If I am not mistaken, you can order a lumbar pad and configure a 'fixed' belt mode...…..that was my issue with the other packs, I didn't like the 'big' lumbar pad...….the floating design option fit the bill...…...

 

[RockChucker30]

Some body types need a lumbar pad. Some don't. I'm slender with a flat back and the belt works better without a pad. Thus why it's an option and not standard...save money if you don't need it.

Thick built guys, or people with deep lumbar curves tend to like the lumbar pad.

Tip for bigger guys...try the pad mounted upside down.

 

[bmf0713]

Some body types need a lumbar pad. Some don't. I'm slender with a flat back and the belt works better without a pad. Thus why it's an option and not standard...save money if you don't need it.

Thick built guys, or people with deep lumbar curves tend to like the lumbar pad.

Tip for bigger guys...try the pad mounted upside down.

I'm a thicker guy with a curve to my lumbar but i have no ass. What would be best for me?

 

[RockChucker30]

I'm a thicker guy with a curve to my lumbar but i have no ass. What would be best for me?

You should try the pad. If you like the belt better without, send the pad back for a refund.

 

[bmf0713]

OK thanks! Ive been looking at the Lanner 5400 pretty hard but i just got the email for the BYOB packs so im not sure what im gonna do yet.

 

[blgoode]

I have owned both MR and Kifaru packs and switched to SO for my preferred pack system. Belt is the only belt I've had that didn't slip in me. Shoulder harness is much more "freeing" than the other 2 shoulder harness/frame systems. You will be able to tie your shoes with the SO pack on where the MR or Kifaru frames were too stiff for me and too riged for what I want in a pack as far as movement. Made hiking long distances much more comfortable.