Smallest pack with a load shelf?

[neverquit]

Mystery ranch pop 28

 

[Wrench]

If you have a frame in mind, @pods8 (Rugged Stitching) can likely build you what you want. He built one for my NICE frame that's pretty slick.

Mc Hale has some interesting stuff and made in Washington.

SWD might be able to add the shelf option since they're custom.

 

[mtwarden]

Seek outside frame with Merlin bag and load shelf is a hair under 3 lb 11 oz. This includes 3.5oz lumbar pad and 6 straps for the bag (.5 oz each)

I’ll use this same setup for day hunts. The Merlin is only 20-ish liters, so have to be a little stingy on what you’re carrying. Merlin can also be used as a daypack on its own.

 

[roosiebull]

Most streamlined would be the mr pop up 28 since you have no frame sticking up… not super light, but not heavy

Beyond that it seems like pick a frame and buy their smallest bag. Kifaru/stryker is handy, k4 and 2200 or crib, lid, 2 pockets connected to crib and a Nalgene holder is a sick day setup that’s streamlined and lightweight

IA with pannier is another option

 

[canyonhunter47]

I’ll use this same setup for day hunts. The Merlin is only 20-ish liters, so have to be a little stingy on what you’re carrying. Merlin can also be used as a daypack on its own.

I found it too small for to hold all the optics and water that I carried on my hunts this year. I mostly used it as a large organizer that can also be daypack (both as a Talon or inside the bag). I could see it being all I needed if I didn’t bring the spotter or 1+ gallons of water.

 

[mtwarden]

^ agreed- if a lot of water and/or spotters (maybe a very small spotter) are in the must go list- the Merlin is going to be too small.

It does work great as a Talon (and additional volume to you main bag). A 35-40 liter "Merlin" would be pretty handy imho.

 

[TFrank]

Did they stop making this? I can’t find it on their site. I have one but wanted to look up something on it and can’t find it.

Looks like they might of. They have an 1850 pack internal frame and a 2300 with an external. Looks like their 1850 icon frame/shelf pack is gone. Maybe trying to push their divide packs?

 

[sierracharlie338]

Looks like they might of. They have an 1850 pack internal frame and a 2300 with an external. Looks like their 1850 icon frame/shelf pack is gone. Maybe trying to push their divide packs?

That’s what I was seeing too

 

[TuckTruck]

SG Approach is small and light. Makes a great day pack and I packed a whole bear out on it last year with no issues.

 

[9.1]

K4 w/ crib and lid should come in about 3lb, 12OZ
SG X-Curve frame w Approach 1800 is over 4 lbs
Kuiu 2300 PRO is over 4 lbs
MR pop-up 29 is almost 5 lbs

 

[BBob]

Did they stop making this? I can’t find it on their site. I have one but wanted to look up something on it and can’t find it.

Yes the 1800 was discontinued a couple years ago or so. I believe the Pro 2300 replaced that bag. I have an Ultra 1800 and use it as my run and gun elk pack.

 

[HingleMcCringleberry]

Mystery ranch guidelight Mt frame and mule bag is about 4.5lbs.

 

[mtwarden]

View attachment 644366

K4 w/ crib and lid should come in about 3lb, 12OZ
SG X-Curve frame w Approach 1800 is over 4 lbs
Kuiu 2300 PRO is over 4 lbs
MR pop-up 29 is almost 5 lbs

The SO frame (2 lbs 8 oz) and the Merlin (12 oz) is pretty light- 3# 4 oz- with two side pockets 3 oz- looking at 3# 7 oz

IF you can get by with 20-ish liters (a little more as you can stash some stuff between the frame and bag)

Their smallest hunting bag (besides the Merlin) is their Peregrine 3500- 4# w/ frame

 

[Hill Difficulty]

Who makes the most petite/lightest backpack with a usable load shelf?

To answer your question, KUIU is most petite of the better commercially-produced pack makes. Weights are all same/similar for SO, SG, EXO, KUIU.

I own and use a SO Revolution and a KUIU. Both with load shelf/no bags are less than 3.5 pounds on my postage scale. That's full function weight with belt, frames, straps, shelf.

My frame dimensions are SO @ 27"H x 17"W, KUIU is 23"H x 12"W.

I evaluated packs 2 years ago based on which system offers the best for my bow hunting habit. KUIU has clear advantages per compact, light weight, add-ons, quiet materials and no metal parts to clang. Super pleased! Also replaced all my SO pack straps/connects with KUIU parts so I can use KUIU bags interchangeably. Both packs do whatever I need.

Hope this helps!

 

[mtwarden]

^ can you add length to the Kuiu when you're packing a load?

23" would definitely be too short for my torso w/ a load (w/o a load would probably be fine)

 

[Hill Difficulty]

^ can you add length to the Kuiu when you're packing a load?

Am not aware of adding length to a KUIU frame. My SO has tube extensions for increasing frame height. KUIU offers different length carbon frames, so you'd initially buy based on personal fit or preference. My frame is standard/medium, so the shortest of the 3 frame sizes.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Looks like they might of. They have an 1850 pack internal frame and a 2300 with an external. Looks like their 1850 icon frame/shelf pack is gone. Maybe trying to push their divide packs?

I have the 1850, it can be used with the internal frame or on their carbon fiber frame. I just packed out a buck with it a few weeks ago, though I made two trips because I had to wait for a ride anyway. Two years ago I packed a whole buck with it. It was tight but it worked with me hand carrying the head.

Edit: Just looked, so I have a different 1850? Dammit I wanted to get one for the wife.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I use a pop up 38 (just got the 40) on the regular for whitetail hunts and have used it day hunting Elk. It doesn’t carry as well, but it also doesn’t have the bulk of a full size pack frame. It isn’t heavy but it ain’t light. if you are looking for something that is small on your back and doesn’t have a frame that is getting caught when you squeeze through blow downs and is going to spend most of its time in daypack mode but can haul meat every now and then, this is my pick.

I bought a seek frame and a few bags. I don’t have enough miles on mine to say for sure, but so far it is light, you can extend the frame very easily and it carries well. If I wanted a very light frame / bag that can haul, it is worth a look.

I have used an MR guidelight MT frame with a pintler. It isn’t light either and it isn’t as compact as the pop up. It is a pretty solid option for a day pack and it definitely hauls better than a pop up.

 

[roosiebull]

I think the OP was just trying to get his post count up to use the classifieds

 

[Ryan Avery]

Thanks for all the post.

I bought a mule so I am looking for a pack with a low profile for riding but still can pack some meat.


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