SO silverton vs SG approach 2800

[Greatlakes]

I’m mainly a whitetail hunter but hunt solo and large parcels of public in Canada, so long hikes in with climbing sticks, saddle platform, stands etc and long packs out with meat if successful. I’ve been using a MR Pop Up 28 for about 5 years and it’s a great pack for stand/stick hauling but once loaded with a heavy load of meat, it seems to struggle.

So considering a new pack/frame combo that is capable of carrying sticks/stands in a load shelf as well handle heavier loads for the pack out. The two options I’ve decided on are the Seek Outside Revolution frame with the Silverton 2300 bag or the Stone Glacier x-curve frame with the Approach 2800 bag. Both seem like lightweight options that aren’t too bulky to bring in a tree with me for day hunts.

Two questions…will either of these packs be a significant difference from a pop up 28 as far as load carrying capabilities and comfort? And any personal experience with SO and SG to help decide between these two packs?

Thanks

 

[307]

I have no experience to answer your question, but I have observed that the Seek packs don't seem to have a lot of traction on Rokslide and I'm not sure why.

 

[roosiebull]

Some people like SO packs, some don’t. The revolution did not work for me at all, but there are people who think they carry heavy weight best, seems to be the pack with the largest range of opinions

Most seem to like SG packs

As for the pop up, I have used one a lot, as well as almost every pack system made, and the pop up isn’t that bad with heavy loads, I have had them loaded heavy lots of times, and it was doable. My K4 is my favorite pack I’ve had by a fair margin, but there are few scenarios that I would pack less weight because of the pack (pop up)… it just won’t be as comfortable as with my exo, and it will suck less

The pop up is very capable for what it is, and I would pick the pop up over their external frame packs, but they have limitations. Load comfort and stability is quite a bit better with a good fitting frame, but doing everything with a pop up is doable. I think one of the weaknesses of the pop up is compression… hard to really dial in your load so it stays put

 

[mtnlomo]

The best to do is check the return policy of both, order both and try them out, in my opinion whatever it costs in shipping is money well spent guaranteeing the best for you. Personally I have the Seek Outside Revolution frame with a fortress 4800 and I love it, for a lightweight pack it handles heavy weight pack outs like a champ. Having used it for several years I have no desire to change anytime soon, and it shows no signs of breaking down on me.

But everyone has different preferences, different anatomy and as a result will have find different packs to fit them better.

 

[Wrongside]

I used a few MR packs back when the whole line was US made. Then a SO Evo/Revo extensively for 10 years. The last 2 years I’ve been hunting with the SG X-Curve with 5900 Sky or 2800 Approach. I’d pick the SG X-Curve every time.

The SG frame with the 2800 is a fantastic day to 2-3 day pack, that can still pack meat. Especially if a guy is packing a spotter/tripod.

 

[inkedspot]

The SG is more about the frame than the pack. Same frame fits any of the load frame packs. I have found the Xcurve frame to be very comfortable. The approach 2800 is a good day trip/2-3 day pack especially if you run a spotting scope.

 

[wildmek]

The Stone Glacier belt didn’t work well for me and got worse as weight went up. The Seek Outside belt is meant to be worn like a classic backpacking pack belt that wraps evenly around your body. You can add a lumbar pad but I found it was kind of pointless. The Seek belt I find isn’t comfortable with weight but it also doesn’t get worse as you add weight, it just kind of stays tolerable for me.

The SG frame is busy with straps but has a nice load shelf. The Revolution has tons of webbing loops so with gatekeepers, if you aren’t picky about them, you should have an enjoyable time strapping stands and whatnot to it.

For bags I don’t think the approach has much for or maybe any side pockets. You really miss nice deep side pockets with Stone Glacier bags. The Silverton won’t be secured to the frame as securely as you may be used to.

TLDR: if you are ok without a lumbar pad and ok with gatekeepers get a Seek setup. If you like a Lumbar pad order a SG and an Exo K4 and load them up and keep the one that works best for your body.