Stone Glacier...about to take the plunge, couple questions

[Mtnboy]

Alright guys, I'm new to the "high end" pack deal and after countless hours of reading, I've decided on the Stone Glacier for several reasons, I really like the load shelf idea as opposed to meat in the bag and I just can't ignore the sub 5 pound weight!

Anyway, I'm wondering if I should get the standard hip belt or the upgrade 3 piece hip belt, I'm not sure what each one is better suited for. I'm a pretty skinny guy, 32 inch waist, so is either one better suited for a tall skinny guy like me?

Also, is it a no brainer to spend the $5 on the belt pull upgrade?

As far as the gun hauler, is it possible to mount it so the butt of the gun is flush with the bottom of the pack? It'd be nice to be able to sit down to glass real quick without taking the pack off.

 

[GibsonKuenzi]

I'm 32 inch waist, skinny and tall and I love the three piece belt with the extra lumbar pressure. Get the 3 piece belt and you can always remove the lumbar padding and have a similar belt the one piece

Definitely get the belt pulls

 

[gobbler1662]

Good questions. I am a skinny guy also with a 32 inch waist. The upgraded waist belt for me was huge. For me the carbon rods rubbed on my back where they crossed on the frame . The lumbar pad gave me that little bit of spacing my back needed. Not sure on the gunbearer question and I had the gen one waist belt with no power pulls. Hopefully someone else on the forum can answer the rest of your questions.

 

[Tanner]

As another skinny 32" waist guy here, and one with a 1 piece belt devoid of lumbar pad, I would definitely go with the 3 piece. I need to order up the lumbar pad from Kurt. The pack is extremely comfortable still, but keeping the belt from slipping a bit with that pad will be just another bonus.

Awesome packs. I have the Solo and might try to see if someone wants to do a swap for a Terminus, but I'm in love with the frame and suspension. You can tell it was designed by somebody that has BTDT, much like the Kifaru stuff...

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[Huntr]

I am definitely going to upgrade to the 3 piece belt as soon as they are available. LOVE my Stone Glaciew pack (I have the Solo and Terminus). The Terminus rocked on my Dall sheep hunt last year.

 

[Darren Best]

If you have a small waist and butt, get the 3 piece belt. I have at least 25 miles on mine so far and it is so comfortable I forget I am wearing a pack most of the time. There is no discomfort, pain, poking or pinching anywhere and it stays put exactly where I set it at the beginning of the hike.

The bottom half of the SG rifle sling is adjustable for length.

The belt pulls didn't work so great for me, I went with the large belt because I wanted more coverage on the front on my hips, but with a 34" waist, there wasn't much room left to use the belt pulls once the belt was cinched down tight. It just tended to wrinkle the webbing up and made it difficult to tighten the belt.

However, with a 32" waist, I would suggest you get the standard length belt and then you can in add the belt pulls, you will have more room to make them work better than I can.

 

[mtnclimber]

Im tall, skinny, 32 inch waist and love the 3 piece belt over the 1 piece wrap around style. I had the same issue with the gun holder, like you said about it being flush to the pack so when i sit down its not jacking my rifle all over the place. Im still debating on ordering a SG but if i do ill take it to a local tent making store and have them sew a cordura pocket on the bottom side of the pack so my rifle butt slides in flush with the pack and use the top compression strap around the barrel. Should be a cheap upgrade and if your handy enough you can sew your own on

 

[Tanner]

Hard to argue with this pack....grin

 

[Darren Best]

As long as it's full of beer.

 

[kodiakfly]

Hard to argue with this pack....grin

Ah yes...I remember when I always had a couple of kegs in the house, sporting equipment in the living room, and one chair to sit on.... Living the good life!

 

[tipsntails7]

Ah yes...I remember when I always had a couple of kegs in the house, sporting equipment in the living room, and one chair to sit on.... Living the good life!

Was gonna say the same thing.

 

[dotman]

Was gonna say the same thing.

Haha, the good life.

 

[Shrek]

Ah yes...I remember when I always had a couple of kegs in the house, sporting equipment in the living room, and one chair to sit on.... Living the good life!

X3 ! I'm working back to there quickly. My goal is an efficency apartment with a bed , recliner , loading/work bench and a stool , chest freezer , and a gun safe. Clothes in baskets.

 

[Arbutusbucks]

That pic should be on the SG main page.

 

[charvey9]

Hard to argue with this pack....grin

2 kegs of beer, golf clubs, bare walls, no furniture. You sir have your priorities straight. I miss college.

 

[tttoadman]

I have the solo bag. the gun sling can go all the way up so the butt is even with the bottom mof the bag. I get the quick release option, but I am a gun in hand guy if I have a tag in my pocket. when i strap the gun on for packing or at night, I always use the side strap around the butt of the gun to make sure it doesn't shake loose. you won't be dissapointed.

I pile lots of stuff on the belt, so i will be getting the 3 pc belt to lock the belt in place better. I also need the lumbar support that will come with the new belt.

 

[charvey9]

I have a Sky 7400, and went with the 3 piece belt and 2 of the belt pulls.

I have 32" waist and no hips. That being said, I have always had trouble getting packs sinched up on my waist. The SG does a better job than any pack I've had before, but I still find myself pulling at the belt all the time to try and get it tighter. It might just be me though, since I like to get it as tight as I can. The pack is awesome, more comfortable and carries better than anything I have owned before. I have a couple over-nighters and a few day hikes under the pack so far and I love it.

The duffel type access makes it really nice to get at any piece of gear in your pack with minimal "digging". Do yourself a favor and budget for a set of Kifaru (or similar) pullouts. The MLD cuben fiber pouches are nice too. The minimalist approach to the pack requires some help in keeping everything organized.

 

[jmez]

Ah yes...I remember when I always had a couple of kegs in the house, sporting equipment in the living room, and one chair to sit on.... Living the good life!

This is the greatest post I have ever seen on a message board!! Nicely played.

 

[Mtnboy]

Thanks for all the input guys! Much appreciated.

Looks like the 3 piece belt with pulls for sure.

Now if I could just make up my mind between Solo and Sky5100 I could get the ball rolling! For this year I think I'm only doing 3-4 night trips (depending on draws) so I think I'll probably go with the Solo and can always get a Sky bag later.

 

[Tanner]

That pic should be on the SG main page.

I posted it on their Facebook page but somehow I don't think Kurt had strapping kegs into his packs in mind when he designed them....grin

Furniture is overrated anyways. Having lots of it would imply that a guy liked to spend lots of time inside.... no thanks!

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