Stone Glacier and Kifaru

[dryflyguy]

I recently wagered $831 that you are wrong. Good luck to me.

How did you get a three dollar discount? Now I feel exploited!

 

[123 4/8 P&Y]

Wowwww...for your sake, I hope I am wrong as well, thats a whole lotta coin. What did you make that wager on, if ya don't mind me asking?

For my use, the pack has to be versatile. I've gotta be able to do 7-10 day backpack hunts, along with the ability to move around heavy moose quarters when moose hunting.

A kifaru duplex timberline 1 and a couple of accessories. My old camp trails freighter frame was starting to beat me up and everybody says the duplex frame is the cats pajamas for heavy loads. We'll see I guess. I'm only hauling elk and gear. No moose for me.

How did you get a three dollar discount? Now I feel exploited!

I'm only 1 state over so maybe my shipping was cheaper.

 

[crumy]

I'm like you p&y. I have some serious coin in a bikini with dt1 grabit pullouts gun bearer and mega tarp Hell I might as well get the rhino tattooed on me I am so invested in kifaru. But I honestly believe the gear will do whatever I ask it. I formed this opinion based on a year of research and talking to people I know and work with this stuff all the time. Time will tell.

Also shat I like about this site and review. Even though most are kifaru fans the sg is getting a solid compare and opinions are expressed openly

 

[Snyd]

Wowwww...for your sake, I hope I am wrong as well, thats a whole lotta coin. What did you make that wager on, if ya don't mind me asking?

For my use, the pack has to be versatile. I've gotta be able to do 7-10 day backpack hunts, along with the ability to move around heavy moose quarters when moose hunting.

Heck, a new Barneys frame a bag will set a guy back 700 bucks as well.

One thing that gets my attention about the Kifaru frames/packs is the versatility. I ordered a Bikini frame that I'm gonna put my old Kelty 50th Ann. 7000ci bag on this year. I figure if I want to change things up in the future there's plenty of choices to go with with Kifaru bags, etc. I stopped in at Kifaru when I was in CO a couple weeks ago. The Duplex and Bikini frames and suspension systems are top notch. They really are an external frame pack. Just not the old style frame.

 

[Yellowknife]

For my use, the pack has to be versatile. I've gotta be able to do 7-10 day backpack hunts, along with the ability to move around heavy moose quarters when moose hunting.

No question it's pretty hard to beat a Barneys for versatility in Alaska hunting. I'll run mine till it wears out for that reason. I've been trying out a Stone Glacier the last few weeks, and I really like it, but it's not designed for big moose racks and you can't drop a brown bear hide or goat rug in the bag quite like you can with Barneys. I believe it is an excellent L48 pack and a very good specialty mountain pack for Alaska, but it's not the do-all go-anywhere pack for everything Alaska has to offer.

Yk

 

[Shrek]

How much does a barneys frame weigh ? I saw the bag weights listed but not the frame weight.

 

[mtnwrunner]

Well, I think that BB should offer these packs as "demo" models. How much????

 

[Bighub1]

I know the weight issue is always brought up, but in my opinion/reality does the 5lb difference between one pack and another matter when you have it loaded. Has anyone ever said, boy if that pack only weighed 98lbs instead of 103lbs my pack out would have been totally different. Either way it's gonna suck. Choose something that "Fits" you and your style of hunting and don't get wrapped up in the hype.

 

[Shrek]

I agree that when loaded down over a hundred pounds the last 5 lbs isn't a big deal but that extra weight for the first ten days when hunting is a real drag and if I can save 5lbs without losing comfort and fuction I'm all for it. If you never try a kifaru Bikini or Duplex frame to compare to your Barney's external metal frame there is now way to say if it can do the job better. If I was living in Alaska I'd have both probably.

 

[Matt Cashell]

I know the weight issue is always brought up, but in my opinion/reality does the 5lb difference between one pack and another matter when you have it loaded. Has anyone ever said, boy if that pack only weighed 98lbs instead of 103lbs my pack out would have been totally different. Either way it's gonna suck. Choose something that "Fits" you and your style of hunting and don't get wrapped up in the hype.

This post has me a little disappointed, Bighub1. Cutting through the "hype" was exactly the intent of this pack comparison. Perhaps I failed. The intent was to get information out to Roksliders so they can make their own decisions about whether one of these packs (or neither) would suit their needs.

It has been quite surprising to me just how steadfast and stubborn some folks are on their opinions of backpacks. This testing was the first time I received "hate-PMs" from people upset about some aspect of the comparison or another, and lots of people wanted to see something about "their" pack.

Also interesting that you equate your opinion with reality. Of course, your opinion is reality to you, but others could have a different "reality" where that extra 5 pounds is something they don't want to deal with.

In any case, I have learned a lot through this process, and really enjoyed it. I hope some Roksliders picked up something of use from it.

 

[Shrek]

Bitterroot Bulls , you got hate mail over this !? I thought the testing was great so far and hope you keep on working on this. A couple of scouting trips and shed hunting with each to get a feel of really hunting with them for a couple of days each would probably firm up your opinion of each.

 

[bounds]

Who sends "hate" mail anyway? Does the outcome or process of a pack comparison mean that much?

 

[Aron Snyder]

Who sends "hate" mail anyway? Does the outcome or process of a pack comparison mean that much?

Happens more than you think.....

 

[westside elkhunter]

Bitterroot Bulls. I want to say good job on the review I enjoyed watching your videos on the review and watched with a open mind. I'm surprised about the hate Pm's. Like Daveinjax said are you planning on using them a little longer? And if so what other tests are you going to do?

 

[dotman]

Wow, I thought Roksiders were better then that. Sorry to hear this Matt. I get we like our gear but hate mail, common guys! I get voicing opinions etc but who is so chicken **** to send hate mail or pm's.

I think it has been great testing and hope to see tons more in the future even if I disagree on the outcome at times . Good job Matt and even though I'm a Kifaru freak it is good to see other pushing the limits and adding to innovation to push Kifaru

 

[HellsCanyon]

People are emotionally invested in their packs and some don't know how to deal with objective testing results that suggests their pack isn't on top of the totem pole...

Mike

 

[Kevin Root]

This post has me a little disappointed, Bighub1. Cutting through the "hype" was exactly the intent of this pack comparison. Perhaps I failed. The intent was to get information out to Roksliders so they can make their own decisions about whether one of these packs (or neither) would suit their needs.

It has been quite surprising to me just how steadfast and stubborn some folks are on their opinions of backpacks. This testing was the first time I received "hate-PMs" from people upset about some aspect of the comparison or another, and lots of people wanted to see something about "their" pack.

Also interesting that you equate your opinion with reality. Of course, your opinion is reality to you, but others could have a different "reality" where that extra 5 pounds is something they don't want to deal with.

In any case, I have learned a lot through this process, and really enjoyed it. I hope some Roksliders picked up something of use from it.

For what is worth Matt.... Over the time and years now that I've read your posts and feedback shared on various forums, this one included, I've found you to be one of the most helpful, honest and respectful and encouraging folks out there on the forum. You tell the good and not so good that you find on what you try out and you share it with others.

This post has got to be one of the most read, hitting over 30K views now. It's of no surprise to me you would be getting different opinions wanting to see what they have come up on top.

Hang in there Matt and I want to say thank you. I for one find the value in your reviews.

 

[robby denning]

Well said Kevin and I agree.
Matt, if any of the PMs cross the line, let me know. I'll make sure sender finds a new forum to act like a 5-year old on.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I know..well maybe I just think that this comparison will help quite a few people. This has been one of the best unbiased side by side backpack comparisons I have ever seen.

I appreciate the time, thought, and effort put into this endeavor, and highly doubt there are too many people out there who would be so willing to invest their time and resources to give out this information with no regard to compensation.

 

[hunting1]

Originally Posted by bounds

Who sends "hate" mail anyway? Does the outcome or process of a pack comparison mean that much?



Happens more than you think.....​

Lord help you if you say the MR CC is too short! I had several on Bowsite, so yeah it happens! People who spend $600+ on a pack it has to be the best right?​