Stone Glacier Packs

[Salmo-Priest]

but a very good example of why you shouldn't skimp on a pack.

+1 And why I feel the stone glacier is gonna be a winner! And the 85 a loser.

 

[Ryan Avery]

+1 And why I feel the stone glacier is gonna be a winner! And the 85 a loser.

The 85 is 289.00. The SC is 600.00 I would hope it's a better pack!.... The old saying holds true, buy once cry once.

 

[Salmo-Priest]

Lol!

 

[Aron Snyder]

Doubt the 5 stars do what we do. It cruised just fine several times with camp and food for extended trips. But add a boned out buck and it shreaded. I wouldn't send my worst enemy in the hills with a possible lemon. Just the way I am. Well ok maybe my worst enemy! My partner had one load lifter strap remaining. Every other strap was smoked. I used to run a Mars here and there too. An REI pack is just roulette. Hence why the words REI made pack should be forgot. JM2C

What if your friend called you and said "Salmo, I can't afford a high quality pack, what should I buy"?

NO PACK at that price point is made like the high dollar packs, but when the guy on the other end of the phone is on a budget, you give him the best advice you can.

Again, a great example of why I hate suggesting cheaper gear AND a great example of TEST your gear before you go up the mountain!

 

[shaun]

I think it has been stated many times you get what you pay for

 

[dotman]

I wish we'd had the same "luck". REI's money back dosen't do a guy any good on the mountain. Sorry Aron but if I'm you the words REI 85XT would never leave my mouth again. JMO/JME

I wouldn't blame Aron for the fact that you wouldn't or maybe couldn't pony up for a pack that is as strong as an ox and ALL those Asian mfg packs have a lemon at times but the Reviews on the 85 overall are very good with a few like yours. Sounds like you learned first hand why to buy quality time tested gear, yes? Well if you do end up with the SGP pack I hope it is all you assume because I doubt they have an REI return policy. As many say "buy once, buy right, save yourself some pain, just don't tell the wife".

There are only 2 pack mfg that I would give over $350 for a pack to and the reason being the number of years building and testing their products. Same reason I will not buy an SO shelter, their product hasn't been around long enough to spend the kind of money we are talking about on it and my money doesn't need to be used to find issues in products.

Now I seem to stir the pot a lot when I speak up lately so flame away people

Before I would throw $600 of my hard earned $$ at anything I going to research the crap out of it and read many reviews, if it is new I won't even consider it until others have put a ton of time behind it. All I can say is Aron has never recommended or suggested anything that is junk to me. I used sub par cheap gear for years and as soon as I could afford the best I went with it.

Sounds like to be considered the best anymore people judge it by price and the celebrity using it.

I respect Matt and am looking forward to his review but I also know Matt and I do not have the exact same body type so what works for him may not work for me. Hopefully SGP has a 30 day return policy so that you have time to test it out and see if it truly is the pack for you.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Salmo,

I agree the Stone Glacier pack design looks awesome! I can't wait to get my hands on both packs, and check them out. I am fully aware that my opinions are just one guy's. I plan to do the review in a way that roksliders can get some usefull information to make their own decisions, however.

I hope you post about your Stone Glacier opinions and experiences when you get your pack.

 

[G Posik]

i have the SGP SOLO and have been using it for training hike with 77#'s in the pack. As stated above there are different body types and I will say this pack fits me perfect. I am 6' and weight 210# with an athletic build. I have packed this thing with the bulk of the weight in all positions and it carries the weight really nice. I look forward to the reviews coming from Bitterroot Bulls. I am more than happy with my purchase and think Kurt is doing things right. Keep it up Kurt.

Glenn

 

[Salmo-Priest]

What if your friend called you and said "Salmo, I can't afford a high quality pack, what should I buy"?

NO PACK at that price point is made like the high dollar packs, but when the guy on the other end of the phone is on a budget, you give him the best advice you can.

Again, a great example of why I hate suggesting cheaper gear AND a great example of TEST your gear before you go up the mountain!

Yep, you give him the best advice you can. ALOT of proven packs for $300 or less I'd tell him. Such as used or lightly used Internal and external Dana Designs, Arc'teryx, Osprey. And agree 100% Test before you go. My partner tends to buy shortly before the season and wing it. His choice not mine.

 

[luke moffat]

Yep, you give him the best advice you can. ALOT of proven packs for $300 or less I'd tell him. Such as used or lightly used Internal and external Dana Designs, Arc'teryx, Osprey. And agree 100% Test before you go. My partner tends to buy shortly before the season and wing it. His choice not mine.

I had an Osprey explode on me when I packed a caribou out. Had an Arcteryx buckle snap carrying out another caribou....I'd say that is bad advice as well. Seriously though everything WILL fail at some point. You can get the REI 85 XT for $230. I have carried one for part of a trip and was impressed with how rigid the frame was to be honest. That said I'd rather go external for heavy loads like a Cabelas External frame than most other packs in the same price range. Granted you aren't as "cool" as the internal guys and look like a throw back to Gordon Eastman or something, but they do handle the load if they fit ya.

No back to the subject at hand.....Looking forward to comparing the Timberline heads up to the Stone Glacier this coming spring/summer. Have a couple 75-100 mile long trips planned in the typical no trail "choose your own adventure" style of route where you just draw some lines on a topo map and hope it isn't too bad. I'll keep ya posted on my thoughts as well, even though it likely won't be as thorough as Matt's article, so you'll have to deal with that.

 

[Matt Cashell]

100 miles cross country seems pretty thorough to me, Luke! Looking forward to comparing notes.

 

[luke moffat]

HAHA, no I meant my report won't be as thorough